JP6672865B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus used for payment of goods.

  In a cash register terminal (for example, a POS (Point of Sales) register) in a store such as a supermarket, (1) a process of registering a product to be settled (eg, reading a barcode) and (2) a process of performing a checkout of the registered product (Receiving the price, returning the change, etc.) are performed.

  There is an operation method in which the function of such a cashier terminal is separated into two devices. Specifically, the function of performing the process (1) is provided in the merchandise registration device, and the function of performing the process (2) is provided in the checkout device.

  Some merchandise registration devices have a function of allocating a payment process for merchandise registered by the merchandise registration device to the settlement device. The customer asks a clerk who operates the product registration device which payment device has been assigned the payment processing, and moves to the payment device to perform payment.

  Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are examples of a technique in which a merchandise registration device assigns a settlement process to a settlement device. Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique of allocating a payment process to a payment device in which the progress of the payment process is the most advanced. Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique for determining a payment apparatus to which a payment process is to be assigned according to the age of a customer and the distance from the payment apparatus.

JP 2014-220019 A JP 2015-111472 A Patent No. 5811295

  The checkout device is provided with a user interface for interacting with a customer. For example, the user interface is a change machine used for inputting money and discharging change. The height of the position where the user interface is provided in the checkout device may differ depending on the checkout device. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses that two payment devices are held by one stand, and the positions of user interfaces provided in these payment devices in the height direction are different from each other. However, in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, when determining a payment apparatus to which a payment process is to be assigned, the height of a position where a user interface is provided in each payment apparatus is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for appropriately assigning a settlement process to a settlement device.

According to the first and second information processing apparatuses of the present invention, (1) based on the position of the user interface provided in each of the plurality of settlement devices in the height direction, the plurality of settlement apparatuses can be settled as a settlement target. It has a deciding means for deciding a settlement apparatus to which the settlement information relating to the settlement processing of the registered merchandise is allocated, and (2) an allocating means for allocating the settlement information to the decided settlement apparatus. (3) The plurality of payment devices include a first payment device and a second payment device. (4) The user interface provided on the first checkout device is at a higher position than the user interface provided on the second checkout device.
In the first information processing apparatus, the determination unit acquires attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer, and a customer having an attribute represented by the acquired attribute information allocates a payment device with a low user interface position. If it is a customer to be settled, the settlement device to which the settlement information is assigned is determined so that the second settlement device is preferentially assigned to the settlement information over the first settlement device.
In the second information processing apparatus, the determining unit may acquire attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer, and the acquired attribute information may indicate that the customer is to be assigned a payment apparatus with a low user interface position. From among the payment devices not used by the customer, the payment device with the lowest position of the user interface is determined as the allocation destination of the payment information.

A first information processing system according to the present invention includes the first or second information processing device according to the present invention, the first payment device, and the second payment device.

The first and second control methods of the present invention are executed by a computer. The first control method includes: (1) payment of a product registered as a payment target from among the plurality of payment devices based on a height position of a user interface provided in each of the plurality of payment devices. A determining step of determining a payment apparatus to which payment information relating to the process is to be allocated; and (2) an allocation step of allocating the payment information to the determined payment apparatus. (3) The plurality of payment devices include a first payment device and a second payment device. (4) The user interface provided on the first checkout device is at a higher position than the user interface provided on the second checkout device.
In the first control method, in the determining step, attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer is acquired, and a customer having an attribute represented by the acquired attribute information should assign a checkout device with a low user interface position. If the customer is a customer, the settlement device to which the settlement information is to be assigned is determined so that the second settlement device is preferentially assigned to the settlement information over the first settlement device.
In the second control method, in the determining step, attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer is acquired, and when the acquired attribute information indicates that the position of the user interface is a customer to which a payment apparatus with a low position is to be assigned, From among the payment devices not used by the customer, the payment device with the lowest position of the user interface is determined as the allocation destination of the payment information.

A first program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the first or second control method of the present invention.

According to the third information processing apparatus of the present invention, (1) for each of a plurality of payment devices, a display for displaying payment device information including information on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in the payment device on a display device. Control means, and (2) input acquisition means for acquiring an input for selecting a payment apparatus to which payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment object is to be allocated, from among the plurality of payment apparatuses, (3) And allocating means for allocating the payment information to the payment device selected by the input. (4) The plurality of payment devices include a first payment device and a second payment device. (5) The user interface provided in the first checkout device is at a higher position than the user interface provided in the second checkout device.
The third information processing device is based on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in each of the plurality of settlement devices, and sets the settlement information on a settlement process of a product registered as a settlement target for each of the plurality of settlement devices. And a recommendation degree calculating means for calculating a recommendation degree to be assigned to.
The display control means causes the display device to display the payment device information based on the calculated degree of recommendation.
The recommendation degree calculating means acquires attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer, and when the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a low position of the user interface, the position of the user interface is The lower the settlement device, the higher the recommendation level.

A second information processing system according to the present invention includes the third information processing device according to the present invention, the first payment device, and the second payment device.

The third control method of the present invention is executed by a computer. The third control method includes: (1) a display control step of, for each of the plurality of payment devices, displaying, on a display device, payment device information including information on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in the payment device. (2) an input obtaining step of obtaining an input for selecting a payment apparatus to which to assign payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target from among the plurality of payment apparatuses; and (3) the input. Allocating the payment information to the payment device selected by the above. (4) The plurality of payment devices include a first payment device and a second payment device. (5) The user interface provided in the first checkout device is at a higher position than the user interface provided in the second checkout device.
The third control method is based on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in each of the plurality of payment devices, and sets a plurality of payment devices, each of the plurality of payment devices, of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target. There is a recommendation degree calculating step of calculating a recommendation degree to be assigned.
In the display control step, the adjustment device information is displayed on the display device based on the calculated degree of recommendation.
In the recommendation degree calculating step, when the attribute information indicating the attribute of the customer is acquired, and the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to assign a checkout device with a low position of the user interface, the position of the user interface is The lower the settlement device, the higher the recommendation level.

The second program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the third control method of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a technique for appropriately assigning a settlement process to a settlement device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the information processing system in case a determination part and an allocation part are mounted inside a goods registration apparatus. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system in a case where a determination unit and an allocation unit are mounted inside a server device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes a product registration device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer for realizing the settlement apparatus. It is a 1st figure (front view) of two payment apparatuses with mutually different heights in which a user interface is installed. It is the 1st figure (top view) of two checkout devices from which height which user interface is installed differs mutually. It is the 2nd figure which illustrates the two payment devices where the user interface is installed in height which differs mutually. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes a server device. It is a figure which illustrates payment information in a table form. It is a figure which illustrates the method by which a payment apparatus acquires payment information. It is a figure which illustrates a mode that the payment device to which payment information is assigned is displayed on a touch panel. It is the 1st figure which illustrates the layout of the merchandise registration device and the checkout device in a store. It is the 2nd figure which illustrates the layout of the merchandise registration device and the checkout device in the shop. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a third embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen displayed on a display device according to a fourth embodiment. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen displayed on a display device according to a fifth embodiment. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system according to the fifth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, in each block diagram, unless otherwise specified, each block represents a configuration of a functional unit, not a configuration of a hardware unit.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system 10 according to the first embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes a determination unit 12, an assignment unit 13, a product registration device 20, and a payment device 30.

  The product registration device 20 is used for a process of registering a product as a settlement target (hereinafter, a product registration process). The user (such as a clerk) of the product registration device 20 operates the product registration device 20 to perform a product registration process for each product purchased by the customer. Through this registration process, settlement information is generated. The settlement information is information relating to a settlement process of a product registered as a payment target (information indicating an ID (Identifier) of the registered product).

  The payment device 30 is used for payment processing of a product registered as a payment target. Specifically, the settlement apparatus 30 acquires settlement information and performs a settlement process using the settlement information. The settlement process includes, for example, a process of presenting a total amount to a customer, a process of receiving a price from the customer, a process of discharging change, and a process of issuing a receipt.

  Here, the settlement apparatus 30 is provided with a user interface 32. The user interface 32 includes, for example, a change machine used for inputting money and discharging change.

  The information processing system 10 has a plurality of settlement devices 30. The plurality of settlement devices 30 include at least two settlement devices 30 having different user interface 32 positions in the height direction. For example, the user interface 32 is provided at a position suitable for an assumed user. The user assumed in the settlement apparatus 30 where the position of the user interface 32 is relatively low is, for example, a child, an elderly person, a short person, a disabled person or a disabled person using a wheelchair or the like. On the other hand, the user assumed in the settlement apparatus 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 is relatively high is, for example, a person other than the above (such as an adult excluding the elderly). However, the position where the user interface 32 is provided is not necessarily limited to a position suitable for the assumed user.

  The information processing system 10 allocates the settlement information generated by the product registration device 20 to any one of the settlement devices 30 in consideration of the position of the user interface 32 in the height direction. For this purpose, the information processing system 10 includes a determining unit 12 and an allocating unit 13. The deciding unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned based on the position in the height direction of the user interface of each of the plurality of settlement apparatuses 30 described above. The allocating unit 13 allocates the payment information to the payment device 30 determined by the determination unit 12.

  The payment device 30 to which the payment information is assigned acquires the payment information. The customer moves to the payment device 30 to which the payment information is assigned, and pays the payment at the payment device 30.

  For a child, an elderly person, a sick person, or the like, the payment device 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 is low is more easily used than the payment device 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 is high. If the position of the user interface 32 is high, it takes time to operate the user interface 32 (such as inputting a price or taking out a change), or a step for operating the user interface 32 is required. When the position of the user interface 32 is high, a child or the like cannot operate the user interface 32 by himself, and a clerk may be called. As a result, the cost required for operating the store increases, and the time for which the settlement apparatus 30 is used by one customer increases, so that the store cannot be operated efficiently.

  According to the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is assigned is determined in consideration of the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided in each settlement device 30. Therefore, if the user prefers the settlement apparatus 30 having a lower position of the user interface 32 as compared with the case where the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is allocated is determined without considering the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided. It is more likely that potential customers will be able to use the checkout device 30 with a lower user interface 32 location. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cost required for the operation of the store from being increased, and to prevent the customer from using the settlement apparatus 30 for a long time, thereby increasing the operation efficiency of the store.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

<Process flow>
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system 10 according to the first embodiment. The deciding unit 12 decides the settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated based on the position of the settlement device 30 in the height direction of the user interface 32 (S102). The allocating unit 13 allocates the payment information to the determined payment apparatus 30 (S104).

<Method of mounting information processing system 10>
Each functional configuration unit (the determination unit 12 and the allocation unit 13 in the present embodiment) included in the information processing system 10 is implemented by one or a plurality of information processing devices. For example, all of these functional components are implemented inside the product registration device 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 in a case where the functional components of the information processing system 10 are mounted inside the product registration device 20.

  It is also assumed that the information processing system 10 includes a server device 50 that is communicably connected to the merchandise registration device 20 and the settlement device 30. In this case, each functional component included in the information processing system 10 may be mounted inside the server device 50. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 in a case where the respective functional components of the information processing system 10 are mounted inside the server device 50. Note that the server device 50 may be installed inside the store or may be installed outside the store.

  Further, any of the functional components included in the information processing system 10 may be mounted inside the product registration device 20, and the remaining functional components may be mounted inside the server device 50 (not shown).

  In each of the embodiments described below, each functional component of the information processing system 10 is mounted by the same method as the mounting method described here.

<Example of hardware for realizing product registration device 20>
Each functional component of the product registration device 20 may be realized by hardware (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit or the like) that realizes each functional component, or a combination of hardware and software (eg: Electronic circuit and a program for controlling the same).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer 200 that implements the product registration device 20. The computer 200 may be implemented using a dedicated device designed for a cash register terminal, or may be implemented using a general-purpose device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a portable terminal.

  The computer 200 has a bus 202, a processor 204, a memory 206, a storage 208, an input / output interface 210, and a network interface 212. The bus 202 is a data transmission path through which the processor 204, the memory 206, the storage 208, the input / output interface 210, and the network interface 212 mutually transmit and receive data. However, the method of connecting the processors 204 and the like to each other is not limited to the bus connection. The processor 204 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 206 is a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 208 is a storage device such as a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card. Further, the storage 208 may be a memory such as a RAM or a ROM.

  The input / output interface 210 is an interface for connecting the computer 200 and an input / output device. In FIG. 5, the touch panel 214 and the reader 216 are connected to the input / output interface 210. Touch panel 214 receives an input for operating computer 200. For example, the touch panel 214 is used for manually inputting a product ID and a price. Further, the touch panel 214 displays various information such as information on a product registered as a payment target. The readers 216 are various readers used for registering products to be settled. For example, the reader 216 is a barcode reader or a camera for recognizing a product by image recognition. Note that an input interface other than the touch panel 214 such as a keyboard may be connected to the computer 200.

  The network interface 212 is an interface for communicatively connecting the computer 200 to an external device. The network interface 212 may be a network interface for connecting to a wired line or a network interface for connecting to a wireless line. For example, the computer 200 that implements the product registration device 20 is connected via a network to a computer that implements the settlement device 30 (computer 300 described below) and a computer that implements the server device 50 (computer 400 described below).

  The storage 208 stores a program module that realizes each function of the product registration device 20. The processor 204 realizes each function corresponding to the program module by executing the program module.

  The hardware configuration of the computer 200 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, each program module may be stored in the memory 206. In this case, the computer 200 may not include the storage 208.

<Example of hardware for realizing the settlement apparatus 30>
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer 300 that implements the settlement apparatus 30. The computer 300 may be implemented using a dedicated device designed for a cash register terminal, or may be implemented using a general-purpose device such as a PC or a portable terminal.

  The computer 300 has a bus 302, a processor 304, a memory 306, a storage 308, an input / output interface 310, and a network interface 312. The functions of the bus 302, the processor 304, the memory 306, the storage 308, the input / output interface 310, and the network interface 312 are respectively the bus 202, the processor 204, the memory 206, the storage 208, the input / output interface 210, and the network interface 212. Is the same as the function of

  The hardware configuration of the computer 300 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, each program module may be stored in the memory 306. In this case, the computer 300 may not include the storage 308.

  In FIG. 6, the user interface 32 is connected to the input / output interface 310. As described above, among the plurality of settlement apparatuses 30 included in the information processing system 10, at least two settlement apparatuses 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 in the height direction is different from each other. Hereinafter, a plurality of settlement apparatuses 30 in which the positions of the user interface 32 in the height direction are different from each other will be exemplified.

<<< Example 1 of settlement apparatus 30 >>>
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are first views illustrating two settlement apparatuses 30 at different heights where the user interface 32 is installed. FIG. 7 is a front view of two settlement devices. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the settlement apparatus 30. The settlement apparatus 30-1 and the settlement apparatus 30-2 shown in FIG. 7 have the same configuration when viewed in plan. Therefore, FIG. 8 shows one settlement device 30. Hereinafter, in describing the configuration common to the settlement apparatus 30-1 and the settlement apparatus 30-2, "-1" and "-2" are omitted as appropriate. For example, the coin change machine 320-1 and the coin change machine 320-2 are collectively referred to as a coin change machine 320.

  The settlement apparatus 30-1 has a user interface 32-1, and the settlement apparatus 30-2 has a user interface 32-2. The user interface 32-1 is held by the gantry 500-1, and the user interface 32-2 is held by the gantry 500-2. The position in the height direction of the user interface 32-1 is h1 from the lower end of the gantry 500, and the position in the height direction of the user interface 32-2 is h2 from the lower end of the gantry 500. And h1 is greater than h2. That is, the position in the height direction where the user interface 32-1 is provided in the settlement apparatus 30-1 is higher than the position in the height direction where the user interface 32-2 is provided in the settlement apparatus 30-2.

  The user interface 32 includes a coin change machine 320, a bill change machine 330, and a card settlement processing unit 340. The coin change machine 320 has a coin slot 321, a coin reject port 322, and a coin dispensing port 323. The coin insertion slot 321 receives coins to be paid for settlement. The coin reject port 322 ejects coins, of which coin types have not been discriminated due to scratches, deformation, or recognition errors, among coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 321. The coin outlet 323 discharges a coin change.

  The banknote change machine 330 has a banknote pay-in / pay-out port 331. The bill receiving / dispensing port 331 accepts receipt of bills and discharges change (also referred to as a bill) of bills.

  The card settlement processing unit 340 has a card insertion slot 341 and an input operation unit 342. A card is inserted into the card insertion slot 341. The input operation unit 342 includes a numeric keypad for receiving an input operation of a personal identification number or the like.

  The display device 350 includes a touch panel 352. The touch panel 352 has a function of displaying various information such as a settlement amount and receiving an operation by a user. The receipt printer 360 issues a receipt.

  The installation place of the computer 300 for realizing the settlement apparatus 30-1 and the settlement apparatus 30-2 is arbitrary. For example, a computer 300-1 that implements the settlement apparatus 30-1 and a computer 300-2 that implements the settlement apparatus 30-2 are mounted on the gantry 500-1 and the gantry 500-2, respectively. Further, for example, a computer 300-1 that implements the settlement apparatus 30-1 and a computer 300-2 that implements the settlement apparatus 30-2 are each installed at a location away from the gantry 500 (such as in a store office). In this case, each computer 300 is communicably connected to the user interface 32 and the display device 350. Note that a plurality of settlement apparatuses 30 may be realized using one computer 300.

<<< Example 2 of settlement apparatus 30 >>>
FIG. 9 is a second diagram exemplifying two payment devices 30 at different heights where the user interface 32 is installed. In the case of the settlement apparatus 30 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the two settlement apparatuses 30 are held by different stands 500. On the other hand, in FIG. 9, two payment devices 30 at different heights where the user interface 32 is installed are held by one stand 500. Specifically, a user interface 32-1 is provided on one side of the gantry 500, and a user interface 32-2 is provided on another side of the gantry 500. As in the case of FIG. 7, the position h1 in the height direction of the user interface 32-1 is higher than the position h2 in the height direction of the user interface 32-2. The functions of each component of the user interface 32 are the same as those of the user interface 32 in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, as in the case of FIG. 7, a place where a computer for realizing the settlement apparatus 30-1 and the settlement apparatus 30-2 is provided is arbitrary.

  A more specific description of the settlement apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 9 is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 3.

<Example of hardware for implementing server device 50>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer 400 that implements the server device 50. The computer 400 is implemented using various computers such as a PC and a portable terminal.

  The computer 400 has a bus 402, a processor 404, a memory 406, a storage 408, an input / output interface 410, and a network interface 412. The functions of the bus 402, the processor 404, the memory 406, the storage 408, the input / output interface 410, and the network interface 412 are respectively the bus 202, the processor 204, the memory 206, the storage 208, the input / output interface 210, and the network interface 212. Is the same as the function of

  The hardware configuration of the computer 400 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, each program module may be stored in the memory 406. In this case, the computer 400 may not have the storage 408.

<Method of determining settlement apparatus 30 to which settlement information is assigned>
The determination unit 12 determines the payment device 30 to which the payment information is to be assigned, based on the position of the user interface 32 provided in the payment device 30 in the height direction. For example, the determination unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned, such that the settlement apparatus 30 provided with the lower position of the user interface 32 is preferentially assigned to the settlement information. Hereinafter, a method for determining the settlement apparatus 30 will be specifically described.

<< Method 1 >>
The deciding unit 12 is a payment device 30 in which the position where the user interface 32 is provided is the lowest among the payment devices 30 that can execute the payment process based on the newly allocated payment information (hereinafter, the standby payment device 30). Is determined as the allocation destination of the settlement information.

  The settlement device 30 that is not included in the waiting settlement device 30 is roughly classified into a used settlement device 30 and an offline settlement device 30. The in-use payment device 30 means a payment device 30 that is performing a payment process based on another payment information (a payment device 30 used by another customer). The off-line payment device 30 is a payment device 30 that is not the payment device 30 on standby and is not the payment device 30 in use. For example, the off-line payment device 30 may be a payment device 30 that has not been activated, a payment device 30 that is under maintenance (for example, a payment device 30 that collects or replenishes change), or a network with the outside for some reason. The settlement apparatus 30 or the like that has been disconnected and cannot acquire the settlement information.

<< Method 2 >>
The deciding unit 12 decides, from the waiting settlement apparatus 30 and the settlement apparatus 30 in use, the settlement apparatus 30 where the user interface 32 is provided at the lowest position as an assignment destination of the settlement processing. In this case, the “in-use payment device 30” may include all the in-use payment devices 30 or may include only the in-use payment device 30 that satisfies a predetermined condition. . The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition that “the currently settling process is expected to be completed in a short time”. For example, the predetermined conditions are that 1) a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the payment information used in the current payment processing is allocated, and 2) a predetermined time or more since the customer started operating the payment apparatus 30. It is satisfied that the time has passed, 3) or that the progress of the settlement process is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The degree of progress of the settlement process is determined by, for example, which phase is currently being executed when the settlement process includes a plurality of phases. The payment processing phase includes, for example, a phase for selecting a payment method, a phase for accepting payment, and a phase for discharging change. The condition that “the degree of progress of the settlement process is equal to or greater than a predetermined value” is, for example, a condition that “the phase of the settlement process is after the change discharge phase”.

  The information indicating the predetermined condition, the predetermined time, the predetermined value, and the like described above may be set in the determination unit 12 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the determination unit 12.

<< Method 3 >>
The deciding unit 12 determines any of the waiting settlement devices 30 as an assignment destination of the settlement information if there is a waiting settlement device 30. If there is no waiting settlement device 30, any of the used settlement devices 30 is used. Is determined as the allocation destination of the settlement information. If there is a standby payment apparatus 30, for example, the determination unit 12 determines the standby payment apparatus 30 where the user interface 32 is provided at the lowest position as the allocation destination of the payment information. On the other hand, when there is no standby payment apparatus 30, for example, the determination unit 12 determines the payment apparatus 30 in use where the user interface 32 is provided at the lowest position as the allocation destination of the payment information. At this time, the “payment device 30 in use” may include all the payment devices 30 in use, or include only the payment device 30 in use that satisfies the above-described predetermined condition. You may.

  Other methods by which the determination unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 will be further described in another embodiment described later.

<Method of grasping information on settlement device 30>
In order to determine the payment device 30 to which the payment information is to be allocated, the determination unit 12 acquires information on the payment device 30 (hereinafter, payment device information). The payment device information indicates the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided, and the state of the payment device 30 (e.g., waiting, in use, or offline). The settlement information includes a time at which the settlement information currently processed by the settlement apparatus 30 is transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30, a time at which the customer starts operating the settlement apparatus 30, or a degree of progress of the settlement processing in the settlement apparatus 30. May be indicated.

  The method by which the determination unit 12 acquires the settlement device information is arbitrary. For example, the determination unit 12 acquires payment device information from each payment device 30. In this case, the settlement apparatus information is generated by the settlement apparatus 30. Further, for example, the payment device information of each payment device 30 may be generated by monitoring each payment device 30 from an external device (hereinafter, a monitoring device). The monitoring device is, for example, the product registration device 20 or the server device 50. The monitoring device generates payment device information of each payment device 30 and stores the information in the storage device. The monitoring device updates the settlement device information stored in the storage device. The deciding unit 12 transmits the request indicating the ID of the settlement apparatus 30 to the monitoring apparatus, thereby acquiring the settlement apparatus information of the settlement apparatus 30 specified by the ID.

  The method by which the monitoring device generates and updates the settlement device information is arbitrary. For example, the settlement apparatus 30 is provided with a function of transmitting a message to the monitoring apparatus when the state changes from one of the standby state, the busy state, and the offline state to another state. The monitoring device updates the payment device information of the payment device 30 by receiving this message from the payment device 30. When the payment device information on the payment device 30 that is the transmission source of the message is not stored in the storage device, the monitoring device newly generates the payment device information of the payment device 30. Further, for example, generation and update of the settlement apparatus information may be performed by the monitoring apparatus polling each settlement apparatus 30.

  It should be noted that various existing technologies can be used for a method of monitoring the state of another device from one device. Therefore, description of another method for the monitoring device to generate and update the settlement device information is omitted.

<Product registration process>
Various known techniques can be used for the process of registering the product to be adjusted using the product registration device 20. For example, the merchandise registration device 20 reads a symbol such as a barcode attached to the merchandise, thereby registering the merchandise as a target for settlement.

  A plurality of commodities can be included in the settlement target in one settlement process. For example, the merchandise registration device 20 may register one or a plurality of registered merchandise during a period from receiving an operation for instructing the start of the registration process of the adjustment target to receiving an operation for instructing the end of the registration process of the adjustment target. It is registered as a settlement target in one settlement process. The settlement information related to a certain settlement process indicates an ID (Identifier) of each product registered as a target of the settlement process. The settlement information may further indicate a transaction number, a price of each product, a total price, and the like.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the settlement information in a table format. The payment information shown in FIG. 11 is referred to as payment information 600. The payment information 600 has two columns, a payment information ID 602 and a product list 604. The settlement information ID 602 indicates an identifier of the settlement information. The product list 604 is a list of product IDs registered as payment targets. The product ID 606 is an identifier of a product registered as a payment target.

  The payment information may be generated by the product registration device 20 or may be generated by the server device 50. In the latter case, the server device 50 obtains information on each product to be registered as a target for payment (for example, the ID of each product read by the reader 216 of the product registration device 20) from the product registration device 20, thereby performing the payment. Generate information.

<How to assign payment information>
The allocating unit 13 allocates the payment information to the payment device 30 determined as the allocation destination of the payment information by the determination unit 12. Here, the process of “assigning the payment information to the payment device 30” is an arbitrary process that causes the payment device 30 to perform the payment process based on the payment information. For example, the allocating unit 13 allocates the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 by transmitting the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 to which the payment information is allocated. In this case, the settlement apparatus 30 performs a settlement process based on the received settlement information. Further, for example, the allocating unit 13 may allocate the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 by generating information in which the payment information is associated with the payment apparatus 30 to which the payment information is allocated. In this case, the settlement apparatus 30 performs settlement processing based on the settlement information by acquiring the settlement information associated with the settlement apparatus 30. Information in which the settlement information is associated with the settlement device 30 is stored in a storage device that can be accessed by the product registration device 20, the settlement device 30, or the server device 50.

<Method by which the payment apparatus 30 acquires payment information>
The settlement apparatus 30 acquires the settlement information assigned to itself. The settlement device 30 may acquire the settlement information from the product registration device 20 or may acquire the settlement information from the server device 50. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method by which the settlement apparatus 30 acquires the settlement information.

  In FIG. 12A, the settlement apparatus 30 has acquired settlement information from the commodity registration apparatus 20. In FIG. 12B, the settlement apparatus 30 has acquired the settlement information transmitted from the product registration apparatus 20 to the server apparatus 50 from the server apparatus 50. In the cases of FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the settlement information is generated by the product registration device 20.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 12C, the settlement apparatus 30 has acquired the settlement information generated by the server apparatus 50 from the server apparatus 50. In this case, the server device 50 generates payment information by acquiring information (for example, an ID of each product read by a reader of the product registration device 20) on each product to be registered as a payment target from the product registration device 20. I do.

  12A to 12C, the acquisition of the settlement information by the settlement apparatus 30 is performed by the settlement apparatus 30 requesting the merchandise registration apparatus 20 and the server apparatus 50 to transmit the settlement information. Alternatively, the registration may be performed by the merchandise registration apparatus 20 or the server apparatus 50 transmitting the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 independently.

<Method of grasping the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned>
The customer or the clerk needs to know which payment device 30 the payment information has been assigned to. There are various methods for grasping the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned. For example, the allocating unit 13 displays, on a touch panel provided in the product registration device 20, information specifying the payment device 30 to which the payment information has been allocated (the ID of the payment device 30, a place where the payment device 30 is installed, and the like). Output. This touch panel may be a touch panel viewed by a clerk or a touch panel viewed by a customer. FIG. 13 is a diagram exemplifying a state where the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned is displayed on the touch panel. In FIG. 13, the payment information is allocated to the third payment device 30.

  The allocating unit 13 may output, by voice, information for specifying the payment apparatus 30 to which the payment information has been allocated. When the mobile terminal owned by the customer is communicably connected to the information processing system 10, the allocating unit 13 outputs, to the mobile terminal, information for specifying the payment apparatus 30 to which the payment information has been allocated. May be.

  When outputting the information for specifying the first payment apparatus 30 to which the payment information is allocated to the customer's mobile terminal or the like, there are various methods for the allocation unit 13 to specify the transmission destination. For example, when a customer has registered as a member at a store, the member information includes an e-mail address. In this case, for example, the allocating unit 13 obtains a mail address included in the member information of the customer by reading a member card or the like presented by the customer. Then, the allocating unit 13 transmits the ID of the settlement information to the obtained mail address.

  Further, for example, a customer previously installs a dedicated application provided from a store or the like in a mobile terminal. The application has a function of establishing a wireless communication connection with the information processing system 10. The allocating unit 13 transmits the ID of the settlement information to the application to which the connection has been established.

<Example of store layout>
FIG. 14 is a first diagram illustrating a layout of the merchandise registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 in a store. In FIG. 14, one payment device 30 is held by one base 500 (the payment device 30 described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8). The position in the height direction of the user interface 32 provided on the settlement apparatus 30 indicated as “High” is the height direction of the user interface 32 provided on the settlement apparatus 30 indicated as “Low”. Higher than the position.

  The clerk 70 receives the shopping cart from the customer 60 and reads each product in the shopping cart with a barcode reader or the like, thereby registering each product as a settlement target. After that, the deciding unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned, and the allocating unit 13 assigns the settlement information. As a result, for example, the settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is assigned is displayed on the touch panel 214 included in the product registration device 20. The clerk 70 who sees the display notifies the customer 60 of the payment device 30 to be used (the payment device 30 to which the payment information is assigned). The customer 60 goes to the settlement apparatus 30 heard from the clerk 70 and performs a settlement process.

  FIG. 15 is a second diagram illustrating a layout of the merchandise registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 in a store. In FIG. 15, two payment devices 30 are held by one stand 500 (the payment device 30 described with reference to FIG. 9). For example, the settlement apparatus 30-1 and the settlement apparatus 30-2 are held by one stand 500.

[Embodiment 2]
The information processing system 10 of the second embodiment is represented in FIG. 1 similarly to the information processing system 10 of the first embodiment. Except as described below, the information processing system 10 of the second embodiment has the same functions as the information processing system 10 of the first embodiment.

  The determining unit 12 according to the second embodiment acquires the attribute information and uses it for determining the settlement apparatus 30. The attribute information indicates the attribute of the customer. Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines that the acquired attribute information indicates a customer (child, old man, short person, or disabled or disabled person) to which the settlement apparatus 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 should be assigned. In such a case, the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated is determined so that the settlement apparatus 30 with a lower position of the user interface 32 is preferentially assigned to the settlement information. The specific method of assigning the payment information preferentially to the payment device 30 with a lower position of the user interface 32 is as described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a customer to whom the settlement apparatus 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 is to be assigned is referred to as a “priority customer”.

<Contents of attribute information>
The attribute information is any information that can determine whether the customer is a priority customer. For example, the attribute information is information indicating the age and height of the customer. Further, for example, the attribute information may be information indicating the presence / absence of a sickness or a disorder. Further, for example, the attribute information is information directly indicating whether or not the customer is a priority customer (eg, a flag indicating whether or not the customer is a priority customer).

  The age of the customer indicated in the attribute information may be the actual age or the estimated age. The information indicating the age of the customer may be information roughly indicating the age of the customer. The information roughly indicating the age of the customer is, for example, information indicating an approximate number such as a teenager or a twenties, or information indicating a classification such as a child, an adult, or an elderly person.

  Similarly, the height of the customer indicated in the attribute information may be the actual height or the estimated height. The information indicating the height of the customer may be information roughly indicating the height of the customer. The information that roughly indicates the height of the customer is an approximate number such as a 160 cm or 170 cm height.

<How to get attribute information>
The deciding unit 12 acquires the attribute information by an arbitrary method. For example, the determination unit 12 acquires attribute information input by a clerk or a customer. The clerk may input the attribute heard from the customer, or may input the attribute expected by looking at the customer. The attribute information may be input by a customer.

  When the clerk inputs the attribute information, the clerk inputs the attribute information using the touch panel 214 or the like. When the customer inputs the attribute information, it is preferable that a separate touch panel operable by the customer be provided in the product registration device 20 separately from the touch panel 214 operated by the clerk.

  The determining unit 12 may acquire attribute information extracted from the customer member information. For example, the determination unit 12 acquires member information using a member card or a credit card presented by the customer. It should be noted that a known technique can be used for a method of acquiring member information using a member card or a credit card.

  When the mobile terminal of the customer is communicably connected to the information processing system 10, the determination unit 12 may acquire the attribute information of the customer from the mobile terminal of the customer. In this case, the attribute information may be input by the customer to the mobile terminal, or may be stored in the mobile terminal in advance.

<Method of determining whether or not a customer is a priority customer>
The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the customer is a priority customer based on various information indicated in the attribute information. For example, when the age of the customer indicated in the attribute information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 12 years), the determination unit 12 determines that the customer is a priority customer (child). Similarly, when the age of the customer indicated in the attribute information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 60 years), the determination unit 12 determines that the customer is a priority customer (elder). When the height of the customer indicated in the attribute information is equal to or less than a predetermined value (for example, 150 cm), the determination unit 12 determines that the customer is a priority customer (a person with a short height). Further, when the attribute information indicates that the customer is ill or injured, the determination unit 12 determines that the customer is a priority customer (sick or disabled). When the attribute information directly indicates that the customer is a priority customer, the determination unit 12 determines that the customer is a priority customer.

<If the customer is not a priority customer>
When the customer indicated by the attribute information is not a priority customer, there are various methods for determining the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned. For example, the determination unit 12 randomly determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned, from the waiting settlement apparatuses 30. Further, for example, the determination unit 12 assigns, among the waiting settlement apparatuses 30, the one that is not the settlement apparatus 30 with the lowest position of the user interface 32 (for example, the settlement apparatus 30 with the highest position of the user interface 32) to the settlement information. Determined as the destination.

  The deciding unit 12 may determine the settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned from the waiting settlement device 30 and the settlement device 30 in use. At this time, the “payment device 30 in use” may include all of the payment devices 30 in use, or may include only the payment device 30 that satisfies the above-described predetermined condition. Further, the determining unit 12 determines the payment device 30 to which the payment information is to be allocated from the waiting payment devices 30 if there is a waiting payment device 30. If there is no waiting payment device 30, the determination unit 12 uses the payment device 30. The settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is assigned may be determined from the settlement devices 30 in the middle.

<Process flow>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system 10 according to the second embodiment. The deciding unit 12 acquires the attribute information of the customer (S202). The determination unit 12 determines whether the customer is a priority customer (S204). If the customer is a priority customer (S204: YES), the deciding unit 12 determines the settlement device 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned, giving priority to the settlement device 30 with the lower position of the user interface 32 (S206). On the other hand, if the customer is not a priority customer (S204: NO), the deciding unit 12 decides the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated by an arbitrary method (S208).

  After S206 or S208 is executed, the allocating unit 13 allocates the settlement information to the determined settlement apparatus 30 (S210).

<Example of hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the merchandise registration device 20, the settlement device 30, and the server device 50 according to the second embodiment is represented by, for example, FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, as in the first embodiment. However, the storage of the computer that realizes the determining unit 12 and the allocating unit 13 of the present embodiment (the computer 200 that realizes the product registration device 20 or the computer 400 that realizes the server device 50) has the storage of the determining unit 12 and the A program module that implements the assignment unit 13 is stored.

  According to the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the user interface 32 is provided with the settlement information on the customer (child, old man, etc.) to which the settlement apparatus 30 having the low position of the user interface 32 is to be assigned. The priority of the settlement device 30 having a lower position is assigned. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing system 10 is improved for the customer.

<Modification>
The determining unit 12 of the present embodiment replaces the above-described method of determining the settlement apparatus 30 with the above-described method of determining the settlement apparatus 30. If the customer is to assign the settlement apparatus 30 with a higher position, the settlement apparatus 30 with a higher position on the user interface 32 is preferentially assigned with the settlement information. May be used to determine the settlement device 30. Customers to which the payment device 30 with a high position of the user interface 32 should be assigned include, for example, tall customers (eg, customers having a height of 170 cm or more) and young adult customers (eg, customers in their 20s or 30s). It is. Further, the customer to whom the settlement apparatus 30 with the higher position of the user interface 32 should be assigned may be all customers who are not the above-mentioned priority customers.

  When the deciding unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated by such a method, the attribute information can specify whether or not the customer to whom the settlement apparatus 30 to which the position of the user interface 32 is high should be assigned. Indicates information. For example, the attribute information indicates the age and height of the customer. Further, for example, the attribute information is information directly indicating whether or not the customer is to assign the checkout device 30 with a high position of the user interface 32 (whether the customer is to assign the checkout device 30 with a high position of the user interface 32). For example, a flag indicating the presence or absence of the information).

  The method by which the determination unit 12 determines "whether or not a customer to whom the settlement apparatus 30 with a high position of the user interface 32 should be assigned" is the same as the method of determining whether or not a customer is a priority customer. . For example, when the height of the customer is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the determination unit 12 determines that the customer to whom the payment device 30 with the higher position of the user interface 32 should be assigned is to be assigned.

  For a tall customer or the like, it may be difficult to use the settlement apparatus 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 is low. Therefore, when the customer is a customer to whom the customer interface 32 with a higher position of the user interface 32 should be assigned, the determination unit 12 preferentially assigns the settlement information to the accountant 30 with a higher position of the user interface 32. This increases the probability that a tall customer or the like can use the settlement apparatus 30 in which the position of the user interface 32 is high. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing system 10 is improved for such customers.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 according to the third embodiment. Except for the points described below, the information processing system 10 according to the third embodiment has the same functions as the product registration device 20 according to the second embodiment.

  The product registration device 20 according to the third embodiment includes the recommendation degree calculation unit 14. The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 calculates the degree of recommendation of each settlement apparatus 30 using the attribute of the customer, the height at which the user interface 32 is provided, and the distance between the product registration apparatus 20 and each settlement apparatus 30. calculate. The recommendation degree of the settlement apparatus 30 indicates the degree to which it is recommended to assign the settlement information to the settlement apparatus 30. The deciding unit 12 according to the third embodiment uses the calculated recommendation degree to decide the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned. For example, the determination unit 12 determines the payment apparatus 30 having the highest recommendation degree as an allocation destination of the payment information.

  When the customer represented by the attribute information is a priority customer, the recommendation degree of the settlement apparatus 30 becomes larger as the position of the user interface 32 provided in the settlement apparatus 30 in the height direction is lower. The degree of recommendation of the settlement apparatus 30 is such that if the customer represented by the attribute information is a customer who should use the settlement apparatus 30 close to the commodity registration apparatus 20 used by the customer, the settlement apparatus 30 and the customer The value becomes larger as the distance from the used product registration device 20 becomes shorter. Here, customers who should use the settlement apparatus 30 close to the commodity registration apparatus 20 are, for example, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, or the like. Note that the conditions that apply to a customer who should use the settlement device 30 that is closer to the product registration device 20 may be the same as or different from the conditions that apply to a priority customer.

There are various methods by which the determination unit 12 calculates the recommendation level of the settlement apparatus 30. For example, the determination unit 12 calculates the recommendation level using the following equation (1).

  i is the ID of the merchandise registration device 20, and j is the ID of the settlement device 30. c is attribute information. Hereinafter, the product registration device 20 with the ID i is referred to as a product registration device 20-i, and the settlement apparatus 30 with the ID j is referred to as a settlement device 30-j. r (i, j, c) represents the recommendation degree of the settlement apparatus 30-j when the customer uses the product registration apparatus 20-i and the customer's attribute information is c.

  rh (j, c) is a recommendation degree calculated based on the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided in the settlement apparatus 30-j and the attribute information of the customer. rd (i, j, c) is a recommendation degree calculated based on the distance between the merchandise registration device 20-i and the settlement device 30-j and customer attribute information.

  When the customer indicated by the attribute information is a priority customer, rh (j, c) outputs a larger value as the position in the height direction of the user interface 32 provided in the settlement apparatus 30-j is lower.

  On the other hand, when the customer indicated by the attribute information is not a priority customer, what value rh (j, c) outputs is various. For example, in this case, rh (j, c) outputs a predetermined constant. In this case, for example, rh (j, c) outputs a larger value as the position in the height direction of the user interface 32 provided in the settlement apparatus 30-j is higher.

  When the customer indicated by the attribute information is a customer who is to use the settlement apparatus 30 close to the commodity registration apparatus 20, rd (i, j, c) determines the communication between the commodity registration apparatus 20-i and the settlement apparatus 30-j. A larger value is output as the distance between them is shorter.

  On the other hand, when the customer indicated by the attribute information is not the customer who should use the settlement device 30 close to the product registration device 20, what value rd (i, j, c) outputs varies. is there. For example, in this case, rd (i, j, c) outputs a predetermined constant. In this case, for example, rd (i, j, c) outputs a larger value as the distance between the merchandise registration device 20-i and the settlement device 30-j is longer.

  The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the customer is a customer who should use the settlement apparatus 30 close to the product registration apparatus 20 using the attribute information. The method is the same as the method for determining whether a customer is a priority customer. For example, using the customer information indicating the age of the customer, the determination unit 12 determines whether the customer is an old man. Further, for example, the determining unit 12 determines whether the customer is a sick person or a disabled person by using information indicating whether the customer is ill or injured.

<Process flow>
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system 10 according to the third embodiment. The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 acquires the attribute information of the customer (S302). The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 calculates the degree of recommendation of each settlement apparatus 30 (S304). The deciding unit 12 determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated based on the recommendation level of each settlement apparatus 30 (S306). The allocating unit 13 allocates the payment information to the determined payment device 30 (S308).

<Example of hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the product registration device 20, the settlement device 30, and the server device 50 according to the third embodiment is represented by, for example, FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, as in the first embodiment. However, the storage of a computer that implements each functional component of the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment (the computer 200 that implements the product registration device 20 or the computer 400 that implements the server device 50) stores the information processing of the present embodiment. A program module that realizes each functional component of the system 10 is stored.

  The information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be allocated in consideration of the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided in the settlement apparatus 30. By doing so, the same effects as those described in the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  Further, the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment determines the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is to be assigned, in consideration of the distance between the product registration apparatus 20 and the settlement apparatus 30. Here, it is considered that an elderly person, a sick person, and the like require a longer time to move from the product registration device 20 to the settlement device 30 than other customers. For this reason, the payment device 30 closer to the product registration device 20 is preferentially used by the elderly and the sick and disabled, so that the customer can use the payment device 30 efficiently. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the store is improved. In addition, the elderly and the sick are considered to prefer the settlement apparatus 30 which is closer to the commodity registration apparatus 20. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing system 10 is improved for these customers by giving the elderly or the sick person preferentially to use the settlement device 30 close to the product registration device 20.

<Modification 1>
The deciding unit 12 according to the third embodiment calculates the recommendation degree (for example, rh (j, c) in the mathematical expression (1)) calculated based on the position in the height direction where the user interface 32 is provided. It is not necessary to consider the distance between the settlement apparatus 30 and the merchandise registration apparatus 20. According to the information processing system 10 in this case, the same effect as the information processing system 10 of the second embodiment can be obtained.

<Modification 2>
The method of calculating the recommendation degree (for example, rh (j, c) in Equation (1)) calculated based on the attribute information and the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided is the same as the calculation method described above. Alternatively, instead of the above-described calculation method, “if the customer indicated by the attribute information is a customer to whom the payment apparatus 30 with a higher position of the user interface 32 is to be assigned, the higher the position of the payment apparatus 30 with the higher position of the user interface 32 is, Is higher. " For example, rh (j, c) in Expression (1) is provided in the payment device 30-j when the customer indicated by the attribute information is a customer to which the payment device 30 with a high position of the user interface 32 is to be assigned. The higher the position of the user interface 32 in the height direction, the larger the value that is output. By doing so, the same effect as the modification of the information processing system 10 of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 4]
FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The information processing system 10 according to the fourth embodiment includes a display control unit 15, an input acquisition unit 16, and an assignment unit 17.
The display control unit 15 causes the display device 40 to display information (payment device information) indicating the state of each payment device 30. The input acquisition unit 16 acquires an input for selecting the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is assigned. The allocating unit 17 allocates the payment information to the selected payment apparatus 30.

  The display device 40 is a display device 40 that can be viewed by a clerk or a customer who operates the product registration device 20. For example, the display device 40 is the touch panel 214 in FIG.

<About Information Displayed on Display Device 40>
The information displayed on the display device 40 by the display control unit 15 may be all the information included in the payment device information described in the first embodiment, or may be a part of the information included in the payment device information. Is also good. However, the information displayed on the display device 40 includes at least information on the position in the height direction of the user interface 32 provided in the settlement apparatus 30.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen 100 displayed on the display device 40. The settlement apparatus area 80 is a display area for displaying information or the like shown in the settlement apparatus information of the corresponding settlement apparatus 30. Specifically, in the checkout device area 80, the name of the checkout device 30 (such as the checkout device 1), the state of the checkout device 30 (such as waiting, in use, or offline), and the position where the user interface 32 is provided. , The time when the latest payment information was transmitted to the payment apparatus 30, and the transmission button 90 are shown.

  The height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided is shown at three levels. The number of shaded stars indicates the level for the settlement device 30. The information on the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided indicates that the greater the number of hatched stars, the higher the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided.

  Here, the method of indicating the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided is not limited to the method shown at multiple levels as shown in FIG. For example, the display control unit 15 may display an actually measured value or a specification value of the height at the position where the user interface 32 is provided in the settlement apparatus area 80. Further, for example, instead of including the information indicating the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided in the checkout device area 80, the display control unit 15 sequentially starts from the payment device 30 where the position where the user interface 32 is provided is lower. The settlement apparatus area 80 may be displayed.

  A transmission button 90 in the settlement apparatus area 80 of a certain settlement apparatus 30 is a button pressed by a clerk or the like to assign settlement information to the settlement apparatus 30. When the transmission button 90 is pressed, the input acquisition unit 16 acquires an input indicating which transmission button 90 has been pressed.

  When the settlement information can be assigned to a certain settlement apparatus 30, the transmission button 90 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 is enabled (pressable). On the other hand, when the settlement information cannot be assigned to a certain settlement apparatus 30, the transmission button 90 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 is disabled (cannot be pressed). In FIG. 20, when the frame of the transmission button 90 is a solid line, the transmission button 90 is enabled. On the other hand, when the frame of the transmission button 90 is a dotted line, the transmission button 90 is disabled.

<About highlighting>
The display control unit 15 may highlight the payment device information of the payment device 30 where the position where the user interface 32 is provided is low. For example, the display control unit 15 displays the payment device information of the payment device 30 in which the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided satisfies the predetermined condition in a more emphasized manner than the payment device information of the other payment devices 30. The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition that the level of the height represented by the above-mentioned star is one star. The predetermined condition may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Here, there are various methods of highlighting performed by the display control unit 15. For example, the display control unit 15 displays a predetermined character string or an image in the checkout device area 80 corresponding to the checkout device 30 satisfying the predetermined condition. For example, in FIG. 20, a character string “recommended” is displayed in the checkout device area 80 for each checkout device 30 in which the level of the position where the user interface 32 is provided is one star. Information on the displayed character string and image may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Further, for example, with regard to the payment device information of the payment device 30 that satisfies the predetermined condition, the display control unit 15 enlarges the display of the payment device information or sets the background color of the display of the payment device information to a prominent color (for example, red). Or you may. For example, in the selection screen 100, the display control unit 15 displays the settlement device area 80 in a larger size or sets a background of the settlement device area 80 for the settlement device 30 in which the height level represented by the above-mentioned star is one star. Make the color stand out. Information about the size of the adjustment device area 80 to be emphasized and the background color may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Further, for example, the display control unit 15 may determine the display order of the settlement apparatus information such that the emphasized settlement apparatus information is displayed in a higher order. For example, on the selection screen 100, the display control unit 15 displays the settlement apparatus area 80 in the order from the position where the user interface 32 is provided in the corresponding settlement apparatus 30 in ascending order. The order on the selection screen 100 is assumed to be higher in the order of, for example, the first line left, the first line right, the second line left, the second line right, the third line left...

  Alternatively, the display control unit 15 may display only the payment device information on the payment device 30 that satisfies the predetermined condition on the selection screen 100.

  The information indicating which method the display control unit 15 performs the highlighting may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15. You may.

<Acquisition of Input by Input Acquisition Unit 16>
The input acquisition unit 16 acquires an input for selecting the settlement apparatus 30. The user selects one of the payment device information displayed on the display device 40 via various input interfaces connected to the product registration device 20.

  For example, it is assumed that the display device 40 includes a touch panel 214 and the display control unit 15 causes the touch panel 214 to display the selection screen 100 illustrated in FIG. In this case, the user presses any of the send buttons 90. The input acquisition unit 16 acquires information indicating which transmission button 90 has been pressed. Then, the input acquisition unit 16 recognizes that the payment device 30 corresponding to the pressed send button 90 is the payment device 30 selected by the user.

  Note that the input acquired by the input acquisition unit 16 is not limited to pressing the touch panel. For example, the user may input the ID of the checkout device 30 using a keyboard. In this case, the input acquisition unit 16 acquires the ID of the payment apparatus 30 that has been input.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process executed by the information processing system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. The display control unit 15 causes the display device 40 to display the payment device information of each payment device 30 (S402). The input acquisition unit 16 acquires an input for selecting the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is allocated (S404). The allocating unit 17 allocates the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 selected by the input (S406).

<Example of hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the merchandise registration device 20, the settlement device 30, and the server device 50 according to the fourth embodiment is represented by, for example, FIGS. 5, 6, and 10, as in the first embodiment. However, the storage of a computer that implements each functional component of the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment (the computer 200 that implements the product registration device 20 or the computer 400 that implements the server device 50) stores the information processing of the present embodiment. A program module that realizes each functional component of the system 10 is stored. In the product registration device 20 of FIG. 5, the touch panel 214 corresponds to the display device 40 of the present embodiment.

  According to the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the payment device information indicating the height of the position of the user interface 32 in the payment device 30 is displayed on the display device 40. The clerk or the like looks at the payment device information and selects which payment device 30 the payment information is assigned to. By doing so, a customer who should use the settlement device 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 can use the settlement device 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 as much as possible, The customer who should use the settlement device 30 with a high position of the user interface can use the settlement device 30 with a high position of the user interface 32 as much as possible. Therefore, as described in each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to operate the store efficiently and to enhance the convenience of the information processing system 10 for the customer.

[Embodiment 5]
FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 10 according to the fifth embodiment. Except for the points described below, the information processing system 10 according to the fifth embodiment has the same functions as the information processing system 10 according to the fourth embodiment.

  The information processing system 10 according to the fifth embodiment includes a recommendation degree calculator 14. The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 calculates the recommendation degree (r (i, j, c) in Expression (1)) described in the third embodiment for each settlement apparatus 30. However, the recommendation degree calculated by the recommendation degree calculation unit 14 is a recommendation degree calculated based on the attribute information of the customer and the position in the height direction of the user interface 32 (such as rh (j, c) in Expression (1)). Alternatively, the degree of recommendation (rd (i, j, c) in Equation (1)) calculated based on the attribute information of the customer and the distance between the merchandise registration apparatus 20 and the settlement apparatus 30 may be used.

  The display control unit 15 of the fifth embodiment causes the display device 40 to display the payment device information of each payment device 30 based on the calculated recommendation degree.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a selection screen 100 displayed on the display device 40 in the fifth embodiment. The settlement device area 80 in FIG. 23 includes the distance from the product registration device 20 to which the display device 40 is connected, in addition to the information included in the settlement device area 80 in FIG.

  The distance from the product registration device 20 is indicated at three levels, similarly to the height of the position where the user interface 32 is provided. The information on the distance from the product registration device 20 indicates that the greater the number of hatched stars, the longer the distance from the product registration device 20.

<About highlighting>
The display control unit 15 highlights the payment device information of the payment device 30 with a high degree of recommendation. For example, the display control unit 15 displays the settlement device 30 whose recommendation degree is equal to or more than a predetermined value, with emphasis on other settlement devices 30. This predetermined value may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Here, there are various methods of highlighting performed by the display control unit 15. For example, the display control unit 15 displays a predetermined character string or an image in the checkout device area 80 corresponding to the checkout device 30 whose recommendation degree is equal to or more than a predetermined value. For example, in FIG. 23, a character string of "recommended" is displayed in the settlement apparatus area 80 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 whose recommendation degree is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Information on the displayed character string and image may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Further, for example, the display control unit 15 enlarges the display of the adjustment device information to be emphasized, or sets the background color of the display of the adjustment device information to be emphasized to a conspicuous color (for example, red). For example, in the selection screen 100 of FIG. 23, the display control unit 15 displays the settlement apparatus area 80 to be emphasized large or sets the background color of the settlement apparatus area 80 to be emphasized to a conspicuous color. Information about the size of the adjustment device area 80 to be emphasized and the background color may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15.

  Further, for example, the display control unit 15 may determine the display order of the settlement apparatus information such that the emphasized settlement apparatus information is displayed in a higher order. For example, in the selection screen 100 of FIG. 23, the display control unit 15 displays the adjustment device area 80 to be emphasized above the adjustment device area 80 that is not emphasized.

  Alternatively, the display control unit 15 may display only the payment device information on the payment device 30 whose recommendation degree is equal to or more than the predetermined value on the selection screen 100.

  The information indicating which method the display control unit 15 performs the highlighting may be set in the display control unit 15 in advance, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the display control unit 15. You may.

<Process flow>
FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by the information processing system 10 of the fifth embodiment. The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 acquires the attribute information of the customer (S502). The recommendation degree calculation unit 14 calculates the degree of recommendation of each settlement apparatus 30 (S504). The display control unit 15 causes the display device 40 to display the payment device information of each payment device 30 based on the calculated recommendation level (S506). The input acquisition unit 16 acquires an input for selecting the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement information is allocated (S508). The allocating unit 17 allocates the payment information to the payment apparatus 30 selected by the input (S510).

<Example of hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of a computer that implements the product registration device 20, the settlement device 30, and the server device 50 of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. However, the storage of a computer that implements each functional component of the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment (the computer 200 that implements the product registration device 20 or the computer 400 that implements the server device 50) stores the information processing of the present embodiment. A program module that realizes each functional component of the system 10 is stored.

  According to the information processing system 10 of the present embodiment, the degree of recommendation of each settlement apparatus 30 is calculated, and a display based on the degree of recommendation (the various highlighted displays described above) is performed. Accordingly, a clerk or the like allows a customer who wants to use the settlement apparatus 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 to use the settlement apparatus 30 with a low position of the user interface 32 as much as possible, or a position where the position of the user interface 32 is high. An operation for allowing a customer who wants to use the settlement apparatus 30 to use the settlement apparatus 30 having a high position of the user interface 32 as much as possible can be easily performed. Therefore, the convenience of the information processing system 10 for a clerk or the like is improved.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, these are exemplifications of the present invention, and a combination of the above embodiments or various configurations other than the above may be adopted.

Hereinafter, examples of the reference embodiment will be additionally described.
1. Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which allocation information of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is selected from among the plurality of payment devices. Determining means for determining
Allocating means for allocating the payment information to the determined payment device,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
The information processing device, wherein a user interface provided in the first checkout device is located at a higher position than a user interface provided in the second checkout device.
2. The determining means obtains attribute information indicating an attribute of a customer, and further determines a payment apparatus to which the payment information is to be assigned, using the obtained attribute of the customer. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
3. If the customer having the attribute represented by the acquired attribute information is a customer to which a payment device with a low user interface is to be assigned, the determination unit may be configured to perform the second payment more than the first payment device. 1. Determine a settlement apparatus to which the settlement information is to be assigned so that the apparatus is preferentially assigned to the settlement information. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
4. The determining means, when the acquired attribute information indicates that a customer to whom a position of the user interface is to be assigned to a low-cost payment device, the position of the user interface from among the payment devices not used by the customer. 1. Determine the lowest payment device as the allocation destination of the payment information. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
5. 2. Customers who should be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface location are children, the elderly, the sick or disabled. Or 4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
6. Using the acquired attribute information and the distance between the information processing device and each of the settlement devices, for each of the settlement devices, a recommendation degree calculating unit that calculates a recommendation degree to which the settlement information is assigned,
1. The deciding means assigns the payment information to the payment device with the highest recommendation level. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
7. The first payment device and the second payment device are held by one holding member. To 6. An information processing device according to any one of the above.
8. 1. To 7. An information processing system, comprising: the information processing device according to any one of claims, a first payment device, and a second payment device.
9. A control method executed by a computer,
Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which allocation information of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is selected from among the plurality of payment devices. A determining step of determining
Allocating the payment information to the determined payment device, and
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
The control method, wherein a user interface provided on the first checkout device is located at a higher position than a user interface provided on the second checkout device.
10. 8. In the determining step, attribute information indicating an attribute of the customer is acquired, and further, a settlement device to which the settlement information is assigned is determined using the acquired attribute of the customer. The control method described in 1.
11. In the determining step, when the customer having the attribute represented by the acquired attribute information is a customer to which a payment device with a low position of the user interface is to be assigned, the second payment is performed more than the first payment device. 9. Decide the settlement device to which the settlement information is assigned so that the device is preferentially assigned to the settlement information. The control method described in 1.
12. In the determining step, when the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer to whom the position of the user interface is to be assigned a low payment apparatus, the position of the user interface is selected from among the payment apparatuses that are not used by the customer. 9. Determine the lowest payment device as the allocation destination of the payment information. The control method described in 1.
13. 10. The customer to whom a payment device with a low user interface should be assigned is a child, the elderly, the sick or disabled. Or 12. The control method described in 1.
14． Using the acquired attribute information and the distance between the computer and each of the settlement devices, for each of the settlement devices, having a recommendation degree calculation step of calculating a recommendation degree to which to assign the settlement information,
9. assigning the payment information to the payment device having the highest recommendation degree in the determining step; The control method described in 1.
15. 8. the first checkout device and the second checkout device are held by one holding member; To 14. The control method according to any one of the above.
16. 9. To 15. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of the above.
17． For each of the plurality of payment devices, display control means for displaying the payment device information including information on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided in the payment device on a display device,
From among the plurality of payment devices, input acquisition means for acquiring an input for selecting a payment device to which to assign payment information regarding the payment process of a product registered as a payment target,
Assigning means for assigning the payment information to the payment device selected by the input;
Has,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
The information processing device, wherein a user interface provided in the first checkout device is located at a higher position than a user interface provided in the second checkout device.
18. Based on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a degree of recommendation is calculated for each of the plurality of payment devices as an allocation destination of payment information regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target. Recommendation degree calculating means to
17. The display control means causes the display device to display the payment device information based on the calculated recommendation level. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
19. 17. The display control means highlights the payment device information on the payment device with the higher recommendation level. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
20. The recommendation degree calculating means,
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
17. If the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface position, the recommendation level is higher for a checkout device with a lower user interface position; Or 19. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
21. 19. Customer to be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface location is child, elderly, disabled or disabled. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
22. 16. The first checkout device and the second checkout device are held by one holding member; To 21. An information processing device according to any one of the above.
23. 17． To 22. An information processing system, comprising: the information processing device according to any one of claims, a first payment device, and a second payment device.
24. A control method executed by a computer,
For each of the plurality of payment devices, a display control step of displaying payment device information including information on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in the payment device on a display device,
An input acquisition step of acquiring an input for selecting a payment apparatus to which to assign payment information regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target from among the plurality of payment apparatuses;
An allocating step of allocating the payment information to the payment device selected by the input;
Has,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
The control method, wherein a user interface provided on the first checkout device is located at a higher position than a user interface provided on the second checkout device.
25. Based on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a degree of recommendation for each of the plurality of payment devices as a destination to which payment information is to be allocated regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is calculated. Has a recommendation degree calculating step of
23. The display control step includes displaying the payment device information on the display device based on the calculated recommendation level. The control method described in 1.
26. 25. The display control step highlights the payment device information relating to the payment device with the high recommendation level. The control method described in 1.
27. The recommendation degree calculating step includes:
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
25. If the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a lower position of the user interface, the higher the recommendation degree, the lower the position of the user interface. Or 26. The control method described in 1.
28. 26. Customers who should be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface location are children, the elderly, the sick, or disabled. The control method described in 1.
29. 24. The first and second payment devices are held by one holding member. To 28. The control method according to any one of the above.
30. 24. To 29. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to any one of the above.

Reference Signs List 10 information processing system 20 merchandise registration device 22 determination unit 23 allocation unit 24 recommendation degree calculation unit 25 display control unit 26 input acquisition unit 27 allocation unit 30 payment device 32 user interface 40 display device 50 server device 60 customer 70 clerk 80 payment device area 90 send button 100 selection screen 200 computer 202 bus 204 processor 206 memory 208 storage 210 input / output interface 212 network interface 214 touch panel 216 reader 300 computer 302 bus 304 processor 306 memory 308 storage 310 input / output interface 312 network interface 320 coin change machine 321 Coin slot 322 Coin reject slot 323 Coin dispensing slot 330 Change machine for banknote 331 Banknote deposit and withdrawal port 340 Card settlement processing unit 341 Card insertion slot 342 Input operation unit 350 Display device 352 Touch panel 360 Receipt printer 400 Computer 402 Bus 404 Processor 406 Memory 408 Storage 410 Input / output interface 412 Network interface 500 Mount 600 Payment information 602 Payment device ID
604 Product list 606 Product ID

Claims (15)

Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which allocation information of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is selected from among the plurality of payment devices. Determining means for determining
Allocating means for allocating the payment information to the determined payment device,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
User interface that comes with the first settlement apparatus, Ri position near higher than a user interface that comes with the second settlement device,
The determining means comprises:
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
If the customer having the attribute represented by the acquired attribute information is a customer to which a payment device with a low position of the user interface should be assigned, the second payment device has priority over the first payment device. An information processing device that determines a payment device to which payment information is to be allocated so as to be a payment information allocation destination . Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which allocation information of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is selected from among the plurality of payment devices. Determining means for determining
Allocating means for allocating the payment information to the determined payment device,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
A user interface provided on the first checkout device is higher than a user interface provided on the second checkout device;
The determining means comprises:
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
If the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface position, the checkout device with the lowest user interface position is selected from the checkout devices not used by the customer. , An information processing device that determines an assignment destination of settlement information. The customer should the position of the user interface allocates low settlement device, children, the elderly, is a sick person or the handicapped, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Wherein the first settlement apparatus the second settlement apparatus is held in one holding member, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the information processing system having a first settlement device, and the second accounting device. A control method executed by a computer,
Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which allocation information of payment information relating to payment processing of a product registered as a payment target is selected from among the plurality of payment devices. A determining step of determining
Allocating the payment information to the determined payment device, and
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
User interface that comes with the first settlement apparatus, Ri position near higher than a user interface that comes with the second settlement device,
In the determining step,
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
If the customer having the attribute represented by the acquired attribute information is a customer to which a payment device with a low position of the user interface should be assigned, the second payment device has priority over the first payment device. A control method for determining a payment apparatus to which payment information is to be allocated so as to be a payment information allocation destination .   A control method executed by a computer,
  Based on the height position of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a payment device to which the payment information relating to the payment process of the product registered as the payment target is assigned from among the plurality of payment devices. A determining step of determining
  Allocating the payment information to the determined payment device, and
  The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
  A user interface provided on the first checkout device is higher than a user interface provided on the second checkout device;
  In the determining step,
    Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
    When the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a low user interface position, the checkout device with the lowest user interface position is selected from the checkout devices not used by the customer. , A control method that determines the settlement information to be assigned. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 6 . For each of the plurality of payment devices, display control means for displaying the payment device information including information on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided in the payment device on a display device,
From among the plurality of payment devices, input acquisition means for acquiring an input for selecting a payment device to which to assign payment information regarding the payment process of a product registered as a payment target,
Assigning means for assigning the payment information to the payment device selected by the input;
Has,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
User interface that comes with the first settlement apparatus, Ri position near higher than a user interface that comes with the second settlement device,
Based on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a degree of recommendation is calculated for each of the plurality of payment devices as an allocation destination of payment information regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target. Recommendation degree calculating means to
The display control means, on the basis of the calculated recommendation degree, to display the payment device information on the display device,
The recommendation degree calculating means,
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
An information processing device, wherein, when the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a payment device with a low user interface position, the recommendation level is higher for a payment device with a lower user interface position . The information processing device according to claim 9 , wherein the display control unit highlights the payment device information regarding the payment device with the high recommendation level. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the customer to whom the settlement apparatus having a low position of the user interface should be assigned is a child, an elderly person, a sick person, or a disabled person. Wherein the first settlement apparatus the second settlement apparatus is held in one holding member, the information processing apparatus as claimed in any one claims 9 to 11. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, an information processing system having a first settlement device, and the second accounting device. A control method executed by a computer,
For each of the plurality of payment devices, a display control step of displaying payment device information including information on a position in a height direction of a user interface provided in the payment device on a display device,
An input acquisition step of acquiring an input for selecting a payment apparatus to which to assign payment information regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target from among the plurality of payment apparatuses;
An allocating step of allocating the payment information to the payment device selected by the input;
Has,
The plurality of checkout devices include a first checkout device and a second checkout device;
User interface that comes with the first settlement apparatus, Ri position near higher than a user interface that comes with the second settlement device,
Based on the position in the height direction of the user interface provided for each of the plurality of payment devices, a degree of recommendation is calculated for each of the plurality of payment devices as an allocation destination of payment information regarding payment processing of a product registered as a payment target. Has a recommendation degree calculating step of
In the display control step, based on the calculated degree of recommendation, to display the payment device information on the display device,
In the recommendation degree calculating step,
Get attribute information indicating customer attributes,
When the acquired attribute information indicates that the customer is to be assigned a checkout device with a lower position of the user interface, the recommendation level is set higher for a checkout device with a lower position of the user interface . A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 14 .

Images