JP2012208814A - Information acquisition apparatus, article registration device and information acquisition method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce unauthorized action while suppressing increase of costs.SOLUTION: An information acquisition apparatus 1 comprises an acquisition unit 2, a calculation unit 3, a comparison unit 4 and an output unit 5. A discount starting time of an article is set a fixed time before a consumption time limit, and from the article which is added with article identification information, the consumption time limit and discount information, the acquisition unit 2 acquires the article identification information, the consumption time limit and the discount information. The calculation unit 3 calculates a differential between the consumption time limit acquired by the acquisition unit 2 and the present time. The comparison unit 4 compares the differential calculated by the calculation unit 3 with the fixed time. The output unit 5 outputs the article identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to a settlement unit 6 which executes the settlement of the article and outputs the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to the settlement unit 6 if the differential calculated by the calculation unit 3 is shorter than the fixed time as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 4.

Description

  This case relates to an information acquisition device, a product registration device, and an information acquisition method for acquiring information.

  For example, in a retail store such as a supermarket, product identification information is acquired from a product with product identification information represented by a barcode or the like using a scanner or the like, and the product is settled based on the acquired product identification information. For example, a commodity registration device such as a self-checkout device or a POS (Point Of Sale) terminal device is used.

  By the way, in order to reduce waste loss, retail stores such as supermarkets sometimes sell discounted products such as sugar beet products whose consumption time is approaching and the time until the expiration date is less than a certain time. As a method of performing such discount sales using the above-described product registration device, there is the following method.

  That is, separately from the product identification information, discount information is attached to the product, and at the time of payment, the product registration device acquires the discount information from the product together with the product identification information using a scanner, and the acquired product identification information There is a method of calculating a price based on discount information (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The provision of discount information is performed, for example, by attaching a discount sticker on which discount information is displayed to a product.

  However, with such a checkout method, a malicious shopper would remove the discount information from the product and attach the peeled discount information to the other product so that the product that is not the target of discount purchase at a discount price. There is a possibility of performing illegal acts.

  On the other hand, there is a technique for reducing fraud by judging the authenticity of discount information attached to a product. For example, a discount sticker on which discount information and identification information are displayed is affixed to a product, and at the time of payment, the product registration apparatus acquires the identification information together with the discount information, and based on the acquired identification information, the discount information There is a technique for determining credibility (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-147331 A JP 2010-26745 A

  However, in the method of sticking the discount sticker on which the discount information and the identification information are displayed on the product, it is necessary to change the display contents for each discount sticker, and it is necessary to manage the identification information. Preparation costs may increase.

  In view of such a point, an object of the present invention is to provide an information acquisition device, a product registration device, and an information acquisition method that reduce fraud while suppressing an increase in cost.

In order to achieve the above object, the following information acquisition device, product registration device, and information acquisition method are provided.
This information acquisition device is a product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, the product identification information and the expiration date An acquisition unit that acquires time and discount information, a calculation unit that calculates a difference between the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit and the current time, and a comparison unit that compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit with a certain time The product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is output to the settlement unit that performs the settlement of the product, and if the difference calculated by the calculation unit is shorter than a predetermined time as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, the discount acquired by the acquisition unit And an output unit that outputs information to the settlement unit.

  Further, the product registration device is a product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, The acquisition unit that acquires the expiration date and discount information, the calculation unit that calculates the difference between the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit and the current time, and the comparison that compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit with a certain time And the output unit that outputs the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit when the difference calculated by the calculation unit is shorter than a predetermined time as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit , And a payment device that performs product payment based on the product identification information and the discount information output by the output unit of the information acquisition device.

  Further, in this information acquisition method, the product is a product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, Acquire identification information, expiry date and discount information, calculate the difference between the acquired expiry time and the current time, compare the calculated difference with a certain amount of time, and use the acquired product identification information And when the calculated difference is shorter than a predetermined time as a result of comparison, the obtained discount information is output to the settlement unit.

  According to the disclosed information acquisition device, product registration device, and information acquisition method, it is possible to reduce fraud while suppressing an increase in cost.

It is a figure which shows an example of the information acquisition apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the self-checkout system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware of the self-checkout apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware of the image scanner which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the goods which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the discount schedule of the goods which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function of the self-checkout apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information acquisition procedure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the processing result by the image scanner which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information acquisition apparatus according to the first embodiment. The information acquisition device 1 includes an acquisition unit 2 that acquires information attached to a product, a calculation unit 3, a comparison unit 4, and an output unit 5 connected to the settlement unit 6.

  Here, it is assumed that the discount start time of a product is set a certain time before the expiration date of the product. In addition, merchandise identification information, expiry date and discount information are attached to the merchandise. Here, the product identification information and the expiration date are generally information attached to the product.

  The product identification information is expressed by, for example, a barcode. For example, the product identification information and the expiry date are displayed on a product label affixed to the product, and the discount information is displayed on a discount sticker affixed to the product separately from the product label.

  The acquisition unit 2 acquires the product identification information, the expiration date, and the discount information from the product. The calculation unit 3 calculates the difference between the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit 2 and the current time. Here, the difference refers to the time from the current time to the expiration date. The comparison unit 4 compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 with a certain time from the discount start time to the expiration date.

  The output unit 5 outputs the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to the settlement unit 6 that performs the settlement of the product, and the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 4 is shorter than a certain time. In this case, the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 is output to the settlement unit 6.

  That is, the output unit 5 does not output the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to the settlement unit 6 when the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 is longer than a certain time as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 4. The settlement unit 6 performs settlement of the product based on the product identification information and the discount information output from the output unit 5.

  Next, an information acquisition procedure by the information acquisition device 1 will be described. First, the acquisition unit 2 acquires the product identification information, the expiration date, and the discount information from the product. Next, the calculation unit 3 calculates the difference between the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit 2 and the current time.

  Next, the comparison unit 4 compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 with a certain time from the discount start time to the expiration date. Next, the output unit 5 outputs the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to the settlement unit 6 that performs the settlement of the product, and the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 4 is a predetermined time. If it is shorter, the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 is output to the settlement unit 6.

  Here, as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 4, when the difference calculated by the calculation unit 3 is longer than a predetermined time, the output unit 5 does not output the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit 2 to the settlement unit 6. Then, the settlement unit 6 performs settlement of the product based on the product identification information and the discount information output from the output unit 5.

  Thus, when the difference between the expiration date acquired from the product and the current time is shorter than a certain time from the discount start time to the expiration date, the information acquisition device 1 calculates the discount information acquired from the product as a settlement unit. 6 is output. That is, if the difference between the expiration date acquired from the product and the current time is longer than a certain time, the discount information acquired from the product is not output to the settlement unit 6.

  According to this configuration, when discount information is illegally attached to a product that has not reached the discount start time, the difference between the expiration date and the current time becomes longer than a certain time, so the discount information is settled. Not output to part 6. That is, the discount information is not reflected in the price of the product. This makes it possible to reduce fraud.

  Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to reduce fraud without adding new information to the product together with the discount information. For example, there is no need to prepare a discount sticker with discount information and identification information. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress an increase in cost.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment in which the information acquisition device 1 of the first embodiment is applied to a self-checkout device that is one of the product registration devices and a shopper checks out the product by himself / herself is described in the second embodiment. This will be described as a form.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a self-checkout system according to the second embodiment. The self-checkout system 10 has a self-checkout device 100 connected to the store server 20 via the network 11. In the self-checkout apparatus 100, the shopper checks out the merchandise. The store server 20 centrally manages the product information settled by the self-checkout device 100.

  The self-checkout device 100 includes a main body 110, a product temporary placement table 111 attached to one side of the main body 110, and a bagging table 112 attached to the other side. The main body 110 includes a display 113, a touch panel 114, an image scanner 115, a money input unit 116, and a change discharge unit 117.

  On the product temporary placing table 111, a shopping basket in which products before payment is placed is temporarily placed. The image scanner 115 has an imaging region in front. The product taken out from the shopping basket of the product temporary storage table 111 by the shopper and picked up in the imaging area is imaged by the image scanner 115 and the product is registered. As a result, the registered merchandise is settled. On the bagging table 112, a plastic bag, a shopping bag, or the like in which a settled product is placed is placed.

  The display 113 displays a guide image for the shopper. The touch panel 114 receives a touch operation by a shopper. The touch panel 114 is disposed on the display 113 so as to transmit an image displayed on the display 113. The shopper performs a touch operation on the touch panel 114 while viewing the guide image displayed on the display 113. Money such as coins and banknotes is inserted into the money insertion unit 116 by a shopper. The fishing discharge unit 117 discharges fishing such as coins and money.

Next, the hardware of the self-checkout device 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware of the self-checkout apparatus according to the second embodiment. The self-checkout device 100 includes a payment device 100a and a plurality of peripheral devices.

  The payment apparatus 100 a includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 connected to the CPU 101, and a hard disk drive (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 103 connected to the CPU 101. The entire self-checkout apparatus 100 is controlled by the CPU 101.

  The RAM 102 is used as a main storage device of the self-checkout device 100. The RAM 102 temporarily stores at least part of an OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the CPU 101. The RAM 102 stores various data necessary for processing by the CPU 101.

  The HDD 103 magnetically writes and reads data to and from the built-in disk. The HDD 103 is used as a secondary storage device of the self-checkout device 100. The HDD 103 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory can also be used as the secondary storage device.

  A plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the CPU 101 via the bus 106. Peripheral devices connected to the bus 106 include a money management device 104, a display 113, a touch panel 114, an image scanner 115, and a communication interface 105.

  The money management device 104 performs input / output, counting, and storage of coins and banknotes. The display 113 displays an image according to a command from the CPU 101. As the display 113, a display device using a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display device, or the like is used.

  The touch panel 114 receives a touch operation by a shopper and transmits an input signal to the CPU 101. The image scanner 115 captures an imaging area and transmits the captured image to the CPU 101.

  The communication interface 105 is connected to the network 11. The communication interface 105 transmits / receives data to / from other computers or communication devices via the network 11.

Next, the hardware of the image scanner 115 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of hardware of the image scanner according to the second embodiment. The entire image scanner 115 is controlled by the CPU 201. A RAM 202 and a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the CPU 201 via a bus 207.

  The RAM 202 is used as a main storage device of the image scanner 115. The RAM 202 temporarily stores at least a part of OS programs and application programs to be executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 202 stores various data necessary for processing by the CPU 201. Peripheral devices connected to the bus 207 include a hard disk drive 203, an image sensor 204, a clock 205, and a communication interface 206.

  The HDD 203 magnetically writes and reads data to and from the built-in disk. The HDD 203 is used as a secondary storage device of the image scanner 115. The HDD 203 stores an OS program, application programs, and various data. Note that a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory can also be used as the secondary storage device.

  The imaging element 204 images the imaging area in accordance with a command from the CPU 201. For example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like is used for the imaging element 204.

  Further, the image sensor 204 transmits the captured image to the CPU 201. The clock 205 transmits date / time information to the CPU 201. The communication interface 206 is connected to the bus 106. The communication interface 206 transmits / receives data to / from the CPU 101 via the bus 106.

With the hardware configuration described above, the processing functions of the second embodiment can be realized.
Next, products handled by the self-checkout system 10 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product according to the second embodiment. The product 30 is, for example, a side dish product. A product label 31 and a discount sticker 32 are affixed to the surface of the product 30.

  The product label 31, the product name, the expiration date / time, the barcode, and the price are displayed. The bar code expresses product identification information. The barcode includes a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code. For example, the product label 31 is affixed in advance before the products 30 are arranged in the store. The product label 31 is affixed to all products regardless of whether the product is a discount target.

  The discount seal 32 is affixed to the product 30 independently of the product label 31. The discount sticker 32 displays discount information such as a discount rate and a discount amount. The discount sticker 32 is affixed by a store clerk when a predetermined time elapses after the products 30 are arranged in the store and the product 30 reaches a discount sales period. That is, the discount sticker 32 is affixed only to the product to be discounted.

Next, the product discount schedule will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product discount schedule according to the second embodiment. The discount start date and time of a product is set a certain time before the expiration date and time of the product. This fixed time is determined by the store policy. That is, the period before the discount start date and time is a normal sales period without discount, and the period from the discount start date and time to the expiration date is the discount sales period.

  For example, if this fixed time is “2 hours”, for a product whose expiry date is “March 1, 2011 18:00” and the date is “March 1, 2011 16:00” Discount stickers are affixed and discount sales are started.

Next, functions of the self-checkout device 100 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the function of the self-checkout device according to the second embodiment. The image scanner 115 includes an imaging unit 211, a barcode demodulation unit 212, a character recognition unit 213, a calculation unit 214, a current date and time acquisition unit 215, a comparison unit 216, a fixed time storage unit 217, and an output unit 218. And have. The payment apparatus 100a has a payment section 219 connected to the output section 218 of the image scanner 115.

  The image capturing unit 211 periodically captures an image capturing area where merchandise is deceived by a shopper. The barcode demodulation unit 212 acquires barcode information by demodulating the barcode portion of the captured image captured by the imaging unit 211. The character recognizing unit 213 recognizes a character included in the captured image captured by the image capturing unit 211, thereby acquiring the expiration date / time and the discount information from the product.

  The current date and time acquisition unit 215 acquires the current date and time. The current date and time can be acquired from, for example, the clock 205 or the settlement apparatus 100a. The calculation unit 214 calculates a difference obtained by subtracting the current date and time acquired by the current date and time acquisition unit 215 from the expiration date and time acquired by the character recognition unit 213. Here, the difference refers to the time from the current date to the expiration date.

  The fixed time storage unit 217 stores a fixed time (for example, “2 hours”) from the discount start date and time to the expiration date and time shown in FIG. The comparison unit 216 compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit 214 with the fixed time stored in the fixed time storage unit 217. Note that the fixed time may be a fixed value for all products or may be determined individually for each product. For example, when determining a certain time for each product, after identifying the product from the captured bar code information, a certain time corresponding to the product from a certain time table in which a certain time is specified for each product in the certain time storage unit 217 in advance. To get.

  The output unit 218 outputs the barcode information acquired by the barcode demodulation unit 212 to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a. Further, the output unit 218 outputs the discount information acquired by the character recognition unit 213 to the settlement unit 219 according to the comparison result by the comparison unit 216. Further, the output unit 218 notifies the settlement unit 219 of an error. The settlement unit 219 performs settlement of the product based on the barcode information and the discount information output from the output unit 218 of the image scanner 115.

Next, a procedure for acquiring information from a product by the image scanner 115 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information acquisition procedure according to the second embodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 8 is started each time the imaging unit 211 captures an imaging region. It is assumed that the fixed time storage unit 217 stores in advance a fixed time from the discount start date to the expiration date.

[Step S11] The barcode demodulation unit 212 acquires barcode information by demodulating the barcode portion of the captured image captured by the imaging unit 211.
[Step S12] The barcode demodulator 212 determines whether or not the barcode information has been successfully acquired. If the bar code information has been successfully acquired, the bar code demodulator 212 proceeds with the process to step S13. If acquisition of the barcode information is not successful, the barcode demodulator 212 ends the process and waits for the next imaging instruction.

[Step S13] The character recognizing unit 213 performs character recognition on the display portion of the discount information in the captured image captured by the imaging unit 211, and acquires the discount information.
[Step S14] The character recognition unit 213 determines whether or not acquisition of discount information is successful. If the acquisition of the discount information is successful, the character recognition unit 213 advances the process to step S15. If the acquisition of the discount information is not successful, the character recognition unit 213 advances the process to step S21.

[Step S15] The character recognizing unit 213 performs character recognition on the display portion of the expiration date / time in the captured image captured by the imaging unit 211, and acquires the expiration date / time.
[Step S16] The character recognition unit 213 determines whether or not acquisition of the expiration date / time is successful. When acquisition of the expiration date / time is successful, the character recognizing unit 213 advances the processing to step S17. If acquisition of the expiration date / time is not successful, the character recognition unit 213 advances the process to step S22.

[Step S17] The current date and time acquisition unit 215 acquires the current date and time. The current date and time can be acquired from the clock 205 or the settlement apparatus 100a.
[Step S18] The calculation unit 214 calculates a difference obtained by subtracting the current date and time acquired by the current date and time acquisition unit 215 from the expiration date and time acquired by the character recognition unit 213.

  [Step S19] The comparison unit 216 determines whether or not the difference calculated by the calculation unit 214 is equal to or less than a predetermined time stored in the fixed time storage unit 217. When the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined time, the comparison unit 216 advances the processing to step S20. When the difference is not less than the predetermined time, the comparison unit 216 advances the processing to step S21.

  [Step S20] The output unit 218 outputs the barcode information acquired by the barcode demodulation unit 212 and the discount information acquired by the character recognition unit 213 to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a, and ends the processing. To do. Then, the settlement unit 219 performs settlement of the product based on the barcode information and the discount information output from the output unit 218. That is, the discount is reflected in the price of the product.

  [Step S21] The output unit 218 outputs the barcode information acquired by the barcode demodulation unit 212 to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a, and ends the process. Then, the settlement unit 219 performs settlement of the product based on the barcode information output from the output unit 218. That is, the discount is not reflected in the price of the product.

  [Step S22] The output unit 218 sends a reading failure notification to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a. The display 113 is notified of the reading failure to the shopper, and the reading error is notified to the store clerk via the communication interface 105. As a result, it is possible to perform individual processing by the store clerk and perform discount processing by manual input or the like as necessary.

Next, as a specific example, a processing result by the image scanner 115 for the products (1) to (3) will be described.
FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of processing results obtained by the image scanner according to the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the fixed time from the discount start date and time to the expiration date is “2 hours”, and the current date is “March 1, 2011 17:00”.

  The discount sticker is attached to the product (1), and the expiration date / time is “March 1, 2011 18:00”. In this case, since the difference obtained by subtracting the current date and time from the expiration date / time is “1 hour”, which is shorter than “2 hours”, which is a fixed time, the image scanner 115 transmits discount information to the checkout apparatus 100a. That is, the discount sticker is treated as being correctly attached to the product.

  The discount sticker is attached to the product (2), and the expiration date / time is “March 1, 2011 23:00”. In this case, the difference obtained by subtracting the current date from the expiration date / time is “6 hours”, which is longer than “2 hours”, which is a fixed time, and therefore the image scanner 115 does not transmit discount information to the checkout apparatus 100a. That is, the discount sticker is treated as being affixed to the merchandise.

The discount sticker is not affixed to the product (3). In this case, the image scanner 115 does not transmit discount information to the settlement apparatus 100a regardless of the expiration date and time.
As described above, in the self-checkout apparatus 100, when the difference between the expiration date / time acquired by the image scanner 115 from the product and the current date / time is equal to or less than a certain time from the discount start date / time to the expiration date / time. The discount information acquired from the product is output to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a. That is, when the difference between the expiration date / time acquired from the product and the current date / time is longer than a predetermined time, the discount information acquired from the product is not output to the settlement unit 219.

  According to this configuration, when a discount sticker is illegally attached to a product that has not reached the discount start date and time, the difference between the expiration date and time and the current date and time is longer than a certain time, so the discount information is settled. It is not output to the part 219. That is, the discount information is not reflected in the price of the product. This makes it possible to reduce fraud.

  Further, according to this configuration, it is possible to reduce fraud without adding new information to the discount sticker together with the discount information. For example, there is no need to prepare a discount sticker with discount information and identification information. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress an increase in cost.

  Moreover, according to this structure, it becomes possible to implement | achieve invention, without changing the program etc. of the adjustment apparatus 100a provided with the adjustment part 219. FIG. When changing the program of the settlement apparatus 100a, it is necessary to perform an operation test of the self-checkout apparatus 100 again, which may require a lot of time for development. According to the self-checkout apparatus 100, it is sufficient to perform an operation test or the like of the image scanner 115, so that the development period can be greatly shortened.

  Further, in the self-checkout apparatus 100, the image scanner 115 acquires the barcode information prior to the expiration date / time and the discount information. According to this configuration, when the barcode information cannot be acquired, the process can be terminated without acquiring the expiration date / time and the discount information. Thereby, the time concerning a process can be shortened.

  Further, in the self-checkout apparatus 100, the image scanner 115 acquires discount information in advance of the expiration date and time. According to this configuration, when the discount information cannot be obtained, the barcode information can be output to the settlement unit 219 of the settlement apparatus 100a without obtaining the expiration date / time. Thereby, the time concerning a process can be shortened.

  Further, in the self-checkout apparatus 100, the image scanner 115 does not calculate the difference when the barcode information or the discount information is not acquired. According to this configuration, when the barcode information or the discount information is not acquired, the barcode information can be output to the settlement unit 219 without executing the difference calculation. Thereby, the time concerning a process can be shortened.

  The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the self-checkout apparatus 100 should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer. The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic storage device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic storage device include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape. Optical discs include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) / RW (ReWritable), and the like. Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk).

  When distributing the program, for example, a portable recording medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded is sold. It is also possible to store the program in a storage device of a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. In addition, each time a program is transferred from a server computer connected via a network, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

  In addition, at least a part of the above processing functions can be realized by an electronic circuit such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information acquisition apparatus 2 Acquisition part 3,214 Calculation part 4,216 Comparison part 5,218 Output part 6,219 Settlement part 30 Goods 31 Product label 32 Discount sticker 100 Self-checkout device 100a Settlement apparatus 115 Image scanner 211 Imaging part 212 Barcode demodulation unit 213 Character recognition unit 215 Current date and time acquisition unit 217 Fixed time storage unit

Claims (12)

A product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information are obtained. An acquisition unit to acquire;
A calculation unit that calculates the difference between the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit and the current time;
A comparison unit that compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit with the predetermined time;
When the product identification information acquired by the acquisition unit is output to a settlement unit that performs product settlement, and as a result of comparison by the comparison unit, the difference calculated by the calculation unit is shorter than the predetermined time, the acquisition unit An output unit that outputs the discount information acquired by the to the settlement unit;
An information acquisition apparatus comprising: The acquisition unit acquires the product identification information in advance of the expiration date and discount information;
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1. The acquisition unit acquires discount information in advance of the expiration date;
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2. The calculation unit does not calculate a difference when product identification information or discount information is not acquired by the acquisition unit;
The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein It further has an imaging unit for imaging a predetermined area where the product is deceived,
The acquisition unit acquires product identification information, expiration date and discount information from an image captured by the imaging unit;
The information acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein The discount information is displayed on the discount sticker attached to the product,
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The product identification information and expiry date are displayed on the product label affixed to the product,
The discount information is displayed on the discount sticker attached to the product separately from the product label,
The information acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Product identification information must be represented by a barcode,
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The predetermined time is specified individually for each product,
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1. The acquisition unit acquires the product identification information, the expiration date, and the discount information by character recognition from the image captured by the imaging unit;
The information acquisition apparatus according to claim 5. A product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information are obtained. An acquisition unit to acquire, a calculation unit that calculates a difference between a expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit and a current time, a comparison unit that compares the difference calculated by the calculation unit and the certain time, and the acquisition An output unit for outputting the discount information acquired by the acquisition unit when the difference calculated by the calculation unit is shorter than the predetermined time as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit. An information acquisition device comprising:
Based on the product identification information and discount information output by the output unit of the information acquisition device, a payment device that performs product payment,
A product registration device comprising: Computer
A product whose discount start time is set a certain time before the expiration date, and from the product with the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information, the product identification information, the expiration date and the discount information are obtained. Acquired,
Calculate the difference between the acquired expiration time and the current time,
Compare the calculated difference with the fixed time,
Output the acquired product identification information to the settlement unit that performs the settlement of the product, and if the calculated difference is shorter than the predetermined time as a result of the comparison, the acquired discount information is output to the settlement unit.
An information acquisition method characterized by that.

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