Patent Publication Number: US-2020302420-A1

Title: Checkout system and lane system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-049929, filed on Mar. 18, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a checkout system and a lane system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Point-of-sale (POS) terminals identifying merchandise using object recognition technologies without using barcodes are known. 
     However, advanced information processing is necessary to identify merchandise in a short time through object recognition technologies with high precision, and the POS terminals are more expensive than types of POS terminals identifying merchandise by reading barcodes. Devices and functions can be added as options to POS terminals in some cases, and there are various functional levels and prices in some cases. 
     When a plurality of checkout lanes are provided as in large stores such as supermarkets, devices of the lanes are unified in quite a few cases so that the same process can be performed in each lane. Therefore, cost burdens on store managers are large when devices with high functional levels are introduced. 
     In view of such circumstances, it is desirable to keep the cost low in entire checkout systems while enabling common functions to be used in each of checkout lanes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a checkout system according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main unit circuit configuration of a data processing unit, a barcode recognition unit, and an object recognition unit in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a unit management record stored in an auxiliary storage device included in the data processing unit and the barcode recognition unit illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a unit management record stored in the auxiliary storage device included in the object recognition unit illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a barcode recognition process by a processor included in the barcode recognition unit in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a sales process by a processor included in the data processing unit in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in a merchandise recognition process by a processor included in the object recognition unit in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments provide a checkout system and a lane system keeping cost low in the entire checkout system while enabling common functions to be used in each of checkout lanes. 
     In general, according to at least one embodiment, a checkout system includes first and second lane systems associated with first and second checkout lanes. The first lane system includes a first imaging device configured to acquire first information. The first lane system includes at least one first processor configured to perform a first determination for checkout based on the first information acquired by the first imaging device; perform a process related to the checkout in a first checkout lane in accordance with a determination result of the first determination; and cause transmission of the first information acquired by the first imaging device to the second lane system. The second lane system includes a second imaging device configured to acquire second information. The second lane system includes at least one second processor configured to perform a second determination for checkout based on the information obtained by the second imaging device; perform a process related to the checkout in the second checkout lane in accordance with a determination result of the second determination; perform a third determination for checkout based on the first information transmitted by the first lane system; and cause a notification to the first lane system of a determination result of the third determination. The at least one first processor is configured to perform a process related to the checkout in the first checkout lane in accordance with the determination result of the third determination. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a checkout system  100  according to an embodiment. 
     The checkout system  100  is configured by connecting the lane systems  10  and  20  to a communication network  30 . The lane system  10  is equivalent to a first lane system and the lane system  20  is equivalent to a second lane system. The checkout system  100  generally includes a plurality of lane systems  10  and a plurality of lane systems  20 , but only one lane system  10  and one lane system  20  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The checkout system  100  includes any number of lane systems  10  and any number of lane systems  20 . Hereinafter, it is assumed that the plurality of lane systems  10  and the plurality of lane system  20  are included in the checkout system  100 . 
     The lane systems  10  and  20  are provided in separate checkout lanes. The lane systems  10  and  20  each perform a process for a checkout procedure of a shopper once a shopper enters each checkout lane. Thus, the checkout lanes in which the lane systems  10  and  20  are provided are equivalent to first and second checkout lanes, respectively. 
     The communication network  30  transmits data transmitted and received between connected communication devices. The communication network  30  is typically a local area network (LAN) provided in a store. However, the communication network  30  can be used using the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), LAN, a public telecommunication network, a mobile communication network, a dedicated line, and the like singly or in appropriate combination. 
     The lane system  10  includes a data processing unit (data processor)  11 , a barcode recognition unit (barcode reader or scanner)  12 , a user interface unit (user interface)  13 , a reader-writer unit (I/O device)  14 , a print unit (printer)  15 , and an automatic change unit (coin dispenser/receiver)  16 . The data processing unit  11 , the barcode recognition unit  12 , the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , and the automatic change unit  16  are physically independent units and are individually connected to the communication network  30 . The data processing unit  11 , the barcode recognition unit  12 , the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , and the automatic change unit  16  are associated to configure the lane system  10 , as will be described below. 
     The data processing unit  11  performs data processing for registering merchandise to be purchased by a shopper as purchase merchandise and accounting for purchase merchandise. The data processing unit  11  is equivalent to a first information processing device. 
     The barcode recognition unit  12  optically reads a code symbol to recognize merchandise represented by the code symbol. For example, the barcode recognition unit  12  determines a merchandise code for identifying the merchandise. The merchandise code is, for example, a Japanese article number (JAN) code. The code symbol read by the barcode recognition unit  12  is typically a barcode such as a JAN symbol. However, the barcode recognition unit  12  may be able to read different code symbols such as 2-dimensional codes. The barcode recognition unit  12  is equivalent to a first scanner device. 
     The user interface unit  13  interfaces the data processing unit  11  and an operator. The user interface unit  13  includes, for example, an output device and an input device. The output device outputs various kinds of information of which the operator is notified. As the output device, devices such as display devices such as liquid crystal display devices or sound output devices such as sound reproduction devices can be applied singly or in combination. The input device inputs various instructions by the operator. As the input device, devices such as touch sensors or keyboards can be applied singly or in combination. 
     The reader-writer unit  14  reads data recorded on a recording medium. The reader-writer unit  14  writes data on a writable recording medium. As the reader-writer unit  14 , devices such as an IC card reader-writer, a magnetic card reader-writer, and a proximity communication reader-writer can be applied singly or in combination. The reader-writer unit  14  can be used to read information regarding payment media for payment. The reader-writer unit  14  reads, for example, credit data recorded on a credit card. The reader-writer unit  14  reads, for example, electronic money data recorded on an electronic money card. 
     The print unit  15  prints any image on a loaded print sheet under an instruction from the data processing unit  11 . The image printed by the print unit  15  is, for example, a receipt image indicating content of a transaction, a result of accounting, or the like. 
     The automatic change unit  16  receives inserted coins and paper money and stores the coins and paper money in a storage. The automatic change unit  16  pays out the coins and paper money stored in the storage as, for example, change money. 
     The lane system  20  includes the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , the automatic change unit  16 , a data processing unit  21 , and an object recognition unit  22 . That is, the lane system  20  includes the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , and the automatic change unit  16  similar units to those of the lane system  10 . Accordingly, description of these units will be omitted. The lane system  20  is different from the lane system  10  in that the data processing unit  21  and the object recognition unit  22  are included instead of the data processing unit  11  and the barcode recognition unit  12 . 
     The data processing unit  21  performs data processing to register merchandise which a shopper is to purchase as purchase merchandise and account purchase merchandise. That is, the data processing unit  21  has a similar function to the data processing unit  11 . However, the data processing unit  11  registers purchase merchandise in accordance with a recognition result in the object recognition unit  22  included in the lane system  20  in addition to a recognition result by the barcode recognition unit  12  and an instruction by an operation of the user interface unit  13  included in the lane system  10  to which the data processing unit  11  belongs. The data processing unit  21  registers purchase merchandise in accordance with an instruction by an operation of the user interface unit  13  and a recognition result by the object recognition unit  22  included in the lane system  20  to which the data processing unit  21  belongs, but does not register purchase merchandise in accordance with recognition results by the barcode recognition unit  12  and the object recognition unit  22  included in the other lane systems  10  and  20 . The data processing unit  21  is equivalent to a second information processing device. 
     The object recognition unit  22  identifies merchandise based on an appearance feature of merchandise shown in an image. That is, the object recognition unit  22  identifies merchandise through image analysis using an object recognition technology. The object recognition unit  22  also has a function of recognizing merchandise indicated by a code symbol shown in an image. The object recognition unit  22  is equivalent to a second scanner device. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a main unit circuit configuration of the data processing unit  11 , the barcode recognition unit  12 , and the object recognition unit  22 . Each of the data processing unit  11 , the barcode recognition unit  12 , and the object recognition unit  22  may be a means for performing one or more of the functions, which will be described below. 
     The data processing unit  11  includes a processor  11   a , a main storage device  11   b,  an auxiliary storage device  11   c , a communication device  11   d,  and a transmission path  11   e.    
     In the data processing unit  11 , the processor  11   a,  the main storage device  11   b,  and the auxiliary storage device  11   c  are connected by the transmission path  11   e  to configure a computer that performs information processing to be performed by the data processing unit  11 . 
     The processor  11   a  is equivalent to a central unit of the computer. The processor  11   a  performs information processing to realize various functions of the data processing unit  11  in accordance with an information processing program such as an application program, an operation system, and middleware. 
     The main storage device  11   b  is equivalent to a central storage unit of the computer. The main storage device  11   b  includes a non-volatile memory region and a volatile memory region. The main storage device  11   b  stores the information processing program in a non-volatile memory region. The main storage device  11   b  stores data necessary for the processor  11   a  to perform a process of controlling each unit in a non-volatile or volatile memory region in some cases. The main storage device  11   b  uses a volatile memory region as a working area in which the processor  11   a  can appropriately rewrite data. 
     The auxiliary storage device  11   c  is equivalent to an auxiliary storage unit of the computer. As the auxiliary storage device  11   c,  for example, any of an electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), and other various storage devices can be used. The auxiliary storage device  11   c  stores data to be used for the processor  11   a  to perform various processes and data generated through a process by the processor  11   a.  The auxiliary storage device  11   c  stores the information processing program in some cases. In the embodiment, the auxiliary storage device  11   c  stores an application program (hereinafter referred to as a sales processing application) AP 1  described for information processing to be described below. The auxiliary storage device  11   c  stores a unit management record RD 1  and a lane management table TD 1 . The unit management record RD 1  and the lane management table TD 1  will be described later. 
     The communication device  11   d  performs data communication via the communication network  30 . As the communication device lid, for example, a device configured to perform a process for data communication via a LAN can be used. 
     The transmission path  11   e  includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line and transmits data or a control signal transmitted to and received from each of the connected units. 
     The barcode recognition unit (reader)  12  includes a processor  12   a,  a main storage device  12   b,  an auxiliary storage device  12   c,  a camera  12   d,  a communication device  12   e,  and a transmission path  12   f.    
     In the barcode recognition unit  12 , the processor  12   a , the main storage device  12   b,  and the auxiliary storage device  12   c  are connected by the transmission path  12   f  to configure a computer that performs information processing to be performed by the barcode recognition unit  12 . The overview of the functions of the processor  12   a,  the main storage device  12   b , the auxiliary storage device  12   c,  the communication device  12   e , and the transmission path  12   f  are similar to those of the processor  11   a,  the main storage device  11   b,  the auxiliary storage device  11   c,  the communication device  11   d,  and the transmission path  11   e,  and thus description thereof will be omitted. 
     Here, the auxiliary storage device  12   c  stores an application program (hereinafter referred to as a barcode recognition application) AP 2  in which information processing is to be described below. The auxiliary storage device  12   c  stores the unit management record RD 1 , the lane management table TD 1 , and a request destination table TD 2 . The request destination table TD 2  will be described later. 
     The camera  12   d  images merchandise held over by an operator using the camera  12   d.  Then, the camera  12   d  outputs image data indicating an image obtained through the imaging. The camera  12   d  is, for example, a color video camera. The camera  12   d  is an example of a first acquisition unit (first imaging device) and an image is an example of information to be acquired. 
     The object recognition unit  22  includes a processor  22   a , a main storage device  22   b,  an auxiliary storage device  22   c , a camera  22   d,  a communication device  22   e,  and a transmission path  22   f.    
     In the object recognition unit  22 , the processor  22   a , the main storage device  22   b,  and the auxiliary storage device  22   c  are connected by the transmission path  22   f  to configure a computer that performs information processing to be performed by the object recognition unit  22 . The overview of the functions of the processor  22   a,  the main storage device  22   b , the auxiliary storage device  22   c,  the camera  22   d,  the communication device  22   e,  and the transmission path  22   f  are similar to those of the processor  11   a,  the main storage device  11   b,  the auxiliary storage device  11   c,  the camera  12   d,  the communication device  11   d,  and the transmission path  11   e , and thus description thereof will be omitted. The camera  22   d  is an example of a second acquisition unit (second imaging device) and an image is an example of information to be acquired. 
     Here, the auxiliary storage device  22   c  stores an application program (hereinafter referred to as an object recognition application) AP 3  in which information processing is to be described below. The auxiliary storage device  22   c  stores the unit management record RD 2 , the lane management table TD 1 , and another unit management table TD 3 . The unit management record RD 2  and the other unit management table TD 3  will be described later. 
     The sales processing application AP 1 , the barcode recognition application AP 2 , and the object recognition application AP 3  maybe stored in the auxiliary storage devices  11   c,    12   c,  and  22   c  at the time of transfer of hardware of each unit or may be transferred apart from the hardware. In the latter case, each application program may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disc, an optical disc, or a semiconductor memory or may be transferred via a network. In the latter case, a scenario in which each application program is provided as a version upgrade program and is substituted with other similar kinds of application programs stored in the auxiliary storage device  11   c,    12   c,  and  22   c  for use is assumed. Each application program may be stored in the main storage devices  11   b,    12   b , and  22   b.    
     Meanwhile, each unit included in the lane systems  10  and  20  and connected to the communication network  30  stores the unit management record RD 1  or the unit management record RD 2  and the lane management table TD 1  in an internal storage device. The unit management record RD 2  is associated with a unit that has a function of supporting a process in the other lane system in response to a request form the other lane system (hereinafter referred to as a support function). The unit management record RD 1  is associated with a unit that has no support function. The unit management records RD 1  and RD 2  are stored in a storage device included in the associated unit. That is, since the data processing unit  11  and the barcode recognition unit  12  have no support function, the unit management record RD 1  is stored in the auxiliary storage devices  11   c  and  12   c.  Since the object recognition unit  22  has the support function, the unit management record RD 2  is stored in the auxiliary storage device  22   c.    
       FIG. 3  is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the unit management record RD 1 . 
     The unit management record RD 1  is record data that includes fields F 11  and F 12 . 
     In the field F 11 , a pre-decided unit code for identifying a unit associated with the unit management record RD 1  is set. The unit code is determined to be able to identify all the units included in the checkout system  100 . 
     In the field F 12 , a classification code for identifying classification of a unit associated with the unit management record RD 1  is set. In the embodiment, the classification code is determined to identify at least the data processing unit, the barcode recognition unit, the user interface unit, the reader-writer unit, the print unit, the automatic change unit, and the object recognition unit. The checkout system  100  may include a unit different from each of the above-described units. When there is such a unit, the classification code is determined to be able to also identify the classification of the unit. The different kind of unit from each of the above-described units is, for example, a drawer unit. 
     That is, in the unit management record RD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  11   c  of the data processing unit  11 , a unit code determined to identify the data processing unit  11  from each of the different units and a classification code determined for the “data processing unit” are set in the fields F 11  and F 12 , respectively. In the unit management record RD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  12   c  of the barcode recognition unit  12 , a unit code determined to identify the barcode recognition unit  12  from each of the different units and a classification code determined for the “barcode recognition unit” are set in the fields F 11  and F 12 , respectively. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the unit management record RD 2 . 
     The unit management records RD 2  is a data record that includes fields F 21 , F 22 , and F 23 . In the fields F 21  and F 22 , a unit code and a classification code are set as in the fields F 11  and F 12  of the unit management record RD 1 . In the field F 23 , priority determined between same kinds of different units included in the checkout system  100  is set. For example, when the checkout system  100  includes three lane systems  20 , priorities “1,” “2,” and “3” are determined for three object recognition units  22  included in the checkout system and the priorities are set in the field F 13 . 
     That is, in the unit management record RD 2  stored in the auxiliary storage device  22   c  of the object recognition unit  22  in which “2” is determined as the priority, the unit code determined to identify the object recognition unit  22  from each of the other units, the classification code determined for the “object recognition unit,” and the priority of “2” are set in the fields F 21 , F 22 , and F 23 , respectively. 
     The lane management table TD 1  is table data indicating association of the units included in one of the lane systems  10  and  20 . For example, the lane management table TD 1  is a set of the unit management records RD 1  and RD 2  associated with the units included in the lane systems  10  and  20  along with the units storing the lane management table TD 1 . That is, the lane management table TD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  11   c  of the data processing unit  11  includes the unit management record RD 1  associated with each of the barcode recognition unit  12 , the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , and the automatic change unit  16  belonging to the same lane system  10  to the data processing unit  11 . The lane management table TD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  21   c  of the data processing unit  21  includes the unit management record RD 1  associated with each of the user interface unit  13 , the reader-writer unit  14 , the print unit  15 , and the automatic change unit  16  belonging to the same lane system  20  as the data processing unit  21  and the unit management record RD 2  associated with the object recognition unit  22 . Thus, content of the lane management table TD 1  stored in each unit is different. Here, the unit management record RD 1  related to the unit storing the lane management table TD 1  may also be included in the lane management table TD 1  and the content of the lane management table TD 1  stored in each unit belonging to the same lane systems  10  and  20  may be unified. 
     The request destination table TD 2  is table data for managing the object recognition unit  22  which is a candidate of a request destination related to a request for object recognition to be described below. For example, the request destination table TD 2  is a set of the unit management record RD 2  associated with the object recognition unit  22  included in the checkout system  100 . That is, for example, when three lane systems  20  are included in the checkout system  100 , the request destination table TD 2  including each unit management record RD 2  stored in the auxiliary storage devices  22   c  of the object recognition units  22  provided in the three lane systems  20  are stored. 
     It is not necessary to include all the unit management records RD 2  associated with all the object recognition units included in the checkout system  100  in the request destination table TD 2 . That is, when some of the object recognition units  22  included in the checkout system  100  are not request destinations, the unit management records RD 2  related to the object recognition units  22  are not included in the request destination table TD 2 . 
     When the plurality of lane systems  10  are included in the checkout system  100 , the request destination table TD 2  stored in each of the barcode recognition units  12  included in the plurality of lane systems  10  may not necessarily be in common. That is, candidates of request destinations may be different in the plurality of barcode recognition units  12 . 
     The other unit management table TD 3  is table data for managing other units that have the same kind of support function. Accordingly, the other unit management table TD 3  is stored in a unit that has the support function, such as the object recognition unit  22 . For example, the other unit management table TD 3  is a set of the unit management records RD 2  associated with the same kind of units belonging to the other lane system  20 . That is, for example, when three lane systems  20  are included in the checkout system  100 , the other unit management table TD 3  including the unit management records RD 2  associated with two different lane systems  20  are stored in the auxiliary storage device  22   c  of the object recognition unit  22  provided in one of the lane systems  20 . 
     Each of the tables is generated in response to an instruction by a worker who constructs and maintains the checkout system  100 , a manager of the checkout system  100 , or the like. Alternatively, each table is automatically generated by the processor of each unit by collecting the unit management records RD 1  from other units. 
     Next, an operation of the checkout system  100  that has the above-described configuration will be described. Content of various processes to be described below are exemplary, and a change in a procedure of some processes, omission of some processes, addition of other processes, and the like can be appropriately made. 
     When an operation mode in which the barcode recognition unit  12  recognizes a barcode is set, the processor  12   a  performs information processing (hereinafter referred to as a barcode recognition process) to be described below in accordance with the barcode recognition application AP 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the processor  12   a  in a barcode recognition process. 
     In ACT 1 , the processor  12   a  performs a barcode detection process. The processor  12   a  attempts, for example, to extract a region in which a barcode is shown through image processing setting image data output by the camera  12   d  as a processing target. Then, when the processor  12   a  can extract the region, the processor  12   a  attempts to detect the barcode indicating merchandise code from the image of the region. 
     In ACT 2 , the processor  12   a  checks whether the detection of the barcode succeeds in ACT 1 . Then, when the processor  12   a  does not detect the barcode indicating the merchandise code, the processor  12   a  determines NO, and then the process proceeds to ACT 3 . 
     In ACT 3 , the processor  12   a  checks whether an instruction to recognize an object is given. Then, when the processor  12   a  checks no such an instruction, the processor  12   a  determines NO, and then the process returns to ACT 1 . 
     Thus, the processor  12   a  waits for receiving detection of the barcode indicating the merchandise code or instruction of object recognition in ACT 1  to ACT 3 . 
     When an operator registers purchase merchandise using the barcode, the operator holds up the barcode indicating the merchandise code of the product to the camera  12   d.  Thus, when the barcode is shown in the image captured by the camera  12   d , the processor  12   a  can detect the barcode indicating the merchandise code in ACT 1 . Then, when the processor  12   a  detects the barcode in ACT 1 , the processor  12   a  determines YES in ACT 2 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 4 . 
     In ACT 4 , the processor  12   a  recognizes the merchandise code from the detected barcode. In this way, the processor  12   a  recognizes the merchandise as determination for checkout based on the image obtained through imaging in the camera  12   d . Accordingly, when the processor  12   a  performs information processing based on the barcode recognition application AP 2 , a computer that has the processor  12   a  as a central unit functions as a first determination unit. 
     In ACT 5 , the processor  12   a  performs notification for the merchandise code recognized in ACT 4  into the same lane system  10 . The processor  12   a  extracts the unit management record RD 1  in which the classification code indicating the “data processing unit” is set in the field F 12 , for example, from the lane management table TD 1 . The processor  12   a  determines the unit identified with the unit code set in the field F 11  of the unit management record RD 1 , that is, the data processing unit  11  belonging to the same lane system  10  as a notification destination. Then, the processor  12   a  transmits the notification data in which the data processing unit  11  determined as the notification destination is set as the destination from the communication device  12   e  to the communication network  30  in addition to the merchandise code recognized in ACT 4 . Thereafter, the processor  12   a  returns to a waiting state of ACT 1  to ACT 3 . 
     Meanwhile, when an operation mode in which the data processing unit  11  performs a process of registering and accounting for purchase merchandise is set, the processor  11   a  performs information processing (hereinafter referred to as sales processing) to be described below in accordance with the sales processing application AP 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the processor  11   a  in a sales process. 
     In ACT 11 , the processor  11   a  clears the merchandise table. The merchandise table is table data indicating a list of purchase merchandise and is stored in, for example, the auxiliary storage device  11   c.    
     In ACT 12 , the processor  11   a  checks whether the merchandise code is notified. Then, when the processor  11   a  determines no such notification, the processor  11   a  determines NO, and then the process proceeds to ACT 13 . 
     In ACT 13 , the processor  11   a  checks whether an instruction to recognize an object is given. Then, when the processor  11   a  determines no such instruction, the processor  11   a  determines NO, and then the process proceeds to ACT 14 . 
     In ACT 14 , the processor  11   a  checks whether an accounting instruction is given. Then, when the processor  11   a  determines no such instruction, the processor  11   a  determines NO, and then the process returns to ACT 12 . 
     Accordingly, the processor  11   a  waits for notifying the merchandise code or receiving either instruction to recognize an object or an accounting instruction in ACT 12  to ACT 14 . 
     When the communication device  11   d  receives the notification data transmitted from the barcode recognition unit  12 , as described above, the processor  11   a  determines YES in ACT 12 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 15 . When the operator performs an operation of designating purchase merchandise in the user interface unit  13 , the user interface unit  13  transmits the notification data including the merchandise code of the designated purchase merchandise and destined for the data processing unit  11  belonging to the same lane system  10  to the communication network  30 . Even when the notification data is received by the communication device  11   d,  the processor  11   a  determines YES in ACT 12 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 15 . 
     In ACT 15 , the processor  11   a  updates the merchandise table. For example, when the merchandise code included in the received notification data is not yet included in the merchandise table, the processor  11   a  updates the merchandise table so that the merchandise code is included and the number of merchandise codes is “1”. For example, when the merchandise code included in the received notification data is already included in the merchandise table, the processor  11   a  increases a number associated with the merchandise code by 1. Then, when the updating of the merchandise table ends, the processor  11   a  returns to a standby state of ACT 12  to ACT 14 . In this way, registration of the merchandise identified as a result of the barcode recognition by the processor  11   a  as for purchase merchandise is an example of a process related to checkout. Accordingly, when the processor  11   a  performs information processing based on the sales processing application AP 1 , a computer that has the processor  11   a  as a central unit functions as a first processing unit. 
     The operator operates the user interface unit  13  to designate purchase merchandise, as described above, when the barcode recognition unit  12  does not read the barcode of the merchandise registered as purchase merchandise. Alternatively, in a state in which the operator holds up the merchandise to the camera  12   d,  the operator performs a pre-decided operation in the user interface unit  13  to give an instruction to recognize an object. Then, the user interface unit  13  transmits the pre-decided notification data used for notifying that the instruction to recognize the object is given and destined for the data processing unit  11  belonging to the same lane system  10  to the communication network  30 . When the notification data is received by the communication device  11   d,  the processor  11   a  determines YES in ACT 13 , and the process proceeds to ACT 16 . 
     In ACT 16 , the processor  11   a  transmits pre-decided instruction data for instructing the barcode recognition unit  12  belonging to the same lane system  10  to transmit the image from the communication device  11   d  to the communication network  30 . 
     When the instruction data is received by the communication device  12   e,  the processor  12   a  determines YES in ACT 3  in  FIG. 5 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 6 . 
     In ACT 6 , the processor  12   a  requests the object recognition unit  22  to recognize the object. For example, the processor  12   a  determines the object recognition unit  22  identified with the unit code set in the field F 21  of the unit management record RD 2  included in the request destination table TD 2  stored in the auxiliary storage device  22   c  as a request destination. When the plurality of unit management records RD 2  are included in the request destination table TD 2 , the processor  12   a  determines all the plurality of object recognition units  22  identified with the unit codes set in the fields F 21  of the plurality of unit management records RD 2  as request destinations. The processor  12   a  determines the self-barcode recognition unit  12  and the data processing unit  11  belonging to the same lane system  10  as the notification destinations of the recognition result. For example, the processor  12   a  extracts the unit management record RD 1  in which the classification code indicating the “data processing unit” is set in the field F 12  from the lane management table TD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  12   c.  The processor  12   a  determines the unit identified with the unit code set in the field F 11  of the unit management record RD 1  as a notification destination. Then, the processor  12   a  transmits one piece of request data or a plurality of pieces of request data which include image data output by the camera  12   d  and the unit code of the data processing unit  11  determined as the notification destination and are destined for the object recognition unit determined as the request destination, from the communication device  12   e  to the communication network  30 . Thereafter, the processor  12   a  returns to a standby state of ACT 1  to ACT 3 . Here, since the request data includes the image data, as described above, the transmission of the request data is equivalent to transmission of an image to the lane system  20 . Accordingly, when the processor  12   a  performs information processing based on the barcode recognition application AP 2 , a computer that has the processor  12   a  as a central unit functions as a transmission unit. 
     When an operation mode in which the object recognition unit  22  recognizes merchandise is set, the processor  22   a  performs information processing (hereinafter referred to as a merchandise recognition process) to be described below in accordance with the object recognition application AP 3 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the processor  22   a  in a merchandise recognition process. 
     In ACT 21 , the processor  22   a  performs a barcode detection process. The barcode detection process may be, for example, a similar process to the process performed by the processor  12   a  in ACT 1  in  FIG. 5 . 
     In ACT 22 , the processor  22   a  checks whether the detection of the barcode succeeds in ACT 21 . Then, when a barcode indicating a merchandise code is not detected, the processor  22   a  determines NO, and then the process proceeds to ACT 23 . 
     In ACT 23 , the processor  22   a  performs an object recognition process. For example, the processor  22   a  attempts to extract a region in which merchandise is shown through image processing setting image data output by the camera  22   d  as a processing target. Then, when the processor  22   a  can extract the region, the processor  12   a  obtains feature data of the appearance of the merchandise shown in the region and attempts to identify the merchandise based on the feature data. 
     In ACT 24 , the processor  22   a  checks whether the identification of the merchandise through the object recognition succeeds. Then, when the processor  22   a  does not identify the merchandise, the processor  22   a  determines NO, and then the process proceeds to ACT 25 . 
     In ACT 25 , the processor  22   a  checks whether object recognition is requested. Then, when the processor  22   a  determines no such request, the processor  22   a  determines NO, and then the process returns to ACT 21 . 
     Accordingly, the processor  22   a  waits for the success of the barcode detection, the success of the merchandise identification through the object recognition, or reception of the request for the object recognition in ACT 21  to ACT 25 . 
     Meanwhile, when request data in which the self-object recognition unit  22  is a destination is transmitted via the communication network  30 , the communication device  22   e  receives the request data. Then, when the processor  22   a  receives the request data in this way, the processor  22   a  determines YES in ACT 25 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 26 . 
     In ACT 26 , the processor  22   a  determines whether it is necessary to accept the request for the object recognition. That is, when the request for the object recognition is made for the plurality of object recognition units  22 , one of the plurality of object recognition units  22  accepts the request in accordance with a pre-decided rule. For example, it is assumed that while notification is performed between the plurality of object recognition units  22  which are request destinations, the object recognition process can be performed and the object recognition unit  22  with higher priority accepts the request. 
     In ACT 27 , the processor  22   a  checks whether acceptance is necessary through the determination process. When the acceptance is necessary, the processor  22   a  determines YES, and then the process proceeds to ACT 28 . 
     In ACT 28 , the processor  22   a  performs the object recognition process. Herein, in the object recognition process, the process of identifying the merchandise based on image data by the object recognition technology is similar to ACT 23 , but the image data which is a processing target is image data included in requested data. In this way, the processor  22   a  recognizes merchandise through the object recognition as determination for checkout based on an image notified of by the lane system  10 . Accordingly, when the processor  22   a  performs information processing based on the object recognition application AP 3 , a computer that has the processor  22   a  as a central unit functions as a third determination unit. 
     In ACT 29 , the processor  22   a  transmits notification data including a merchandise code of the merchandise recognized through the object recognition process and destined for the data processing unit  11  identified with the unit code included as a notification destination in the request data, from the communication device  22   e  to the communication network  30 . That is, the notification of the recognition result herein is notification to the other lane system  10 , that is, outside-lane notification. Then, when the notification ends, the processor  22   a  returns to the standby state of ACT 21  to ACT 25 . When the merchandise is not identified in ACT 28 , the processor  22   a  includes a failure code indicating a recognition failure in the notification data instead of the merchandise code. Accordingly, when the processor  22   a  performs information processing based on the object recognition application AP 3 , a computer that has the processor  22   a  as a central unit functions as a communication unit. 
     Meanwhile, after the processor  11   a  in the data processing unit  11  performs the transmission instruction in ACT 16  in  FIG. 6 , the process proceeds to ACT 17 . 
     In ACT 17 , the processor  11   a  waits for the outside-lane notification from the object recognition unit  22 , as described above. Then, when the notification data transmitted from the object recognition unit  22 , as described above, is received for the outside-lane notification by the communication device  11   d,  the processor  11   a  determines YES in ACT 17 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 18 . 
     In ACT 18 , the processor  11   a  updates the merchandise table based on the notification in accordance with the notification data received by the communication device  11   d.  For example, when the merchandise code included in the received notification data is not yet included in the merchandise table, the processor  11   a  updates the merchandise table so that the merchandise code is included. For example, when the merchandise code included in the received notification data is already included in the merchandise table, the processor  11   a  increases a number associated with the merchandise code by 1. Then, when the updating of the merchandise table ends, the processor  11   a  returns to a standby state of ACT 12  to ACT 14 . For example, when the failure code is included in the received notification data, the processor  11   a  does not update the merchandise table and returns to the standby state of ACT 12  to ACT 14 . 
     In this way, the registration of purchase merchandise by the data processing unit  11  based on the capturing of the merchandise image in the barcode recognition unit  12  in the lane system  10  is performed using the support function of the object recognition unit  22 . Accordingly, when the processor  11   a  performs information processing based on the sales processing recognition application AP 1 , a computer that has the processor  11   a  as a central unit functions as a third processing unit. 
     When the operator ends designation of all purchase merchandise and the process proceeds to accounting, the user interface unit  13  performs a pre-decided operation for an accounting instruction. Then, the user interface unit  13  transmits the pre-decided notification data used for notifying an accounting instruction and destined for the data processing unit  11  belonging to the same lane system  10  to the communication network  30 . In the data processing unit  11  which is a destination of the notification data, when the notification data is received by the communication device  11   d , the processor  11   a  determines YES in ACT 14  in  FIG. 6 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 19 . 
     In ACT 19 , the processor  11   a  performs a process for accounting related to purchase merchandise registered in the merchandise table. The processor  11   a  calculates, for example, a payment amount of purchase merchandise. Then, the processor  11   a  makes the payment amount. In the accounting process, the processor  11   a  makes a request to the user interface unit  13  and performs display or the like to notify the operator related to the accounting of various kinds of information. The processor  11   a  is notified by the user interface unit  13  to receive a designation of a payment medium to be used for payment. The processor  11   a  is notified by the reader-writer unit  14  or the automatic change unit  16  to acquire data for payment such as a credit card number, a prepaid balance, and an electronic money balance or an inserted cash. The processor  11   a  requests the reader-writer unit  14  or the automatic change unit  16  to rewrite the prepaid balance or the electronic money balance or dispense a change. Further, the processor  11   a  requests the print unit  15  to issue a receipt. When the processor  11   a  ends the accounting process, the process returns to ACT 11 . 
     Incidentally, when a barcode of merchandise to be purchased by a shopper entering a checkout lane in which the lane system  20  is provided is held up to the camera  22   d  by the operator of the lane system  20 , the processor  22   a  can detect the barcode indicating the merchandise code through the barcode detection process of ACT 21 . Then, when the detection of the barcode succeeds, the processor  12   a  determines YES in ACT 22 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 30 . 
     In ACT 30 , the processor  22   a  recognizes the merchandise code from the detected barcode. 
     In ACT 31 , the processor  22   a  performs notification for the merchandise code recognized in ACT 30  into the same lane system  20 . For example, the processor  22   a  extracts the unit management record RD 1  in which the classification code indicating the “data processing unit” is set in the field F 12  from the lane management table TD 1  stored in the auxiliary storage device  22   c.  The processor  22   a  notifies the unit identified with the unit code set in the field F 11  of the unit management record RD 1 , that is, the data processing unit  21  belonging to the same lane system  20 , of the merchandise code from the communication device  22   e  via the communication network  30 . Thereafter, the processor  22   a  returns to the standby state of ACT 21  to ACT 25 . 
     When merchandise to be purchased by a shopper entering a checkout lane in which the lane system  20  is provided is approximately held up to the camera  22   d  by the operator of the lane system  20 , the processor  22   a  can identify the merchandise through the object recognition process of ACT 23 . Then, when the recognition of the merchandise succeeds in this way, the processor  12   a  determines YES in ACT 24 , and then the process proceeds to ACT 32 . 
     In ACT 32 , the processor  22   a  performs notification for the merchandise code of the merchandise recognized in ACT 23  into the same lane system  20  similarly to ACT 31 . Thereafter, the processor  22   a  returns to the standby state of ACT 21  to ACT 25 . 
     In this way, the processor  22   a  recognizes the merchandise as determination for checkout through the barcode recognition or the object recognition based on the image obtained through imaging in the camera  22   d.  Accordingly, when the processor  22   a  performs information processing based on the object recognition application AP 3 , a computer that has the processor  22   a  as a central unit functions as a second determination unit. 
     The data processing unit  21  registers the merchandise recognized or designated within the same lane system  20  as purchase merchandise related to the checkout lane in which the lane system  20  is provided. That is, the processor of the data processing unit  21  performs, for example, processes except for ACT 13  and ACT 16  to ACT 18  in the sales processing illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In this way, the registration of the merchandise identified as the result of the barcode recognition or the object recognition as purchase merchandise by the processor of the data processing unit  21  is an example of a process related to checkout. Accordingly, when the processor of the data processing unit  21  performs information processing, a computer that has the processor as a central unit functions as a second processing unit. 
     In the above-described checkout system  100 , by using the support function of the object recognition unit  22  provided in the lane system  20 , purchase merchandise can be registered by merchandise identification using the object recognition even in the lane system  10 . Thus, in either the lane system  10  or  20 , purchase merchandise can be registered by the barcode recognition and the object recognition. In addition, the lane system  10  includes the cheap barcode recognition unit  12  since the barcode recognition unit  12  has a lower function than the object recognition unit  22 . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress cost of the entire checkout system while enabling common functions to the plurality of checkout lanes to be used. 
     In the checkout system  100 , the version of the lane system  10  can be upgraded to the lane system  20  by exchanging the data processing unit  11  and the barcode recognition unit  12  with the data processing unit  21  and the object recognition unit  22 . Accordingly, when a load of the object recognition unit  22  is excessive, optimization of the system can be achieved by upgrading a version of a part of the lane system  10  to the lane system  20 . 
     The embodiment can be modified in various forms as follows. 
     The process supported by the support function is not limited to the merchandise recognition by the object recognition. Any content of the process may be used as long as, for processes in one checkout lane, information acquired in a lane system corresponding to the checkout lane is processed by the support function within the lane systems corresponding to other checkout lanes. 
     In the lane systems  10  and  20 , all of the included units or some of the units may be substituted with one unit that has the functions of the units. For example, the lane systems  10  and  20  maybe realized as a single device such as a POS terminal. 
     Some or all of the functions realized by the processors  11   a,    12   a,  and  22   a  by the information processing can also be realized by hardware that performs information processing which is not based on a program, such as a logical circuit. Each of the foregoing functions can also be realized by combining software control with the hardware such as the logical circuit. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.