JP2014086032A - Pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a transmission of data on a transaction to a settlement device incapable of settlement, and allow a customer to settle quickly in a POS system having a registration device and the settlement device arranged at different locations from each other.SOLUTION: In the POS system having a commercial article registration device 20 for registering a commercial article to be purchased and transmitting data on a transaction of the registered commercial article to any of a plurality of settlement devices 30 and the plurality of settlement devices 30 for settling on the basis of the data on a transaction, the commercial registration device 20 includes: acquisition means that acquires information relating to a failure generated in the settlement device 30; and prohibition means that, when the acquisition means acquires the information relating to the failure, prohibits the data on the transaction from being transmitted to the settlement device 30 having the failure generated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a POS system.

  Currently, there is a POS (Point Of Sales) system that includes a merchandise registration apparatus that registers merchandise and a plurality of settlement apparatuses that perform settlement of registered merchandise. In such a POS system, the merchandise registration device and the checkout device are arranged at different positions. Then, the settlement apparatus performs settlement based on data relating to the transaction transmitted from the registration apparatus. In the checkout apparatus, coins and banknotes are deposited and withdrawn by an automatic change machine. Patent Document 1 describes an automatic change machine capable of detecting the denomination of change replenishment money and the excess or deficiency of the number of sheets.

JP 2001-148073 A

  However, in a payment apparatus that deposits / withdraws coins and banknotes using an automatic change machine, if the number of coins and banknotes to be accommodated is less than a certain number, change may not be paid out. Moreover, when such a settlement apparatus accommodates a predetermined number or more of coins and banknotes, there are cases where a customer cannot accept banknotes or coins even if the customer tries to deposit money into the settlement apparatus. Therefore, if the number of coins or banknotes to be accommodated is less than a certain number, a predetermined number of banknotes or coins to be accommodated will be withdrawn until a shortage is deposited. Until the settlement in the settlement apparatus is stopped. When the checkout is canceled, the customer cannot start the checkout immediately at the checkout device, and has to wait until the store clerk performs the above operation. For this reason, there is a problem that customers cannot make payments smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to transmit data relating to transactions to a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled in a POS system in which a registration apparatus and a settlement apparatus are arranged at different positions. The object is to provide a POS system that prevents this and allows customers to settle their bills smoothly.

  (1) The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and registers a product to be purchased and transmits data related to the transaction of the registered product to any one of a plurality of settlement devices. A POS system having a device and a plurality of the settlement devices that settle on the basis of the data relating to the transaction, wherein the commodity registration device obtains information on a failure that has occurred in the settlement device, and the acquisition means A POS system comprising: prohibiting means for prohibiting transmission of data relating to the transaction to the settlement apparatus in which the fault has occurred when information relating to the fault is acquired.

  According to the present invention, since transmission of data relating to transactions to a settlement apparatus in which a failure has occurred is prohibited, a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled due to a failure is prevented from being selected as a settlement apparatus that settles the transaction. be able to. In other words, it is possible to prevent the data relating to the transaction from being transmitted to a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled, and the customer can perform settlement smoothly.

  (2) Further, according to the present invention, in the POS system, when the merchandise registration device receives a signal indicating that the failure has been resolved from the settlement device in which the failure has occurred, the product registration device prohibits the prohibiting means. Release means for releasing is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the settlement apparatus recovers from the failure and can be settled, the prohibition on transmission of data relating to the transaction to the settlement apparatus is lifted. For this reason, the merchandise registration apparatus can transmit information relating to the transaction in order to perform settlement with the settlement apparatus as soon as the settlement apparatus can be settled. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time during which the troubled settlement apparatus is not used for settlement.

  (3) Further, in the POS system according to the present invention, the information on the failure is deposit / withdrawal impossibility information indicating that deposit or withdrawal cannot be performed in an automatic change machine included in the settlement apparatus. And

  According to the present invention, since the information on the failure is the deposit / withdrawal impossible information, it is possible to prevent the transaction related information from being transmitted to the settlement apparatus that cannot be settled because the deposit or withdrawal is impossible.

  According to the present invention, since transmission of data related to transactions to a settlement apparatus in which a failure has occurred is prevented, a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled due to a failure is prevented from being selected as a settlement apparatus that settles the transaction. be able to. In other words, it is possible to prevent the data relating to the transaction from being transmitted to a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled, and the customer can perform settlement smoothly.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the POS system in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the goods registration apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the payment apparatus in this embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the data structure and data example of the threshold value data file which RAM of the settlement apparatus in this embodiment memorize | stores. It is the schematic which shows the data structure and data example of a change information file which RAM of the merchandise registration apparatus in this embodiment memorize | stores. It is an image figure which shows an example of the registration screen which the goods registration apparatus in this embodiment displays. It is an image figure which shows an example of the excess / deficiency information screen which the goods registration apparatus in this embodiment displays. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the excess and deficiency determination processing in the adjustment apparatus in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the selection prohibition process in the goods registration apparatus in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a POS system according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the POS system 1 includes a store controller 10, two product registration devices 20, and four checkout devices 30. The store controller 10, the two product registration devices 20, and the four checkout devices 30 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

  The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and for example, the number of the merchandise registration apparatus 20 and the settlement apparatus 30 can be further increased or decreased. Further, the store controller 10 and the product registration device 20 and the checkout device 30 are not necessarily connected via the LAN 11. In this case, data exchange can be performed using power line communication that realizes high-speed communication using electric wiring. It is also possible to omit the store controller 10 by having the product registration device 20 have the function of the store controller 10.

  The store controller 10 is a computer that controls the POS system 1 and manages various information such as a product master. Further, the store controller 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the product registration device 20 and each checkout device 30. Here, the product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information, product name, and sales price of each product, and is appropriately updated.

  The merchandise registration apparatus 20 performs processing for registering data of merchandise to be purchased by the customer. Data registration is performed, for example, by reading a barcode attached to a product. Therefore, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 is provided with a scanner that reads, for example, a bar code attached to a merchandise purchased by a customer by a store clerk.

  Further, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 selects the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction in which the merchandise data is registered. Then, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 transmits data related to the transaction to the selected settlement apparatus 30. The data relating to the transaction includes a transaction number for identifying the transaction, the amount of all products registered in the transaction, that is, the total amount, the product code of the registered product, and the like. The product code is identification information for identifying a product. The customer of the transaction can perform the settlement process by operating the settlement apparatus 30 to which the data relating to the transaction is transmitted. The checkout process is a process of paying and paying for a product to be purchased by selectively using cash, electronic money, a credit card, or the like.

  In addition, when the product registration device 20 transmits the data related to the transaction, the merchandise registration device 20 displays to which clerk or customer the settlement device 30 the data related to the transaction is transmitted. For example, when displayed to the store clerk, the store clerk can verbally tell the customer. The display method in this case is arbitrary. For example, it can be performed by highlighting the transmitted settlement apparatus 30 on a touch panel or the like installed for the store clerk in the product registration apparatus 20. Moreover, you may make it display the guidance which shows the settlement apparatus 30 of a transmission destination on the display part which faced the customer side which the merchandise registration apparatus 20 has. Alternatively, a receipt for guiding the corresponding settlement apparatus 30 (for example, a number tag receipt on which the number of the settlement apparatus 30 is printed) may be issued and handed to the customer.

  Further, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 may print all purchase contents of the merchandise purchased by the customer. In this case, the customer can confirm the registration contents using the merchandise registration apparatus 20 by looking at the print result before operating the settlement apparatus 30 to perform the settlement process.

  Moreover, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 can change the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction. The clerk manually selects the settlement apparatus 30. For example, the store clerk determines the status of the settlement apparatus 30 and changes the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction on the touch panel. Thereby, for example, when the customer's queue is made in the selected checkout apparatus 30, or when a failure occurs in the automatic change machine of the checkout apparatus 30, the other checkout apparatus 30 can make payment. .

  On the other hand, the settlement apparatus 30 is an apparatus for a customer to perform settlement processing by himself / herself, and includes an automatic change machine, a card reader (for example, for credit cards and point cards), and an RF (Radio Frequency) reader (for example, electronic money). For payment).

  Further, when the settlement apparatus 30 receives the data relating to the transaction from the merchandise registration apparatus 20, the settlement apparatus 30 notifies (that is, guides the customer) so that the customer can come to the settlement apparatus 30. As an example of notification, for example, displaying character information such as a predetermined number on the entire screen of the display unit of the settlement apparatus 30 is displayed. The character information such as the number is information that the product registration device 20 (or the clerk operating the product registration device 20) separately notifies the customer. For example, the customer may go to the checkout device 30 displaying his / her own number informed. As another notification example, there is guidance by turning on a predetermined lamp included in the settlement apparatus 30. For example, it lights up with a specific color, and the customer goes to the checkout device 30 of the designated color. Further, it may be flashing. As another notification example, the member card No may be displayed on the screen of the settlement apparatus 30. This membership card No is read by the product registration device 20, for example. The customer goes to the checkout apparatus 30 that notifies his / her membership card No.

  Moreover, the payment apparatus 30 will be in a standby state after alert | reporting. That is, the settlement apparatus 30 is in a state of waiting for an instruction to start the settlement process corresponding to the received transaction data after performing the notification. As an example of canceling the standby state, for example, when the customer touches the display screen of the settlement apparatus 30 (or presses any button), the settlement process is automatically started. Until the screen is touched, nothing is displayed on the screen, or for example, only the number is displayed as in the above notification example. Alternatively, the settlement apparatus 30 may start the settlement process by detecting whether or not the customer has approached using a human sensor. Also in this case, the screen can be made non-displayed or number-displayed until it is detected. When the human settlement sensor 30 detects the approach of a person, the settlement apparatus 30 starts the settlement process. Alternatively, a camera can be used instead of the human sensor. For example, a camera may be installed in the checkout apparatus 30 and the product registration apparatus 20, and the checkout process may be started only when the same person approaches in face recognition.

  Moreover, the flow of the adjustment process with respect to the adjustment apparatus 30 in a standby state can be performed as follows, for example. (1) First, a payment method is selected. Either cash, credit card, electronic money or the like is selected according to the customer's operation. (2) Next, settlement is executed. Settlement is executed by inserting cash into a bill / coin input / output port, payment of change, or reading a card with a card reader. (3) Next, a receipt is issued using the printing unit of the checkout apparatus 30. On the receipt, for example, a list of purchased products, a total purchase amount, a received amount, a fishing amount, and the like are printed. (4) Then, the settlement apparatus 30 ends the settlement process and enters an empty state.

  Note that the settlement method in the settlement apparatus 30 may be reported by the product registration apparatus 20. In this case, payment method information is sent from the merchandise registration apparatus 20 to the settlement apparatus 30, and the settlement apparatus 30 starts processing from the operation (2).

  Next, with reference to FIG.2 and FIG.3, the structural example of the merchandise registration apparatus 20 and the adjustment apparatus 30 of FIG. 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product registration apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a display unit (for a store clerk). ) 205, a display unit (for customer) 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, and a buzzer 208. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The ROM 202 is a read-only memory and stores a program in advance.
The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the merchandise registration apparatus 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202. For example, the CPU (acquisition means) 201 receives and acquires information about a failure that has occurred in the payment apparatus 30 from the payment apparatus 30 via the communication unit 207. The information regarding the failure in the present embodiment is deposit / withdrawal information indicating that banknotes or coins cannot be deposited or withdrawn in the automatic change machine included in the settlement apparatus 30. Further, when the CPU (prohibiting means) 201 receives the information regarding the failure, the CPU (prohibiting means) 201 prohibits the transmission of the data regarding the transaction to the settlement apparatus 30 in which the failure has occurred. Further, when receiving a signal indicating that the failure has been resolved from the settlement apparatus 30 in which the failure has occurred, the CPU (release means) 201 cancels the prohibition of transmission of data relating to the transaction to the settlement apparatus 30. Further, the CPU (display means) 201 has information on the denominations of banknotes or coins that are excessive or insufficient in the settlement apparatus 30 in which a failure has occurred, and the number of banknotes or coins stored in the automatic change machine that each settlement apparatus 30 has. Are displayed on the display unit (for clerk) 205.

The scanner unit 204 optically reads a barcode (product code) attached to a product.
The RAM 203 is a read / write memory as needed, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 is data relating to a merchandise master, a change information file indicating the number of banknotes and coins stored in the automatic change machine included in each checkout device 30 for each denomination, and a transaction in which the apparatus has registered the merchandise. Stores registration data file, product registration device number of own device, etc. The product registration device number is a number for identifying each product registration device 20. For example, the RAM 203 may store a history of operating the operation buttons.

  The display unit (for clerk) 205 and the display unit (for customer) 205a display various information. For example, the display unit (for store clerk) 205 and the display unit (for customer) 205a display information acquired from the product master (for example, product name, price, etc.). The display unit (for a store clerk) 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel), and displays various information for the store clerk. Further, the display unit (for a store clerk) 205 accepts an operation input for product information (product code or the like) set and registered in advance by operating an operation button (preset button) displayed in an area in the screen. .

  The operation unit 206 includes various operation buttons (such as a subtotal key, a current total key, a numeric key, a correction key, and a preset key) for operating the merchandise registration apparatus 20. For example, when the operation button (preset key) is operated, the operation unit 206 receives an operation input for product information (product code or the like) preset and registered in the preset key.

The communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11.
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when the store clerk needs to confirm the operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the settlement apparatus 30. As shown in the figure, the checkout apparatus 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, A settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, and a human sensor 312 are provided. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The ROM 302 is a read-only memory that stores a program.
The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the payment apparatus 30 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 302.

  The RAM 303 is a read / write memory that stores various information as needed. For example, the RAM 303 is a merchandise master acquired from the store controller 10, a transaction data file that is data relating to a transaction that the device itself settles, a threshold data file that indicates a threshold value of the number of bills and coins stored in the automatic change machine, the device itself The settlement device number and the like are stored. The settlement apparatus number is a number that identifies each settlement apparatus 30.

The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a barcode (member code) attached to a member card or the like.
The display unit 305 is a display having a touch panel on the surface, and displays various information on the screen according to control from the CPU 301. Further, the display unit 305 stores a history of operating the operation buttons displayed on the screen (for example, the number of operations, the operation order, etc.) in the RAM 303 for each operation button.

The operation unit 306 includes various operation buttons (such as a correction key and a preset key) for operating the settlement apparatus 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts correction of an operation input by operating an operation button (correction key).
The communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11. For example, the latest product master is acquired from the store controller 10 by connecting to the store controller 10.

When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound that notifies the error.
When the settlement process (that is, settlement of the purchase price of the product) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a settlement receipt that the customer takes home.

  The settlement unit 310 includes an automatic change machine (a change machine), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, and the like, and a control unit thereof. Using the settlement unit 310, cash, credit, electronic Payment processing is performed with money. The settlement unit 310 performs settlement with cash using a change bill machine, and outputs a result of the settlement (for example, information indicating whether or not settlement has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus. The automatic change machine includes a bill insertion slot for inserting and discharging bills, a coin insertion slot for inserting coins, and a change discharge outlet for discharging change. Further, the settlement unit 310 performs settlement with credit, and outputs a result of the settlement to the CPU 301 via a port and a bus. Further, the settlement unit 310 performs settlement with electronic money, and outputs a result of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus.

The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of a plurality of colors, and lights or blinks these indicator lights to notify information indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 is the selected apparatus or to be operable. Or informing you.
The person detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects that a person (customer) is in a predetermined area in front of the checkout apparatus 30.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the threshold data file stored in the settlement apparatus 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure and a data example of a threshold data file stored in the RAM 303 of the settlement apparatus 30.
As shown in the drawing, the threshold data file has items of near end and near full. The near end is a threshold value for determining the shortage of bills or coins accommodated in the automatic change machine. The near full is a threshold value for determining the excess of banknotes or coins accommodated in the automatic change machine. The threshold data file stores a near end and a near full number for each denomination of banknotes and coins.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the change information file stored in the product registration apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure and a data example of a change information file stored in the RAM 203 of the product registration apparatus 20.
As shown in the figure, the change information file stores the number of bills or coins stored in each automatic change machine of the checkout apparatus 30 corresponding to each checkout apparatus number for each denomination.

Next, with reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, the screen which the merchandise registration apparatus 20 displays is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is an image diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen displayed by the product registration device 20.
The registration screen shown in this figure is a screen displayed when the product registration device 20 registers a product. In this example, a payment device key 501 for designating the payment device 30 together with an icon for selecting a product (vegetable in this example), information indicating the amount, the number, etc., and an automatic change machine included in each payment device 30 An excess / deficiency information key 505 for displaying the excess or deficiency (excess or deficiency) of banknotes or coins stored in the card is displayed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 whose settlement apparatus number is “1” (hereinafter referred to as the first settlement apparatus 30) is referred to as a settlement apparatus key 501a. The settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 with the number “2” (hereinafter referred to as the second settlement apparatus 30) is the settlement apparatus key 501b, and the settlement apparatus 30 with the settlement apparatus number “3” ( Hereinafter, the settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the third settlement apparatus 30 is referred to as a settlement apparatus key 501c, and the settlement apparatus 30 whose settlement apparatus number is “4” (hereinafter referred to as the fourth settlement apparatus 30). The settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to) is defined as a settlement apparatus key 501d. In the settlement apparatus key 501, the settlement apparatus number of the corresponding settlement apparatus 30 is displayed. The clerk selects (specifies) the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction being registered by pressing any one of the settlement apparatus keys 501. The payment device key 501 also serves as a button for declaring that the registration of the product has been completed. For this reason, when the settlement apparatus key 501 is pressed, the commodity registration apparatus 20 ends the registration of the commodity in the transaction, and relates to the transaction of the commodity registered in the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the depressed settlement apparatus key 501. Send information.

  Further, on the registration screen, the settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 that cannot perform settlement processing due to the occurrence of a failure or the like (hereinafter referred to as the settlement apparatus 30 that cannot be settled) is the same as the other settlement apparatus key 501. Displayed separately. For example, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 displays a settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 that cannot be settled in a different color from the other settlement apparatus keys 501. In the example shown in the figure, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 displays the settlement apparatus key 501c corresponding to the third settlement apparatus 30 that cannot be settled in gray. Further, on the registration screen, the settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 that cannot be settled cannot be selected (designated) (selection is prohibited). That is, on the registration screen, only the settlement apparatus 30 other than the settlement apparatus 30 that cannot be settled can be selected (designated).

  Here, when the merchandise registration apparatus 20 receives the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information from the settlement apparatus 30, the merchandise registration apparatus 20 determines that the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source cannot perform the settlement. The checkout device 30 determines that the denomination is insufficient when the number of bills or coins accommodated in the automatic change machine is equal to or less than the near end corresponding to the denomination, and the denomination is insufficient. Is sent to the merchandise registration apparatus 20. Further, when the number of banknotes or coins accommodated by the automatic change machine becomes equal to or greater than the near full corresponding to the denomination, the settlement apparatus 30 determines that the denomination is excessive, and the denomination is excessive. Is sent to the merchandise registration apparatus 20. For example, in the data example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the third checkout device 30 indicates a shortage of 1 yen coins because the number of 1 yen coins to be accommodated “9” is less than or equal to “10” near-ends. Deposit / withdrawal impossibility information is transmitted to all product registration devices 20. The merchandise registration apparatus 20 prohibits selection (designation) of the third settlement apparatus 30 on the registration screen based on the received non-acquisition information.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram illustrating an example of an excess / deficiency information screen displayed by the product registration device 20.
The excess / deficiency information screen shown in this figure is displayed when the excess / deficiency information key 505 is pressed on the registration screen shown in FIG. The excess / deficiency information screen is a screen that displays the excess / deficiency of banknotes or coins in the automatic change machine of each settlement apparatus 30. On the excess / deficiency information screen, a display 701 for notifying the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins and a display 702 for notifying the number of banknotes or coins accommodated by each settlement apparatus 30 for each denomination are displayed. In the example shown in the figure, the excess / deficiency information screen displays “1 Yen: Insufficient” display 701 indicating that the 1-yen coin is insufficient in the 3rd settlement apparatus 30 and the 4th settlement apparatus 30. A display 702 of “1 yen: 80 sheets” of 1 yen coins is displayed. The clerk can confirm which denomination is excessive or insufficient in which settlement apparatus 30 by confirming the excess / deficiency information screen. In this example, since the clerk can know that the 1-yen coin is insufficient in the third checkout device 30, the 1-yen coin is received from the fourth checkout device 30 in which many 1-yen coins are stored. It can be determined that the third settling apparatus 30 should be moved.

  The merchandise registration apparatus 20 displays on the excess / deficiency information screen the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins in each settlement apparatus 30 based on the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information received from the settlement apparatus 30. Moreover, the goods registration apparatus 20 acquires the number of the banknotes or coins which the automatic change machine of each adjustment apparatus 30 accommodates for every denomination from each adjustment apparatus 30 for every predetermined time. And the merchandise registration apparatus 20 displays the acquired number of sheets on the excess / deficiency information screen.

Next, the operation of the POS system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of excess / deficiency determination processing for determining excess / deficiency of banknotes or coins in the settlement apparatus 30. The excess / deficiency determination processing shown in the figure is executed at a predetermined timing, for example, every predetermined time or after the settlement processing for one set of customers is completed.
First, CPU301 acquires the number of the banknotes and coins which the automatic change machine of the payment part 310 accommodates for every denomination from the payment part 310 (step S101).
Then, CPU301 transmits the change information which shows the number of sheets acquired in step S101 to the goods registration apparatus 20 via the communication part 307 (step S102). The change information includes the settlement device number of the device itself and the number of bills or coins for each denomination.

Subsequently, the CPU 301 determines whether there are excess or deficiency (excess or deficiency) in banknotes or coins stored in the automatic change machine based on the number acquired in step S101 and the threshold data file stored in the RAM 303. It is determined whether or not (step S103). Specifically, for each denomination, the CPU 301 compares the acquired number and the near end stored in the threshold data file, and determines that the denomination whose acquired number is less than or equal to the near end is insufficient. In addition, for each denomination, the CPU 301 compares the acquired number of sheets with the near full stored in the threshold data file, and determines that the denomination whose acquired number is near full or more is excessive. CPU301 complete | finishes this excess / deficiency determination process, when there is no excess and deficiency in any banknote and coin (step S103: No).
On the other hand, when there is an excess or deficiency in any banknote or coin (step S103: Yes), the CPU 301 transmits deposit / withdrawal impossible information to the merchandise registration apparatus 20 via the communication unit 307 (step S104). The deposit / withdrawal impossibility information includes the payment apparatus number of the own apparatus, information indicating which denomination is excessive or insufficient, and the number of stored denominations.
Then, the CPU 301 stops the settlement process in the own device (step S105). For example, the CPU 301 sets a display indicating the excess or shortage of banknotes or coins (for example, “1 yen coin is insufficient”) to the display unit 305 and does not start the next customer checkout process.

The store clerk eliminates the shortage of banknotes or coins by depositing banknotes or coins into an automatic change machine. Moreover, the store clerk eliminates the excess of banknotes or coins by withdrawing banknotes or coins from the automatic change machine.
Subsequently, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the excess or deficiency of bills or coins in the automatic change machine has been resolved (step S106). Specifically, first, the CPU 301 acquires the number of banknotes or coins stored in the automatic change machine for each denomination. Subsequently, for each denomination, the CPU 301 determines that the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins has been resolved when the acquired number is greater than the near end and less than near full. CPU301 returns to the process of step S106, when the excess and deficiency of a banknote or a coin is not eliminated (step S106: No).
On the other hand, when the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins has been resolved (step S106: Yes), the CPU 301 registers the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information indicating that the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins has been resolved via the communication unit 307. It transmits to the apparatus 20 (step S107). The deposit / withdrawal cancellation information includes the payment apparatus number of the own apparatus.
Then, the CPU 301 resumes the settlement process of the own device that has been canceled (step S108). For example, the CPU 301 deletes the display indicating the excess or deficiency of banknotes or coins from the display unit 305 and starts the settlement process for the next customer. Then, the excess / deficiency determination process ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the selection prohibiting process for prohibiting the selection (designation) of the settlement apparatus 30 in the merchandise registration apparatus 20.
First, the CPU 201 determines whether or not change information has been received from the settlement apparatus 30 (step S201). If the CPU 201 has not received change information (step S201: No), the process proceeds to step S203.
On the other hand, when the change information is received (step S201: Yes), the CPU 201 stores the received change information in a change information file stored in the RAM 203 (step S202). Specifically, the CPU 201 overwrites the received change information in a record corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the received change information in the change information file.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the deposit / withdrawal impossible information is received from the settlement apparatus 30 (step S203). If the CPU 201 has not received the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information (step S203: No), the process proceeds to step S205.
On the other hand, when receiving the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information (step S203: Yes), the CPU 201 prohibits selection (designation) of the settlement apparatus 30 as the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information on the registration screen (see FIG. 6) ( Step S204). That is, the CPU 201 prohibits transmission of data related to the transaction to the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information. Specifically, on the registration screen, the CPU 201 displays in gray the settlement device key 501 corresponding to the settlement device 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information, and disables the selection of the settlement device key 501. Thereby, it is possible to prevent selecting the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal impossibility information (having a failure) as the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction on the registration screen.

Subsequently, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information is received from the settlement apparatus 30 (step S205). CPU201 returns to the process of step S201, when the deposit / withdrawal impossible cancellation information is not received (step S205: No).
On the other hand, when receiving the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information (step S205: Yes), the CPU 201 cancels the selection prohibition of the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information on the registration screen (see FIG. 6) ( Step S206) and return to Step S201. That is, the CPU 201 cancels the prohibition of transmission of data related to the transaction to the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information (allows transmission). Specifically, the CPU 201 normally displays the settlement apparatus key 501 corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information on the registration screen, and enables the selection of the settlement apparatus key 501. As a result, as the settlement apparatus 30 that settles the transaction, the settlement apparatus 30 (recovered from the failure) that is the transmission source of the deposit / withdrawal cancellation information can be selected.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in order to prohibit transmission of data related to transactions to a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled because deposits and withdrawals are not possible, a settlement apparatus that settles a transaction cannot be settled. Can be selected as. In other words, it is possible to prevent the data relating to the transaction from being transmitted to a settlement apparatus that cannot be settled, and the customer can settle quickly.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the information regarding the failure is the deposit / withdrawal impossible information. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an automatic change machine, a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a printer, a scanner, a touch panel, etc. It may be information on the failure of the device.
In the above-described embodiment, only the number of 1-yen coins in the fourth checkout device 30 is displayed on the excess / deficiency information screen (see FIG. 7). The number of all denominations in all settlement apparatuses 30 may be displayed. In the above-described embodiment, only the fact that the 1-yen coin of the third checkout device 30 is insufficient is displayed on the excess / deficiency information screen. However, the denomination (in this example, 1 yen) is displayed. The number of coins) may be displayed together with the shortage.

The program for realizing the POS system described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into the computer system and executed to execute the execution process. May be. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. The “computer-readable recording medium” means a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, a hard disk built in a computer system, etc. This is a storage device.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic) in a computer system which becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)) that holds a program for a certain period of time.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above.
Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  (Additional remark 1) The goods registration apparatus which registers the goods to purchase, and transmits the data regarding the transaction of the said registered goods to either of several payment apparatuses, The said some payment apparatus which settles based on the data regarding the said transaction, The product registration device has an acquisition unit that acquires information about a failure that has occurred in the settlement device, and when the acquisition unit acquires information about the failure, to the settlement device that has the failure And a prohibition unit for prohibiting transmission of data relating to the transaction.

  (Additional remark 2) The said merchandise registration apparatus is provided with the cancellation | release means which cancels prohibition of the said prohibition means, if the signal which shows that the said fault was eliminated is received from the adjustment apparatus in which the said fault generate | occur | produced The POS system according to Appendix 1.

  (Supplementary note 3) The POS system according to Supplementary note 1 or 2, wherein the information on the failure is deposit / withdrawal impossibility information indicating that the automatic change machine included in the settlement apparatus cannot deposit or withdraw money. .

  (Additional remark 4) The said merchandise registration apparatus is provided with the display means to display the information regarding the money amount accommodated in the said automatic change machine, and the money type excess and deficiency in the said payment apparatus in which the said failure generate | occur | produced, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The POS system according to Supplementary Note 3.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Store controller, 11 ... LAN, 20 ... Merchandise registration apparatus, 30 ... Checkout apparatus, 301 ... CPU, 202 ... ROM, 203 ... RAM, 204 ... Scanner part, 205 ... Display part (for salesclerk), 205a ... Display part (For customers), 206 ... operation section, 207 ... communication section, 208 ... buzzer, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... ROM, 303 ... RAM, 304 ... scanner section, 305 ... display section, 306 ... operation section, 307 ... communication section 308 ... Buzzer 309 ... Printing unit 310 ... Settlement unit 311 ... Sign pole, 312 ... People detection sensor

Claims (3)

A POS system having a product registration device that registers a product to be purchased and transmits data related to the transaction of the registered product to any one of a plurality of payment devices, and a plurality of the payment devices that perform payment based on the data related to the transaction. Because
The product registration device
Obtaining means for obtaining information on a failure that has occurred in the settlement apparatus;
When the acquisition unit acquires information on a failure, a prohibition unit that prohibits transmission of the data on the transaction to the settlement apparatus in which the failure has occurred,
A POS system comprising: The product registration device
2. The POS system according to claim 1, further comprising: a canceling unit that cancels the prohibition of the prohibiting unit when receiving a signal indicating that the fault has been eliminated from the settlement apparatus in which the fault has occurred. 3. The POS system according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the failure is deposit / withdrawal impossibility information indicating that deposit or withdrawal cannot be performed in an automatic change machine included in the settlement apparatus.

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