JP2023156448A - Registration/settlement device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to easily switch full-self registration/settlement and semi-self registration/settlement.SOLUTION: A registration/settlement device includes first determination means, second determination means, determination control means, and settlement means. The first determination means determines a content of a transaction concerned with a settlement in accordance with the operation by a first operator. The second determination means determines a content of a transaction in accordance with the operation by a second operator. The determination control means controls the first and second determination means to validate either one of them and switches the determination means validated with respect to the determination relating to a content of a transaction to be started later, according to the button operation by the second operator before the start of the determination relating to the content of one transaction. The settlement means decides a settlement amount about the content of the transaction determined by either one of the first and second determination means, which is validated by the determination control means, to perform the settlement processing for settling the settlement amount in accordance with the operation by the first operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a registered payment device and an information processing program.

A self-type registration and payment device is known in which the customer performs both operations for registering transaction details, such as registering purchased items in a product list, and operations for settling the transaction. There is.
However, if the customer is inexperienced and cannot perform the registration operation, or if the purchased product is a product that cannot be sold by registration by the customer, the store clerk may not be able to perform the registration operation. may be necessary.
For these reasons, we have simplified the so-called full self-service, in which each operation from registration to payment is performed by the customer, and the so-called semi-self, in which the registration-related operations are performed by the clerk, and the customer performs the payment-related operations. It was hoped that it would be possible to switch to

Patent Application No. 2010-86202

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a registered payment device and an information processing program that can easily switch between full self payment and semi self payment.

The registered payment device of the embodiment includes a first determination means, a second determination means, a determination control means, and a payment means. The first determining means determines the details of the transaction to be settled in accordance with the operation by the first operator. The second determining means determines the details of the transaction in response to an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator. The determination control means controls the first determination means and the second determination means so that either one is valid, and the second operation is performed before the determination regarding the content of one transaction is started. In response to a button operation by a person, the determination means to be enabled for determination regarding the details of a transaction to be started thereafter is switched. The payment means determines the payment amount for the content of the transaction determined by the first determination means and the second determination means that are determined to be valid by the determination control means, and Perform payment processing to settle the payment amount accordingly.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a POS terminal device according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal device in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor in FIG. 2. The figure which shows the keyboard screen as an example. The figure which shows the switching screen as an example.

An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a POS (point-of-sale) terminal device will be described as an example of a registered payment device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the external appearance of a POS terminal device 100 according to this embodiment.
The POS terminal device 100 is placed at a checkout counter that separates a store clerk's workspace from a sales floor. The POS terminal device 100 is operated by a store clerk and a customer. The clerk who operates the POS terminal device 100 is located on the back right side in FIG. A customer who operates the POS terminal device 100 is located on the left front side in FIG. Therefore, hereinafter, the back right side and the front left side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the clerk side and the customer side, respectively.

The POS terminal device 100 includes a customer touch panel 1, a fixed scanner 2, a coin unit 3, a banknote unit 4, a credit card reader 5, a proximity communication unit 6, a prepaid card reader/writer (prepaid card R/W) 7, and a receipt printer 8. , a clerk-side touch panel 9, a sub-touch panel 10, and a keyboard 11.

The customer side touch panel 1 is provided facing the customer side, as shown in FIG. The customer-side touch panel 1 displays a screen for presenting information to the customer. Further, the customer-side touch panel 1 inputs instructions by a customer's touch operation on the screen. The customer-side touch panel 1 is an example of a first operation device and a first display device.

The fixed scanner 2 has a reading window 2a facing the customer. The fixed scanner 2 takes an image of the product held in front of the reading window 2a, and then recognizes the barcode information represented by the barcode formed on the product through image processing. The fixed scanner 2 then outputs the recognized barcode information to a processor 12, which will be described later. Note that the fixed scanner 2 can also use other types of well-known devices that optically read barcodes using reflection of laser light. Further, the fixed scanner 2 may be a well-known device having a function of identifying a product by using object recognition technology from an image of the product itself obtained by capturing an image of the product. The fixed scanner 2 is an example of a first operating device.

The coin unit 3 includes a coin input port 3a, a coin discharge port 3b, and a coin tray 3c. The coin slot 3a is formed so that coins can be inserted from the customer side. The coin unit 3 stores the coins inserted through the coin input port 3a in an internal storage while counting the amount of coins. The coin unit 3 discharges the coins stored in the storage to the coin tray 3c via the coin discharge port 3b. The coin tray 3c is formed so that coins can be taken out from the customer side.

The banknote unit 4 includes a banknote input port 4a and a banknote discharge port 4b. The bill slot 4a is formed so that bills can be inserted from the customer side. The banknote unit 4 stores the banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 4a into an internal storage while counting the amount of banknotes. The banknote unit 4 discharges the banknotes stored in the storage from the banknote discharge port 4b. The banknote discharge port 4b holds the discharged banknotes with a portion of the banknotes exposed to the outside. The banknote ejection port 4b is formed so that the banknotes held as described above can be taken out from the customer side.

The credit card reader 5 reads card information from a credit card that is slid along the slit 5a. The credit card reader 5 is arranged with the slit 5a facing the customer so that a customer located on the customer side can slide a credit card therein.

The proximity communication unit 6 is provided so as to form a communication range on the customer side. The close proximity communication unit 6 performs close proximity wireless communication with a wireless tag approached by the customer and acquires data stored in the wireless tag. Further, the proximity communication unit 6 writes arbitrary information to the wireless tag using the proximity wireless communication described above.

Prepaid card reader/writer 7 includes a slot 7a. Prepaid card reader/writer 7 reads card data magnetically recorded on a prepaid card inserted into slot 7a. Further, the prepaid card reader/writer 7 writes arbitrary data to the prepaid card inserted into the slot 7a.

The receipt printer 8 prints a receipt image on receipt paper. The receipt printer 8 discharges the receipt paper on which the receipt image is printed to the outside from the receipt discharge port 8a.

The store clerk side touch panel 9 is provided toward the store clerk side. The clerk-side touch panel 9 displays a screen for presenting information to the clerk. Further, the clerk-side touch panel 9 inputs instructions by the clerk's touch operation on the screen. The clerk-side touch panel 9 is an example of a second operation device and a second display device.

The sub-touch panel 10 is provided facing the store clerk side. The sub-touch panel 10 displays a screen for presenting information to the store staff. Further, the sub-touch panel 10 inputs instructions by a store clerk's touch operation on the screen. The sub touch panel 10 is an example of a second operation device and a second display device.

The keyboard 11 has a large number of keys so that it can be easily operated by a store clerk located on the store clerk side. The keyboard 11 inputs instructions from the store clerk by pressing these keys. The keyboard 11 is an example of a second operation device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal device 100. Note that the same elements in FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

POS terminal device 100 includes a processor 12, a main storage unit 13, an auxiliary storage unit 14, a handy scanner 15, a communication unit 16, and a transmission path 17 in addition to the elements shown in FIG.
The elements shown in FIG. 1, such as the processor 12, main storage unit 13, auxiliary storage unit 14, handy scanner 15, and communication unit 16, are connected to a transmission line 17.

The processor 12, main storage unit 13, and auxiliary storage unit 14 are connected through a transmission line 17 and constitute a computer that executes information processing to control the POS terminal device 100.
The processor 12 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 12 processes the POS terminal device 100 to realize various functions of the POS terminal device 100 based on information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the main storage unit 13 and the auxiliary storage unit 14. control each part of the

The main storage unit 13 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. Main storage unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main storage unit 13 stores the above information processing program in a nonvolatile memory area. The main storage unit 13 may also store data necessary for the processor 12 to perform various information processing in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main storage unit 13 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is rewritten as appropriate by the processor 12.

The auxiliary storage unit 14 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 14 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disc drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The auxiliary storage unit 14 stores data used by the processor 12 to perform various information processing and data generated by processing by the processor 12. The auxiliary storage unit 14 may also store the above information processing program.

The handy scanner 15 is used while being held in the hand of an operator, and optically reads a barcode facing a reading port. The handy scanner 15 outputs barcode information represented by the read barcode to the processor 12.

The communication unit 16 performs communication processing for the processor 12 to exchange various data with an arbitrary device such as a POS server via the communication network 200. As the communication network 200, a LAN (local area network) is typically used. However, as the communication network 200, in addition to a LAN, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in an appropriate combination. As the communication unit 16, a well-known device that conforms to the communication method of the communication network 200 can be used.
The transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The transmission path 17 transmits data and signals exchanged between the connected parts.

As the basic hardware of the POS terminal device 100, for example, that of another existing POS terminal device can be used. At this time, the POS terminal device 100 is generally transferred with an information processing program describing information processing to be described later stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. However, the hardware of the POS terminal device 100 and the information processing program in a state where the above information processing program is not stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14 may be transferred separately. Then, an information processing program may be written into the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14 according to an operation by an administrator of the POS terminal device 100 or the like. The information processing program can be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communicating via a network.

Next, the operation of the POS terminal device 100 configured as above will be explained.
When the POS terminal device 100 is activated in an operation mode for registration and payment, the processor 12 performs information processing described below in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14.

3, 4, and 5 are flowcharts of information processing by the processor 12. Note that the contents of the processes described below are merely examples, and the order of some processes may be changed, some processes may be omitted, or other processes may be added as appropriate.

As Act 1, the processor 12 clears the product list. The product list is data showing a list of products that have been registered as purchased products. The product list is stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14.
As Act 2, the processor 12 resets the mode flag. The mode flag indicates that the semi-self mode is applied when in the reset state, and that the full self mode is applied when it is in the set state. The mode flag is stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. That is, the processor 12 sets the semi-self mode immediately after starting the operation in the above-described operation mode. As will be described later, in the semi-self mode, operations on the store staff side are not restricted as compared to the full self-mode.

In Act 3, the processor 12 displays a waiting screen on the customer touch panel 1. Although the content of the waiting screen may be arbitrary, it is assumed that the screen displays an advertisement, for example. The standby screen does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.

In Act 4, the processor 12 displays the home screen on the clerk's touch panel 9. The home screen is a basic screen for the store clerk to perform operations for registering purchased products. The store clerk can perform an operation for specifying a product to be purchased on this home screen or on another screen that can be transitioned from this home screen.

In Act 5, the processor 12 displays the keyboard screen on the sub-touch panel 10. The keyboard screen is a screen representing a software keyboard formed by arranging a plurality of images each imitating a button (hereinafter referred to as buttons). Note that the plurality of buttons are each assigned various functions and serve as operators for specifying the assigned functions.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the keyboard screen SC1.
On the keyboard screen SC1, a plurality of buttons such as a button BU1 and a button BU2 are arranged. Note that, although no reference numerals are given, any button having the same shape as button BU1 or button BU2 is also a button.

Each button on the keyboard screen SC1 is assigned a function in advance. The switch button BU3 is assigned a function for the operator to instruct switching to full self mode. The character string "self-switching" is displayed on the switching button BU3 to indicate the assigned function. Although character strings indicating the functions assigned to the other buttons are also displayed, the character strings are not shown in FIG. 6.

In Act 6, the processor 12 confirms whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been specified. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act7.
In Act 7, the processor 12 checks whether the switching button BU3 has been touched. If the processor 12 cannot confirm that the switching button BU3 has been touched, it determines No, and returns to Act6.
Thus, in Acts 6 and 7, the processor 12 waits for the product to be designated or for the switching button BU3 to be touched.
Note that in this standby state and in the standby state described below, the processor 12 may also check whether other instruction operations have been performed. When the processor 12 confirms that such an instruction operation has been performed, the processor 12 shifts to processing corresponding to the operation.

The customer picks up the product he or she wants to purchase from the sales floor and brings it to the checkout counter. A store clerk who operates the POS terminal device 100 is located on the workspace side with the POS terminal device 100 in between relative to the customer who is located on the sales floor side. The clerk uses the clerk's side touch panel 9 and the handy scanner 15 to perform an operation for designating the product brought to the checkout counter by the customer as a purchased product. The operations performed by the clerk at this time may be the same as those performed with other existing POS terminal devices. If the operation for designating the product as a purchased product has been performed, the processor 12 determines Yes in Act 6, and proceeds to Act 8.

Note that, as described above, the waiting screen does not include an operation element for registering a purchased product, so no operation is performed on the customer-side touch panel 1 to designate a product as a purchased product. Furthermore, the processor 12 does not use the recognition results obtained by the fixed scanner 2 for registering purchased products. In other words, the processor 12 uses the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 as the first operating device in the semi-self mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the operation by the store clerk as the second operator. It is considered invalid. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program in this manner, the computer including the processor 12 as a central part functions as an invalidating means. By disabling the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration as a purchased product due to a customer's operation.

In Act 8, the processor 12 updates the product list to include the product specified by the above operation. Note that the product list is, for example, a list of product codes for identifying products. Therefore, processor 12 adds a product code for identifying the specified product to the product list.

In Act 9, the processor 12 displays a schematic screen on the customer touch panel 1. The summary screen is a screen that shows an overview of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this point. The summary screen displays, for example, the product name, unit price, and quantity of the product that was recently registered as a purchased product, the total discount amount applied to the registered product, and the total amount of the registered product. The summary screen does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.

In Act 10, the processor 12 displays a detailed screen on the clerk side touch panel 9. The details screen is a screen that displays details of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this point. The details screen displays, for example, a list of product names, unit prices, and quantities of products registered as purchased products, the total discount amount applied to the registered products, and the total amount of the registered products.

In Act 11, the processor 12 confirms whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been specified. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act 12.
In Act 12, the processor 12 confirms whether payment has been instructed. Then, if the processor 12 cannot confirm that the payment has been instructed, the processor 12 determines No, and returns to Act 11.
Thus, in Acts 11 and 12, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or a payment to be made.

When a customer brings multiple products to the checkout counter, the store clerk performs an operation to designate the second and subsequent products as purchased products while the processor 12 is in a standby state in Acts 11 and 12. Sometimes done. If such an operation is performed, the processor 12 determines Yes in Act 11, and executes Acts 8 to 10 in the same manner as described above. As a result, the plurality of products brought to the checkout counter by the customer are each added to the product list. Note that, as described above, the summary screen does not include operation elements for registering a purchased product, so no operation is performed on the customer-side touch panel 1 to designate a product as a purchased product. Furthermore, the processor 12 does not use the recognition results obtained by the fixed scanner 2 for registering purchased products.

In this way, the processor 12 determines which product the transaction involves based on the operation by the store clerk who is the second operator who is located on the opposite side of the POS terminal device 100 from the customer who is the first operator. The content of the transaction is determined. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 12 as a central part functions as a second determination means for making the above determination.

After the store clerk has designated all the products brought to the checkout counter by the customer as purchased products, the store clerk instructs payment by a predetermined operation on the store clerk's side touch panel 9 or sub-touch panel 10. The operation is, for example, pressing a customer group key included in the keyboard 11. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 12 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and proceeds to Act 13.

In Act 13, the processor 12 displays a selection screen on the customer touch panel 1. The selection screen is a screen for accepting operations by the customer to select a payment method. For example, the selection screen represents a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment methods. Note that in this embodiment, the POS terminal device 100 can selectively use cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid as payment methods. Therefore, the selection screen includes four buttons associated with cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid, respectively. Note that for electronic money and prepaid, a plurality of buttons associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to each may be included. Alternatively, when a button associated with electronic money or prepaid is touched, the processor 12 displays a lower selection screen on the customer side touch panel 1 showing buttons associated with each of a plurality of payment services belonging to that payment method. It may be displayed.

In Act 14, the processor 12 checks whether a payment method has been specified. Then, if the payment method is not specified, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act 15.
In Act 15, the processor 12 checks whether an instruction to return to the registration of the purchased product has been given. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and returns to Act 14.
Thus, in Acts 14 and 15, the processor 12 waits for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

When the customer wants to add a purchased item, for example, he or she instructs the customer to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the customer touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching a return button displayed on the selection screen. Further, if there are still purchased products that have not been registered, the store clerk instructs the store clerk to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the store clerk's touch panel 9 or sub-touch panel 10. The operation is, for example, touching a back button displayed on the details screen or keyboard screen. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 15 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and executes the processing from Act 9 onwards in the same manner as described above.

If the customer proceeds to payment, the customer specifies the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 14 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and proceeds to Act 31 in FIG. 5.

By the way, if the store clerk wants to put the POS terminal device 100 into full self mode, he touches the switching button BU3 displayed on the keyboard screen SC1 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. The processor 12 determines that if such a touch on the switch button BU3 is made while in the standby state of Acts 6 and 7, that is, while waiting for the start of registration of purchased products related to one transaction, , it is determined Yes in Act 7, and the process proceeds to Act 16 in FIG.
In Act 16, the processor 12 changes the mode flag to the set state.

In Act 17, the processor 12 displays a guidance screen on the customer touch panel 1. The guidance screen is a screen for informing the customer that the customer should perform an operation to register the purchased product. The guidance screen may indicate what kind of operation should be performed to register the purchased product.

In Act 18, the processor 12 displays a standby screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9. Although the content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, it is assumed that the screen is used as a screen saver, for example. The standby screen does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.
In Act 19, the processor 12 displays a switching screen on the sub touch panel 10. The switching screen is a screen showing switching buttons.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a switching screen SC2 as an example.
On the switching screen SC2, a plurality of buttons such as a switching button BU11 and buttons BU12 and BU13 are arranged. Note that, although no reference numerals are given, any button having the same shape as the button BU13 is also a button.

Each button on the switching screen SC2 is assigned a function in advance. The switching button BU11 is assigned a function for the operator to instruct switching to the semi-self mode. The character string "self-switching" is displayed on the switching button BU11 to indicate the assigned function. Although character strings indicating the functions assigned to each of the other buttons are also displayed, the character strings are not shown in FIG. 7. The switching screen SC2 does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.
The switching button BU11 has a larger display area than the switching button BU3 on the keyboard screen SC1. This is because in the full self mode, there are fewer clerk operations to be accepted on the sub-touch panel 10 than in the semi-self mode, so the number of buttons that need to be displayed on the switching screen SC2 is also small, and a large area is used to represent the switching button BU3. This is because it can be done.

In Act 20, the processor 12 confirms whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been specified. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act 21.
In Act 21, the processor 12 checks whether the switching button BU11 has been touched. If the processor 12 cannot confirm that the switching button BU11 has been touched, the processor 12 determines No, and returns to Act20.
Thus, in Acts 20 and 21, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or for the switching button BU11 to be touched.

If the clerk wants to put the POS terminal device 100 into the semi-self mode, the clerk touches the switching button BU11 displayed on the switching screen SC2 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. If such a touch on the switch button BU11 is made while the switch button BU11 is in the standby state of Act 20 and Act 21, that is, when the start of registration of purchased products related to one transaction is waiting. , it is determined Yes in Act 21, and the process proceeds to Act 22.
In Act 22, the processor 12 changes the mode flag to the reset state. Thereafter, the processor 12 executes Act 3 and subsequent steps in the same manner as described above.

As described above, in Acts 7 and 16, or Acts 21 and 22, the processor 12 starts processing in Acts 7 and 16, or Acts 21 and 22, in response to the button operation by the store clerk as the second operator before the judgment regarding the content of one transaction is started. The valid determination means for determining the details of a transaction are switched. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 12 as a central part functions as a determination control means for performing such switching.

A customer who brings a product to the checkout counter uses the customer touch panel 1 or the fixed scanner 2 to perform an operation to designate the product as a purchased product. The customer's operations at this time may be similar to those performed with other existing self-type POS terminal devices. If the operation for designating the product as a purchased product has been performed, the processor 12 determines Yes in Act 20, and proceeds to Act 23.

Incidentally, since the standby screen does not include an operation element for registering a purchased product as described above, an operation for designating a product as a purchased product is not performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9. Furthermore, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 12 does not accept this as a designation of the purchased product. Further, since the switching screen SC2 does not include any operation element for registering a purchased product as described above, no operation is performed on the sub-touch panel 10 to designate a product as a purchased product. In other words, in the full self mode in which the processor 12 determines the content of the transaction to be settled according to the operation by the customer as the first operator, the processor 12 uses the clerk-side touch panel 9 and the sub-touch panel 10 as the second operation device. and the keyboard 11 is disabled. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program in this manner, the computer including the processor 12 as a central part functions as an invalidating means. By disabling the store clerk's touch panel 9, sub-touch panel 10, and keyboard 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration as a purchased product due to the store clerk's operation.

In Act 23, the processor 12 updates the product list to include the product specified by the above operation.
In Act 24, the processor 12 displays a detailed screen on the customer touch panel 1. The details screen is a screen that displays details of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this point. The details screen displays, for example, a list of product names, unit prices, and quantities of products registered as purchased products, the total discount amount applied to the registered products, and the total amount of the registered products.

In Act 25, the processor 12 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a detailed screen. Here, the detailed screen displayed on the clerk's side touch panel 9 displays the same information as that displayed in Act 10, and also indicates that it is the full self mode. The detailed screen displayed on the salesperson's touch panel 9 does not include any operational elements for registering the purchased product.

In Act 26, the processor 12 confirms whether a product to be registered as a purchased product has been specified. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act 27.
In Act 27, the processor 12 confirms whether payment has been instructed. If the processor 12 cannot confirm that payment has been instructed, it determines No, and returns to Act 26.
Thus, in Acts 26 and 27, the processor 12 waits for product designation or payment instructions.

If the customer brings multiple products to the checkout counter, the customer performs an operation to designate the second and subsequent products as purchased products while the processor 12 is in the standby state in Acts 26 and 27. conduct. If such an operation is performed, the processor 12 determines Yes in Act 26, and executes Acts 23 to 25 in the same manner as described above. As a result, the plurality of products brought to the checkout counter by the customer are each added to the product list. Note that since the detailed screen displayed on the clerk's touch panel 9 does not include the operation element for registering a purchased product as described above, the operation for specifying a product as a purchased product cannot be performed on the clerk's touch panel 9. do not have. Furthermore, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 12 does not accept this as a designation of the purchased product. Further, since the switching screen SC2 does not include any operation element for registering a purchased product as described above, no operation is performed on the sub-touch panel 10 to designate a product as a purchased product.

In this manner, the processor 12 determines the content of the transaction, such as the purchase or sale of which product, in accordance with the operation by the customer as the first operator. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 12 as a central part functions as a first determination means for making the above determination.

After the customer has designated all of the products brought to the checkout counter as purchased products, the customer instructs payment by a predetermined operation on the customer touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching a button included in a detailed screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 27 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and proceeds to Act 28.
In Act 28, the processor 12 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a selection screen similar to Act 13.

In Act 29, the processor 12 checks whether a payment method has been specified. Then, if the payment method is not specified, the processor 12 determines No, and proceeds to Act 30.
In Act 30, the processor 12 confirms whether or not there has been an instruction to return to registering the purchased product. Then, if the instruction has not been given, the processor 12 determines No, and returns to Act 29.
Thus, in Acts 29 and 30, the processor 12 waits for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

When the customer wants to add a purchased item, for example, he or she instructs the customer to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the customer touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching a return button displayed on the selection screen. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 30 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and executes the processing from Act 24 onwards in the same manner as described above.

If the customer proceeds to payment, the customer specifies the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. The processor 12 determines Yes in Act 29 in response to the relevant operation being performed, and proceeds to Act 31 in FIG. 5 .

As described above, in response to confirmation that the payment method has been specified in Act 14 when the processor 12 is in the semi-self mode, and in Act 29 when the processor 12 is in the full self-mode, the processor 12 proceeds to Act 31 in FIG.

In Act 31, the processor 12 displays a payment screen on the customer touch panel 1. The payment screen is a screen that displays the amount to be paid and provides guidance on how to operate the payment. A plurality of types of payment screens are predetermined, each associated with a plurality of payment methods. The processor 12 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a payment screen associated with the designated payment method. Therefore, when displaying the payment screen, the processor 12 determines the payment amount for the sale of the purchased product registered in the product list.

In Act 32, the processor 12 displays a detailed screen on the clerk side touch panel 9. The details screen may be similar to the details screen displayed in Act 10 or Act 25. However, the details screen displayed in Act 32 is a screen showing that the customer is making payment.

In Act 33, the processor 12 activates a payment device according to the designated payment method. For example, when cash is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the coin unit 3 and the banknote unit 4. For example, the processor 12 activates the credit card reader 5 when credit is specified as the payment method. For example, when electronic money is designated as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the close proximity communication unit 6. For example, if prepaid is designated as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the prepaid card reader/writer 7.

In Act 34, the processor 12 waits for an operation for payment according to the specified payment method to be performed. For example, when cash is designated as the payment method, the processor 12 determines Yes when coins and bills are inserted into the coin unit 3 and bill unit 4. For example, when credit is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 determines Yes when the credit card is slid through the slit 5a of the credit card reader 5. For example, when electronic money is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 determines Yes when a wireless tag for electronic money is brought close to the proximity communication unit 6. For example, when prepaid is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 determines Yes when a prepaid card is inserted into the slot 7a of the prepaid card reader/writer 7. If the processor 12 determines Yes, the process proceeds to Act35.

In Act 35, the processor 12 performs payment processing. Specifically, the processor 12 executes processing for paying the payment amount determined in Act 31 using the specified payment method, for example, in a well-known manner. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 12 as a core functions as a payment means.

In Act 36, the processor 12 stops the payment device activated in Act 33.
In Act 37, the processor 12 controls the receipt printer 8 to issue a receipt on which a receipt image representing the details and settlement result of the currently settled transaction is printed on receipt paper.
In Act 38, the processor 12 clears the product list.
In Act 39, the processor 12 displays an end screen on the customer touch panel 1. The end screen is a screen that notifies the customer that the transaction has been completed.

In Act 40, the processor 12 checks whether the mode flag is in the reset state. Then, the processor 12 determines Yes if the mode flag is in the reset state, and returns to Act 3 in FIG. Further, if the mode flag is set, the processor 12 determines No, and returns to Act 17 in FIG.

Note that when an event that requires maintenance such as replacing receipt paper or replenishing or collecting coins occurs, the processor 12 displays an error screen to notify that maintenance is necessary. . When the mode flag is in the reset state, that is, in the semi-self mode, the processor 12 displays an error screen for the clerk on the clerk's side touch panel 9. The clerk performs maintenance in response to this error screen. When the mode flag is set, that is, in the full self mode, the processor 12 causes the customer touch panel 1 to display an error screen for the customer. Furthermore, when the processor 12 is in the full self mode, the processor 12 displays an error screen for the clerk on the clerk's side touch panel 9 as well. The error screen for clerks includes a release key for canceling the display of the error screen. The customer calls a store clerk in response to the display error screen for the customer. The called clerk confirms the situation on the error screen for clerks, performs maintenance as appropriate, and then instructs to cancel the display of each error screen using the cancel key. The processor 12 cancels the display of each error screen in response to the instruction. As the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, the computer having the processor 12 as a core functions as a display control means.

As described above, according to the POS terminal device 100, the processor 12 registers the purchased product in Acts 3 to 12, and then performs payment and related processing in Acts 13 to 15 and Acts 31 to 39. As a result, registration is performed according to the operations of the store clerk, and payment is performed according to the operations of the customer, thereby realizing a semi-self-service mode. Further, the processor 12 registers the purchased product in Acts 17 to 27, and then performs payment and related processing in Acts 28 to 39. As a result, both registration and payment are performed according to the customer's operations, realizing a full self-service mode. The processor 12 switches between the semi-self mode and the full self-mode in response to a touch operation on the switch button BU3 or the switch button BU11. In this way, the POS terminal device 100 can easily switch between full-self and semi-self.

Furthermore, according to the POS terminal device 100, in the semi-self mode, purchased products are not registered in response to operations on the customer-side touch panel 1 and fixed scanner 2, so purchased products may be erroneously registered in response to operations by the customer. This can be prevented.

Furthermore, according to the POS terminal device 100, in the full self mode, purchased products are not registered in response to operations on the clerk-side touch panel 9, sub-touch panel 10, and keyboard 11. You can prevent it from being registered.

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
The above embodiment can also be implemented in other types of registered payment devices such as cash registers.
The switching button for switching from semi-self mode to full self-mode and the switching button for switching from full-self mode to semi-self mode may be the same button.

The switching button may be displayed on the screen of the clerk-side touch panel 9 or may be provided on the keyboard 11.
The processor 12 may switch from the semi-self mode to the full self-mode only when the person in charge is registered.
When switching from semi-self mode to full self-mode, the processor 12 may record this in an electronic journal. At this time, the processor 12 may also record the name or identification code of the responsible person in the electronic journal.

When switching from semi-self mode to full self-mode, the processor 12 displays a message such as "Switching to full self-mode. Are you sure?" and a confirmation screen displaying a "yes" button and a "no" button. may be displayed as a pop-up on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The processor 12 may switch the mode if the "Yes" button is touched, and may not switch the mode if the "No" button is touched.

The processor 12 does not need to switch the mode if the coin unit 3 and banknote unit 4 are in a disconnected state error. In this case, the processor 12 may display a screen displaying a warning message such as "mode switching is not possible because the change machine is not connected" on the clerk's side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10.

The processor 12 may automatically input a predetermined number, such as "999", as the responsible person number when switching from semi-self mode to full self-mode.
The processor 12 may turn off the automatic manager release function when switching from semi-self mode to full self-mode. The automatic manager cancellation function is a function that deletes the set manager number and automatically cancels the manager registration state if no operation is performed for a certain period of time.

The processor 12 may display a screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 for allowing the store clerk to input the person-in-charge number before or after switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode. Then, the processor 12 inputs the manager number in response to the operation by the store clerk on this screen.

When switching from full self mode to semi-self mode, the processor 12 may record this fact in an electronic journal. At this time, the processor 12 may also record the name or identification code of the responsible person in the electronic journal.

When switching from full-self mode to semi-self mode, the processor 12 displays a message such as "Switching to semi-self mode. Are you sure?" and displays a confirmation screen displaying a "yes" button and a "no" button. A pop-up display may be performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The processor 12 may switch the mode if the "Yes" button is touched, and may not switch the mode if the "No" button is touched.

The processor 12 may check the states of the coin unit 3 and the bill unit 4 when switching from full self mode to semi-self mode. If the error is in the disconnected state, the processor 12 may display a screen displaying a message such as "drawer in operation" on the clerk's touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10.

In the semi-self mode, the processor 12 may display a screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 to indicate that the mode is the semi-self mode.
The processor 12 may turn on the automatic manager release function when switching from full self mode to semi self mode.

In the full self mode, the processor 12 may print "self" on the receipt as the name of the person in charge.
In the full self mode, the processor 12 may record a predetermined number such as "999" as the responsible person number in the electronic journal. In this case, the processor 12 may set the responsible person's name to "self" when referring to the journal.

The processor 12 may display "Self" as the name of the person in charge on the screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 in the full self mode.
The processor 12 may prohibit the use of the person-in-charge number used in the full-self mode as the person-in-charge number in the semi-self mode.

In the full self mode, the processor 12 may employ a predetermined customer class as the customer class information.
In the semi-self mode, the processor 12 may employ, as the customer demographic information, the customer demographic that corresponds to the customer demographic key pressed by the store clerk after product registration.

Each function realized by the processor 12 through information processing can be partially or entirely realized by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit. Further, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining software control with hardware such as the above logic circuit.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1...Customer touch panel, 2...Fixed scanner, 3...Coin unit, 4...Banknote unit, 5...Credit card reader, 6...Proximity communication unit, 7...Prepaid card reader/writer, 8...Receipt printer, 8a...Receipt output Exit, 9... Clerk side touch panel, 10... Sub touch panel, 11... Keyboard, 12... Processor, 13... Main storage unit, 14... Auxiliary storage unit, 15... Handy scanner, 16... Communication unit, 17... Transmission path, 100... POS terminal device, 200...communication network.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a registered payment device and an information processing program that can switch operation modes and prevent erroneous operations in each mode .

The registered payment device of the embodiment includes a switching means, a first invalidating means, and a second invalidating means. The switching means has a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for a purchased product to be purchased by a customer, and a customer performs a payment operation for payment for the purchased product; Switching between the second operation mode and the second operation mode in which the customer performs all operations. In the first operation mode, the first invalidation means invalidates the registration operation of the purchased product by the customer. In the second operation mode, the second invalidating means invalidates the registration operation of the purchased product by the store clerk.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
Below, the invention described in the original claims of the present application will be added.
[Additional note 1] A registered payment device,
a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in accordance with an operation by a first operator;
a second determining means for determining the content of the transaction in accordance with an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator;
The method controls the first determining means and the second determining means so that either one of them is valid, and the second operator determines whether or not the first determining means and the second determining means are valid. Judgment control means for switching, in response to a button operation, a judgment means to be enabled for judgment regarding the details of a transaction to be started thereafter;
determining a settlement amount for the transaction content determined by one of the first determining means and the second determining means that is validated by the determination control means, and performing an operation by the first operator; a payment means that performs payment processing to settle the payment amount according to;
A registered payment device equipped with.
[Additional Note 2] A first operating device operated by the first operator;
a second operating device operated by the second operator;
When the determination control means has enabled the first determination means, the second operation device is disabled, and when the determination control means has enabled the second determination means, the first operation device is disabled. invalidation means to invalidate;
The registered payment device according to supplementary note 1, further comprising:
[Additional Note 3] A first display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the first operator;
a second display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the second operator;
A screen indicating that maintenance of the registered payment device is required is displayed on both the first display device and the second display device when the determination control means validates the first determination means. display control means for causing the display to be displayed only on the second display device when the determination control means has enabled the second determination means;
The registered payment device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, further comprising:
[Appendix 4] The computer that controls the registered payment device,
a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in accordance with an operation by a first operator;
a second determining means for determining the content of the transaction in accordance with an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator;
The method controls the first determining means and the second determining means so that either one of them is valid, and the second operator determines whether or not the first determining means and the second determining means are valid. Judgment control means for switching, in response to a button operation, a judgment means to be enabled for judgment regarding the details of a transaction to be started thereafter;
determining a settlement amount for the transaction content determined by one of the first determining means and the second determining means that is validated by the determination control means, and performing an operation by the first operator; a payment means that performs payment processing to settle the payment amount according to;
An information processing program that operates by

Claims (4)

A registered payment device,
a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in accordance with an operation by a first operator;
a second determining means for determining the content of the transaction in accordance with an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator;
The method controls the first determining means and the second determining means so that either one of them is valid, and the second operator determines whether or not the first determining means and the second determining means are valid. Judgment control means for switching, in response to a button operation, a judgment means to be enabled for judgment regarding the details of a transaction to be started thereafter;
determining a settlement amount for the transaction content determined by one of the first determining means and the second determining means that is validated by the determination control means, and performing an operation by the first operator; a payment means that performs payment processing to settle the payment amount according to;
A registered payment device equipped with. a first operating device operated by the first operator;
a second operating device operated by the second operator;
When the determination control means has enabled the first determination means, the second operation device is disabled, and when the determination control means has enabled the second determination means, the first operation device is disabled. invalidation means to invalidate;
The registered payment device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the first operator;
a second display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the second operator;
A screen indicating that maintenance of the registered payment device is required is displayed on both the first display device and the second display device when the determination control means validates the first determination means. display control means for causing the display to be displayed only on the second display device when the determination control means has enabled the second determination means;
The registered payment device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: The computer that controls the registered payment device,
a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in accordance with an operation by a first operator;
a second determining means for determining the content of the transaction in accordance with an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator;
The method controls the first determining means and the second determining means so that either one of them is valid, and the second operator determines whether or not the first determining means and the second determining means are valid. Judgment control means for switching, in response to a button operation, a judgment means to be enabled for judgment regarding the details of a transaction to be started thereafter;
determining a settlement amount for the transaction content determined by one of the first determining means and the second determining means that is validated by the determination control means, and performing an operation by the first operator; a payment means that performs payment processing to settle the payment amount according to;
An information processing program that operates by