JPH10340387A - Change managing method, change managing system, host computer provided with change managing function, cash register provided with change managing function, and change card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cancel trouble in the exchange of change in shopping and to reduce the preparation of change composed of coins. SOLUTION: A change managing method is managed together with the money of sales by cash registers 12, 13, 14... and a host computer 11. Concerning this change managing method, a change card storing a preset amount is used. When shopping is performed, the cash registers 12, 13, 14... operate the change by subtracting the amount of sales from the paid cash. However, an amount less than the amount set to the change card is stored on the change card for every sale and an amount more than the set amount is paid as the change for every sale.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided with a change management method, a change management system, and a change management function that can reduce the preparation of change made of small change while eliminating the trouble of giving and receiving change in shopping. The present invention relates to a host computer, a cash register having a change management function, and a change card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Shopping at supermarkets, convenience stores, and the like involves many daily food items and small clothing items, and the unit price is relatively low. Therefore, shopping is often made by cash without using a credit card. Also,
In everyday life, shopping is often set at an odd amount in order to invite purchase or emphasize a discount. Also,
In recent years, the introduction of the consumption tax has increased the chances that change will be paid for 1-yen coins or 5-yen coins, even at the price of fractional goods.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a host computer and a cash register in a conventional example. In FIG. 10, the host computer 1
01 is the cash register 102, 103, 104
.. Are connected by, for example, a telephone line. The cash register 102 includes an input unit 1021 such as a keyboard or a bar code reader for inputting cash or sales, an operation unit 1022 for subtracting sales from cash to calculate change, and an information storage unit for storing sales or the like. 1
023 and the information of the cash register 102 is sent to the host computer 101, or the information of the host computer 101 is sent to the cash register 102.
Transmitting and receiving unit 1024, and a printing unit 102 that prints the result of calculating sales and change, etc., and prints it as a receipt
5 and a display unit 1026 for displaying cash, sales, change, and the like.

[0004]

In a supermarket, a convenience store, or the like, daily fine shopping is often paid by cash without using a credit card. Cash payments are often made in yen units in front of cash registers.
Shopping at supermarkets, convenience stores, and the like tends to concentrate in a certain time zone, and queues are formed in front of cash registers. In such a case, giving and receiving coins takes a lot of time and labor,
It is necessary to increase the number of cash registers and the number of operators in a certain time zone.

[0005] If it is troublesome for the buyer to put together coins, it will be necessary to receive change from a large bill, but not only will the coins become too large and the wallet will become heavy, but also the coins will be sent to the bank. It takes time to replace it. The store not only takes time to deliver fine change, but also needs to prepare a large number of necessary change in each cash register in advance, and it is necessary to prepare more change as the number of cash registers increases. is there. Such change, even in large amounts, must always be pooled and is a resource that cannot be used effectively.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a change management method, a change management system, a change management system, a host computer having a change management function, and a change management function that are convenient for the buyer and the store. It is intended to provide a cash register as well as a change card. The present invention not only reduces the time required for giving and receiving change, but also
It is an object of the present invention to provide a change management method, a change management system, a host computer having a change management function, a cash register having a change management function, and a change card which can effectively use pooled change.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1st invention) In the change management method of the present invention, a plurality of cash registers and a host computer
The sales amount is managed, and the change that is less than the set amount is stored in the change card for each purchase, and the change that is less than the set amount is paid as change for each purchase. Features.

(2nd invention) The change management method of the present invention is characterized in that cash registers in different stores are connected to a host computer.

(Third invention) The change management method of the present invention is characterized in that the cash register and the host computer are connected online.

(4th invention) In the change management method of the present invention, less than the set amount of the change obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the cash paid is stored as a point for each purchase on the change card. It is characterized by being paid as change every purchase.

(Fifth Invention) In the change management system of the present invention, a change card storing less than a set amount of change, which is obtained by subtracting a purchase price from cash to be paid, is read into a cash register. A plurality of cash registers 1 having a function of calculating so as to pay more than the change as money and having a management unit capable of deducting the purchase money by the money stored in the change card.
, 2, 13, 14, ... and the plurality of cash registers 12, 13, 14, ..., the change amount stored in the change card, and the deduction amount purchased with the change amount. And a host computer 11 having a management unit for managing

(Sixth invention) A host computer 11 having a change management function according to the present invention includes a transmission / reception unit 111 connected to a plurality of cash registers 12, 13, 14,. Register 12,
, An information discriminating unit 112 for discriminating the information sent from 13, 14,... And sending it to a predetermined managing unit, and a store-specific change management for managing the change paid in a plurality of change cards at each store for each store. Unit 113, an individual change management unit 114 that manages an individual change card storing an amount of money less than the set change, an amount of shopping using the change card, a store name, an article, a cost, a gross amount. Change management unit 11 for managing profits, etc.
7 is included.

(Seventh Invention) The host computer 11 having the change management function of the present invention is characterized in that it can collate various information of the change card with various information stored in the host computer 11.

(Eighth Invention) The cash registers 12, 13, 14,... Provided with the change management function of the present invention are:
A transmission / reception unit 126 connected to the host computer 11 for transmitting / receiving information, a change card reading unit 132 for reading a set amount set in advance on the change card, and a change of the amount read by the change card reading unit 132 or more. The change calculation unit 134 calculates the change calculated by the change calculation unit 134, the change card writing unit 136 that writes the change calculated by the change calculation unit 134 into the change card, and the change written in the change card writing unit 136. And a change management unit 135 for managing each change card.

(Ninth Invention) The cash registers 12, 13, 14,... Provided with the change management function of the present invention are:
Display section 1 for displaying cash paid, sales, change, amount stored in change card, and total amount of change card
27 and / or printing unit 1 printed as a receipt
28.

(Tenth invention) Cash registers 12, 13, 14,... Having the change management function of the present invention.
Is characterized in that it has a change setting unit 129 which can set the amount of money to be stored in the change card in advance.

(Eleventh invention) Cash registers 12, 13, 14,... Having the change management function of the present invention.
Is characterized in that the change calculated by the change calculation unit 134 is stored as points on the change card.

(Twelfth Invention) The change card according to the present invention has a
D, an ID storage unit, a change setting unit that changes a predetermined amount or more, a change storage unit that stores an amount less than a predetermined amount, and a store or cash register where the change is generated. And a store storage unit for storing

(Thirteenth invention) A change card according to the present invention is characterized in that the amount stored in the change storage unit is reduced by shopping and stored.

(14th invention) The change card of the present invention is characterized in that the amount of the change received from the cash register is stored in the change card.

(Fifteenth Invention) The change card of the present invention is characterized in that the amount of change is stored as points on the change card.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(1st invention) The change management method is managed by a cash register and a host computer together with the sales amount. The change management method uses a change card in which a preset amount is stored. When shopping, the cash register calculates change by subtracting the purchase price from the cash paid. However, less than the amount set on the change card is stored in the change card for each purchase, and more than the set amount is paid as change for each purchase. Therefore, the higher the amount set on the change card,
The trouble of handing out the change is reduced, and the amount of money stored in the change card is increased in a short time. In addition, the large amount of money stored in the change card means that the amount of change that must be prepared in the cash register is small, and
Since the stored change can be used effectively, it is advantageous for the shop.

(2nd invention) In the above change management method, in addition to the host computer managing many cash registers in one store, cash registers in different stores are connected to the host computer and change is managed. Have been.

(Third Invention) In the above change management method, the cash register can be managed online.
According to the change management method described above, a change can be stored accurately or a purchase can be made using a change card, regardless of how many times a shop is purchased in a different cash register within one day, as long as the store is of the same family.

(Fourth Invention) As for change generated by shopping, less than the set amount is stored in the change card as points for each purchase. The points stored in the change card are more advantageous to the shop as the number of points increases, because the pooled amount can be effectively used.
Therefore, the store side, for those who have accumulated a lot of points,
Prizes other than the amount corresponding to the points can be given out. That is, the change management method of the present invention is convenient for the shop side and the customer side.

(Fifth Invention) The cash register calculates a change obtained by subtracting the purchase price from the paid cash, and stores a change less than the set amount of the change in the change card. In addition, the cash register calculates the change as a change that pays out more than the amount set on the change card. In addition, the cash register
If you shop with the amount stored on your change card,
It is possible to manage such that the purchase money is deducted from the change stored in the change card. The host computer is connected to the plurality of cash registers and has a management unit that manages the change amount stored in each change card and the deduction amount purchased with the change amount.

(Sixth invention) The host computer includes a transmission / reception unit connected to a plurality of cash registers for transmitting / receiving information. The information discriminating unit discriminates the information sent from each cash register and sends it to a predetermined management unit. The store-specific change management unit manages the change paid by a plurality of change cards for each store, for each store. That is, the change managed by the store-specific change management unit is originally to be returned to the customer, and is a deposit at the store. The individual change management unit manages an individual change card in which an amount less than the set change is stored. The individual change management unit sends the total change as information to all cash registers so that the change can be accurately stored and managed no matter which store or cash register is used for shopping. The change management unit manages the amount, store name, item, cost, gross profit and the like when shopping using the change card. The change is a deposit from the customer, and the sales of shopping using the change card need to be returned as profit at the store or cash register using the change card. For this reason, the change management unit manages the purchase amount, the store name, the goods, the cost, the gross profit, etc. using the change card, and the legitimate profit can be returned to the store.

(Seventh invention) Since various information stored in the change card is always stored in the host computer each time, each time the change card is used, the various information is collated with the host computer. This can prevent unauthorized use of the change card.

(Eighth Invention) The cash register is connected to a host computer by a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information. The change card reading unit reads a set amount preset on the change card. The change calculation unit calculates the change amount that is equal to or more than the set amount read by the change card reading unit as change, and calculates the change amount that is less than the set amount to be stored in the change card. The change card writing unit writes the change to be stored in the change card calculated by the change calculation unit. The change stored in the change card calculated by the change calculation unit is managed by the change management unit. The change of the change card managed by the change management unit is once sent to the individual change management unit of the host computer via the transmission / reception unit so as to be sent to another cash register.

(Ninth Invention) Since the amount of money stored in the change card is a customer's deposit, it is printed on a display unit and / or a receipt so that it can be given to the customer. By looking at the display unit and / or the receipt, the customer can always grasp the situation stored by the change. Then, the owner of the change card can use it for shopping when the amount of money stored on the change card is equal to or more than a desired value. Accordingly, the display unit and / or the receipt display or print the cash paid, the sales amount, the change, the amount stored in the change card, and the total amount of the change card.

(Tenth invention)
First, a desired change can be set for a customer who wants to change with a change card. For example, if the change amount is 10 yen, the change amount for shopping is 1 yen.
A change of less than 0 yen, that is, a change of 1 yen unit is stored in the change card without being paid. If the set amount of change is 1000 yen, it is not necessary to pay changes of 1 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen, and these can be stored in the change card.

(Eleventh invention) A cash register comprises:
The change calculator calculates the difference between the cash paid and the purchase price, and as a result, less than the set amount of generated change is stored in the form of points on the change card.

(Twelfth Invention) The change card has a serial number,
Issuer code, issue cash register code, etc.
D is stored. The change card has a change setting unit for storing an amount that is changed by a change from a predetermined amount by inputting the change card from a cash register. The change card has a change storage unit capable of storing an amount less than a preset amount when a change is generated as a result of calculation by the cash register. The change card is provided with a timer storage unit for storing the date, month, day, hour, minute, and second at which the change occurred, and a store storage unit for storing the store at which the change occurred or a cash register, as necessary. The change card is expected to have a large change amount or a forgery. For example, the change management unit and the timer storage unit of the host computer make it easy to detect fraud.

(Thirteenth Invention) When a change card is used for shopping, the amount stored in the change storage unit is reduced and stored. That is, the change card plays the same role as the prepaid card when the change is stored.

(14th Invention) The purpose of the change card of the present invention is to reduce the transfer of change. However, when the cash register is relatively free, the change card can be stored in the change card. I have. That is, the cash register deposits the change calculated by the operator, so that the change amount is stored in the change card. The change card does not need to be brought to the bank for exchange, and the store can use the change effectively because the change is pooled.

(Fifteenth Invention) A change card stores less than a set amount of money in the form of points instead of change. With respect to the points stored in the change card, by looking forward to the increase in the number of points or providing prizes based on the number of points, both the shop side and the customer side can be given an advantage.

[0037]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a cash register for managing change according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a host computer 11 is connected online to a plurality of cash registers 12, 13, 14,... Via a telephone line, a LAN (local area network), or the like, or for a predetermined period of time. Have been. The cash register 12 includes a cash input unit 121, a sales input unit 122, a sales calculation unit 123, a sales management unit 124, an information management unit 125, and a transmission / reception unit 126 having a function of performing normal change registration. Further, the cash register 12 has a configuration for exhibiting a normal function in addition to the configuration for describing the embodiment of the present invention.

The cash input section 121 is where a customer inputs cash to be passed to an operator of a cash register, and includes a keyboard, a bar code reader, and the like for inputting the amount. The sales input unit 122 includes a product name and its price,
Alternatively, it is a product classification or the like, and uses the same keyboard and barcode as described above. The sales calculation unit 123 calculates the sales input unit 1 from the amount input by the cash input unit 121.
The calculation for subtracting the amount input by the user 22 is mainly performed. The sales management unit 124 mainly manages various sales described below. The information management unit 125 can manage various management information on the cash register 12 side.
The transmission / reception unit 126 connects the various information managed by the information management unit 125 to the host computer 11 online, at a regular time, or at an arbitrary time,
Send or receive information.

The cash register 12 has a display unit 1
27 and a printing unit 128. Display 127
Displays the item name or the amount of the item input by the keyboard or the bar code, the total amount, and the like. The printing unit 128 is for printing the amount displayed on the display unit 127 as a receipt.

The cash register 12 of the present invention includes the following configuration in addition to the above configuration. That is,
The present invention is to introduce a new concept of storing a part of change on a change card or storing it instead of points when shopping, and saves labor for giving and receiving a part of change, as well as pooling. This is advantageous for both the store side and the customer side because it has an effect that the used change can be effectively used. Since the pooled change is more advantageous to the store, in addition to shopping using the change, the prize can be given out depending on the size of the points, and the profits of the store and the customer can be balanced.

The change card of the present invention comprises, for example, a magnetic and / or optical storage medium storing an ID such as a serial number, an issuing store code, an issuing cash register code, or an IC card. If the customer wants to get change with a change card, they will get a change card. The change card is set by the change setting unit 129 by inputting a desired amount. And
The change card set so that the amount of money that is more than desired is changed is output from the change card output unit 130. The change card reading unit 132 in the cash register 12 reads predetermined items of the change card, and confirms that the change card is correct. Thereafter, the change setting detection unit 133 detects the amount of change set on the change card.

The change operation unit 134 uses the result calculated by each unit of the cash register 12 as a change and a change amount equal to or more than a predetermined amount. Then, the change management unit 135 manages less than the set amount of money as the deposit together with the ID of the change card. The change managed by the change management unit 135 is written to the change card 131 by the change card writing unit 136. At the same time, the printing unit 128 prints the progress calculated by the sales calculation unit 123 and the change calculation unit 134, the change, the change or points stored in the change card, the total change of the change card, and the like at a glance.

Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the change card stores a timer storage unit for storing the date, month, day, hour, minute, and second at which the change occurred, a store or a cash register code at which the change occurred. A store storage unit is provided. The receipt stores the date, month, day, hour, minute, second, store name, and the like by the timer storage unit and the store storage unit, and the information is left in the change management unit 135 of the cash register 12. Although it is expected that the change amount and points of the change card will be forged, the change amount of the change management unit (to be described later) of the personal computer (by card) of the host computer 11, the change management unit 135 of the cash register 12, or the like will be described. Storing the number of points, the date, month, day, hour, minute, second, ID, and the like in the timer storage unit facilitates discovery of fraud. Since an industrial television for security is usually arranged near the cash register 12, if the date, month, day, hour, minute, and second are known, it is possible to prevent the change card from being fraudulent by collating it with a video tape.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a host computer which manages change according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the host computer 1
1 with the transmission / reception units 13 ′, 14 ′,... On the cash register side,
Alternatively, it is connected only for an arbitrary time. Information discriminator 112
Determines the information received by the transmission / reception unit 111 and sends it to the next management unit, or transmits various types of information described below. The management unit on the host computer 11 side
For example, the change management unit 113 for each store, the change management unit 1 for each individual,
14. Individual sales management unit 115, store sales management unit 11
6, and a change management unit 117.

The store-specific change management unit 113 manages the total change for each store or each cash register, and can accurately grasp the change of the store or the cash register. The individual change management unit 114 manages the change of each change card, and prevents the customer from losing when the change is stored in the change card or in place of the points. The individual sales management unit 115 manages the amount of money left as change and the amount of money purchased when shopping using the change card, and always makes the sum of the amount or points stored in the change card accurate. Stores and customers will not be disadvantaged.

The store-by-store sales management section 116 manages sales by cash register or store, in particular, sales using change cards. Sales using change cards,
It is necessary to return the profit from the pooled change to the store. The change management unit 117 manages the change of each of the management units or the change to be pooled. Arithmetic unit 118
Performs an operation necessary for management of each management unit. Display 1
19 and the output unit 120 output information or the like of each management unit by display or printing.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are views for explaining change management according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 (a)
The sales table by product name shown in is a management method when selling normal products, and the sales product name and its classification (for example, foods, clothing, etc., vegetables, fruits, meats, etc. in foods) , Price, cost, gross profit, and store code (cash register code) are sequentially described. FIG.
The store-by-store sales table shown in (b) is a management method for each store, in which the store is classified by store, and the sales amount, cost, and gross profit are sequentially described. The tables shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and (b)
It is only an example and is made to be convenient for the company.

The total change table by change card shown in FIG. 3 (c) is a method of managing change cards possessed by an individual. The change card No. which is also an ID, the change set amount, the change amount (or points), the used amount, the store The code, the total change, and the like are sequentially described. The information on this change card is always the latest one.
35 and the individual change management unit 114 of the host computer 11. However, host computer 1
1 and cash register 12 are not online,
If you are connected by telephone line only for a predetermined time,
The latest change information may not always be stored in the change management unit of the host computer 11. However, when the change amount is used, the change card always stores the latest one, and the information in the change management unit of the host computer 11 is also rewritten to accurate information with a slight time delay.

The change total amount table for each store shown in FIG. 3 (d) manages the change amount for each store. The change amount for each store code, the amount used from the pooled amount, and the amount of goods used are shown. Costs and gross profits resulting therefrom are sequentially described. The store-specific change total amount table allows distribution of the change amount pooled by each store or the profit generated from sales by the change card based on the above description. These management methods vary considerably depending on the form of connection between the host computer 11 and the cash register 12 and the type of job, and various modifications are possible.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for putting a change on a change card using the change card according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, when a customer makes a purchase with cash, the customer pays cash corresponding to the purchase. The operator of the cash register 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as an operator) inputs the received cash from the cash input unit 121 (step 411). Next, the operator inputs the respective amounts of the goods purchased by the customer through the sales input unit 122 (keyboard or barcode reader). The proceeds are generally entered such that the price of the item is recorded point by point (step 412).

Normally, the change is calculated by the calculation unit and a receipt indicating the progress of sales is printed. But,
In the present invention, the operator inquires whether the customer wants to change with a change card. If the customer wishes to change with a change card, the operator
A change card is obtained from the customer or a new change card is inserted into the change card reading unit 132. Change card reader 1
32 reads items stored in the change card.
The change setting detection unit 133 includes the change card reading unit 132
It is checked whether or not there is a correct change card based on the items read in step (step 413). If there is no change card, the cash register 12 calculates a normal change (step 414). Then, the operator gives the calculated change to the customer (step 4).
15).

In step 413, when the change setting detecting section 133 determines that the change card is correct, the change setting detecting section 133 checks whether or not the change setting in the change card is less than 10 yen (step 416). Next, when the change setting detection unit 133 determines that the change setting in the change card is less than 10 yen, the change calculation unit 134
(Step 417). Then, the operator gives the customer the remaining change in which the change of less than 10 yen calculated by the change calculating unit 134 is cut off, that is, the change without the 1-yen coin (step 418). The change not passed to the customer is stored in the change card by the change card writing unit 136, and is also stored in the change management unit 135 (step 419).

The operator, together with the purchased goods,
The change card containing the change of 10 yen or more and the change of less than 10 yen or the points thereof is handed (step 420). At the same time, the operator gives the receipt on which the purchase amount, the change to be handed, and the change amount stored in the change card are printed (step 421). Step 4
In step 16, when the change setting detection unit 133 determines that the change amount set on the change card is not less than 10 yen, it checks whether the set change amount is less than 50 yen (step 423). ). Subsequent processing when the change amount is less than 50 yen is the same as steps 417 to 421, except for the amount. Furthermore, the set amount of change can be less than 100 yen and less than 500 yen. The change setting can be changed to an arbitrary amount such as less than 60 yen and less than 150 yen. That is, since the change calculation unit 134 only calculates the change amount or points less than the set amount on the change card, it is easy to change the set amount.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining how to make a change using a change card in which a change is set, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows the change card reading unit 1
It is a flowchart for explaining in detail 32 and the change setting detection part 133, and is a case where the change card brought by the customer is used. The change card reading unit 132
A predetermined item such as an ID written on the change card is read (step 511). For example, in the case of a convenience store, the ID includes a personal identification number, a store code passed first, or a number having a predetermined number of digits. Next, the change setting detection unit 133 determines whether or not the change card is correct by judging the above information (step 512).

If the change setting detection unit 133 determines that the change card is not correct, it stops calculating change using the change card (step 513). In step 512, when the change setting detection unit 133 determines that the change card is a correct change card, the change amount or points stored in the change card and the change management unit 1 are determined.
It is checked whether the amount or the point stored in 35 matches (step 514). Change setting detector 1
If it is determined that the change amount or points stored in the change card and the amount or points stored in the change management unit 135 do not match, the calculation of the change by the change card is stopped (step 515). .

The change setting detecting unit 133 stores the change amount or points stored in the change card and the change management unit 1.
If it is determined that the amount or the point stored in 35 matches, the set amount of change is detected (step 5).
16). The change setting detection unit 133 checks whether the set change is less than 10 yen (step 517). When the change setting detecting unit 133 determines that the set change is less than 10 yen, the change setting detecting unit 133 instructs the change calculation unit 134 to round off the change of less than 10 yen (step 518). The change card writing unit 136 stores the truncated change in the change card (step 519).

In step 517, when the change setting detecting unit 133 determines that the set change is not less than 10 yen, it checks whether or not the change setting is less than 50 yen (step 520). The subsequent steps are the same as steps 518 and 519. Then, similarly, the change setting detection unit 133 checks whether the change setting is less than 100 yen or less than 500 yen, and specifies the change operation based on the set change amount to the change operation unit 134. The change setting can be changed to an arbitrary amount such as less than 30 yen and less than 70 yen.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining shopping using a change card according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, the change card reading unit 132 reads a change card (step 611). Change card reader 13
2 checks whether or not the operator has specified that the change card is to be purchased (step 612). When the change card reading unit 132 determines that there is no designation that the purchase is made by the change card by the operator, the change card reading unit 132 checks whether there is a change setting (step 613). If the change card reading unit 132 determines that there is no change setting, the change card reading unit 132 determines that the card is not a correct change card and displays a card failure (step 614).

If the change card reading section 132 determines in step 613 that change has been set, the change card reading section 132 performs change processing using the change card (step 615). In step 612, when the change card reading unit 132 determines that the purchase of the change card is designated by the operator, the operator inputs the sales amount (step 616). The input of the sales proceeds by the operator includes typing from a keyboard or reading a bar code. It is determined by the operation of the change operation unit 134 whether or not the sales amount obtained by the operator matches the change amount or the points stored in the change card (step 617).

When the change calculation unit 134 determines that the amount corresponding to the sales is not stored in the change card, the customer performs shopping with cash or another prepaid card (step 618). In step 617, when the change calculation unit 134 determines that the change card has a change amount or points corresponding to the sales, the change calculation unit 134 performs a process of subtracting the sales from the change card (step 61).
9). The change operation unit 134 converts the above result into the change management unit 13.
5 and store the result (step 6).
20).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the connection between the cash register and the host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cash register 12,
.. And the host computer 11 are connected at various times, such as online connection, automatic connection by telephone line, connection by human using telephone line, etc. There is a form. The cash registers 12, 13, 14,... And the host computer 11 can be connected to the host computer 11 via a management station provided on the store side. The host computer 11 and the cash register 12 are connected (Step 711).

The information management unit 125 checks whether there is information in the sales management unit 124 (step 712). When the information management unit 125 determines that there is no sales information in the sales management unit 124, the information management unit 125 checks whether there is change information in the change management unit 135 (step 713). When the information management unit 125 determines that there is no change information, the host computer 11
The connection between the register and the cash register 12 is stopped (step 714). In step 712, the information management unit 1
When determining that the sales information is present in the sales management unit 124, the processing 25 transmits the sales information of the sales management unit 124 and transmits the processing to the host computer 11 via the transmission / reception unit 126 (step 715). .

The transmission / reception unit 11 of the host computer 11
1 receives the sales information of the sales management unit 124 (step 716). The information determining unit 112 determines that the information is sales information, sends the sales information to the store-specific sales management unit 116, and stores the sales information in the store-specific sales management unit 116 (step 71).
7). In step 713, the information management unit 125
If it is determined that the change information is present in the change management unit 135, the change management unit 135 performs processing for transmitting the change information, and transmits the change information to the host computer 11 via the transmission / reception unit 126 (step 718). Host computer 1
The transmission / reception unit 111 on the first side receives the change information of the change management unit 135 (step 719). Information discriminator 112
Determines that the information is change information, and stores the change management unit 1
13 and sends change information to the individual change management unit 114,
It is stored in the store-specific change management unit 113 and the individual change management unit 114 (step 720).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing of change information in the host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is for describing the host computer 11 side in FIG. 7 in detail. In FIG. 8, the information discriminating unit 112 includes a cash register 12
(Step 811).
The information discriminating unit 112 checks whether or not the transmitted information is store-specific change information (step 812). If the information discriminating unit 112 determines that the transmitted information is store-specific change information, the information is stored in the store-specific change management unit 113 (step 813). The calculation unit 118 performs a calculation based on the store-specific change information (step 814).

The operation unit 118 stores the result of the operation in a predetermined management unit, and outputs the result to the display unit 119 or the output unit 120 for viewing as needed (step 815). If the information discriminator 112 determines that the transmitted information is not shop-specific change information, it checks whether the information is individual change information (step 816). When the information discriminating unit 112 determines that the transmitted information is personal change information, the information determining unit 112 stores the information in the personal change management unit 1.
14 (step 817). Subsequent steps 818 and 819 correspond to step 814 described above.
And step 815.

Similarly, if the information discriminating unit 112 determines in step 816 that the information is not individual change information, it is checked whether the information is individual sales information (step 8).
20). In step 820, the information discriminating unit 1
In step 824, it is checked whether the sales information is store-specific sales information. After step 820 and step 824, substantially the same processing as step 818 to step 819 is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining an example of transferring information from a cash register to a host computer using a telephone line according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the administrator of the cash register 12 connects to the host computer 11 by telephone at a predetermined time or at an arbitrary time (step 91).
1). The transmission / reception unit 126 displays on the display unit 127 whether or not the connection has been made to the host computer 11. The administrator checks the connection to the host computer 11 by looking at the display unit 127 (step 912). If the cash register 12 is not connected to the host computer 11, the administrator waits until the cash register 12 is connected.

The administrator checks whether or not there is information such as sales in the information management section 125 by displaying it on the display section 127 (step 913). Administrators
If it is determined that there is information such as sales in the information management unit 125, an operation of transmitting information such as sales to the host computer 11 is performed (step 914). If the administrator determines that there is no information such as sales in the information management unit 125, the connection between the host computer 11 and the cash register 12 is stopped (step 915). Next, the administrator checks whether all the information such as the sales of the information management unit 125 has been transmitted to the host computer 11 while looking at the display unit 127 (step 916).

The administrator looks at the display section 127 and checks whether or not there is change information in the change management section 135 (step 917). When the administrator determines that there is no change information in the change management unit 135, the administrator stops the connection between the host computer 11 and the cash register 12 (step 9).
15). When the administrator determines that the change management unit 135 has change information, the manager transmits the change information to the host computer 11 (step 918). The administrator checks whether the change information has been transmitted to the host computer 11 (step 919). If the administrator determines that all change information has been transmitted, the administrator stops the connection between the host computer 11 and the cash register 12 (step 91).
5). That is, the administrator disconnects the telephone line from the host computer 11.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. And
The present invention is capable of various design changes without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, each block in the drawing is not described in detail as an embodiment, but is constituted by a known or well-known circuit. Further, the flowchart in the embodiment is merely an example, and a part of the process may be omitted or a process may be added. Further, some lines in the block diagram are omitted because the diagram is complicated. In the block diagram of the cash register and the host computer, only those relevant to the present embodiment are shown. Therefore, the block diagram does not include ordinary functions.

[0071]

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of cash registers and the amount of change which must be prepared in the cash register at the store, because the labor and time for sending and receiving change can be saved. Become. According to the present invention, by using a change card, the customer has less time in front of the cash register. According to the present invention, when the amount of money set on the change card is increased, the trouble of delivering the change is reduced, and the amount of money stored on the change card is increased, which can be used effectively.

According to the present invention, when the amount of money or points stored in the change card increases, it plays the same role as that of the prepaid card, and is therefore enjoyable for customers. In addition, when the amount of money or points stored in the change card increases, the store can use these effectively, and the profits from effective use can be returned to customers in the form of prizes. According to the present invention, the coins on hand can be stored or pointed on the change card, so that the coins in the wallet are reduced and lighter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a cash register for managing change according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an outline of a host computer that manages change according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams for explaining change management in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention using a change card.
It is a flowchart for putting a change in a change card.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining how to make a change using a change card in which a change is set, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a shopping operation using a change card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a connection between a cash register and a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of change information in a host computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transferring information from a cash register to a host computer using a telephone line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a host computer and a cash register in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Host Computer 12, 13, 14, Cash Register 121 Cash Input Unit 122 Sales Input Unit 123 Sales Calculation Unit 124 Sales Management Unit 125 Information Management unit 126 ... Transceiving unit 127 ... Display unit 128 ... Printing unit 129 ... Change setting unit 130 ... Change card output unit 131 ... Change card 132 ... Change card reading unit 133 ... Change setting detecting section 134... Change operation section 135... Change management section 136... Change card writing section 111. Management unit 114: Individual change management unit 115: Individual sales management unit 116: Store-specific sales management unit 117: Change management unit 118: Operation unit 119: Display unit 12 ... output section

Claims (15)

[Claims] In a change management method in a system in which sales and the like are managed by a plurality of cash registers and a host computer, a change obtained by subtracting a purchase amount from cash paid out is less than a set amount for each purchase. A change management method characterized in that a change amount stored in a change card and a set amount or more is paid as change for each purchase. 2. The change management method according to claim 1, wherein in the change management method, cash registers in different stores are connected to a host computer. 3. The change management method according to claim 1, wherein the change management method includes connecting the cash register and the host computer online. 4. A change obtained by subtracting a purchase price from cash to be paid is stored in a change card as a point for each purchase less than a set amount, and a change amount greater than the set amount is paid as change for each purchase. The change management method according to claim 1, wherein 5. A function of calculating a change card in which a change card storing less than a set amount is read into a cash register from a change obtained by subtracting a purchase price from cash to be paid, and the change amount is paid as change or more. A plurality of cash registers having a management unit capable of deducting the purchase money by the amount stored in the change card, and the change amount connected to the plurality of cash registers and stored in the change card, A change management system comprising: a host computer having a management unit that manages a deduction amount purchased based on the change amount. 6. A transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting and receiving information by connecting to a plurality of cash registers, an information determining unit for determining information transmitted from each cash register and transmitting the information to a predetermined management unit, Using a change card for each store that manages the change paid by the change card for each store, a change management unit for each person that manages an individual change card that stores an amount less than the set change, and a change card. Purchase amount, store name, goods,
A change management unit that manages costs, gross profits, and the like; and a host computer having a change management function. 7. The host computer having a change management function according to claim 6, wherein various information of the change card can be compared with various information stored in the host computer. 8. A transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information by connecting to a host computer, a change card reading unit for reading a set amount set in advance on a change card, A change calculation unit for calculating the change, a change card writing unit for writing the change calculated by the change calculation unit into the change card, and a change card for writing the change written to the change card writing unit to each change card A cash register having a change management function, comprising: a change management unit for managing each change. 9. A display unit for displaying cash to be paid, sales amount, change, the amount stored in the change card, and the total amount of the change card, and / or a printing unit printed as a receipt. A cash register having a change management function according to claim 8. 10. A change setting unit capable of setting in advance an amount to be stored in a change card.
A cash register with the described change management function. 11. The cash register having a change management function according to claim 8, wherein the change calculated by the change calculation unit is stored as a point on a change card. 12. An ID storage unit in which an ID is stored, a change setting unit that changes a predetermined amount or more, a change storage unit that stores an amount less than a predetermined amount, and generation of change. And a store storage unit for storing the registered store or cash register. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount stored in the change storage unit is reduced by shopping and stored.
The change card described in 2. 14. The change card according to claim 12, wherein the amount of the change deposited from the cash register is stored in the change card. 15. The change card according to claim 12, wherein the change amount is stored as points on the change card.