JP2002245548A - Checkout system and checkout method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a customer to significantly use the time until the completion of account settlement without needing to stand by at a checkout place nor needing to queue up again at the tail end of a line even if leaving the checkout place for the addition of goods which the customer forgot to buy. SOLUTION: When a customer ID or the like for identifying the customer and a goods basket ID for identifying a goods basket containing goods are inputted (steps S1, S2), they are related and stored in a table of a server (step S3). The store side settles the account of the goods in the goods basket left in charge from the customer by a POS terminal. When the account settlement is completed and the server receives the data of the total amount of money from the POS terminal (Y in step S12), the goods basket ID and the total amount of money are related and stored in the table (step S16), and the customer is informed of the completion of account settlement through an electric notice board and a cellular phone (step S17). When the customer presents the customer ID (step S18), the goods basket after the completion of account settlement is specified from the customer ID (steps S19, S20).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a checkout system and a checkout method for checking out a product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Check-out processing conventionally performed in a mass retailer such as a supermarket includes the following (1) to (4).
The procedure is as follows.

(1) First, a customer who has finished selecting a product to be purchased goes to a check-out place, and is arranged at the end of a queue waiting for check-out. Hand over.

(2) Next, the operator takes out the products individually from the product basket, reads the barcode attached to the product with a barcode reader, and registers the product.
The registered product is stored in another product basket.

(3) Then, after all the merchandise registrations are completed, the operator presses the closing key of the adjuster to display the sum of the merchandise and the total price.

(4) The customer pays cash according to the display and receives change and goods. Then, the merchandise basket containing the merchandise is refilled from the merchandise basket to a shopping bag at a bagging place provided at another location, and the merchandise is brought home.

[0007] However, in such means, it is necessary for the customer to wait at the check-out place in order to wait for the settlement process, and cannot leave the place. Therefore, it was proposed in view of the problem that customers are forced to waste time waiting for checkout,
This is a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-0175.

[0008] In this technique, the number tag for determining the order of the checkout process is eliminated so that the time loss for waiting for the checkout process can be eliminated and the checkout process can be performed smoothly without the customer being frustrated. It is a technology that performs processing based on this.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0175, after all, the customer is required to wait at the check-out area, so when the check-out area is crowded, the time loss of the customer is still large, and the addition of the forgotten item is added. If the user leaves the check-out area due to such reasons, the user must re-arrange at the end of the queue, and there is a problem that a further burden is imposed on the waiting time.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for the customer to wait at the check-out area, to allow the customer to use the time until the settlement ends in a meaningful manner, and to check-out for the addition of a forgotten product. Even if you leave the field, there is no need to line up again at the end of the queue.

An object of the present invention is to provide a customer who has to prepare a settlement money after the settlement is completed.

An object of the present invention is to enable a customer to know the settlement status of his / her own product during a waiting time, and to easily predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to specify a container in which a customer's merchandise is placed immediately after a customer has arrived after the payment is completed, so that the customer can quickly deliver the post-payment product to the customer. .

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to be able to use a container or the like for storing goods brought in by a customer.

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a customer with no need to store or note information for identifying a container for storing goods brought in by the customer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a customer who has not been given identification information of a container for storing goods so that the customer can immediately shop.

An object of the present invention is to provide a customer who has not been provided with customer identification information so that the customer can immediately shop.

An object of the present invention is to display a message on a display device to notify a customer of the end of settlement and the like.

An object of the present invention is to easily realize a large-sized display device and to easily notify a distant customer.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily input identification information of a customer or a container.

An object of the present invention is to identify a customer by an ID.

An object of the present invention is to identify a customer based on information unique to a wireless communication terminal carried by the customer.

An object of the present invention is to facilitate input of customer identification information by using a wireless communication terminal device carried by a customer, and to inform a customer who is at a relatively long distance or behind a shadow that payment has been completed. It is to make it.

An object of the present invention is to identify a customer by a telephone number of a wireless communication terminal device.

An object of the present invention is to identify a customer by a bar code attached to a wireless communication terminal device.

[0026]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or more cash registers and input of first identification information for inputting first identification information which is identification information for specifying a customer. First input means for receiving input by the device, second input means for receiving input or specification by the input device of second identification information that is identification information for identifying a container for storing a product to be purchased by the customer, A first storage unit that stores the first identification information received by the first input unit and the second identification information received by the second input unit in a storage device in association with each other; Third input means for receiving an input or specification of the second identification information corresponding to the container for performing the payment by the input device;
When data indicating that the settlement of the commodity has been completed is output from the cash register, a first search for searching the second identification information input from the storage device by the third input means. Means for notifying the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the retrieved second identification information via the output device that the payment has been completed. And a checkout system comprising:

Therefore, the shop can settle the goods in the container received from the customer, and when the adjustment is completed, the customer can be notified of the end of the adjustment via the output device. There is no need to wait at the checkout area, customers can use the time until the checkout is meaningful, and even if they leave the checkout area due to the addition of items forgotten to buy, etc., the end of the queue again There is no need to line up with the tail.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the check-out system according to the first aspect, the first search means uses the data of the total price of the commodity as data indicating that the settlement of the commodity has been completed. When there is an output, the second identification information input by the second input means is searched from the storage device, and the first notification means sends the total amount together with the end of the settlement. Is to be reported.

Therefore, when the settlement is completed, the total amount of the settlement is also notified to the customer, so that the customer who needs to prepare the settlement can be made convenient.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the checkout system described in the above, when data indicating the settlement status of the product is output from the cash register, the storage device is searched for the second identification information input by the third input means. A second search unit that performs a second search to notify the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the searched second identification information of the checkout status via an output device. 2
Notification means.

Therefore, the customer can know the settlement status of his / her product during the waiting time, so that it is easy to predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
Fourth input means for receiving the input of the first identification information via an input by an input device, and the second identification information stored in the storage device in association with the input first identification information Searching means for searching for the second identification information, and a third search means for notifying the searched second identification information via the output device.
Notification means.

Therefore, after the settlement is completed, the customer becomes the first
When the identification information of the customer is presented to the shop, the container containing the customer's product can be immediately specified, and the product after the payment can be promptly delivered to the customer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
A first issuing unit for issuing the second identification information, a fourth notifying unit for notifying the customer of the issued second identification information, and a first notifying unit for notifying the issued second identification information to the first identification information. First storage means for storing in the storage device in association with information.

Therefore, even for a container to which the second identification information has not been given, such as a product storage container brought in by the customer, the second identification information is newly given and the customer is notified of the second identification information. be able to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the fifth aspect, the fourth notifying means converts the second identification information issued by the first issuing means into a barcode format. This is a bar code label printing device that prints out and prints on labels.

Therefore, the newly provided second identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a bar code and passed to the customer, so that the customer can store the second identification information.
It is convenient because there is no need to take notes.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
A second issuance unit for issuing the first identification information; and a third storage unit for storing the issued first identification information in the storage device in association with the second identification information. I have.

Therefore, it is possible to give the first identification information to a customer to whom the first identification information is not given, so that the customer can immediately shop.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the seventh aspect, a bar which prints the first identification information issued by the second issuing means in a bar code format on a label is provided. It has a code label printing device.

Accordingly, the newly provided first identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and passed to the customer, so that the customer can store the first identification information,
It is convenient because there is no need to take notes.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects,
At least one of the output devices used in the first, second, and third notification means is a display device that displays a message and performs the notification.

Therefore, by displaying the message on the display device, it is possible to notify the customer of the end of the settlement and the like.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the ninth aspect, the display device is an electronic bulletin board.

Therefore, a large-sized display device can be easily realized, and it is possible to easily notify a distant customer.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention relates to the first to the first aspects.
0, wherein at least one of the input devices used in the first, second, third and fourth input means is encoded in a barcode format. This is a barcode reader that reads the first or second identification information.

Therefore, by reading the first or second identification information in the form of a bar code, it is possible to easily input the identification information.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to the first to first aspects.
In the checkout system according to any one of the first to third aspects, an ID is used as the first identification information.

Therefore, the customer can be identified by the ID.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to the first to first aspects.
3. In the checkout system according to any one of items 2, information specific to a wireless communication terminal device carried by a customer is used as the first identification information.

Therefore, the customer can be identified by the information unique to the wireless communication terminal carried by the customer.

The “information specific to the wireless communication terminal device”
The information includes various information for specifying a specific wireless communication terminal device as a communication destination, such as a telephone number.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the thirteenth aspect, the reception and the notification are performed by communicating with a wireless communication terminal carried by the customer, and the second and the second statuses are notified. A wireless communication interface serving as at least one of an input device used as a fourth input means and an output device used as the first, second and third notification means, wherein the wireless communication interface is a wireless communication terminal carried by a customer; The reception and the notification are performed by communicating with a device.

Therefore, the communication with the wireless communication terminal carried by the customer can be made, and the input of the first identification information and the notification of the end of the settlement can be made. Can be easily notified to the customers in the area.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, the wireless communication terminal device is a mobile phone, a PHS or a pager carried by a customer.

Therefore, it is possible to use the wireless communication terminal device owned by the customer to notify the end of settlement and the like.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the fifteenth aspect, the information unique to the wireless communication terminal is a telephone number of the wireless communication terminal.

Therefore, the customer can be identified by the telephone number of the wireless communication terminal.

The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claims 13 to
16. In the checkout system according to any one of the items 16, the information unique to the wireless communication terminal device is an ID encoded as a barcode attached to the wireless communication terminal device.

Therefore, the customer can be identified by reading the bar code attached to the wireless communication terminal device.

[0061] The invention according to claim 18 is a first input step of inputting or specifying first identification information which is identification information for identifying a customer, which is presented or pointed out by the customer,
A second input step of inputting, using an input device, second identification information, which is identification information for identifying the container given to the container storing the product desired to be purchased by the customer received from the customer,
A first storage step of storing the first identification information input or specified in the first input step and the second identification information input or specified in the second input step in a storage device in association with each other; And a third step of inputting or specifying, by an input device, the second identification information corresponding to the container for which the cash is to be settled in the cash register, and a third step for making an adjustment in the cash register for the goods in the container received from the customer. Input process,
A first search step of searching the storage device for the second identification information input in the third input step when the payment of the product is completed in the cash register; and a second search step of searching for the second identification information. A first notification step of notifying the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the identification information of the completion of payment via an output device. It is.

Therefore, the shop can settle the goods in the container received from the customer, and when the adjustment is completed, the customer can be notified of the end of the adjustment via the output device. There is no need to wait at the checkout area, customers can use the time until the checkout is meaningful, and even if they leave the checkout area due to the addition of items forgotten to buy, etc., the end of the queue again There is no need to line up with the tail.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the check-out method according to the eighteenth aspect, the first search step includes, as data indicating that the settlement of the commodity is completed, data of a total price of the commodity. When there is an output, the second identification information input in the second input step is searched from the storage device, and the first notification step includes the completion of the settlement and the total amount of money. Is notified to the customer.

Therefore, when the settlement is completed, the total amount of the settlement is also notified to the customer, so that the customer who needs to prepare the settlement can be made convenient.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout method according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, when data indicating the settlement status of the commodity is output from the cash register, the storage device outputs the data. A second search step of searching for the second identification information input in the third input step, and the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the searched second identification information. A second notification step of notifying the specified customer of the settlement status via an output device.

Therefore, the customer can know the settlement status of his / her own product during the waiting time, so that it is easy to predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

The invention described in claim 21 is the invention according to claims 18 to
20. In the checkout method according to any one of 20), a fourth inputting step of receiving an input of the first identification information presented by a customer via an input by an input device; A third step of searching for the second identification information stored in the storage device in association with the identification information;
And a third notification step of notifying the customer of the searched second identification information via an output device.

Therefore, after the settlement is completed, the customer becomes the first customer.
When the identification information of the customer is presented to the shop, the container containing the customer's product can be immediately specified, and the product after the payment can be promptly delivered to the customer.

The invention according to claim 22 is the invention according to claims 18 to
21. In the checkout method according to any one of 21., a first issuing step of issuing the second identification information;
A fourth notification step of notifying the customer of the issued second identification information, and a first storage step of storing the issued second identification information in the storage device in association with the first identification information. ,.

Therefore, even for a container to which the second identification information has not been given, such as a container for storing goods brought in by the customer, the second identification information is newly given to notify the customer of the second identification information. be able to.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the check-out method according to the twenty-second aspect, the fourth notifying step uses a bar code label printing apparatus to output the second identification information issued in the first issuing step. In the form of a bar code, printed out on a label and handed over to the customer.

Therefore, the newly provided second identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a bar code and given to the customer, so that the customer can store the second identification information.
It is convenient because there is no need to take notes.

The invention according to claim 24 is the invention according to claims 18 to
23. The checkout method according to any one of 23, wherein a second issuance step of issuing the first identification information;
And a third storage step of storing the issued first identification information in the storage device in association with the second identification information.

Therefore, it is possible to give the first identification information even to the customer to whom the first identification information is not given, so that the customer can immediately shop.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the first identification information issued in the second issuance step is encoded into a barcode by a barcode label printing device. It is printed out on a label and given to customers.

Therefore, the newly provided first identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and given to the customer, so that the customer can store the first identification information.
It is convenient because there is no need to take notes.

The invention according to claim 26 is the invention according to claims 18 to
25. In the checkout method according to any one of 25, at least one of the output devices used in the first, second, and third notification steps is a display device that displays a message by displaying a message. .

Therefore, by displaying a message on the display device, it is possible to notify the customer of the end of the settlement.

The invention according to claim 27 is based on claims 18 to
26. The checkout method according to claim 26, wherein the second and third input steps and the first and second input steps are performed.
And at least one of the third notification step uses a wireless communication interface as the input device and the output device, and performs the reception and the notification by communicating with a wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer. It is.

Therefore, the user can communicate with the wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer to input the first identification information and inform the user of the end of the settlement, etc., so that the input can be made easily, and the first identification information can be input easily, and a relatively long distance or shade can be obtained. Can be easily notified to the customers in the area.

[0081]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment of the Invention] One embodiment of the present invention will be described as a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a checkout system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system 1
It comprises a server 25, a reception terminal 2, a POS terminal 5, an electronic bulletin board 7, a settlement terminal 17, and the like. Each part of the checkout system 1 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a shopping center.

The server 25 checks the checkout system 1
Is a computer that controls the entire system, and includes a memory 8 for dynamically storing various programs and data, and a hard disk 10 for statically storing.

The receiving terminal 2 is a terminal for processing a settlement request or a product receiving request from a customer, and is communicably connected to the server 25. The reception terminal 2 includes a product basket 12 serving as a container, a barcode reader 3 serving as an input device for reading barcodes 12a, 13a attached to a member ID card 13 carried by the customer, and a customer carrying the product. Bluetooth, which is a communication interface serving as an input device and an output device that enables wireless communication between a mobile phone (including a PHS) 14 as a wireless communication terminal device and a device.
h) The interface 4 is connected. The mobile phone 14 is owned by the customer, but may be lent to the customer by the store.

POS (Point) serving as a cash register
of Sales) terminal 5 is a terminal for calculating the total price of the product, and is connected to a plurality of servers 25 so as to be able to communicate with the server 25.
Each POS terminal 5 is connected to a barcode reader 12 serving as an input device for reading a barcode 12a attached to the commodity basket 12 and a barcode (not shown) attached to the commodity.

The electronic bulletin board 7 serving as a display device is for notifying the customer of the settlement status, and is communicably connected to the server 25.

The payment terminal 17 is a terminal for performing payment for the product price, and is communicably connected to the server 25. The settlement terminal 17 includes a barcode reader 20 serving as an input device for reading the barcode 13 a attached to the member ID card 13, and an input device and an output device capable of wireless communication between the mobile phone 14 and the device. A Bluetooth interface 19 which is a communication interface;
A drawer 18 for storing money and a display 21 are connected.

A related storage area 9 serving as a storage device is allocated to a part of the memory 8 of the server 25, and a customer database 11 for recording customer attribute information is prepared on a part of the hard disk 10. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, the related storage data table 31 stored in the related storage area 9 is
Product ID 3 that is the ID that identifies
2. It is a table that stores call data 33 serving as a first identification marker, which is data used to identify and call a customer, and a total amount 34 of the customer's purchase in association with each other. The call data 33 includes a customer ID 35 that is an ID for identifying a customer, and a mobile phone number 36 of the mobile phone 14 that is information unique to the wireless communication terminal device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the customer database 11
The attribute information of the customer recorded in the customer ID includes at least a customer ID 35 that is an ID for identifying the customer, and a mobile phone number 36 of the mobile phone 14. In the example of FIG. 3, the address 37 of the customer is also included.

Next, an example of the flow of the settlement process by the checkout system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 4, the customer 42 who tours the store 41 and stores the product desired to be purchased in the product basket 12,
The merchandise basket 12 is deposited at the reception counter 44 of the settlement workplace 43. At this time, the store employee 45 uses the reception terminal 2,
First, the barcode 12a of the product basket 12 is read. Next, the barcode 13a of the member ID card 13 presented by the customer 42 is read. If the customer 42 does not have the member ID card 13,
The phone number to Bluetooth interface 4
Receive through. At this time, the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 is stored in the related storage data table 31 of the server 25.
Is stored. When the above reception processing is completed, the customer ID 35 of the customer 42 or the mobile phone number 3 is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7.
6 is displayed together with the letters "waiting for settlement".

Next, as shown in FIG.
Starts the settlement operation using any of the POS terminals 5.
A plurality of POS terminals 5 are installed in the checkout office 43. When all the POS terminals 5 are in use at the time of congestion, the employee 45 puts the received product basket 12 into the waiting table 15.
Stack on top of. The settlement work performed by employee 45 is
The process starts by reading the barcode 12a attached to the product basket 12. At this time, the character of “waiting for settlement” displayed together with the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 of the customer 42 on the electronic bulletin board 7 is changed to “during settlement”. Then
The barcodes 12a of the products stored in the product basket 12 are sequentially read, and the product 46 is stored in the shopping bag. After the reading of all commodities is completed, the closing key of the POS terminal 5 is pressed to finish the settlement work. At this time, the customer 4
The character "Payment in progress" displayed together with the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 of "2" is changed to "Payment completed", and the total amount 34 is displayed at the same time.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the employee 45 puts the goods 46 for which the settlement work has been completed, together with the shopping bags into the goods basket 12.
And stacked on the completion table 16. Here, after the customer 42 deposits the product basket 12 in the checkout work place 43, the customer 42 may appropriately check the checkout work status on the electronic bulletin board 7,
It is also possible to leave the place. Thus, for example, if the work status is “waiting for settlement” or “during settlement”, it is also possible to go to pick up a commodity that has been forgotten and add it.
In addition, it is possible to effectively use the waiting time of the settlement work, such as looking around other products that do not need to be purchased immediately or leaving the store 41 to drink tea (in this example, the customer 42 A state where the user is sitting on the bench 47 and waiting is illustrated).

Finally, as shown in FIG.
The customer 42 who confirms the completion of the settlement goes to the receiving window 48 of the settlement workplace 43 to receive the goods 46. Here, the customer 42 presents the member ID card 13 or the mobile phone 14. The employee 45 reads the bar code 13a from the member ID card 13 presented using the checkout terminal 17, or
Alternatively, the telephone number is received from the mobile phone 14. The merchandise basket ID 32 and the total amount 34 are displayed on the display 21 of the settlement terminal 17 according to the read member ID data or the telephone number. The employee 45 searches for the merchandise basket 12 deposited from the completion stand 16 based on the displayed merchandise basket ID 32, and
Hand over to 2. The customer 42 is the total amount 3 displayed on the display 21.
According to 4, the price is paid, and the product bag containing the product 46 is received together with the change.

Next, the processing performed by each part of the checkout system 1 in the flow of the above-described settlement processing will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, the bar code reader 3 reads the product basket ID 32 displayed by the bar code 12a attached to the product basket 12 deposited by the customer 42. The read product basket ID 32 is stored in the related storage data table 31 in the related storage area 9 of the server 25 via the reception terminal 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the customer ID attached as a bar code 13a to the member ID card 13 of the customer 42
D35 is read by the barcode reader 3 or the mobile phone number 36 is received from the mobile phone 14 of the customer 42 via the Bluetooth interface 4 by wireless communication between devices. The read customer ID 35 is stored in the associated storage area 9 of the server 25 via the reception terminal 2 as the call data 33.
Basket ID 32 of the related storage data table 31
Is stored in association with. When the mobile phone number 36 is received, the customer database 11 stored in the hard disk 10 in the server 25 is searched, and a customer record including the mobile phone number 36 is searched. If the corresponding customer record is found, the customer ID 35 corresponding to the mobile phone number 36 is stored. If not found, only the mobile phone number 36 is stored in the related storage data table 31 of the related storage area 9 of the server 25. It is stored in association with the car ID 32. After storing the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 in the related storage data table 31, the customer ID is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7.
35 or the mobile phone number 36 is displayed together with the characters "waiting for settlement" (display of reference numeral 51). At this time, if both the customer ID 35 and the mobile phone number 36 are stored in the related storage data table 31, the customer ID 35 is displayed with priority.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the bar code reader 6 reads the merchandise basket ID 32 attached to the merchandise basket 12 as the bar code 12a prior to the settlement process. Call data 33 stored in the related storage data table 312 based on the read product basket ID 32
A corresponding customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 36 is searched for, and the customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 3
The word "Waiting for settlement" displayed with 6 is changed to "Checking out"
(Display 52). Thereafter, the barcodes attached to the products 46 are sequentially read by the barcode reading device 3,
The POS terminal 5 calculates the total amount. When all the products have been read and the closing key of the POS terminal 5 is pressed,
Of the call data 33 in the related storage data table 31, the total amount 34 is added to the data corresponding to the commodity basket ID 32 read earlier, and the customer information is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7.
The character "Payment in Progress" displayed together with D35 or the mobile phone number 36 is changed to "Payment Complete" (Display 53), and the total amount 34 is also displayed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the customer ID 35 attached to the member ID card 13 of the customer 42 as the bar code 13a is read by the bar code reading device 20, or the Bluetooth Mobile phone number 3 by wireless communication between devices via interface 4
6 is received. Based on the read customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 36, the corresponding merchandise basket ID 32 and the total amount 34 are retrieved from the data stored in the related storage data table 31 and displayed on the display 21. afterwards,
The display of the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36, the characters "payment completed", and the total amount 34 displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7 are erased.

Server 2 for performing the above series of operations
5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, upon receiving the data of the merchandise basket ID 32 from the reception terminal 2 (Y in step S1), the server 25 stores the merchandise basket ID 32 in the related storage data table 31 (step S2). Step S1 implements a second input means and a second input step.

Next, the data of the customer ID 35 is
(Y in step S3), the customer ID 35
Is stored in association with the product basket ID 32 stored in step S2 of the related storage data table 31 (step S4). Step S3 implements a first input unit and a first input step. Step S4 implements a first storage unit and a first storage step. Mobile phone number 3
6 is received from the reception terminal 2 (step S5).
Y), the customer database 11 is searched for a customer record including the mobile phone number 36 (step S6). If the corresponding customer record is found (Y in step S6), the customer ID 35 corresponding to the mobile phone number 36 is stored in the associated storage data table 31 in association with the product basket ID 32 (step S7), and if not found, (N in step S6), only the mobile phone number 36 is stored in the associated storage data table 31 in association with the product basket ID 32 (step S8). First in step S5
And a first storage step. The first storage step is realized by steps S7 and S8. Then, the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7 together with the characters "waiting for settlement" (step S10,
S11). At this time, if both the customer ID 35 and the mobile phone number 36 are stored in the related storage data table 31 (Y in step S9), the customer ID 35 is displayed with priority (step S10).

When the data of the product basket ID 32 is received from the POS terminal 5 (step S12), the product basket ID
32, a corresponding customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 36 in the related storage data table 31 is searched (step S13). Based on the search result, the customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 36 is first displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7 together with the customer ID 35 or mobile phone number 36. Is changed to "under payment" (step S1).
4). Step S12 implements third input means and a third input step. Step S13 implements a first search unit, a first search step, a second search unit, and a second search step. Step S14 implements second notification means. Then, when the closing key of the POS terminal 5 is pressed, the data of the total price 34 is transmitted from the POS terminal 5 together with the product basket ID 32. When this data is received (Y in step S15), the product basket ID 32
Is retrieved from the related storage data table 31, the data of the total amount 34 is stored in association with the product basket ID 32 (step S16), and the "payment in progress" displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7 together with the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 is displayed. The character is changed to "payment completed", and the total amount 34 is also displayed (step S17). First notification means by step S17,
A first notification step is realized.

When the data of the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 is received from the settlement terminal 17 (Y in step S 18), the product corresponding to the data of the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 from the related storage data table 31. The car ID 32 and the total amount 34 are searched (step S1).
9) The retrieved data is transmitted to the settlement terminal 17 for display on the display 21 (step S20). Step S18 implements a fourth input means and a fourth input step. Step S19 implements third search means and a third search step. Step S20 implements a third notification means and a third notification step. Thereafter, the display of the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36, the characters "payment completed" and the total amount 34 displayed on the electronic bulletin board 7 are erased (step S21).

In the above-described example, the case where the store-provided product basket 12 provided with the bar code 12a is used has been described. To check out in response to the customer 42 bringing his / her own product basket and shopping, the following procedure may be used. That is, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 13, a barcode printer 22 which is a barcode label printing device is connected to the reception terminal 2. Customer 4
Since the customer ID 35 is not assigned to the product basket 61 brought in by the customer 2, the barcode printer 22 prints the barcode 62 on the label and passes it to the customer 42 (first issuing means, first issuing step, No. 4 notification means and the fourth notification step are realized), and at the same time, the barcode data is stored in the related storage data table 31 of the server 25 (the first storage means and the first storage step are realized). ing). The label with the printed barcode 62 is attached to the product basket 6
By attaching 1, the product basket ID 32 is assigned. The data to be encoded into the barcode may be read in advance and use the customer ID 35 or the mobile phone number 36 stored in the related storage data table 31.

In order to cope with the case where the customer 42 has neither the ID card 13 nor the mobile phone 14, the following is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, since the customer 42 does not have the customer ID 35, the barcode printer 22 prints a barcode 63 on the label and passes it to the customer 42 (the second issuing means, the second issuing step At the same time, the data of the barcode 63 is stored in the associated storage data table 31 of the server 25 (this realizes a third storage unit). This barcode 6
3 is read in advance and stored in the related storage data table 31 in the product basket ID3.
2 may be used.

Further, when the customer 42 brings his / her own product basket 61 and has neither the ID card 13 nor the portable telephone 14, the following is performed. That is, in this case, two labels are printed by the barcode printer 22, and at the same time, the barcode data is stored in the related storage data table 31 of the server 25. By attaching one of the printed barcode labels (the barcode 62 is printed) to the product basket 61, the product basket ID3
2 and the customer ID 35 is issued by passing another one (on which the barcode 63 is printed) to the customer 42. In this case, the same barcode data may be used for both barcodes.

In these examples, the product basket ID 32
And the customer ID 35 may be the same, but the customer 42 and the product basket 61 can be stored in association with each other, and there is no problem.

Further, in the above-described example, the description has been given of an example in which one customer basket 42 is provided for one customer 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if a plurality of 12, 61 are used, a single call data 33
If a plurality of product basket IDs 32 are associated with
It is possible to cope with a case where one customer 42 uses a plurality of merchandise baskets 12, 61.

In the above example, when notifying the customer,
Although the example (Steps S14 and S20) showing the progress of the work and the total amount 34 together with the customer ID has been described, it is more easily configured to notify the end of the work by displaying the customer ID 35 on the electronic bulletin board 7. You may.

According to the check-out system 1 described above, the shop performs settlement of the goods 46 in the commodity baskets 12 and 61 received from the customer 42, and when the settlement is completed, the customer 42 is notified of the completion of the settlement. This can be notified on the electronic bulletin board 7 and the mobile phone 14, so that the customer 42 does not need to wait at the checkout area for waiting for payment, and can use the time until the payment is completed in a meaningful manner. Even if you leave the checkout area to add items you forgot to buy, you do not need to be at the end of the queue again.

In this case, when the settlement is completed, the total amount 34 of the settlement is also notified to the customer 42, so that the customer 42 who needs to prepare the settlement money can be provided.

Since the customer 42 can know the settlement status of the merchandise 46 during the waiting time (step S14), it is easy to predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

After the payment is completed, when the customer 42 comes to the check-out area and presents his / her calling data 33 to the store by the presentation of the ID card 13 or the mobile phone 14, the merchandise 46 of the customer 42 is entered. The baskets 12 and 61 can be immediately specified (step S20), and the goods 46 after payment can be promptly delivered to the customer 42.

Further, even for a merchandise basket not provided with the merchandise basket ID 32, such as the merchandise basket 61 brought by the customer 42, the merchandise basket ID 32 can be newly assigned and the customer 42 can be notified of it. . In this case, the newly assigned merchandise basket ID 32 can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode 62 and passed to the customer 42, so that the customer 42 does not need to store the merchandise basket ID 32 or take notes, It is convenient.

Further, the call data 33 can be registered even for the customer 42 to whom the call data 33 has not been given, so that shopping can be immediately performed. In this case as well, the newly assigned call data 33 can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode 63 and passed to the customer 42.
2 is convenient because it is not necessary to store the customer ID 35 and the like and to make a memo.

Since the electronic bulletin board 7 is used when the settlement is completed, a large-sized display device can be easily realized, and the customer 42 who is at a long distance can be notified easily.

The customer ID 35 and the merchandise basket ID 32 can be easily input by reading the bar codes 12a, 13a, 62, and 63 with the bar code readers 3, 6, and 20, respectively.

Further, since the input of the mobile phone number 36 and the notification of the end of the settlement etc. can be executed by communicating with the mobile phone 14 carried by the customer 42, the input can be performed easily, and a relatively long distance and It is possible to easily inform the customer 42 who is behind the scenes.

[Second Embodiment of the Invention] Another embodiment will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the entire system configuration of a checkout system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the system configuration shown in FIG. 14, the devices and the like having the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment of the present invention, and detailed description will be omitted.

Checkout system 1 shown in FIG.
However, the difference from the first embodiment of the invention is as follows.

First, a pager (Pager) 23 serving as a wireless communication terminal device is used instead of the ID card 13.
The pager 23 is provided with a barcode 23a.
The pager 23 is prepared by the shop and lent to customers.

[0125] Instead of the electronic bulletin board 7, a calling terminal 27 is communicably connected to the server 25. The calling terminal 27 is a means for notifying the customer 42 of the settlement status. The calling terminal 27 is connected to a wireless communication interface 28 which is a communication interface for performing wireless communication with the pager 23, and is connected to a telephone line network 26 via a predetermined communication interface to communicate with the mobile phone 14. Have been.

The server 25 does not have the customer database 11. A related storage data table 31 is prepared in the related storage area 9. As shown in FIG. 15, the related storage data table 31 is used as call data 33 serving as first identification information.
In this configuration, the pager ID 71 or the mobile phone number 36 is alternatively stored.

Next, an example of the flow of the settlement process by the checkout system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 16, the bar code reader 3 reads the product basket ID 32 attached to the product basket 12 deposited by the customer 42 as the bar code 12a. The read merchandise basket ID 32 is stored in the related storage data table 31 stored in the related storage area 9 of the server 25 via the reception terminal 2.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Pager ID indicated by barcode 23a attached to No. 3
71 is read by the bar code reader 3 or the customer 4
The mobile phone number 36 is received from the second mobile phone 14 via the Bluetooth interface 4 by wireless communication between devices. The read pager ID 71 or mobile phone number 36 is stored in the associated storage data table 31 stored in the associated storage area 9 of the server 25 via the reception terminal 2 in association with the product basket ID 32. Pager ID
When the number 71 is stored, the character "waiting for settlement" is displayed on the pager 23 via the calling terminal 27 and the wireless interface 24.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the bar code reader 6 reads the merchandise basket ID 32 attached to the merchandise basket 12 as a bar code 12a prior to settlement. The corresponding call data 33 is searched from the related storage data table 31 based on the read merchandise basket ID 32, and if the call data 33 is the pager ID 71, the character “Waiting for settlement” previously displayed on the pager 23 is changed to “ Checking out ”. Thereafter, the barcodes attached to the products 46 are sequentially read by the barcode reading device 6, whereby the PO
The S terminal 5 calculates the total price of the product 46. When all the goods 46 are read and the closing key of the POS terminal 5 is pressed, the data of the total amount is transmitted to the server 25, and is stored in the related storage data table 31 in the goods basket ID3 previously read.
2, the calculated total amount 34 is stored. At this time, if the call data 33 is the pager ID 71, the character of “under payment” previously displayed on the pager 23 is changed to “payment completed”, and the total amount 34 is displayed. When the call data 33 is the mobile phone number 36, the mobile phone 14 is connected to the telephone network 26 via the calling terminal 27, and a call is made to the mobile phone 14 owned by the customer 42. 34 is notified by voice.

As shown in FIG. 19, the pager ID 71 attached to the pager 23 as the barcode 23a is read by the barcode reader 20 or the customer's mobile phone 1
4 via the Bluetooth interface 4 to receive the mobile phone number 36 by wireless communication between the devices. Based on the read pager ID 71 or mobile phone number 36,
The merchandise basket ID 32 and the total amount 34 corresponding to the call data 33 stored in the related storage data table 31 are searched for and displayed on the display 21.

Server 2 for performing the above series of operations
5 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

First, when the data of the merchandise basket ID 32 is received from the reception terminal 2 (Y in step S31), the data of the merchandise basket ID 32 is stored in the related storage data table 31 (step S32). Step S31 implements the second input means and the second input step.

Next, the pager ID 71 is received from the reception terminal 2.
Alternatively, when the data of the mobile phone number 36 is received (Y in step S33), the data of the pager ID 71 or the mobile phone number 36 is stored in the related storage data table 31 in association with the product basket ID 32 (step S34). Step S33 implements a first input means and a first input step. By step S34, the first storage means,
This implements a first storage step. If the stored pager ID is the pager ID 71 (Y in step S35), a control signal is output to the calling terminal 27 to cause the pager 23 to display the characters "waiting for settlement" via the wireless interface 24 (step S35). S36).

Then, the merchandise basket ID 3 is sent from the POS terminal 5.
When the data of No. 2 is received (step S37), the corresponding call data 33 is searched from the related storage data table 31 (step S38). If the call data 33 is the pager ID 71 (Y in step S39), The word “payment wait” displayed on pager 23 is changed to “payment in progress”.
The control signal is output to the calling terminal 27 so as to change to (step S40). The second search means and the second search step are realized by step S38, and the second notification means and the second notification step are realized by step S40. Step S37 implements third input means and a third input step.

Thereafter, when the closing key of the POS terminal 5 is pressed and the data of the total amount 34 is received from the POS terminal 5 (Y in step S41), the commodity basket I read earlier is read.
D32 (step S37), and search for this product basket ID.
32 (step S42). At this time, if the call data 33 is the pager ID 71 (Y in step S43), the character of “under payment” previously displayed on the pager 23 is changed to “payment completed”, and the total amount 34 is displayed. Thus, the control signal is output to the calling terminal 27 (step S44). Call data 3
If 3 is the mobile phone number 36 (N in step S43), the mobile telephone 14 is connected to the telephone network 26 via the calling terminal 27, and a call is made to the mobile phone 14 owned by the customer 42. A control signal is output to the calling terminal 27 so as to notify the total amount 34 by voice (step S45).
Step S37 implements a first input means and a first input step. Step S42 implements a first search means and a first search step. Step S44,
The first notification unit and the first notification step are realized by S45.

When the pager ID 71 or the mobile phone number 36 is received from the settlement terminal 17 (step S46), the product basket ID 32 corresponding to the pager ID 71 or the mobile phone number 36 and the total amount 34 are searched (step S4).
7) Send this to the payment terminal 17 and display it on the display 2
1 (step S48). Step S46 implements fourth input means and a fourth input step.
Step S47 implements a third search means and a third search step. Step S48 implements a third notification unit and a third notification step.

[0138] In the above description, an example has been shown in which the portable telephone 14 is notified by voice when notifying the settlement completion.
This may be configured to be notified by other means such as e-mail. Further, the configuration may be such that the work progress is sequentially transmitted to the mobile phone 14.

In Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention,
An example in which a communication interface such as a bluetooth interface or a barcode reading device is used as a means for inputting the customer ID 35 and the product basket ID 32 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Manually, or a magnetic card reader, a fingerprint authentication device, or the like may be used.

According to the checkout system 1 described above, the goods 46 in the goods basket 12 received from the customer 42
The customer can make a payment to the customer 42 by using the mobile phone 14 and the pager 23 when the payment is completed, so the customer 42 waits at the check-out area for the payment. You can use the time until the settlement ends meaningfully, and even if you leave the checkout place to add items you forgot to buy, you do not need to be at the end of the queue again .

Since the customer 42 can know the settlement status of the product 46 during the waiting time (steps S36 and S4).
0), it is easy to predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

After the payment is completed, when the customer 42 comes to the check-out area and presents his / her calling data 33 to the store by presenting the pager 23 or using the cellular phone 14, the merchandise basket containing the goods 46 of the customer 42 is entered. 12, 61 can be specified immediately (step S48), and the goods 46 after the settlement can be promptly delivered to the customer 42.

[0143]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the shop performs the settlement of the goods in the container received from the customer, and when the settlement is completed, informs the customer of the completion of the settlement via the output device. Since the customer can be notified, there is no need for the customer to wait at the checkout area, the customer can use the time until the checkout is meaningful, and the checkout area can be used to add items forgotten to buy. Even if you leave, you do not need to be at the end of the queue again.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the first aspect, when the settlement is completed, the total amount of the settlement is also notified to the customer, so that the customer who has to prepare the settlement money is convenient. Can be achieved.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2
In the checkout system described in the above, customers can know the settlement status of their products during the waiting time,
It will be easier to predict how long the settlement is likely to be completed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
When the customer presents his / her first identification information to the store after the payment is completed, the customer can immediately identify the container containing the customer's product and quickly deliver the product after the payment to the customer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
Even for a container to which the second identification information has not been given, such as a container for storing goods brought in by the customer, the second identification information can be newly given to notify the customer of the second identification information.

According to the invention described in claim 6, in the checkout system according to claim 5, the newly assigned second identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and passed to the customer. The customer does not need to memorize or write down the second identification information, which is convenient.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
For customers who have not been given the first identification information, the first
Can be provided so that shopping can be performed immediately.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the seventh aspect, the newly provided first identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and passed to the customer. The customer does not need to memorize or write down the first identification information, which is convenient.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects,
By displaying the message on the display device, it is possible to notify the customer of the end of the settlement.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the ninth aspect, a large-sized display device can be easily realized, and a customer at a long distance can be notified easily.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention relates to the first to first aspects.
In the checkout system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first or second identification information in the form of a barcode is read, so that the information can be easily input.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention relates to the first to first aspects.
In the checkout system according to any one of the first to third aspects, the customer can be identified by the ID.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention relates to the first to first aspects.
2. In the checkout system according to any one of 2., the customer can be identified by information unique to the wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the thirteenth aspect, communication with a wireless communication terminal device carried by a customer is performed to input first identification information or to end payment. Since the notification can be performed, the input can be easily performed, and the notification can be easily performed even for a customer who is relatively far away or in a shadow.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout system according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, it is possible to notify the end of settlement and the like using the wireless communication terminal device owned by the customer.

According to the invention of claim 16, in the checkout system of claim 15, the customer can be identified by the telephone number of the wireless communication terminal.

The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to claims 13 to
In the checkout system according to any one of Items 16, the customer can be identified by reading a barcode attached to the wireless communication terminal device.

According to the invention described in claim 18, the shop performs settlement of goods in the container received from the customer, and when the settlement is completed, notifies the customer of the completion of the settlement via the output device. Customers do not have to wait at the check-out area, customers can use the time until the checkout is meaningful, and leave the check-out area to add items they have forgotten to buy etc. Even in this case, there is no need to be at the end of the queue again.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout method according to the eighteenth aspect, when the settlement is completed, the total amount of the settlement is also notified to the customer, so that the customer who needs to prepare the settlement money is convenient. Can be achieved.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the checkout method according to the eighteenth or nineteenth aspect, the customer can know the settlement status of his or her own goods during the waiting time, so It is easier to predict whether or not will be completed.

The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claims 18 to
20. In the checkout method described in any one of 20., after the settlement is completed, when the customer presents his / her first identification information to the store side, the container containing the customer's products is immediately specified, and promptly specified. The goods after payment can be given to the customer.

[0164] The invention of claim 22 is the invention of claims 18 to
21. In the checkout method according to any one of the items 21, the second identification information is newly assigned to a container to which the second identification information is not given, such as a container for storing goods brought in by a customer. And inform the customer.

According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the check-out method according to the twenty-second aspect, the newly assigned second identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and passed to the customer. The customer does not need to memorize or write down the second identification information, which is convenient.

The invention according to claim 24 is the invention according to claims 18 to
23. In the checkout method according to any one of 23, even for a customer who has not been given the first identification information,
The first identification information can be given so that shopping can be performed immediately.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the checkout method according to the twenty-fourth aspect, the newly assigned first identification information can be printed on a label in the form of a barcode and passed to the customer. The customer does not need to memorize or write down the first identification information, which is convenient.

The invention according to claim 26 is the invention according to claims 18 to
25. In the checkout method according to any one of the items 25, a message is displayed on the display device so that the customer can be notified of the end of the settlement.

The invention according to claim 27 is the invention according to claims 18 to
26. The check-out method according to any one of 26, wherein the communication is performed with a wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer,
Since the input of the first identification information and the notification of the end of the settlement can be performed, the input can be easily performed, and the notification can be easily performed even for a customer who is relatively far away or in a shadow.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a checkout system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a related storage data table of the checkout system.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a customer database of the checkout system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view in a store for explaining a flow of a settlement process by the checkout system.

FIG. 5 is a plan view in a store for explaining a flow of a settlement process by the checkout system.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of a store for explaining a flow of a settlement process by the checkout system.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the inside of a store for explaining a flow of a checkout process by the checkout system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a settlement process of the checkout system, which is performed by a server included in the checkout system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a checkout system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration of a related storage data table of the checkout system.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a process performed by each unit of the checkout system.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a settlement process of the checkout system, which is performed by a server included in the checkout system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Checkout system 3 Input device, barcode reader 4 Input device, output device, communication interface 5 Cash register 6 Input device, barcode reader 7 Display device, electronic bulletin board 9 Storage device 12 Container 12a Barcode 13a Barcode 14 Wireless communication terminal device, mobile phone 19 Input device, output device, communication interface 20 Input device, barcode reader 22 Barcode label printer 23 Wireless communication terminal device, pager 23a Barcode 28 Input device, output device, communication interface 32 1st identification information 33 2nd identification information 34 total amount 35 2nd identification information 36 2nd identification information, information peculiar to a wireless communication terminal device, telephone number 42 customer 46 goods 61 container 62 barcode 63 barcode 71 Second identification information

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) G07G 1/00 301 G07G 1/00 301D 311 311E 1/01 301 1/01 301D

Claims (27)

[Claims] At least one cash register, and first input means for receiving input or specification of first identification information for inputting first identification information which is identification information for specifying a customer, and A second input unit that receives input or specification of second identification information, which is identification information for identifying a container that stores a product to be purchased by a customer, by the input device; and a first input unit that is received by the first input unit. First storage means for associating the second identification information received by the second input means with the second identification information and storing the same in a storage device; and the second storage section corresponding to the container for performing settlement in the cash register. A third input unit for receiving an input or specification of the identification information by the input device, and when the cash register outputs data indicating that the settlement of the commodity has been completed, the storage device First search means for searching for the second identification information input from the third input means from the first input means, and the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the searched second identification information. A first notification means for notifying the customer specified by the information of the completion of the payment via an output device. 2. When the first retrieval means outputs data of the total price of the commodity as data indicating that the settlement of the commodity has been completed, the first input means transmits the data from the storage device to the second input means. The checkout according to claim 1, wherein the second identification information is input, and the first notification unit is configured to notify the customer of the total amount together with the completion of the settlement. system. 3. When data indicating the settlement status of the commodity is output from the cash register, a second unit for searching the storage device for the second identification information input by the third input unit. And a second notification for notifying the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the storage device in association with the searched second identification information of the checkout status via an output device. The checkout system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: 4. A fourth input means for receiving an input of the first identification information via an input by an input device; and the fourth storage means stored in the storage device in association with the input first identification information. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: third search means for searching for the second identification information; and third notification means for notifying the searched second identification information via an output device. The checkout system according to item 1. 5. A first issuing means for issuing the second identification information; a fourth notifying means for notifying the customer of the issued second identification information; and The checkout system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: first storage means for storing the first identification information in the storage device in association with the first identification information. 6. The bar code label printing device according to claim 5, wherein the fourth notifying means is a bar code label printing apparatus which prints out the second identification information issued by the first issuing means in a bar code format on a label. Checkout system. 7. A second issuing means for issuing the first identification information, and a third storage means for storing the issued first identification information in the storage device in association with the second identification information. The checkout system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: 8. The checkout system according to claim 7, further comprising a barcode label printing device for printing the first identification information issued by the second issuing means in a barcode format on a label. 9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the output devices used in the first, second, and third notification means is a display device that displays a message by displaying a message. The checkout system according to item 1. 10. The checkout system according to claim 9, wherein the display device is an electronic bulletin board. 11. At least one of the input devices used in the first, second, third, and fourth input means receives the first or second identification information encoded in a barcode format. 2. A bar code reader for reading.
The checkout system according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein an ID is used as the first identification information. 13. The information unique to a wireless communication terminal carried by a customer as the first identification information.
3. The checkout system according to any one of 2. 14. The input device used in the second and fourth input means, and the input device used in the second and fourth input means, performing the reception and the notification by communicating with a wireless communication terminal device carried by a customer. A wireless communication interface serving as at least one of the output devices used in the notification means of claim 3, wherein the wireless communication interface performs the reception and the notification by communicating with a wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer. Item 14. The checkout system according to item 13. 15. The wireless communication terminal device is a mobile phone, a PHS or a pager carried by a customer.
4. The checkout system according to 4. 16. The checkout system according to claim 15, wherein the information unique to the wireless communication terminal device is a telephone number of the wireless communication terminal device. 17. The checkout according to claim 13, wherein the information unique to the wireless communication terminal device is an ID encoded as a barcode attached to the wireless communication terminal device. system. 18. A first input step of inputting or specifying first identification information which is identification information for identifying a customer and presented or pointed out by the customer, and the customer received from the customer purchases the first identification information. A second input step of inputting, using an input device, second identification information that is identification information for identifying the container provided with the product that the user wants to store, and a second input step that is input or specified in the first input step. A first storage step of associating the first identification information with the second identification information input or specified in the second input step and storing the second identification information in a storage device; And a third input step of inputting or specifying the second identification information corresponding to the container to be settled in the cash register by an input device, and the merchandise in the cash register. When the settlement is completed, a first search step of searching the storage device for the second identification information input in the third input step, and the storage in association with the searched second identification information A first notification step of notifying the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the device of the completion of the payment via an output device. 19. In the first search step, when data of the total price of the product is output as data indicating that the settlement of the product has been completed, the second input process may be performed from the storage device. 19. The checkout according to claim 18, wherein the second identification information is searched for, and the first notification step is to notify the customer of the total amount together with the end of the settlement. Method. 20. When data indicating the settlement status of the product is output from the cash register, a second search for searching the second identification information input in the third input step from the storage device. And a second notification for notifying the customer specified by the first identification information stored in the storage device of the settlement status via an output device in association with the retrieved second identification information. 20. The checkout method according to claim 18 or 19, comprising the steps of: 21. A fourth inputting step of receiving an input of the first identification information presented by a customer via an input of an input device, and associating the input with the input first identification information with the storage device. 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising: a third search step of searching for the stored second identification information; and a third notification step of notifying the searched second identification information via an output device. 21. The checkout method according to any one of Items 20 to 20. 22. A first issuing step of issuing the second identification information; a fourth notifying step of notifying the issued second identification information to the customer; 22. The checkout method according to claim 18, further comprising: a first storage step of storing in the storage device in association with the first identification information. 23. The fourth notifying step is to print out the second identification information issued in the first issuing step in a barcode format by a barcode label printing device on a label and to pass it on to a customer. The checkout method according to claim 22. 24. A second issuing step of issuing the first identification information, and a third storage step of storing the issued first identification information in the storage device in association with the second identification information. The checkout method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, comprising: 25. The check according to claim 24, wherein the first identification information issued in the second issuing step is encoded into a barcode by a barcode label printing device, printed out on a label, and passed to a customer. Out method. 26. At least one of the output devices used in the first, second, and third notification steps is a display device that displays a message and performs the notification.
26. The checkout method according to any one of 25. 27. At least one of the second and third input steps and the first, second and third notification steps
27. The reception and notification by using a wireless communication interface as the input device and the output device and communicating with a wireless communication terminal device carried by the customer. Checkout method described in 1.