JP2010073060A - Self-checkout device, self-checkout system and self-checkout method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a use operation rate of a self-checkout POS (Point of Sales) terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The self-checkout POS terminal 12 includes a card reader 43 for acquiring a member code of a member card 51; and a printer 41 for acquiring discount information stored in a discount information file of a store controller based on the member code and allowing printing issuance of a discount ticket, based on the discount information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-checkout apparatus, a self-checkout system, and a self-checkout method that process merchandise sales data by self-operation of a member customer.

  Conventionally, in a retail store such as a supermarket, a POS (Point of Sales) system is used as a system that supports checkout work.

  The POS terminal of this POS system includes a manned checkout POS terminal operated by a cashier or the like, and a self-checkout POS terminal that allows a customer to self-operate to complete their own checkout work.

  Since the self-checkout POS terminal can reduce cashiers at the store, the labor cost can be reduced.

  However, on the other hand, self-checkout POS terminals are difficult to use for member customers because they are difficult to use and difficult to operate, and the time required for checkout operations per customer is manned checkout POS terminals. Take more than. For this reason, even when used together with a manned checkout POS terminal, most member customers use the manned checkout POS terminal, and there is a problem that the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal does not increase.

As a countermeasure, in order to increase the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal, a technique for increasing the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal by providing service information to the member customer according to the number of times the barcode is read by a scanner. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-330809 A

  Although it is possible for member customers to be interested by adopting service points based on the number of products purchased, the current situation does not lead to an improvement in the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a self-checkout device, a self-checkout system, and a self-checkout method that can improve the operation rate using a self-checkout POS terminal.

  The self-checkout device according to the present invention is connected to a self-checkout POS terminal that allows member customers registered as members to process product sales data by self-operation, and to be communicable with the self-checkout POS terminal. And a host device capable of managing the self-checkout POS terminal, the member customer corresponding to the member identification information for identifying the member card of each member customer in the host device Member information storage means for storing the number of times of use of the discount ticket, discount ticket issuance reference value setting means for setting the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal as a reference value for determining whether or not to issue a discount ticket, Acquire member transaction data transmitted from the member transaction data storage means of the self-checkout POS terminal Member transaction data acquisition means, update means for updating the number of uses of the member information storage means based on a self-use flag stored in the member transaction data acquired by the member transaction data acquisition means, and the update The counting means for counting the number of uses of the member information storage means updated by the means, and the count value counted by the counting means and the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means are compared. And a discount information storage means for storing the discount information when the counted value counted by the counting means by the comparing means reaches the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means. And the discount information storage means for the inquiry of the discount information based on the member identification information from the self-checkout POS terminal A discount information distribution unit that acquires the stored discount information and distributes the discount information to an inquiry source, a product registration unit that registers the product sales data in the self-checkout POS terminal, and the product registration Transaction settlement means for performing transaction settlement of the product registered by the means, member identification information acquisition means for acquiring member identification information from the member card, and the member identification information acquired by the member identification information acquisition means based on the member identification information Discount information inquiry means for inquiring the discount information to the host device, discount information acquisition means for acquiring the discount information from the discount information storage means via the host device, and the discount acquired by the discount information acquisition means And a discount voucher print issuing means for printing and issuing a discount voucher based on the information.

In addition, the self-checkout system according to the present invention is connected to a self-checkout POS terminal in which a member customer who is registered as a member can process product sales data by himself / herself and to be able to communicate with the self-checkout POS terminal And a store controller installed in each store capable of managing the self-checkout POS terminal, and a member management server that is communicably connected to the store controller in each store and collectively manages the store controller, Member management information storage means for storing the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal corresponding to each member identification information transferred from the member information storage means of the store controller in the member management server; The self-chute that serves as a reference value for determining whether or not to issue Discount ticket issuance reference value setting means for setting the number of times of use of the knockout POS terminal, counting means for counting the number of times of use stored in the member management information storage means, the count value counted by the counting means and the discount Comparing means for comparing the reference value set by the ticket issuing reference value setting means, and the reference set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means by the counting means counted by the counting means by the comparing means A discount information storage means for storing the discount information when a value is reached, and a transfer means for transferring the discount information stored in the discount information storage means to the store controller. , Member transaction data acquisition for acquiring member transaction data transmitted from the member transaction data storage means of the self-checkout POS terminal And updating means for updating the number of uses of the member information storage means based on a self-use flag stored in the member transaction data acquired by the member transaction data acquiring means, and updated by the updating means Member information transmitting means for transmitting member information stored in the member information storage means to the member management server; discount information acquiring means for acquiring the discount information transferred from the member management server;
Discount information transmission means for transmitting the discount information stored in the discount information storage means to the inquiry source in response to the discount information inquiry based on the member identification information from the self-checkout POS terminal, Product registration means for registering the product sales data in the self-checkout POS terminal, settlement means for settlement of the product registered by the product registration means, and a member for obtaining member identification information from the membership card An identification information acquisition unit, a discount ticket issuing unit that prints and issues a discount ticket based on the discount information acquired by the discount information acquisition unit, and the member transaction data of one product sales transaction for each member identification information Member transaction data storage means to store the member transaction data stored in the member transaction data storage means to the store controller And membership transaction data transmitting means for transmitting in La, with a.

  In the self-checkout method according to the present invention, the host device stores the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal corresponding to each member identification information, and whether or not a discount ticket is issued. Setting the number of uses as a reference value for determining whether or not, and updating the number of uses of the member information storage means based on a self-use flag stored in the member transaction data storage means of the self-checkout POS terminal A step of counting, a step of counting the count value of the number of uses of the member information storage means, a step of comparing the count value with the reference value, and when the count value reaches the reference value, Storing discount information, and inquiring the discount information from the self-checkout POS terminal in response to the discount information inquiry. Distributing to the sender, a step of registering the product sales data in the self-checkout POS terminal, a step of performing transaction settlement of the product registered product, and obtaining member identification information from the member card And a step of acquiring the discount information corresponding to the member identification information from a host device based on the member identification information, and a step of printing and issuing a discount ticket based on the discount information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal by printing discount information on the number of self-uses of the self-checkout POS terminal and issuing discount coupons.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The self-checkout system of this embodiment issues a member card storing a member code, which is unique member identification information, to each member customer registered as a member, and the member customer who owns this member card Uses a self-checkout POS terminal to process merchandise sales data and provides a benefit such as a discount ticket for the number of self-uses using the self-checkout POS terminal.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a self-checkout system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a self-checkout system 11 includes a plurality of self-checkout POS terminals 12 and a communication line such as a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network). A store controller 14 that is communicably connected via the device 13, a self-checkout device 15 that is configured by the device, and a member management server 16 that is installed in the headquarters that collectively manages the self-checkout device 15 of each store. The communication network 17 such as a public line is communicably connected.

  Here, the store controller 14 and the member management server 16 are referred to as host devices with respect to the self-checkout POS terminal 12.

  Although FIG. 1 shows only one self-checkout device 15, the self-checkout device 15 is actually installed in a plurality of stores.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal 12.

  The self-checkout POS terminal 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31 that controls each unit as a control unit body, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 in which fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 31 is stored in advance, RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 in which various memory areas for storing variable data necessary for processing each data are formed, a clock unit 35 for measuring the current time, the communication A communication controller 36 for controlling data communication with the store controller 14 connected via the line 13, a voice output unit 37 for notifying a member customer about a method for operating the self-checkout POS terminal 12, a keyboard 38, and a touch panel 39, scanner 40, printer 41, automatic change machine 42, cardley Peripherals 43 and the like are equipped with respective interfaces 44-49 to be electrically connected. The CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, HDD 34, clock unit 35, communication controller 36, audio output unit 37, and interfaces 44 to 49 are connected by a bus line 50 such as an address bus and a data bus.

  In the RAM 33, as shown in FIG. 3, a memory area and a flag area are formed.

  The transaction memory is a memory area that temporarily stores registered product description data (product code, product name, unit price, number of sales, sales price, etc.) of all products registered as one product sales transaction. The receipt print record memory is a memory area for temporarily storing transaction settlement details data (subtotal amount, tax amount, total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc.). The member code memory is a memory area for temporarily storing member codes of members who perform member transactions. The self use flag F1 is a flag area that stores a flag that is set in the one product sales transaction of the product sales data processing using the self checkout POS terminal 12. The self use flag F1 is set to "1" in the self use flag F1 when the transaction settlement process in the merchandise sales data process of the one merchandise sales transaction is performed. The discount ticket issuance flag F2 is a flag area for storing a flag that is set when a discount ticket for discount information is issued by the printer 41 in the one-item sales transaction. The discount ticket issuance flag F2 is set to "1" in the discount ticket issuance flag F2 when a discount ticket of discount information is printed on a receipt sheet by the printer 41 and issued. The discount information print record memory is a memory area for temporarily storing discount information corresponding to the member code.

  Furthermore, a member transaction memory 60 and a discount ticket issuing memory 61 are formed in the RAM 33. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing main memories of the member transaction memory 60. As shown in FIG. 4, the member transaction memory 60 stores the data of the self use flag F1 corresponding to the member code as member transaction data. This member transaction memory 60 functions as member transaction data storage means. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing main memories of the discount ticket issuing memory 61. As shown in FIG. 5, the discount ticket issuance memory 61 stores discount ticket issued flag F2 data corresponding to the member code as discount ticket issuance data. The discount ticket issuance memory 61 functions as a discount ticket issuance report storage unit.

  The keyboard 38 and the scanner 40 function as product registration means used by member customers to input product codes of purchased products. The keyboard 38 also includes a subtotal key for the member customer to instruct total output of purchased products, a registration closing key for declaring registration closing of purchased products, and the like.

  The touch panel 39 is a display unit that displays product sales data, discount information, and the like of one product sales transaction.

  The printer 41 can print and issue a receipt on which product sales data of one product sales transaction is printed, and can print and issue a discount ticket as discount information.

  The automatic change machine 42 counts the amount deposited, and pays out a change amount of cash calculated by subtracting the total amount of merchandise sales data from the deposited amount.

  The card reader 43 is for acquiring a member code which is member identification information of the member card 51. The card reader 43 functions as a member identification information acquisition unit.

  In the member card 51, a member code which is member identification information of a member customer who owns the member card 51 is stored. As the membership card 51, a magnetic card reader is used when a magnetic card is used, and an IC card reader is used when an IC card is used.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the store controller 14.

  The store controller 14 includes a CPU 71 that controls each unit as a control unit body, a ROM 72 that stores in advance fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 71, and various types of data for storing variable data necessary for processing each data. A RAM 73 in which a memory area is formed, an HDD 74, a clock unit 75 for measuring the current date and time, the member management server 16 via the communication network 17, and the self-checkout POS terminal 12 via the communication line 13. Peripheral devices such as a communication controller 76, a keyboard 77, a display 78, and a printer 79 for controlling the data communication are electrically connected. The CPU 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, the HDD 74, the clock unit 75, the communication controller 76, and the interfaces 80 to 82 are connected by a bus line 83 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  In the HDD 74, a member file 84 and a discount information file 85 are stored.

  The member file 84 is a file that stores the number of uses of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 and the discount ticket issued flag F2 for each member customer. This member file 84 functions as member information storage means. Here, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure of the member file 84. As shown in FIG. 7, a file that stores a counter N of the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 corresponding to the member code of each member customer and a discount ticket issued flag F2 when a discount ticket is issued. is there. Then, the count counter N is incremented by “1” for the member code in which the self use flag F1 is set to “1” in the member transaction data 60 transmitted from each self-checkout POS terminal 12. It has become. The count counter N functions as a counting unit that counts the number of times of use.

  The discount ticket issued flag F2 is set to “1” when a discount ticket is issued at each self-checkout POS terminal 12 for each member customer.

  The discount information file 85 is a file for storing discount information for each member customer. Here, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure of the discount information file 85. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the discount ticket issuance status, discount rate, member customer name, and the like are stored in correspondence with the member code of each member customer. Here, the discount information file 85 is transmitted from the member customer server 16. This discount information file 85 functions as discount information storage means here.

  Next, the member management server 16 in the self-checkout system 11 in which the self-checkout POS terminal 12, the store controller 14, and the member management server 16 are communicably connected will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the member management server 16.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the member management server 16 is a CPU 91 that controls each unit as a control unit body, a ROM 92 that previously stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 91, and variable data. A RAM 93 in which various work memory areas are formed, an HDD 94, a clock unit 95 for measuring date and time, a communication controller 96 for controlling data communication with the store controller 14 connected via the communication network 17, a keyboard 97 Peripheral devices such as the display 98 and the printer 99 are electrically connected. The CPU 91, the ROM 92, the RAM 93, the HDD 94, the clock unit 95, the communication controller 96, and the interfaces 100 to 102 are connected by a bus line 103 such as an address bus or a data bus.

  The HDD 94 stores a discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111, a member master file 112, and a discount information file 113.

  The discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111 is a table for setting a discount rate for the number of times the self-checkout POS terminal 12 is used. Here, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a data configuration of the discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, a table in which a discount rate is set with respect to the number of uses as a reference value for issuing a discount ticket or the like of discount information. In this discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111, when a member customer self-operates the self-checkout POS terminal 12 and performs product sales data processing, the number of times the self-checkout POS terminal 12 is used is set. A discount rate for the reference value is set.

  Note that the discount rate may be set by dividing the reference value for the number of times of use into a plurality of stages. Moreover, you may make it set so that a discount rate may become large as the frequency | count of use increases. Here, the discount ticket issue reference value setting table 111 functions as a discount ticket issue reference value setting means.

  The member master file 112 is a file that counts the member files 84 transferred from the store controller 14 of each store and stores member customer information for each member identification information. Here, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the data structure of the member master file 112. As shown in FIG. 11, personal information such as the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal 12, discount ticket issuance status, discount rate, and member customer name is stored corresponding to the member code of each member customer. It is. Here, the member master file 112 functions as member management information storage means here.

  The discount information file 113 is a file that is created when the number of uses of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 reaches the reference value set in the discount ticket issue reference value setting table 111. Here, FIG. 12 is an explanatory view schematically showing a data structure of discount information. As shown in FIG. 12, a discount information record including items such as a member customer name, a discount rate, and a discount ticket issuance status is stored in correspondence with the member code. This discount information file 113 functions as discount information storage means.

  The CPU 91 compares with the reference value set in the discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111 for each member code for which the number of uses of the member master file 112 has been updated at a predetermined time after each closing. When the reference value is reached, the discount ticket issuance status is set from “OFF” to “ON”. Then, the member master file 112 of the member code whose discount ticket issuance status is set to “ON” is edited, and the data is stored in the discount information file 113. The discount information file 113 is transferred to the store controller 14 of each store and stored in the discount information file 85 before opening every business day.

  The discount information file 85 is a local file of the discount information file 113.

  Next, when the store controller 14 reaches a predetermined time after each closing, for example, the CPU 71 executes the data processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 by a control program stored in the ROM 72. The operation in the case where merchandise sales data processing (product registration processing, transaction settlement processing) is performed at the self-checkout POS terminal 12 will be described.

  First, the CPU 71 of the store controller 14 waits to acquire the member transaction data 60 from the self-checkout POS terminal 12 as ST (step) 11.

  When the member transaction data 60 received from the self-checkout POS terminal 12 via the communication line 13 is acquired (ST11-YES, member transaction data acquisition means), the CPU 71 uses the member transaction data 60 acquired as ST12 for self-use. It is checked whether the flag F1 is included. As a result, when the self use flag F1 is set to “1” (ST12-YES), the CPU 71 sets one count count value N of the number of uses corresponding to the member code of the member file 84 as ST13. Count up only (member information update means).

  The CPU 71 transfers the member file 84 whose usage count is incremented by one to the member management server 16 in ST14 (member information transfer means).

  Next, based on the data of the member file 84 transmitted from the store controller 14, for example, the member management server 16 causes the CPU 91 to execute the control program stored in the ROM 92 at a predetermined time after each closing. The data processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executed.

  First, the CPU 91 of the member management server 16 stands by for acquiring the member file 84 transmitted from the store controller 14 of each store as ST21.

  And if the member file 84 received via the communication network 17 from the store controller 14 of each store is acquired (ST21-YES, member information acquisition means), the data of the use frequency corresponding to each member code of the member file 84 as ST22. Is associated with each member code in the member master file 112 and the number of uses is overwritten.

  The CPU 91 reads the reference value set in the discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111 as ST23 and compares it with the count value of the number of times of use of the member master file 112 (comparison means).

  As a result of the comparison in ST24, the CPU 91 determines that the number of uses of the count value stored in the member master file 112 reaches the number of uses of the reference value set in the discount processing reference value setting table 111. The discount ticket issuance status corresponding to the member code is set from “OFF” to “ON”.

  The CPU 91 edits the member code in which the discount ticket issuance status of the member master file 112 is set to “ON” and the discount rate set in the discount ticket issuance reference value setting table 111 as shown in FIG. Thus, the discount information file 113 is created.

  The CPU 91 distributes the discount information record of the discount information file 113 stored in ST26 to the store controller 14 of each store (discount information distribution means).

  The operation of the CPU 31 of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 will be described.

  FIG. 15 shows the main functions of the CPU 31 in which the member customer uses the self-checkout POS terminal 12 to execute product sales data processing (product registration processing and transaction settlement processing) of purchased products, member code acquisition processing, and discount information processing. It is a flowchart which shows a control procedure. In starting these processes, the transaction memory, receipt print record memory, member code memory, self use flag F1, discount ticket issued flag F2 and discount information print record memory formed in the RAM 33 are cleared.

  First, the CPU 31 displays an initial menu screen on the display screen of the touch panel 39 as ST31.

  The CPU 31 waits for the sales data of the products purchased by the member customers to be registered in ST32. At this time, for example, a guidance message such as “Please input the barcode of the purchased product with a scanner” is uttered from the voice output unit 37 and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39.

Here, for example, when the barcode of the product code acquired by the scanner 40 is input to the scanner interface 46 (ST32-YES), it is determined that there is product registration and the process proceeds to ST33.
CPU31 performs merchandise registration processing as ST33. In this product registration process, product data such as product name and unit price preset corresponding to the product code of the product purchased by the member customer is read from a product master file (not shown) of the store controller 14 and sold in the unit price. Is multiplied by to calculate the sales amount. This is a process for creating product registration data comprising a product code, the number of sales points, the sales price, etc., and registering it in the transaction buffer formed in the RAM 33 (product registration means).

  In addition, the registered merchandise item data including the merchandise name, unit price, number of sales points, sales amount, etc., registered in the merchandise are stored in the transaction memory in the order of registration. The registered product description data is set in a receipt print memory formed in the RAM 33. Then, the registered product description data is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39.

  In ST34, it is determined whether or not the registration end of the purchased product of the member customer sold as one product sales transaction has been declared. If the registration end is not declared (ST34-NO), the CPU 31 executes the processes of ST32 to ST33 again. At this time, for example, a guidance message such as “Please press the registration lock key when registration of all purchased products is completed” is uttered from the voice output unit 37 and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39.

  If the input of the registration lock key on the keyboard 38 is detected by the signal input to the keyboard interface 44 (ST34-YES), the registration lock process is executed as ST35. That is, since the registration closing of purchased products of member customers sold as one product sales transaction has been declared (ST35-YES, registration closing means), the total amount of purchased products of member customers sold as one product sales transaction is calculated. Are displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39.

  The CPU 31 waits for the membership code of the membership card 53 to be acquired in ST36. At this time, for example, a guidance message such as “If the customer who has completed the registration closing process, touch the card reader, touch the card reader” is uttered from the voice output unit 37 and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39. Note that the member code of the member card 53 is not limited to ST36, but the member code may be acquired before performing product registration in ST32.

  Here, when the membership card 51 is touched on the card reader 43 and the membership code stored in the membership card 51 is read and the membership code is detected via the card reader interface 49 (ST36-YES, (Member identification information acquisition means), the CPU 31 saves the member code in the member code memory area of the RAM 33 as ST37.

  If the member code of the member card 51 has been saved in the member code memory, the CPU 31 then creates a discount information inquiry message including the member code in ST38, and this discount information inquiry message is stored in the store controller. 14 is transmitted via the communication line 13 (discount information inquiry means).

  Now, the CPU 71 of the store controller 14 that has received this discount information inquiry message executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, when the data received via the communication line 13 as ST61 obtains a discount information inquiry message from the self-checkout POS terminal 12 (ST61-YES), the CPU 71 performs the discount information inquiry message as ST62. The discount information file 85 is searched with the member code.

  Here, when the discount processing record of the corresponding member code is registered in the discount information file 85 as ST63 (ST63-YES), the discount information record of the member code is stored from the discount information file 85 as ST64. To get.

  In step ST65, the CPU 31 creates a discount information response message of the discount information record corresponding to the member code.

  Then, the CPU 31 transmits this discount information response message to the inquiry source self-checkout POS terminal 12 via the communication line 13 as ST66.

  On the other hand, if the discount information corresponding to the member code is not registered as a result of searching the discount information file 85 in ST63 (ST63-NO), the CPU 31 stores no discount information on the member code as ST67. Create a response sentence. Then, the CPU 31 transmits a discount information no-response sentence via the communication line 13 to the self-checkout POS terminal 12 that has been inquired about the discount information response sentence in ST68.

  Therefore, the CPU 31 of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 that has transmitted the discount information inquiry message waits for a discount information response message as ST39. When acquiring the discount information response message from the store controller 14 received via the communication controller 36 (ST39-YES), the CPU 31 discounts the discount information record from the discount information response message in the RAM 33 as ST40. The discount information is displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39 as shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram in which discount information is displayed on the touch panel 39. As shown in FIG. 17, an issue button 121 and a confirmation button 122, which are operation touch buttons, are displayed together with discount information. The issue button 121 functions as a privilege granting unit that grants a discount ticket discount information that is a privilege based on the number of times the self-checkout POS terminal 12 is used.

  In this state, the CPU 31 waits until the issue button 121 for issuing a discount coupon is touch-operated in ST41 or the confirmation button 122 for confirming discount coupon information is touch-operated.

  When the CPU 31 detects that the issue button 121 is touched by a signal to the touch panel interface 45 (ST40-YES, privilege granting means), the CPU 31 sends a discount information record as a discount information record record memory in the RAM 33 as ST42. (Discount information storage means).

  The CPU 31 sends the discount information stored in the discount information print record memory as ST43 to the printer 41 and prints and issues a discount ticket as shown in FIG. 18 (discount ticket print issuing means).

  CPU31 performs transaction settlement processing as ST44.

  In this transaction settlement process, the total amount of purchased products of the member customers sold as one product sales transaction is calculated and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39. And it waits for cash to be inserted into the automatic change machine 42. At this time, for example, a guidance message such as “please insert cash into the change machine” is uttered from the voice output unit 37 and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39.

  Then, when the deposit amount is deposited into the automatic change machine 42, for example, if the deposit amount exceeds the total amount, the total amount is subtracted from the deposit amount to calculate the change amount and the display screen of the touch panel 39 is displayed. Display. Then, the member customer receives the change amount withdrawn from the automatic change machine 42. Here, transaction settlement details data including the subtotal amount, tax amount, total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc. of the merchandise sales transaction that has completed transaction settlement as a cash transaction is stored in the transaction buffer.

  In step ST45, the CPU 31 sends the receipt print memory data to the printer 41, prints it on receipt paper, and issues a receipt.

  If the CPU 31 acquires the response message with no discount information received from the store controller 14 in ST39 (ST39-NO), the CPU 31 displays, for example, “Currently customer” as shown in FIG. A guidance message such as “There is no discount information” is uttered from the voice output unit 37 and displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 39. Then, the CPU 31 proceeds to ST44.

  If the CPU 31 detects that the confirmation button 121 is touched by a signal to the touch panel interface 45 in ST41 (ST41-NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to ST44.

  As described above, the merchandise sales data processing of the merchandise purchased by the member customer using the self-checkout POS terminal 12 is completed.

  Next, when a discount ticket is issued as discount information at the self-checkout POS terminal 12, the CPU 31 executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 31 creates a discount ticket issuance report composed of discount ticket issuance data in the discount ticket issuance file 61 in which the discount ticket issuance flag is set to “1” as ST71 and transmits the discount ticket issuance report to the store controller 14. (Discount voucher issuance report transmission means).

  Next, when the store controller 14 receives a discount voucher issuance report from the self-checkout POS terminal 12, the CPU 71 executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the CPU 71 receives and obtains the discount ticket issue report distributed from the self-checkout POS terminal 12 as ST81 (ST81-YES, discount ticket issue report acquisition means), the discount ticket issue report data is received as ST82. Investigate. When the discount ticket issued flag is set to “1”, the number of uses of the member file 84 by the self-operation of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 is, for example, the reference value in the discount ticket issuance standard setting table 111 shown in FIG. Is set to 10 times, 10 is subtracted from the counted usage count of the member file 84, and the discount ticket issued flag is set to "1" and stored.

  The CPU 71 causes the member management server 16 to transfer the member file 84 created in ST82 as ST83.

  When the member management server 16 obtains the member file 84 for the discount ticket issuance report process from the store controller 14, the CPU 91 executes the process of the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the CPU 91 acquires the member file 84 from the store controller 14 as ST91 (ST91-YES), the CPU 91 checks the member file 84 as ST92, uses the self-checkout POS terminal 12 by the self-operation, and has issued a discount ticket. When the member data having the flag set to “1” is acquired, the CPU 91 stores the member master file 112 corresponding to the member code having the discount ticket issued flag set to “1” in the member file 84 in ST93. The discount ticket issuance status is set to “OFF” and the number of uses of the member file 84 is stored in the number of uses of the member master file 112 to update the data.

  In step ST94, the CPU 91 deletes data corresponding to the member code in the discount information file 113. That is, the discount ticket issue status and the discount rate are cleared.

  Each self-checkout POS terminal 12 in the embodiment can improve the operating rate of the self-checkout POS terminal 12 of a member customer by issuing a discount ticket as discount information based on the number of times of self-operation is used. Become.

  As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention at the stage of implementation.

The schematic diagram which shows the principal part structure of the self-checkout system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the self-checkout POS terminal which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the main memory areas formed in RAM of the self-checkout POS terminal concerning the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the member transaction data based on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the discount ticket issue data which concerns on the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the store controller which concerns on the same embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the member file of the store controller which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the discount information file of the store controller which concerns on the embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the discount ticket issue reference value setting table of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the member master file of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the discount information file of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of the member transaction data which CPU of the store controller concerning the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the process of the data of the member file which CPU of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the merchandise sales data process and discount ticket issuing process which CPU of the self-checkout POS terminal concerning the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the discount information inquiry process which CPU of the store controller which concerns on the same embodiment performs. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the discount information displayed on the display screen of the touchscreen of the self-checkout POS terminal which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the discount ticket printed and issued by the self-checkout POS terminal which concerns on the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example without discount information displayed on the display screen of the touchscreen of the self-checkout POS terminal which concerns on the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the discount ticket issue report process of the self-checkout POS terminal which concerns on the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the discount ticket issue report process which CPU of the store controller which concerns on the same embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the discount ticket issue report process which CPU of the member management server which concerns on the embodiment performs.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Self-checkout system, 12 ... Self-checkout POS terminal (self-checkout apparatus), 13 ... Communication line, 14 Store controller (high-order apparatus) 15 ... Self-checkout apparatus, 16 ... Member management server (high-order apparatus), 17 ... Communication network 51, 81, 91 ... CPU, 52, 82, 92 ... ROM, 53, 83, 93 ... RAM, 60 ... Member transaction data, 61 ... Discount ticket issue data, 84 ... Member file, 111 ... Discount Ticket issuance reference value setting table, 112 ... member master file, 85, 113 ... discount information file, 121 ... issue button (privilege grant means), 122 ... confirmation button.

Claims (9)

A self-checkout POS terminal in which member customers registered as members can process product sales data by self-operation, and the self-checkout POS terminal is communicably connected to the self-checkout POS terminal and can manage the self-checkout POS terminal In a self-checkout device equipped with a host device,
In the host device,
Member information storage means for storing the number of times the member customer uses the self-checkout POS terminal corresponding to the member identification information for identifying the member card of each member customer;
Discount ticket issuance reference value setting means for setting the number of times the self-checkout POS terminal is used as a reference value for determining whether or not to issue a discount ticket;
Member transaction data acquisition means for acquiring member transaction data transmitted from the member transaction data storage means of the self-checkout POS terminal;
Updating means for updating the number of uses of the member information storage means based on a self-use flag stored in the member transaction data acquired by the member transaction data acquisition means;
Counting means for counting the number of uses of the member information storage means updated by the updating means;
A comparison means for comparing the count value counted by the counting means with the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means;
Discount information storing means for storing the discount information when the count value counted by the counting means by the comparing means reaches the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means;
Discount information distribution means for acquiring the discount information stored in the discount information storage means for the inquiry of the discount information based on the member identification information from the self-checkout POS terminal and distributing the discount information to the inquiry source; In the self-checkout POS terminal,
Product registration means for registering products of the product sales data;
Transaction settlement means for performing transaction settlement of the product registered by the product registration means;
Member identification information acquisition means for acquiring member identification information from the member card;
Discount information inquiry means for inquiring the discount information to the host device based on the member identification information acquired by the member identification information acquisition means,
Discount information acquisition means for acquiring the discount information from the discount information storage means via the host device;
Discount coupon print issuing means for printing and issuing a discount coupon based on the discount information acquired by the discount information acquiring means;
A self-checkout device comprising: In the self-checkout device,
The self-checkout POS terminal has a display unit,
Display means for displaying the discount information acquired by the discount information acquisition means from the discount information storage means of the host device on the display unit;
The self-checkout device according to claim 1, further comprising: In the self-checkout device,
In the self-checkout POS terminal,
Equipped with a touch panel,
Privilege granting means for issuing the discount ticket displayed on the touch panel;
The self-checkout device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: In the self-checkout device,
In the self-checkout POS terminal,
A discount ticket issuance report transmitting means for transmitting a discount ticket issuance report to the host device when the discount ticket is issued by the discount ticket issuing means,
In the host device,
A discount ticket issuance report acquisition means for acquiring the discount ticket issuance report from the self-checkout POS terminal;
Updating means for updating the discount ticket issued flag of the member information storage means to issued based on the discount ticket issued flag stored in the discount ticket issued report acquired by the discount ticket issue report acquiring means;
The self-checkout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A member customer who is registered as a member can self-process merchandise sales data, and is connected to the self-checkout POS terminal so as to be communicable and manage the self-checkout POS terminal. In a self-checkout system comprising a store controller installed in each store, and a member management server that is communicably connected to the store controller of each store and collectively manages the store controller,
In the member management server,
Member management information storage means for storing the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal corresponding to each member identification information transferred from the member information storage means of the store controller;
Discount ticket issuance reference value setting means for setting the number of times the self-checkout POS terminal is used as a reference value for determining whether or not to issue a discount ticket;
Counting means for counting the number of uses stored in the member management information storage means;
A comparison means for comparing the count value counted by the counting means with the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means;
Discount information storing means for storing the discount information when the count value counted by the counting means by the comparing means reaches the reference value set by the discount ticket issuing reference value setting means;
Transfer means for transferring the discount information stored in the discount information storage means to the store controller,
In the store controller,
Member transaction data acquisition means for acquiring member transaction data transmitted from the member transaction data storage means of the self-checkout POS terminal;
Updating means for updating the number of uses of the member information storage means based on a self-use flag stored in the member transaction data acquired by the member transaction data acquisition means;
Member information transmitting means for transmitting the member information in the member information storage means updated by the updating means to the member management server;
Discount information acquisition means for acquiring the discount information transferred from the member management server;
Discount information transmitting means for transmitting the discount information stored in the discount information storage means to the inquiry source in response to the discount information inquiry from the self-checkout POS terminal based on the member identification information; In self-checkout POS terminal,
Product registration means for registering products of the product sales data;
A settlement means for settlement of the product registered by the product registration means;
Member identification information acquisition means for acquiring member identification information from the member card;
Discount ticket issuing means for printing and issuing a discount ticket based on the discount information acquired by the discount information acquiring means;
Member transaction data storage means for storing the member transaction data of one product sales transaction for each member identification information;
Member transaction data transmitting means for transmitting the member transaction data stored in the member transaction data storage means to the store controller;
A self-checkout system characterized by comprising In the self-checkout system,
The self-checkout POS terminal has a display unit,
Display means for displaying the discount information acquired by the discount information acquisition means from the discount information storage means of the host device on the display unit;
The self-checkout system according to claim 5, further comprising: In the self-checkout system,
In the self-checkout POS terminal,
Equipped with a touch panel,
Privilege granting means for issuing the discount ticket displayed on the touch panel;
The self-checkout system according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: In the self-checkout system,
In the self-checkout POS terminal,
A discount ticket issuance report transmitting means for transmitting a discount ticket issuance report to the store controller when the discount ticket is issued by the discount ticket issuing means,
In the store controller,
A discount ticket issuance report acquisition means for acquiring the discount ticket issuance report from the self-checkout POS terminal;
Updating means for updating the discount ticket issued flag of the member information storage means to issued based on the discount ticket issued flag stored in the discount ticket issued report acquired by the discount ticket issue report acquiring means;
Member information transmitting means for transmitting the member information storage means updated by the updating means,
In member management server,
Member management information updating means for updating member management information storage means based on the member information transmitted from the store controller;
The self-checkout system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: A self-checkout POS terminal that allows member customers registered as members to process product sales data by self-operation, and is connected to the self-checkout POS terminal so as to be communicable and can manage the self-checkout POS terminal A self-checkout method of a self-checkout device comprising:
In the host device,
Storing the number of times of use of the self-checkout POS terminal corresponding to each member identification information;
A step of setting the number of uses as a reference value for determining whether or not to issue a discount ticket;
Updating the number of uses based on a self use flag stored in the member transaction data storage means of the self checkout POS terminal;
Counting the use count value;
Comparing the count value with the reference value;
Storing the discount information when the count value reaches the reference value;
Delivering the discount information to the inquiry source in response to the inquiry of the discount information from the self-checkout POS terminal;
In self-checkout POS terminal,
Performing product registration of the product sales data;
The transaction settlement of the registered product,
Obtaining member identification information from the member card;
Obtaining the discount information corresponding to the member identification information from the host device based on the member identification information;
Printing and issuing a discount voucher based on this discount information;
A self-checkout method characterized by comprising:

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