JP2012194848A - Self-settlement device and self-settlement system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-settlement device and a self-settlement system which are a self type such that a user makes a settlement of an article with added antitheft means, the article being prevented from being illegally carried out of a shop with high probability by giving an alarm when the article may be illegally carried out.SOLUTION: A settlement terminal 2 is configured to register an article 9 to be rented off by inserting the article 9 into an article insertion part 10 and reading a bar code 11 given to the article 9 by a bar-code reader 12, and a lock member 13 having a tag 14 inside can be detached from the article 9 to be rented off through an unlocking mechanism 15. Once settlement processing starts, each time detachment processing of the lock member 13 is carried out, a control part 16 of the settlement terminal 2 increases the number of times of execution of the detachment processing. If the settlement processing is quit without paying a rental charge, the control part 16 sends alarm information to the server 3 to place an alarm in operation on condition that the number of times of execution of the detachment processing for the lock member 13 is equal to or larger than 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a settlement apparatus and settlement system for goods with anti-theft measures handled in rental shops and retail stores, and in particular, the customer himself / herself registers the goods to be settled and settles the price. Further, the present invention relates to a self-settlement apparatus and a settlement system that can be performed by the user himself / herself until the antitheft means is removed or the function is canceled.

  Traditionally, at stores selling CDs and DVDs, and rental stores that rent them, if a tag for theft prevention is attached to the product being handled and the product with the tag is taken out of the store as it is, the security gate at the exit The anti-theft system is used to detect that a tag has been passed and the tag body or security gate emits a warning sound or a warning lamp is lit to warn the store clerk that a product is being taken out. In such a store, when a customer brings a tagged product to a cash register and pays a purchase fee or rental fee, the cashier clerk removes the tag from the paid product and removes the product from the store. It can be taken out.

  In stores that use such an anti-theft system, the cashier takes time to remove the tag for the number of products in addition to paying the purchase price and rental fee at the cash register, so the cashier processing time is long and crowded. Sometimes a cashier queue is created. For this reason, a decrease in customer satisfaction and a decrease in sales occur. In addition, since the store clerk is busy responding to congestion, there is a problem that the load on the store clerk is heavy. In order to improve this, it is necessary to secure the number of store clerks assuming a crowded time, which leads to an increase in labor costs.

  In order to alleviate congestion while reducing labor costs, it is possible to introduce self-checkout cash register terminals where customers pay for themselves. Patent Document 1 discloses a self-scanning system for the customer himself / herself to settle a product with a data carrier for preventing theft. In the self-scanning system of Patent Document 1, a scanner connected to a checkout machine is provided with a barcode reading unit and a transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving information to / from a data carrier attached to a product. When checking out, the customer reads the barcode attached to the product using a scanner. At this time, the transmission / reception unit provided in the scanner transmits a command to the data carrier attached to the same product as the read barcode, and rewrites the status information held by the data carrier to “purchased”. As a result, the data carrier of the product already settled does not output a signal to the gate when passing through the security gate, so that the product already settled can be taken out of the store.

JP 9-81859 A

  In the self-scanning system of Patent Document 1, when the barcode is read, the status information of the product from which the barcode is read is automatically rewritten, and the antitheft function is released. For this reason, when the payment is stopped without paying the price just by reading the barcode, the product can be taken out from the store even though the payment is not completed. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, as a countermeasure, at the time of payment, a card storing personal information of the customer is inserted into the payment machine so that the card is not discharged unless the payment is completed, or read from the card. By keeping a record of personal information in the checkout machine, unauthorized users are prevented from taking out products.

  However, although the self-scanning system of Patent Document 1 has an effect of suppressing illegal operation due to the fact that evidence such as cards and personal information is secured at the store side, once the status information of the product is rewritten, an alarm is generated at the gate. Will not work, so if a customer abandons the card or accepts that evidence remains, fraudulent goods cannot be taken out. In addition, this system can secure evidence of fraud in the checkout machine, but cannot promptly warn that fraud has occurred. Therefore, it is not possible to quickly cope with a situation in which a product may be illegally taken out, and the effect as a countermeasure against fraud is not sufficient.

  In addition, the self-scanning system of Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that a tag that gives and releases the anti-theft function only by rewriting the status information while attached to the product is used, so that it does not react at the gate. Such as a tag that can only be physically removed from the product, a tag that can be rewritten only when an operation such as a protective member for storing the tag is performed, or a tag that can be invalidated by attaching an electromagnetic seal, It cannot be applied to anti-theft means that requires physical operation with a dedicated instrument or member, and the application target is limited.

  In view of these points, it is an object of the present invention to allow a customer to carry out a process for enabling the customer to settle the product with the anti-theft means and take the product out of the store. In a self-checkout system and self-checkout system, this can be quickly grasped when there is a situation where the product may be illegally taken out of the store, and the removal of illegal products can be prevented with high probability There is to do.

  In addition, another object of the present invention is that the customer himself / herself adjusts the product and removes the antitheft means or releases the function of the goods for which the antitheft means requiring physical operation with a dedicated instrument is attached. It is to make it easy.

In order to solve the above problems, the self-settlement device of the present invention is:
A product insertion section for inserting a product with anti-theft means;
Anti-theft function release means for performing the removal process of the anti-theft means or the release process of the anti-theft function for the product inserted in the product insertion portion;
Reading means for reading product information attached to the product;
A settlement means for performing a settlement process for the consideration of the product;
The anti-theft function release means, the reading means, and a control means for controlling the settlement means,
The control means is
In the checkout process for the product,
Each time the product information is read by the reading unit, the settlement amount for the settlement process by the settlement unit is added based on the read product information,
When the removal process of the anti-theft means or the release process of the anti-theft function is performed at least once, the history is stored,
After the settlement process of the product is started, the anti-theft means removal process or the anti-theft function release process is performed at least once, and then the settlement process is stopped without performing the settlement process, It is characterized by performing a preset warning process.

  In this way, the self-settlement apparatus in which the user can make a settlement as described above is configured so that the user can perform the process himself until the antitheft means attached to the product is removed or the function is released. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate congestion at the time of checkout without increasing the number of store clerk, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in sales and a decrease in customer satisfaction without increasing labor costs. Further, not only the security information can be rewritten, but also the physical removal of the anti-theft means can be performed, and it can be applied to various function release methods, so the application range is wide. Therefore, even if the store has an existing anti-theft system, the burden at the time of introduction is small. Here, the function cancellation of the anti-theft means in the present invention means that the alarm does not operate even if it enters the detection area of the gate such as rewriting of information stored in the tag, invalidation by applying an electromagnetic seal to the tag, etc. In addition to the process of making it possible, the process of making it possible to remove the product without damaging it is also included.

  In particular, in the present invention, it is possible to detect and warn of a situation in which payment has not been made despite the product being ready to be taken out of the store based on the operation history of the anti-theft function canceling means. The removal of goods can be prevented quickly and with a high probability. In addition, even if a user who canceled payment for any reason leaves a product that is ready to be taken out of the store and leaves it, it can be quickly discovered and dealt with.

  In the present invention, the control means stores the history every time the anti-theft function releasing means performs the anti-theft means removing process or the anti-theft function releasing process in the commodity adjusting process. When the settlement process is performed in the process, the removal process or the cancellation process is performed based on the settlement information of the settlement process and the history of the removal process or the cancellation process in the settlement process, and It is possible to determine whether there is an unpaid product for which payment has not been completed, and to perform the warning process when it is determined that there is an unpaid product.

  In this way, when the history is stored every time processing by the anti-theft function canceling means is performed, the settlement processing is canceled without performing the settlement processing by comparing the history with the settlement information. In addition to cases, payment processing is performed only for the consideration of some products, and it is possible to detect and warn fraud such as taking out other products without paying the consideration. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent illegal goods from being taken away.

  In the present invention, the payment means may be configured to perform only payment processing using electronic money and / or a credit card. Such a settlement means is highly convenient for the user. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for processing cash in a configuration in which only electronic settlement is performed, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified, and management is easy without the need for cash collection or change replenishment. Therefore, it is suitable for a self-type settlement apparatus.

  In this invention, it has a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a user at a preset operation position, and the control means shows a new user at the operation position based on the detection result of the detection means. If it is determined that the user has left the operation position based on the detection result of the detection means during the execution of the payment process, The settlement process may be stopped. Thus, if it is configured to automatically determine the presence / absence of the user and start or stop the checkout process, even the first user can start the checkout smoothly. In addition, when a user leaves, it can be detected quickly, so it is possible to quickly determine whether there is a product that is illegally removed by canceling the checkout process, and promptly process warnings when necessary. To prevent the removal of goods.

  At this time, in the case where the detection unit is provided with a photographing unit for photographing a user, the control unit includes an image photographed by the photographing unit during the settlement process in the warning process, or It is desirable to display a movie. In this way, since the person who has performed the checkout process that may be fraudulent can be confirmed with images and videos, it can be quickly found if this person is in the store. Further, even when the person is not in the store, it is possible to grasp that such person has revisited at the next visit.

  Here, in the present invention, the product insertion unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the product and a reading unit of the reading unit, and the control unit sends the product to the product insertion unit based on the output of the sensor. When the insertion of the product is detected, the product information is read by the reading means, and the anti-theft means removing process or the anti-theft function releasing process is performed by the anti-theft function releasing means. Is desirable. In this way, the user only needs to insert the product into the product insertion section. When the sensor detects the product, the product information is automatically read and the antitheft means is removed or the function is released. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and quickly remove and cancel the function of the settlement and theft prevention means with less operational burden on the user. Therefore, the effect of shortening the settlement time at the time of congestion is high. Further, since the registration of the product information and the processing of the anti-theft means can be performed as a set, it is possible to prevent inadvertent settlement failure and forgetting to remove the anti-theft means.

  In the present invention, it is desirable to have a printer for issuing a receipt on which payment information of the payment process performed in the settlement process is printed. In this way, the user can receive the receipt on the spot. If there is a printer, not only payment information but also rental cards can be printed and received in the case of rental, which is highly convenient. It is also possible to increase the sales promotion effect by printing an advertisement on the printed matter.

  Furthermore, in this invention, it has a display for displaying the guidance screen about the said adjustment process, and an input means for performing input according to the display of the said display, The said control means is input information from the said input means. On the basis of the above, the settlement process can be performed. As described above, if information can be appropriately input in accordance with the display on the display, even a first-time user can perform settlement easily and alone. In addition, since this display can be used to display advertisements and the like, the sales promotion effect is also high.

Next, the self-checkout system of the present invention is
Having a server capable of communicating with the self-settlement device and the self-settlement device;
The self-checkout device is
Obtaining information necessary for the payment processing by the payment means from the server;
When the settlement process is completed, the settlement information is transmitted to the server.

  In the self-settlement system of the present invention, the self-settlement apparatus may be configured to transmit warning information to the server when performing the warning process. In this way, it is possible to warn the situation where there is a risk of illegal product removal to the store manager or each store clerk through the server that manages the checkout device, so the store clerk can be dispatched to the site quickly, It is possible to prevent illegal goods from being taken out more reliably.

  According to the present invention, in the self-settlement apparatus in which the user himself can make a payment, the user can perform the process himself until the anti-theft means attached to the product is removed or the function is released. It is possible to alleviate congestion during checkout without increasing it. In particular, it is possible to detect and warn about the situation where payment has not been made despite the fact that the product is ready to be taken out of the store. It can be stopped quickly and with a high probability. In addition, there is an advantage that the fraud detection function can be operated at a low cost because the user is not burdened with registration of personal information or bringing a card, and there is no card issuing cost for the store side. .

It is a system configuration figure showing the whole self-adjustment system configuration of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of a payment terminal. It is explanatory drawing of the rental product lent in a rental shop. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the control system of a payment terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the execution example of the adjustment process by a self adjustment system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a self-payment system used in a rental store that rents out a CD, a DVD, or the like and a payment terminal thereof will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Self payment system)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the self-settlement system of this embodiment. The self-checkout system 1 has a checkout terminal 2 (self-checkout apparatus) installed at a predetermined location in the store, and a server 3 configured to be able to communicate with each checkout terminal 2 via a wired or wireless network. The server 3 performs overall control of each checkout terminal 2. This rental store is equipped with a POS cash register terminal in which a cashier clerk receives a product from a customer and registers the product, and a POS system including a POS server that controls the POS cash register terminal. It is also used as a POS server in the existing POS system. The server 3 can be provided separately from the existing POS server.

  Each checkout terminal 2 is configured to accept only non-cash payments such as credit cards and electronic money. Here, the electronic money is a prepaid method in which electronic data having valuable value is charged in advance on a terminal of a customer or an IC chip in a card, and this is directly exchanged with each settlement terminal 2. In addition to the above, there is a post-pay type in which the amount charged is deducted from a bank account or the like at a later date in the same way as a credit card when settlement is made with electronic money.

  The settlement terminal 2 performs processing while appropriately acquiring necessary information from the server 3 when the rental fee is settled. The server 3 has a database in which product names, product codes, rental amounts, etc. are registered in association with each other. When an inquiry specifying the product code is received from the settlement terminal 2, the corresponding information is settled by referring to the database. Transmit to terminal 2. It is also possible to store a database in the payment terminal 2 and extract information such as a rental amount based on the product code in the payment terminal 2. In this case, it is desirable to periodically update the database based on the update command from the server 3.

  Further, when the server 3 receives the information read from the credit card at the checkout terminal 2, the server 3 transmits this information to the credit card company system via the credit card inquiry network system, and the validity of the credit card and the credit balance are transmitted. Inquiry such as. Then, the inquiry result is transmitted to the checkout terminal 2. Similarly, in the case of electronic money settlement, an inquiry is made from the server 3 to an electronic money management company or a financial institution as needed, and the inquiry result is transmitted to the settlement terminal 2. When the checkout is completed, the checkout terminal 2 transmits various information obtained by the checkout process such as the settlement amount, the rented product list, or the customer information to the server 3.

(Checkout device)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of the payment terminal 2. As shown in this figure, the payment terminal 2 is an integrated terminal device including a device main body 4 and a touch panel display 5 provided on the upper portion thereof. The checkout terminal 2 includes a reader / writer 6 (settlement means) for a non-contact type IC chip and a reader / writer 7 (settlement means) for a credit card that are used for settlement with electronic money. Reading sections 6a and 7a of the reader / writers 6 and 7 are provided. Further, the payment terminal 2 includes a printer 8 for printing receipts and the like after payment, and a discharge port 8 a for discharging printed matter printed by the printer 8 is formed on the front surface of the apparatus body 4. A product insertion portion 10 for inserting rental products 9 such as CDs and DVDs is formed further below the discharge port 8a in the apparatus main body 4. The product insertion unit 10 is provided with a discharge mechanism 10a (see FIG. 4) for discharging the inserted rental product 9 to the outside.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a rental product 9 that is lent out at a rental store. The rented product 9 is a case in which a CD disk, a DVD disk, etc. are stored in a case 9a. At a predetermined position on the surface of the case 9a, a barcode seal on which the barcode 11 is printed is attached. The checkout terminal 2 includes a barcode reader 12 (reading means), and the reading unit 12a of the barcode reader 12 is opposite to the part where the barcode 11 of the case 9a inserted into the product insertion unit 10 is pasted. It is arranged at the position to do.

  The rented product 9 is provided with a lock member 13 (theft prevention means) for locking the case 9a so that the case 9a cannot be opened and closed. The lock member 13 has a built-in antitheft tag 14 (theft prevention means). Yes. A gate is installed at the entrance / exit of the rental store. When the tag 14 passes through the detection area by the gate, a warning buzzer and a warning lamp provided at the gate are activated, and an alarm is issued. As a detection method of the tag 14, a resonance circuit that tunes to a signal of a specific frequency is provided in the tag 14, and a transmitter and a receiver that transmit a signal including the signal of this frequency are provided in the gate. A method of detecting on the gate side that the tag 14 has entered the detection area based on a change in the received signal is used. It is also possible to use a self-sounding tag that issues an alarm from the tag 14 itself when it enters the detection area of the gate. Theft that warns the unauthorized removal of the rented product 9 outside the store by attaching the lock member 13 containing the tag 14 to each rented product 9 in the store and installing the gate as described above. A prevention system has been established.

  The payment terminal 2 includes a dedicated lock release mechanism 15 (theft prevention function release means: see FIG. 4) for removing the lock member 13 from the case 9a and collecting it. The lock release mechanism 15 is disposed at a position facing the lock member 13 attached to the rental product 9 when the rental product 9 is inserted into the product insertion unit 10. If the lock member 13 is forcibly removed without using the unlock mechanism 15, the CD or DVD in the case 9 a is damaged, or the tag 14 in the lock member 13 is damaged and an alarm is issued from the tag itself. It has a structure that can be emitted.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the control system of the payment terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the checkout terminal 2 is mainly configured by a control unit 16 (control means) including an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 16 controls each unit of the payment terminal 2 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM, and is communicably connected to the server 3 via the communication interface 17.

  The display 5 of the checkout terminal 2 includes a liquid crystal display panel 5a and a touch panel 5b (input means) installed on the surface thereof. An input signal from the touch panel 5b is input to the control unit 16 via an I / O controller (not shown). The control unit 16 includes a video controller that generates drawing data of an image to be displayed in accordance with a drawing command from the CPU and performs a process of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display panel 5a based on the drawing data.

  The control unit 16 displays a payment method selection screen on the display 5 when performing the rental fee settlement process, and controls the reader / writer 6 or the reader / writer 7 based on the user's selection input, so that it can be used for electronic money. Information is read from a terminal, a card, or a credit card that incorporates a non-contact IC chip. In the case of the prepaid method, information on the charge balance is acquired. In the case of the postpay method, an inquiry is made to a financial institution through the server 3 based on the read information. Then, when the customer inputs the payment amount and decides to execute the payment, it is determined whether or not the charge balance or the credit balance is equal to or larger than the payment amount. Execute.

  Further, when registering a rental product in the checkout process, the control unit 16 causes the barcode reader 12 to stand by in a state where the reading process can be executed. In this state, when the rental product 9 is inserted into the product insertion unit 10 and a reading execution instruction of the barcode reader 12 is input from the touch panel 5b, the control unit 16 controls the barcode reader 12 to control the barcode 11 Perform the reading process. The bar code 11 includes information such as a product code, and the control unit 16 acquires information such as a product name and a rental fee from the server 3 based on the read product code. At this time, a display based on the barcode information read on the display 5 or the information acquired from the server 3 can be performed to allow the user to confirm the product name and the rental fee.

  Further, the controller 16 removes the lock member 13 from the rental product in the checkout process and collects it. Therefore, when registering the rental product, not only the barcode reader 12 but also the unlocking mechanism 15 can be operated. Let me stand by. When the rental product 9 is inserted into the product insertion unit 10 and an instruction to execute the removal process of the lock member 13 is input from the touch panel 5b, the control unit 16 controls the lock release mechanism 15 to lock it. The member 13 is removed and the removed lock member 13 is collected in the collection unit in the payment terminal 2.

  Here, the settlement terminal 2 sequentially inserts a plurality of rental products 9 into the product insertion unit 10 as a settlement procedure when performing settlement processing of a plurality of rental products 9 at one time, After the lock member 13 is removed a plurality of times, the total settlement amount can be settled. For this reason, every time the bar code 11 is read, the control unit 16 obtains the rental amount of the product from the server 3 based on the read product code and adds it to the settlement amount, and locks as described later. In order to detect this when the payment is not completed despite the removal of the member 13, every time the lock member 13 is removed by the lock release mechanism 15, the history is stored. Specifically, a process of counting and storing the number of executions of the removal process is performed.

  When the checkout process is performed, the control unit 16 generates print data for printing a receipt printed with a rental fee, etc., or printing a loan slip printed with a rental product list and a rental period, based on the settlement information. Then, based on this print data, each part of the printer 8 is controlled to perform print processing. The control unit 16 causes the display 5 to display a screen for selecting whether or not to print a receipt or a loan slip, and appropriately prints according to the user's selection input.

(Self-checkout process by customers)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of execution of the settlement process by the self settlement system 1. Hereinafter, with reference to this flowchart, the rental fee settlement processing for a plurality of rental products 9, the removal processing of the lock member 13 attached to each rental product 9, and the state in which unauthorized products can be taken out are detected. The process for warning will be described.

  The control unit 16 puts the payment terminal 2 in a standby state before starting the payment process, and displays an initial screen on the display 5 at this time. Then, when the user performs a touch input to start the checkout, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is started based on this input signal. First, in step S <b> 1, the control unit 16 displays on the display 5 a guidance screen that prompts the user to register a product for payment and remove the lock member 13.

  When the user inserts the first rental product 9 into the product insertion unit 10 in accordance with the guidance display and performs a touch input to instruct execution of product registration, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S2 and proceeds to the bar code reader. 12, the barcode 11 is read. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S3, where rental amount information is acquired from the server 3 based on the read product code, and the rental amount is added to the settlement amount. The value of the settlement amount is reset to 0 at the start of the settlement process. Therefore, when the product registration of the first rental product 9 is performed, the rental amount of the rental product 9 becomes the settlement amount.

  Next, when the user performs a touch input instructing execution of the removal process of the lock member 13 in a state where the first rental product 9 is inserted into the product insertion unit 10, the control unit 16 performs steps. In S4, the lock member 13 is removed by the lock release mechanism 15 and the removed lock member 13 is collected in the payment terminal 2. Subsequently, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S5, and stores the execution history of the removal process of the lock member 13. For example, 1 is added to the count value of the number of executions of the removal process of the lock member 13. This count value is reset to 0 at the start of the settlement process. Therefore, when the removal process of the lock member 13 for the first rental product 9 is executed, the count value of the number of executions is “1”.

  When the reading process of the barcode 11 and the removal process of the lock member 13 are performed, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S <b> 6 and performs a display prompting the display 5 to take out the rented product 9. When the user performs a touch input instructing removal according to this display, the control unit 16 drives the discharge mechanism 10 a of the product insertion unit 10 to discharge the rented product 9 from the product insertion unit 10. Subsequently, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S7, displays the settlement amount (total amount of rental fee) and the list of rental products at this time on the display 5, and confirms the display content and proceeds to the payment process. Further, the user is prompted to select whether to register the product and remove the lock member 13.

  When paying for a plurality of rental products 9, the customer inputs that the payment process does not proceed in step S <b> 7 (step S <b> 7: No), and inserts the next rental product 9 into the product insertion unit 10. Then, touch input for instructing execution of product registration is performed. Thereby, since the control unit 16 returns to step S2, the process of steps S2 to S6 is executed by performing input to the touch panel 5b according to the display on the display 5 as in the first case. . Similarly, by repeating steps S2 to S6 for the number of products to be rented, product registration of a plurality of rental products 9 and removal of the lock member 13 are performed continuously.

  In steps S2 to S5 described above, two processes are performed in the order of removing the lock member 13 after reading the barcode 11, but in this embodiment, the user manually instructs the execution of the process. Therefore, based on the operation of the customer, the order of the barcode 11 reading process and the lock member 13 removing process can be reversed, and steps S4 to S5 can be performed prior to steps S2 to S3. .

  When an input to proceed to the payment process is performed in step S7 (step S7: Yes), the control unit 16 proceeds to step S8. In step S8, a screen prompting selection of a payment method is displayed on the display 5. Then, the reader / writer 6 or the reader / writer 7 is controlled based on the user's selection input, and information is read from a terminal or card for electronic money or a credit card incorporating a non-contact IC chip.

  Subsequently, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S9. In step S9, based on the read information, the charge balance is confirmed and the financial institution is inquired as described above, and if settlement is possible, a screen for prompting execution of settlement is displayed on the display 5. Then, when the user inputs that the payment is to be executed, the payment process is executed. When the settlement process is completed, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S10 and transmits the settlement information to the server 3. The server 3 manages the payment information as sales information and information indicating the rental status of each product.

  Subsequently, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S11, and displays a screen on the display 5 that prompts the user to input whether or not to print a receipt printed with payment information or a loan slip printed with a rental product list and a rental period. . When the user inputs an instruction to instruct printing of a receipt or a loan slip, a process of issuing the instructed printed matter is performed. After proceeding to step S11, the control unit 16 ends the checkout process when the instructed printing is completed or when an input indicating that printing is unnecessary is performed. Note that if the customer requests printing of a receipt or a loan slip in step S11, a process for printing an advertisement for sales promotion on the receipt or the loan slip based on the contents of the rented product or the like may be performed.

(Processing to warn of situations where there is a risk of taking illegal products)
In this embodiment, when the removal process of the lock member 13 in step S4 has been performed even once, if the settlement process is stopped without proceeding to the settlement process thereafter, the removal process of the lock member 13 is executed. Nevertheless, there is a product (unpaid product) for which the rental fee has not been settled. Since such a product may be illegally taken out of the store, when such a product occurs, the control unit 16 quickly detects that and performs a warning process.

  That is, if the removal process of the lock member 13 in step S4 has been performed even once, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S12 when the settlement process is stopped without completing step S9. Perform the set warning process. The control unit 16 determines that the payment process has been stopped when the customer himself / herself inputs to cancel the payment process or when the payment terminal 2 is left without any operation for a certain period of time. To do. The control unit 16 proceeds to step S12 when the settlement process is stopped at the stage before step S9. In step S <b> 12, the control unit 16 refers to a count value for counting the number of executions of the lock member 13 removal process, and determines whether this value is 1 or more. If the count value is 1 or more (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the count value is 0 (step S12: No), the settlement process is terminated as it is.

  In step S13, the control unit 16 performs various warning processes set in advance. For example, a process of generating an alarm sound from the speaker of the payment terminal 2, a process of displaying a warning on the display 5, a process of lighting a warning lamp (not shown) provided in the payment terminal 2 can be performed. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform processing such as sending warning information to the server 3 and sending alarm information from the server 3 to the terminal of the store clerk, or sending an announcement to alert the store clerk throughout the store. In addition, when the customer himself / herself inputs to instruct to cancel the checkout process, it is determined that there is no intention of taking away the product illegally, and the store clerk comes to the display 5 without outputting an alarm sound or the like. It is also possible to display a message prompting the user to wait and to only give an announcement for the store clerk to collect the rental product 9.

  In the present embodiment, in this way, in the checkout terminal 2 that performs checkout of products by the self method, the user himself / herself even until the lock member 13 containing the antitheft tag 14 attached to the rented product 9 is removed. Because it can be done at the same time, it is possible to alleviate congestion at the time of payment without increasing the number of store clerk. Moreover, when an antitheft system using such a lock member 13 has already been constructed, the existing antitheft system can be introduced without change. Further, as the server 3, an existing POS system server may be used. In this respect as well, the burden at the time of introduction is small.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, after the lock member 13 has been removed even once, when the settlement process is stopped without executing the settlement process, the control unit 16 detects this situation and performs a warning process. Since this can be done, it is possible to reliably and promptly warn of a situation where there is a high possibility that a product for which payment has not been completed will be taken out of the store. Therefore, it is possible to prevent illegal goods from being taken out with high probability. In particular, when the customer abandons the payment for some reason and leaves, the situation where the product with the lock member 13 removed is left as it is can be detected and warned. A store clerk can be dispatched, and the product from which the lock member 13 has been removed can be quickly collected. In addition, in the configuration in which only the conventional gate or tag issues an alarm, this is not possible when the anti-theft means such as a tag is removed in a proper manner by the removal means provided on the self-terminal. In the embodiment, since it is possible to detect that the fraudulent operation has been performed in the settlement terminal 2, it is highly effective as a fraud detection method in the self-type settlement system in which the user can remove the theft prevention means.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the payment means in the checkout terminal 2 is only electronic money and a credit card, it is not necessary to handle cash, and it is convenient and easy to manage. Furthermore, since a receipt printed with payment information and a loan slip printed with a rental product list and a rental period can be issued on the spot by the printer 8 of the checkout terminal 2, the convenience is high.

(Modification example)
(1) In the said embodiment, the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a user is provided in the payment terminal 2, and it can control based on the detection result of this detection means. For example, the position facing the display 5 is set as the operation position of the customer, and a camera directed to this position is attached to the edge of the display 5 to perform photographing. In this case, the control unit 16 detects that a new user has appeared in front of the display 5 based on the captured image of the camera, and when detecting that a new user has appeared, FIG. The process of step S1 in the flowchart is started. In addition, the control unit 16 detects that the user has left the front of the display 5 based on the photographed image of the camera, and determines that the checkout process has been stopped when it is determined that the user has left. Proceed to S12.

  In this way, since the payment process can be automatically started when the user stands in front of the display 5, the first customer can also start the payment smoothly. In addition, by determining that the checkout process has been canceled when the user leaves, if the customer abandons the checkout and leaves, for some reason, this can be quickly detected and alerted. . Thereby, a store clerk can be dispatched quickly to the site where the product from which the lock member 13 has been removed is left as it is, and the product from which the lock member 13 has been removed can be quickly collected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent illegal goods from being taken out more reliably.

  Here, the detection means for detecting the presence / absence of the user is not limited to the camera, and various sensors can be used. For example, an infrared sensor can be used. Alternatively, it is possible to place a weight sensor on the floor in front of the checkout terminal 2 and detect the presence or absence of a user based on the output of the weight sensor.

  Further, when a camera for photographing a user is installed, warning processing can be performed using an image or a moving image photographed by the camera. That is, when the checkout process is started, images and videos taken by the camera during the checkout process are stored, and when the checkout process is stopped, images and videos taken during the checkout process are stored. Displayed on the display 5. Alternatively, an image or a moving image is transmitted from the checkout terminal 2 to the server 3 so that the server 3 can check it. Thereby, since the user who canceled payment can be specified, this user can be discovered quickly. Also, when this customer visits the store again, this can be grasped.

(2) In the above embodiment, since the barcode 11 reading process and the lock member 13 removing process are performed based on manual input, the operational burden on the user is large. In addition, forgetting to remove the lock member 13 may occur. Therefore, in order to eliminate such inconvenience, a sensor for detecting the rented product 9 is provided in the product insertion unit 10, and when the customer inserts the rented product 9 in the product insertion unit 10, the sensor is detected as a sensor. It is desirable that the barcode 11 reading process and the lock member 13 removing process be automatically executed. In this case, after these processes are completed, the discharge mechanism 10 a can be automatically driven to discharge the rented product 9 from the product insertion unit 10. Even if such a sensor is not provided, the barcode 11 reading process, the lock member 13 removal process, the rental product 9 discharge process, A series of processes can be executed as a set.

(3) In the above embodiment, the warning process for preventing the taking-out of the product for which the settlement is not completed is performed only when the settlement process is stopped without completing the settlement process. In the configuration in which the removal process is performed based on manual input, only the removal process of the lock member 13 may be performed on some products by carelessness or by a customer who has an unauthorized intention. In such a case, even when the settlement process is executed, there is a possibility that only the removal process of the lock member 13 is performed and a product (unpaid product) for which the settlement is not completed may occur. Therefore, it is desirable to perform processing for determining the presence or absence of unpaid products even when payment processing is performed.

  Such a process for determining whether there is an unpaid item can be performed, for example, as follows. When the settlement process is executed, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S10 and transmits the settlement information to the server 3. For example, at the timing immediately after step S10, the control unit 16 performs a process for determining whether there is an unpaid product. Insert the steps. In this step, the control unit 16 refers to the value of the number of executions of the removal process of the lock member 13 (removal process history) counted in step S5 and also refers to the information of the settlement process performed in step S9. Then, information on the number of products targeted for settlement processing is extracted. Then, these values are compared and determined. If the control unit 16 determines that the number of products for which payment has been made is smaller than the number of executions of the removal process, the control unit 16 determines that there are unpaid products and performs warning processing similar to step S13 in the above embodiment.

  On the other hand, in this comparison determination, when it is determined that the number of products for which payment has been made and the number of executions of the removal process match, the control unit 16 has no unpaid product and the removal of the lock member 13 has been completed. The process proceeds to print processing such as a receipt. Further, in this comparison determination, when it is determined that the number of products for which settlement has been performed is greater than the number of executions of the removal process, it is determined that there is a product for which the lock member 13 has not been removed, and forgetting to remove the lock member 13 It is also possible to display a warning prompting confirmation.

  It should be noted that, regardless of whether or not settlement is executed, it is possible to always perform determination processing for the presence or absence of unpaid items at the end or cancellation of the settlement process. In this way, it is possible to detect all the situations in which unpaid products are generated, including the case where the settlement is not executed even though the lock member 13 is removed at least once.

(4) In the above embodiment, each time the lock member 13 is removed, the number of times the removal process is performed is added as the history information. However, the history information may be stored by other methods. For example, the presence or absence of removal of the lock member 13 is stored in association with each of the read product codes. Or you may memorize | store only the information about whether the removal process of the locking member 13 was performed at least once. For example, an execution history flag for the removal process of the lock member 13 is set, the value of the execution history flag is reset to 0 at the start of the adjustment process, and the value of this flag is checked every time the lock member 13 is removed. Then, when the value is 0, a process of rewriting to 1 can be performed.

(5) In the above embodiment, the anti-theft means having the lock member 13 with the tag 14 built in is attached to the rental product 9 and physically removed from the checkout terminal 2 so that the rental product 9 is the gate. Although processing is performed so as not to be detected, the checkout terminal 2 may be configured such that the antitheft means having another configuration can be removed or the function can be released. The functions can be canceled by rewriting the information stored in the tag, attaching an electromagnetic seal to invalidate the tag function, etc. In addition, it may be possible to remove the product without damaging it or issuing an alarm. It is also possible to combine these.

  For example, a tag that is detected at the gate is attached to the case 9a, and a means (theft prevention function releasing means) for attaching an electromagnetic seal to the antenna portion of the tag is provided in the product insertion portion 10 of the checkout terminal 2. If it does in this way, since a tag function can be invalidated by an electromagnetic seal, an antitheft function can be canceled. Also, a tag covered with a protective member is attached to the case 9a, and dedicated opening / closing means for opening and closing the protective member and information stored in the tag are rewritten in the product insertion portion 10 of the checkout terminal 2 ( Anti-theft function release means) is provided. If it does in this way, since the information on a tag can be rewritten by opening and closing a protection member, an antitheft function can be canceled. Or it is good also as a structure which provided only the information rewriting means for rewriting the information memorize | stored in the tag in the goods insertion part 10. FIG.

(6) In the above embodiment, the reading unit 12a of the barcode reader 12 and the unlocking mechanism 15 are provided in the product insertion unit 10, but only the unlocking mechanism 15 is provided in the product insertion unit 10, As the reading unit 12 a of the barcode reader 12, a handy type connected to the apparatus main body 4 can also be used.

(7) In the said embodiment, although it has comprised so that only the payment by non-cash may be accepted in the payment terminal 2, the structure which can be settled in cash is also employable. In this case, it is necessary to provide each settlement terminal 2 with a bill or coin insertion unit, a bill and coin identification unit and storage unit, a mechanism for paying out change, and the like.

(8) In the above embodiment, the bar code label is attached to the rental product and the product code is read from the bar code 11. However, the product code is stored in the RFID tag, and this is attached to the rental product 9. You can also keep it. In this case, the payment terminal 2 is provided with a reader / writer for reading and writing information with respect to the RFID tag, and this is used in place of the barcode reader 12 to register products.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the present invention was applied to a settlement terminal and a settlement system for settlement of a rental fee in a rental store. However, the present invention is applied to a settlement terminal and a settlement system for settlement of a purchase price of a product in a retail store. Of course it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Self-checkout system, 2 ... Checkout terminal (self-checkout apparatus), 3 ... Server, 4 ... Apparatus main body, 5 ... Display, 5a ... Liquid crystal display panel, 5b ... Touch panel (input means), 6 ... Reader-writer (payment means) ), 6a ... reading unit, 7 ... reader / writer (settlement means), 7a ... reading unit, 8 ... printer, 8a ... discharge port, 9 ... lending product (product), 9a ... case, 10 ... product inserting unit, 10a ... Discharge mechanism, 11 ... Bar code, 12 ... Bar code reader (reading means), 12a ... Reading section, 13 ... Lock member (anti-theft means), 14 ... Tag (anti-theft means), 15 ... Lock release mechanism (anti-theft) Function canceling means), 16 ... control unit (control means), 17 ... communication interface

Claims (10)

A product insertion section for inserting a product with anti-theft means;
Anti-theft function release means for performing the removal process of the anti-theft means or the release process of the anti-theft function for the product inserted in the product insertion portion;
Reading means for reading product information attached to the product;
A settlement means for performing a settlement process for the consideration of the product;
The anti-theft function release means, the reading means, and a control means for controlling the settlement means,
The control means is
In the checkout process for the product,
Each time the product information is read by the reading unit, the settlement amount for the settlement process by the settlement unit is added based on the read product information,
When the removal process of the anti-theft means or the release process of the anti-theft function is performed at least once, the history is stored,
After the settlement process of the product is started, the anti-theft means removal process or the anti-theft function release process is performed at least once, and then the settlement process is stopped without performing the settlement process, A self-settlement apparatus that performs a warning process set in advance. In claim 1,
The control means includes
In the checkout process for the product,
Each time the anti-theft function removal means performs the anti-theft means removal process or the anti-theft function release process, the history is stored,
When the settlement process is performed in the settlement process,
Presence / absence of unpaid products for which the removal process or the release process has been performed and the settlement of the consideration has not been completed based on the settlement information of the settlement process and the history of the removal process or the release process in the settlement process The self-checkout apparatus is characterized by performing the warning process when it is determined that there is an unpaid product. In claim 1 or 2,
The self-settlement apparatus, wherein the settlement means only performs settlement processing using electronic money and / or a credit card. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
Having detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a user at a preset operation position;
The control means includes
If it is determined that a new user has appeared at the operation position based on the detection result of the detection means, the adjustment process is started,
The self-settlement apparatus, when it is determined that the user has left the operation position based on the detection result of the detection means during the settlement process, the settlement process being performed is stopped. . In claim 4,
The detecting means includes a photographing means for photographing a user,
The control means includes
In the warning process, an image or a moving image photographed by the photographing means is displayed during the settlement process. In any one of claims 1 to 5,
The product insertion unit is provided with a sensor for detecting the product and a reading unit of the reading unit,
The control means includes
When the insertion of the product into the product insertion unit is detected based on the output of the sensor, the reading process of the product information by the reading unit, and the removal process or theft of the anti-theft unit by the anti-theft function release unit A self-settlement device that performs a release process of a prevention function. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
A self-settlement apparatus comprising a printer for issuing a receipt on which payment information of a settlement process performed in the settlement process is printed. In any one of claims 1 to 7,
A display for displaying a guidance screen for the settlement process;
Input means for performing input according to the display on the display,
The control means includes
A self-settlement apparatus that performs the settlement process based on input information from the input means. A self-settlement device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a server capable of communicating with the self-settlement device,
The self-checkout device is
Obtaining information necessary for the payment processing by the payment means from the server;
When the payment process is completed, the payment information is transmitted to the server. In claim 9,
The self-checkout device is
When performing the warning process, the warning information is transmitted to the server.

Images