JP2018049443A - Registration device, system, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system, which comprises a registration device and an adjustment device, for supporting measures against forgetting of changes or the like after adjustment.SOLUTION: A system 100 comprises: a registration device 120 for registering a commodity to be purchased by a customer on the basis of operation of a clerk; and an adjustment device 110 for performing adjustment processing on the basis of operation of the customer. The adjustment device 110 includes a detection unit 111 for detecting changes and the registration device 120 includes a determination unit 121 which sets the adjustment device 110 in which changes are not detected by the detection unit 111 as an available adjustment device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a registration device and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art An accounting system in a store or the like is known in which a registration device is provided separately from a payment device for a customer to pay. For example, a POS (Point Of Sales) system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of checkout devices for a customer to pay for a registration device for registering a product by a store clerk.

Japanese Patent No. 5850100

  For example, when a change is forgotten in the checkout device, neither the customer who should receive the change nor the store clerk may notice the change. As in the POS system described in Patent Document 1, when the store clerk does not need to intervene in the settlement of the product, the store clerk is less likely to notice that he has forgotten the change. The same applies to cards and receipts other than change.

  One of the exemplary purposes of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for supporting measures against forgetting to take change after payment in a system including a registration device and a payment device.

  In one aspect, a registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk operation, and a settlement device for performing a settlement process based on the operation of the customer, the settlement device includes: A system is provided that includes detection means for detecting change, and wherein the registration apparatus includes a determination means that can use a payment apparatus in which change is not detected by the detection means.

  In another aspect, a plurality of settlement devices each including a detection unit that detects change, and a selection unit that selects, among the plurality of settlement devices, a settlement unit in which no change is detected by the detection unit, as a usage target. A system including a registration device is provided.

  In still another aspect, an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a change detection result in the settlement apparatus, and a determination unit that determines an available settlement apparatus based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, A registration device is provided that includes a determination means that makes available an undetected settlement device.

  In still another aspect, there is provided a method for detecting a change in a payment apparatus and making a payment apparatus that can use a payment apparatus in which the change is not detected.

  In yet another aspect, a process for acquiring information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus in a computer, and a payment apparatus capable of using the payment apparatus in which the change is not detected based on the acquired information; A program for executing the processing to be performed is provided.

  In still another aspect, the payment apparatus includes a registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on an operation of a store clerk, and a payment device for performing a payment process based on the operation of the customer. Comprises a detection means for detecting a card, and a payment processing means for executing at least a part of the payment process when the card is no longer detected by the detection means, and the registration device is configured by the payment processing means. When the settlement process is completed, there is provided a system having a determination unit that makes the settlement apparatus that has completed the settlement process available.

  According to the present disclosure, in a system including a registration device and a settlement device, it is possible to support measures against forgetting to take change after settlement.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an accounting system. FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing an example of an accounting method. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the accounting system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the settlement apparatus. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the registration apparatus. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a registered receipt. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another example of a registered receipt. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of the settlement apparatus. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a main functional configuration of the registration apparatus. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the transmission process. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a first display example of a selection screen. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a second display example of the selection screen. FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating a third display example of the selection screen. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a settlement process. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of card payment processing. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the transmission process. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing still another example of the configuration of the accounting system. FIG. 17A is a block diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the registration apparatus. FIG. 17B is a block diagram illustrating still another example of the configuration of the registration apparatus. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an accounting system 100 according to an embodiment. The accounting system 100 includes one or more settlement apparatuses 110 and one or more registration apparatuses 120. The number of the settlement apparatus 110 and the registration apparatus 120 is not limited to a specific number. The checkout device 110 and the registration device 120 are configured to be communicable via wire or wirelessly.

  The accounting system 100 is an information processing system for paying the price of goods. The goods here may include both tangible goods and intangible services. The accounting system 100 is installed in a store (such as a retail store) that handles such products.

  In the accounting system 100, the price of the product is paid by at least one of money and its equivalent. The money equivalent here is, for example, a cash voucher, gift certificate, electronic money, credit card, debit card, or the like. The price of the product is paid using one or more payment means having such monetary value.

  The settlement apparatus 110 is an apparatus for performing settlement processing based on customer operations. The payment apparatus 110 includes at least a detection unit 111. On the other hand, the registration device 120 is a device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk's operation. The registration device 120 includes at least a determination unit 121. Note that the settlement apparatus 110 and the registration apparatus 120 may further include other components.

  Checkout here refers to paying for the product. However, the customer may pay a part of the price of the product at the registration device 120. In this case, the customer pays the remaining amount after subtracting the paid amount out of the price of the product at the checkout apparatus 110. For example, a customer pays a part of the price of a product with a voucher (cannot be accepted by the checkout apparatus 110) and pays the balance with money (can be accepted by the checkout apparatus 110). Can do. The checkout process according to the present disclosure includes at least a payment process for accepting payment of a price for a product by a customer, and may further include other processes (screen display, receipt issuance, etc.) associated with the payment process.

  The detection unit 111 detects change to be paid back in the settlement apparatus 110. The change is money corresponding to the difference when the price of the product exceeds the actual payment amount of the customer. The detection unit 111 detects change at a predetermined position that holds change such as a change mouth. In other words, it can be said that the detection unit 111 detects that change remains at such a predetermined position (that is, whether or not there is change at the predetermined position).

  The change detection method by the detection unit 111 is not particularly limited. For example, the detection unit 111 can detect change using a weight sensor or an infrared sensor. Alternatively, the detection unit 111 detects that the change has been taken out by detecting the opening or closing of the cover or door instead of detecting the change itself when the change mouth is provided with a cover or a door. May be. Furthermore, the detection unit 111 may detect change by combining a plurality of detection methods.

  The determination unit 121 determines an available settlement apparatus 110. The determination unit 121 can exclude a part of the settlement apparatus 110 included in the accounting system 100 from the usage target. The settlement apparatus 110 that can be used here is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

  More specifically, the determination unit 121 determines an available settlement apparatus 110 based on the detection result by the detection unit 111. When there is the settlement apparatus 110 in which change is detected, the determination unit 121 excludes the settlement apparatus 110 from the usage target. That is, the determination unit 121 prevents the settlement apparatus 110 in which change is detected from being used for settlement. In other words, it can be said that the detection unit 121 is a settlement apparatus that can use the settlement apparatus 110 in which no change is detected.

  When there is only one settlement apparatus 110 included in the accounting system 100, the determination unit 121 determines whether or not the settlement apparatus 110 is considered to be usable. In this case, the determination unit 121 does not assume that the settlement apparatus 110 can be used until the settlement apparatus 110 does not detect change. In this case, the customer cannot perform the settlement by the settlement apparatus 110 until the store clerk or another customer (who has finished settlement) takes out the change.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing the accounting method of the present embodiment. In step 210, the payment apparatus 110 detects change by the detection unit 111 and transmits information indicating the detection result to the registration apparatus 120. This information indicates, for example, “1” when change is detected by the detection unit 111, and “0” when change is not detected by the detection unit 111. This is information that can be identified. When a plurality of settlement apparatuses 110 are included in the accounting system 100, the process of step 210 is executed by each settlement apparatus 110.

  In step 220, the registration device 120 that has acquired information indicating the change detection result determines a payment device 110 that can be used for payment. Specifically, the determination unit 121 determines the availability of the payment apparatus 110 based on the information transmitted in step 210. And the determination part 121 excludes the payment apparatus 110 judged to be unusable from a utilization object.

  As described above, the accounting system 100 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the available settlement apparatus 110 is determined based on the change detection result in the settlement apparatus 110. This configuration makes it possible to exclude the settlement apparatus 110 in which change is detected, that is, change remains, from the usage target. Therefore, according to the accounting system 100, it is possible to support measures against forgetting to take change by the store clerk.

  For example, a store clerk who uses the accounting system 100 can prevent a customer who will perform settlement from now being guided to the settlement apparatus 110 in which change remains. Alternatively, the store clerk knows that no change has been taken out of the specific checkout device 110, and can take measures such as taking out the change and storing it temporarily. Therefore, the store using the accounting system 100 can reduce the risk that the change is illegally acquired by a person who is different from the customer who should receive the change as compared with the case where the system is not used.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an accounting system 300 according to another embodiment. The accounting system 300 includes settlement apparatuses 310a, 310b, 310c and a registration apparatus 320. The payment apparatuses 310a, 310b, 310c and the registration apparatus 320 can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless network. The accounting system 300 is used by store clerks and customers in stores.

  The payment apparatuses 310a, 310b, and 310c have a common configuration. In the following, the settlement devices 310a, 310b, and 310c are collectively referred to as “settlement device 310” when it is not necessary to distinguish between them. For convenience of explanation, in the following, the settlement apparatus 310a is also referred to as “No. 1 register”, the settlement apparatus 310b is also referred to as “No. 2 register”, and the settlement apparatus 310c is also referred to as “No. 3 register”. These are names (common names) for shop assistants and customers.

  The numbers of the settlement apparatuses 310 and the registration apparatuses 320 included in the accounting system 300 are not necessarily limited to the numbers illustrated in FIG. The accounting system 300 may include two or four settlement apparatuses 310 or two or more registration apparatuses 320.

  In the present embodiment, the accounting system 300 corresponds to an example of the accounting system 100 of the first embodiment. The settlement apparatus 310 corresponds to an example of the settlement apparatus 110 of the first embodiment. The registration device 320 corresponds to an example of the registration device 120 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the settlement apparatus 310. The payment apparatus 310 includes a control unit 410, a communication unit 420, a display unit 430, an input unit 440, a scanning unit 450, a receipt issuing unit 460, a cash processing unit 470, a card processing unit 480, and a sensor unit. 490. Note that the settlement apparatus 310 may further include other components (for example, a sign pole described in Patent Document 1).

  The control unit 410 controls the operation of each unit of the payment apparatus 310. The control unit 410 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 410 can control the operation of each unit of the payment apparatus 310 by executing a program.

  Communication unit 420 exchanges data with registration device 320. The communication unit 420 includes, for example, a communication module that enables transmission and reception of data using a predetermined communication method. However, the communication by the communication unit 420 is not limited to a specific method.

  Display unit 430 displays information. The display unit 430 includes, for example, a display panel using a display element such as a liquid crystal and a driving circuit thereof. The information displayed on the display unit 430 is mainly information for the purpose of notifying the customer. However, the display unit 430 may display information to be notified to the store clerk as necessary, and may have a plurality of screens. The display unit 430 is a touch screen display in the present embodiment.

  The input unit 440 receives input from a user (mainly a customer). In the present embodiment, the input unit 440 receives a touch operation on the display unit 430 in addition to a key operation on a keyboard, a keypad, and the like. However, the input unit 440 may be configured to accept only one of a key operation and a touch operation.

  The scanning unit 450 optically reads code information. The scanning unit 450 includes, for example, a barcode reader. The scanning unit 450 reads code information printed on a receipt issued by the registration device 320. The code information is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code (also referred to as a two-dimensional barcode).

  The receipt issuing unit 460 issues a receipt. The receipt issuing unit 460 includes, for example, a thermal printer that prints characters and the like on paper using heat. The receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit 460 is a receipt issued after settlement by the customer, and is a so-called receipt.

  The cash processing unit 470 processes cash (that is, money) settlement. The cash processing unit 470 accepts the deposit and withdraws change as necessary. More specifically, the cash processing unit 470 has a deposit port 471 and a withdrawal port 472. The deposit port 471 receives banknotes and coins. The withdrawal port 472 pays out at least one of banknotes and coins corresponding to change. Note that the withdrawal port 472 may also be configured to be used as the deposit port 471.

  The card processing unit 480 processes payment by credit card. More specifically, the card processing unit 480 has a card reader 481. The card reader 481 reads information from the customer's credit card inserted into the insertion slot. The card reader 481 may have a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a credit card. Note that the card processing unit 480 is configured to process settlement by electronic money using a contactless storage medium such as FeliCa (registered trademark) instead of (or in addition to) a credit card. Also good.

  The sensor unit 490 detects change that exists in the withdrawal port 472. The sensor unit 490 is, for example, a sensor that can distinguish between a state in which foreign matter is present in the withdrawal port 472 and a state in which no foreign matter exists. The sensor unit 490 supplies data corresponding to the change detection result (hereinafter also referred to as “detection data”) to the control unit 410. Here, it is assumed that the detection data is a flag indicating “1” when change is detected, and indicating “0” when change is not detected. The sensor unit 490 corresponds to an example of the detection unit 111 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the registration device 320. The registration device 320 includes a control unit 510, a communication unit 520, a display unit 530, an input unit 540, a scanning unit 550, and a receipt issuing unit 560. Note that the registration device 320 may further include other components as with the payment device 310.

  The control unit 510 controls the operation of each unit of the registration device 320. Control unit 510 includes, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 510 can control the operation of each unit of the registration apparatus 320 by executing a program. The control unit 510 corresponds to an example of the determination unit 121 and the selection unit 122 of the first embodiment.

  Communication unit 520 exchanges data with settlement apparatus 310. The communication unit 420 includes, for example, a communication module that enables transmission and reception of data using a communication method common to the communication unit 420 of the payment apparatus 310. The communication by the communication unit 520 is not limited to a specific method, similarly to the communication by the communication unit 420.

  Display unit 530 displays information. The display unit 530 includes, for example, a display panel using a display element such as a liquid crystal and a driving circuit thereof. The information displayed on the display unit 530 is mainly for the purpose of notifying the store clerk. However, the display unit 530 may display information to be notified to the customer as necessary, and may be configured to include a display for the store clerk and a display for the customer. The display unit 530 is a touch screen display in the present embodiment.

  The input unit 540 receives input from a user (mainly a clerk). In the present embodiment, the input unit 540 receives a touch operation on the display unit 530 in addition to a key operation on a keyboard, a keypad, and the like. However, the input unit 540 may be configured to accept only one of a key operation and a touch operation.

  The scanning unit 550 optically reads code information. The scanning unit 550 includes, for example, a barcode reader. The scanning unit 550 reads a barcode attached to a product. This barcode is, for example, a barcode that conforms to any one of a universal product code, a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, and an EAN (European Article Number) code.

  The receipt issuing unit 560 issues a receipt. The receipt issuing unit 560 includes, for example, a thermal printer that prints characters or the like on paper using heat. The receipt issued by the receipt issuing unit 560 includes information related to the payment apparatus 310 used by the customer for payment.

  The configuration of the accounting system 300 is as described above. When purchasing a product at a store, the customer needs to bring the product to a store clerk who operates the registration device 320 and accept registration of the product. The store clerk uses the registration device 320 to register the merchandise to be settled.

  The registration device 320 generates registration data in accordance with a store clerk's operation. The registration data includes information necessary for settlement using the settlement apparatus 310 by the customer. The registration data of the present embodiment includes at least an amount to be paid by the customer to the settlement apparatus 310 (hereinafter also referred to as “settlement amount”). In addition to the payment amount, the registration data may include general information that can be described in the receipt, such as a product name, a product unit price, and the number of products.

  The settlement amount here is typically the total price of the product purchased by the customer. However, in this embodiment, the customer can pay a part of the price of the product in advance in the registration device 320. For example, the customer can pay in advance for a portion of the price of the merchandise with a payment instrument other than cash or credit card and pay the balance at the checkout device 310 (ie, cash or credit card). The settlement amount in such a case is the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the advance payment amount from the total price of the product.

  When the registration of the merchandise is completed, the registration device 320 transmits the registration data to one of the settlement devices 310. In addition, the registration device 320 issues a receipt when the registration of the product is completed. This receipt proves that the merchandise to be settled has been registered. Hereinafter, this receipt is referred to as a “registered receipt” and is distinguished from a receipt (receipt) issued by the checkout apparatus 310.

  6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating an example of a registered receipt. A registration receipt 610 shown in FIG. 6A includes code information 611. The code information 611 is information that can be read by the settlement apparatus 310. On the other hand, the registration receipt 620 shown in FIG. 6B includes a message 621 that prompts the customer who has received the registration receipt 620 to go to the checkout apparatus 310a. The registered receipt 620 is different from the registered receipt 610 in that it does not include information read by the checkout device 310.

  The customer pays in the checkout apparatus 310 to which the registration data related to his / her product is transmitted. The settlement apparatus 310 to which the registration data is transmitted can be specified by the information printed on the registration receipt. Alternatively, the store clerk may verbally guide the settlement apparatus 310 to which the registration data is transmitted, for example, “Please proceed to the first cash register”. In such a case, the registration device 320 may not have a function of issuing a registration receipt.

  That is, the registration device 320 may not have the receipt issuing unit 560 depending on the manner of customer guidance by the store clerk. When the registration device 320 does not include the receipt issuing unit 560, the checkout device 310 may not include the scanning unit 450.

  The settlement apparatus 310 receives the registration data from the registration apparatus 320, and then performs a settlement process in accordance with the customer's operation (predetermined touch operation, registration receipt scan, etc.). The settlement process of the present embodiment refers to a series of processes that occur along with the settlement. Specifically, the settlement apparatus 310 accepts a deposit greater than the settlement amount described in the registration data, and withdraws change as necessary. Further, the settlement apparatus 310 issues a receipt when the settlement is completed. These processes correspond to a part of the settlement process of the present embodiment.

  Further, the settlement apparatus 310 transmits state data representing the state of the own apparatus to the registration apparatus 320. The status data is data for notifying the registration apparatus 320 of a status such as “settlement”, “settled”, “resting”, or “abnormal”. Here, “under checkout” refers to a state in which a checkout process related to any customer is being executed. Further, “settled” means a state in which the latest settlement process is completed and the next settlement process can be executed. “Inactive” means a state in which the payment apparatus 310 is not operating, such as when the power is off. Further, “abnormality is occurring” means a state in which the settlement apparatus 310 cannot continue the settlement process due to a customer calling a store clerk or a malfunction of the settlement apparatus 310. The settlement apparatus 310 transmits state data to the registration apparatus 320 every time a predetermined time interval (every 10 seconds, every minute, etc.) or the state of its own apparatus is updated.

  Note that the status data “settlement” here may be further subdivided according to the progress of the settlement process, such as “before settlement”, “settlement”, and “receipt issuance”. In addition, when a plurality of customers are waiting for settlement for one settlement apparatus 310, the status data “under settlement” may further include data indicating the number of customers waiting for settlement. In addition, the state data “settled” further includes detection data indicating a change detection result by the sensor unit 490.

  When transmitting the registration data, the registration device 320 selects one of the transmission destinations based on the operation of the store clerk. At this time, the registration device 320 accepts selection of any of the available checkout devices 310. One of the features of the registration device 320 is that the settlement device 310 whose status data is “settled” and whose detection data is “1” is excluded from the available settlement devices 310.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the control unit 410 included in the settlement apparatus 310. The control unit 410 includes a transmission control unit 710 and a settlement processing unit 720. Functions corresponding to the transmission control unit 710 and the settlement processing unit 720 are realized by the control unit 410 executing a program, for example.

  The transmission control unit 710 controls transmission of state data. The transmission control unit 710 detects the state of the payment apparatus 310 and supplies the state data to the communication unit 420 at an appropriate timing. The communication unit 420 transmits the state data acquired from the control unit 410 to the registration device 320.

  The settlement processing unit 720 executes a settlement process. The settlement processing unit 720 receives the registration data transmitted by the registration device 320 and, when receiving a customer operation, executes a settlement process based on the registration data. The settlement processing unit 720 cooperates with the cash processing unit 470 and the card processing unit 480 to execute the settlement process.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main functional configuration of the control unit 510 included in the registration device 320. Control unit 510 includes a determination unit 810, a selection unit 820, and a transmission control unit 830. Functions corresponding to the determination unit 810, the selection unit 820, and the transmission control unit 830 are realized by the control unit 510 executing a program, for example.

  The determination unit 810 determines a settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement. The determination unit 810 determines a settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement based on the state data (and the detection data included in the state data) transmitted by the settlement apparatus 310. The determination unit 810 corresponds to an example of the determination unit 121 according to the first embodiment.

  The selection unit 820 selects the settlement apparatus 310 used for settlement. The selection unit 820 selects the payment device 310 that is actually used for payment from the payment devices 310 determined by the determination unit 810. When there are a plurality of settlement apparatuses 310 that can be used, that is, a plurality of settlement apparatuses 310 determined by the determination section 810, the selection section 820 selects any one of the plurality of settlement apparatuses 310. In the present embodiment, the selection unit 820 selects the payment apparatus 310 based on a store clerk's operation. The settlement apparatus 110 selected by the selection unit 122 is in a state of accepting settlement by the customer.

  The transmission control unit 830 controls transmission of registration data. The transmission control unit 830 supplies registration data to be transmitted to the settlement apparatus 310 selected by the selection unit 820 to the communication unit 520. The communication unit 520 transmits the registration data acquired from the control unit 510 to the settlement apparatus 310.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing registration data transmission processing executed by the registration device 320. In step 910, control unit 510 acquires state data transmitted from settlement apparatus 310. Control unit 510 acquires state data received by communication unit 520 from communication unit 520.

  In step 920, control unit 510 determines whether or not the state data has been acquired from all of the settlement apparatuses 310 (the settlement apparatuses 310a, 310b, and 310c). When there is a settlement apparatus 310 that has not acquired state data (step 920: NO), control unit 510 repeats the processing of steps 910 and 920 until state data is acquired from all settlement apparatuses 310. When the state data is acquired from all the settlement apparatuses 310 (step 920: YES), the control unit 510 executes the process of step 930.

  In step 930, the control unit 510 determines a settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement. Control unit 510 determines settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement based on the state data. Specifically, control unit 510 excludes settlement apparatus 310 that is not in an available state from the usage target. For example, in the case of the above-described example, the control unit 510 determines that the checkout apparatus 310 whose status data indicates “resting” or “abnormality is occurring” cannot be used.

  In addition, the control unit 510 excludes the settlement apparatus 310 whose status data indicates “settled” and whose detection data indicates “1” from the usage target. On the other hand, the control unit 510 does not have to exclude the settlement apparatus 310 whose status data indicates “settled” and whose detection data indicates “0” from the usage target. In other words, the control unit 510 excludes even the settlement apparatus 310 in a state where the next settlement process can be executed, from the usage target if change is detected.

  In step 940, the control unit 510 controls the display unit 430 to display the settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement. More specifically, control unit 510 causes display unit 430 to display a selection screen for accepting selection of any of settlement apparatuses 310 that can be used for settlement.

  10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams illustrating display examples of the selection screen displayed by the display unit 430. FIG. The selection screen 1010 shown in FIG. 10A is displayed when any of the settlement apparatuses 310a, 310b, and 310c can be used for settlement. Here, the buttons 1011, 1012, and 1013 are images representing buttons for selecting any of the settlement apparatuses 310 a, 310 b, and 310 c. The store clerk can select the settlement apparatus 310 to be used for settlement by touching any of the buttons 1011, 1012, and 1013.

  On the other hand, the selection screen 1020 shown in FIG. 10B is displayed when the settlement apparatuses 310a and 310b are available for settlement and the settlement apparatus 310c is not available for settlement. Here, the buttons 1021 and 1022 are displayed in the same display form as the buttons 1011 and 1012 on the selection screen 1010, and have the same functions as these buttons.

  On the other hand, the button 1023 is displayed in a display mode different from the buttons 1021 and 1022. A button 1023 indicates that the settlement apparatus 310c is not available for settlement. The button 1023 is configured not to accept selection by the user. Even if the clerk touches the button 1023, the clerk 310c cannot be selected.

  A selection screen 1030 shown in FIG. 10C is another display example in the same case as the selection screen 1020. The selection screen 1030 includes buttons 1031 and 1032 corresponding to the buttons 1021 and 1022, but does not include a button corresponding to the button 1023. That is, the selection screen 1030 is different from the selection screen 1020 in that only the buttons corresponding to the settlement apparatus 310 that can be used for settlement are displayed.

  The buttons displayed on the selection screen may be displayed in a display mode corresponding to the state data. For example, the controller 510 may change the color of the button depending on whether the state data is “settlement” or “settlement completed”. Alternatively, the control unit 510 may display the waiting number in the button when the state data is “settlement”.

  The store clerk selects the settlement apparatus 310 that guides the customer while referring to the information displayed on the selection screen. In addition to the information displayed on the selection screen, the store clerk can select the settlement apparatus 310 while considering other factors such as the distance from the registration apparatus 320 to each settlement apparatus 310.

  Note that the control unit 510 may execute the processes of Steps 930 and 940 again when the state of the settlement apparatus 310 changes midway, in other words, when the state data changes. For example, in the case where detection data is transmitted from the settlement apparatus 310 that has been excluded from the use target because change has been detected, the detection data indicates that the change is no longer detected by the apparatus. Sometimes it is possible to change the device to an available checkout device. When the available checkout device 310 increases (or decreases), the control unit 510 may update the selection screen.

  In step 950, control unit 510 determines whether any button (that is, checkout apparatus 310) has been selected by the store clerk on the selection screen displayed in this way. Control unit 510 repeats this determination when no button is selected (step 950: NO). When any selectable button is selected (step 950: YES), control unit 510 executes the process of step 960.

  In response to a store clerk's operation (ie, selection), control unit 510 transmits registration data via communication unit 520 in step 960. Specifically, control unit 510 transmits registration data to settlement apparatus 310 corresponding to the button selected by the store clerk. The settlement apparatus 310 is in a state where the settlement process can be executed by receiving the registration data.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a settlement process executed by the settlement apparatus 310. In step 1110, the control unit 410 acquires the registration data transmitted from the registration device 320 via the communication unit 420. In step 1120, the control unit 410 determines whether or not there is an input by the customer. For example, the control unit 410 determines whether code information (see FIG. 6A) has been read by the scanning unit 450. Alternatively, the control unit 410 may determine whether a predetermined operation is accepted at the input unit 440.

  In step 1130, control unit 410 accepts payment by the customer. Prior to this deposit, control unit 410 may determine whether the deposit is cash or a credit card. For example, the control unit 410 displays a selection screen for selecting either cash or a credit card as a payment means on the display unit 430 and accepts a customer input.

  In step 1140, control unit 410 determines whether the deposit is made by cash or credit card. Thereafter, the control unit 410 executes a settlement process according to the payment method selected by the user. When the payment means is cash (step 1140: YES), the control unit 410 executes the processing after step 1150. On the other hand, when the payment means is a credit card (step 1140: NO), the control unit 410 executes the card payment process of step 1180.

  In step 1150, the cash processing unit 470 determines whether change is necessary. Specifically, the cash processing unit 470 determines whether change is necessary by comparing the settlement amount specified by the registration data with the deposit amount in Step 1130. The cash processing unit 470 determines that change is necessary when the deposit amount is larger than the settlement amount.

  If change is required (step 1150: YES), the cash processing unit 470 withdraws change corresponding to the difference between the deposit amount and the settlement amount in step 1160. On the other hand, when change is not necessary (step 1150: NO), the cash processing unit 470 skips the process of step 1160. In step 1170, the receipt issuing unit 460 issues a receipt according to the payment means.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the card payment process in step 1180. In step 1210, control unit 410 causes display unit 430 to display a screen that prompts the customer to insert a credit card (hereinafter also referred to as “insertion screen”). When the credit card is inserted, in step 1220, control unit 410 switches the screen to be displayed on display unit 430 from the insertion screen to the confirmation screen. The confirmation screen is a screen for confirming the contents of settlement.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. The confirmation screen 1300 displays a payment amount by credit card, a payment method (lump sum payment, installment payment, etc.) and the like. The confirmation screen 1300 includes a confirmation button 1310 and a cancel button 1320. When the customer agrees to settle the content displayed on the confirmation screen 1300, the customer touches the confirmation button 1310. Further, the customer touches the cancel button 1320 when the customer does not agree to the payment by the credit card.

  In step 1230, control unit 410 determines whether or not to execute payment by credit card. For example, the control unit 410 determines whether the confirmation button 1310 on the confirmation screen 1300 has been selected. In this case, control unit 410 repeats the determination in step 1230 until confirmation button 1310 is selected. When the confirm button 1310 is selected (step 1230: YES), the card processing unit 480 executes the determination at step 1240.

  In step 1240, the card processing unit 480 determines whether a credit card remains in the card reader 481. For example, the card reader 481 uses a sensor provided around the insertion slot to determine whether or not the credit card is still inserted into the insertion slot. If the credit card remains (step 1240: YES), the card processing unit 480 causes the display unit 430 to display a notification screen for notifying that the credit card has been forgotten in step 1250.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen. Notification screen 1400 includes a message 1410 that prompts the user to remove the credit card. The card processing unit 480 causes the display unit 430 to continue displaying the notification screen 1400 until the credit card is taken out from the card reader 481. By displaying the notification screen 1400 until the credit card is taken out, the risk that the customer forgets to take the credit card can be reduced. Note that the card processing unit 480 may display the notification screen 1400 even when the cancel button 1320 on the confirmation screen 1300 is selected.

  When the credit card is taken out (step 1240: NO), the card processing unit 480 executes a settlement process in step 1260. The settlement process is a process for authenticating the credit card and establishing a transaction after the authentication. The card processing unit 480 can execute the payment process using a general method for payment by credit card.

  In this example, the registration device 320 may exclude the settlement device 310 from the usage target until the card payment process is completed. In this way, it is possible to make it impossible to use the settlement apparatus 310 in a state where the credit card is not taken out until the credit card is taken out.

  Note that the card payment process is not limited to the example of FIG. The checkout apparatus 310 may execute card payment processing by a known and more general method. Further, the settlement apparatus 310 may be configured to accept only cash settlement without accepting credit card settlement.

  As described above, the accounting system 300 according to the present embodiment determines the available settlement apparatus 310 based on the change detection result in the settlement apparatus 310, and selects the settlement apparatus 310 used for settlement according to the operation of the store clerk. It has the composition to do. With this configuration, the accounting system 300 can achieve the same effects as the accounting system 100 of the first embodiment.

  Further, according to the accounting system 300, the store clerk can guide the customer to the settlement apparatus 310 that seems to be more appropriate when there are a plurality of settlement apparatuses 310 that can be used. For example, the store clerk can guide the customer to the checkout apparatus 310 with fewer waiting persons or the checkout apparatus 310 closer to the registration apparatus 320.

[Modification]
The present disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. The present disclosure includes, for example, modifications described below. In addition, the present disclosure may include a form in which matters described in the present specification are appropriately combined or replaced as necessary. For example, the matters described using a specific embodiment can be applied to other embodiments as long as no contradiction arises. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to these, and may include embodiments to which modifications or applications that can be understood by those skilled in the art are applied.

(Modification 1)
The registration device 320 can also select the payment device 310 used for payment without depending on the operation of the store clerk. For example, the registration device 320 may select the settlement device 310 used for settlement based on a predetermined rule.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example of registration data transmission processing. In this flowchart, the processing up to step 930 is common to the transmission processing illustrated in FIG. Therefore, the description of the processing up to step 930 is omitted here.

  In step 1510, when there are a plurality of settlement apparatuses 310 determined in step 930, control unit 510 selects one settlement apparatus 310 that satisfies a predetermined condition from among the plurality of settlement apparatuses 310. For example, the control unit 510 selects the settlement apparatus 310 with the smallest waiting number. Alternatively, the control unit 510 selects the settlement apparatus 310 in which the settlement process is most advanced when the number of waiting persons in the plurality of settlement apparatuses 310 is equal (however, one or more). For example, when the status data of the settlement apparatus 310a is “before settlement” and the status data of the settlement apparatus 310b is “issuing receipt”, the control unit 510 selects the settlement apparatus 310b as a usage target.

  In step 1520, control unit 510 transmits registration data via communication unit 520 to settlement apparatus 310 selected in step 1510. The specific process for transmitting the registration data is the same as in step 960.

  By operating in this way, the registration device 320 can select the settlement device 310 used for settlement automatically, that is, without requiring an operation for selecting the settlement device 310 by a store clerk.

(Modification 2)
The registration device 320 can also supply registration data to the settlement device 310 without communication. For example, the registration device 320 may issue a registration receipt on which code information in which registration data is embedded is printed (see FIG. 6A). In this case, the settlement apparatus 310 can recognize the registered data by reading the code information.

(Modification 3)
The system according to the present disclosure can be diverted to countermeasures against loss of objects other than change. For example, the system according to the present disclosure can reduce the risk of unauthorized acquisition by a third party by detecting receipts and products after payment. In addition, the system according to the present disclosure may be configured to detect a card instead of (or in addition to) change as exemplified below.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an accounting system 1600 according to the present disclosure. The accounting system 1600 is an information processing system for reducing the risk that a card forgotten by a customer is illegally acquired by a third party. The card here is, for example, a credit card, but may be another card used for settlement such as a prepaid card, a point card, or a member's card. That is, it does not ask | require whether the card here is a payment means of a price.

  The accounting system 1600 includes a settlement apparatus 1610 and a registration apparatus 1620. The payment apparatus 1610 includes at least a detection unit 1611 and a payment processing unit 1612. The registration device 1620 includes at least a determination unit 1621. Note that the number of the settlement apparatus 1610 and the registration apparatus 1620 may be plural.

  The detection unit 1611 detects a card. The detection unit 1611 includes a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a card, for example, like the card reader 481 of the second embodiment. For example, the detection unit 1611 detects a card inserted in the insertion slot. In other words, the detection unit 1611 detects that the card is still inserted into the insertion slot.

  The settlement processing unit 1612 performs a settlement process. The checkout processing unit 1612 may make payment by using a card whose price is detected by the detection unit 1611, but may also make payment by other payment means such as cash. The settlement process executed by the settlement processing unit 1612 may or may not be the same as the settlement process described in the second embodiment.

  The payment processing unit 1612 executes the payment processing when the detection unit 1611 stops detecting the card. Alternatively, the settlement processing unit 1612 executes at least part of the processing included in the settlement processing after the detection unit 1611 no longer detects the card. That is, the settlement process executed by the settlement processing unit 1612 is not completed until the detection unit 1611 no longer detects the card. The settlement processing unit 1612 may execute control that does not execute the settlement process until the card is removed, for example, as in the card settlement process (see FIG. 12) in the second embodiment.

  The determination unit 1621 determines an available settlement apparatus 1610. Assume that the determination unit 1621 can use the settlement apparatus 1610 for which the settlement process has been completed by the settlement processing unit 1612. The determination unit 1621 may determine whether or not the settlement process is completed in the settlement apparatus 1610 by using data similar to the state data of the second embodiment, for example.

(Modification 4)
The system according to the present disclosure may include configurations other than the registration device and the payment device. For example, the system according to the present disclosure may include a configuration corresponding to a store computer in the POS system. In this case, a part or all of the components of the registration device 120 or the registration device 320 described above may be included in the store computer.

(Modification 5)
17A and 17B are block diagrams illustrating other configuration examples of the registration device according to the present disclosure. The registration device 1710 illustrated in FIG. 17A includes a determination unit 1711 and a selection unit 1712. The registration device 1720 illustrated in FIG. 17B includes an acquisition unit 1721 and a determination unit 1722. The registration device 120 described in the first embodiment or the registration device 320 described in the second embodiment can be replaced with the registration device 1710 or 1720. Further, the registration device according to the present disclosure may have a configuration in which the registration devices 1710 and 1720 are combined.

  The determination unit 1711 determines an available settlement apparatus. For example, the determination unit 1711 determines that the settlement apparatus in which change is not detected can be used, and excludes the settlement apparatus in which change is detected from the usage target. The selection unit 1712 selects one of the payment apparatuses determined by the determination unit 1711. The selection unit 1712 may select one of the payment apparatuses based on a predetermined rule, but may accept an operation of a store clerk and select one of the payment apparatuses based on the operation.

  The acquisition unit 1721 acquires information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus. This information is, for example, detection data in the second embodiment. The determination unit 1722 determines an available payment apparatus based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 1721. Specifically, it is assumed that the determination unit 1722 can use a settlement apparatus in which no change is detected.

(Modification 6)
Specific hardware configurations of the registration device, the settlement device, and the system according to the present disclosure include various variations and are not limited to a specific configuration. For example, the registration device according to the present disclosure may be realized using software, or may be configured to share various processes using a plurality of hardware.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer device 1800 that implements a registration device or a payment device according to the present disclosure. A computer device 1800 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1803, a storage device 1804, a drive device 1805, a communication interface 1806, and an input / output interface. 1807. The registration device or the payment device according to the present disclosure may be realized by the configuration (or part thereof) shown in FIG.

  The CPU 1801 executes a program 1808 using the RAM 1803. The program 1808 may be stored in the ROM 1802. The program 1808 may be recorded on a recording medium 1809 such as a memory card and read by the drive device 1805 or transmitted from an external device via the network 1810. A communication interface 1806 exchanges data with an external device via the network 1810. The input / output interface 1807 exchanges data with peripheral devices (such as an input device and a display device). The drive device 1805, the communication interface 1806, and the input / output interface 1807 can function as components for acquiring or outputting data.

  Note that the components of the registration device or the payment device according to the present disclosure may be configured by a single circuit (processor or the like), or may be configured by a combination of a plurality of circuits. The circuit here may be either dedicated or general purpose. For example, a part of the registration apparatus or the payment apparatus according to the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated processor, and the other part may be realized by a general-purpose processor.

  The configuration described as a single device in the above-described embodiment may be distributed among a plurality of devices. For example, the registration device 120 or the registration device 320 may be realized by cooperation of a plurality of computer devices using a cloud computing technology or the like.

[Appendix]
Some or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes.
(Appendix 1)
A registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk's operation, and a settlement device for performing a settlement process based on the customer's operation,
The settlement apparatus has a detecting means for detecting change,
The said registration apparatus has a determination means made into the payment apparatus which can utilize the payment apparatus in which change is not detected by the said detection means.
(Appendix 2)
The determining means excludes the payment apparatus in which change is detected by the detection means from the available payment apparatus, and then when the change is no longer detected by the detection means, the payment apparatus that can use the payment apparatus. The system according to appendix 1.
(Appendix 3)
The system according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the registration device further includes a selection unit that selects any one of the settlement devices determined by the determination unit according to a user operation.
(Appendix 4)
The system according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the registration device further includes a selection unit that selects one of the settlement devices determined by the determination unit based on a predetermined rule.
(Appendix 5)
A plurality of checkout devices each having a detecting means for detecting change;
A registration apparatus comprising: a selecting unit that selects, as a usage target, a settlement device in which change is not detected by the detection unit among the plurality of settlement devices.
(Appendix 6)
The system according to any one of appendix 3 to appendix 5, wherein the registration device further includes a transmission control unit that controls transmission of information used for the settlement process to the settlement device selected by the selection unit.
(Appendix 7)
Obtaining means for obtaining information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus;
A registration device comprising: a determination unit that determines an available settlement apparatus based on information acquired by the acquisition unit, the determination unit enabling use of a settlement apparatus in which no change is detected.
(Appendix 8)
The determining means excludes the payment apparatus in which change is detected by the detection means from the available payment apparatus, and then when the change is no longer detected by the detection means, the payment apparatus that can use the payment apparatus. The registration device according to appendix 7.
(Appendix 9)
Detect change in the checkout device,
A method for making a settlement apparatus that can use a settlement apparatus in which the change is not detected.
(Appendix 10)
The method according to claim 9, wherein, after the settlement device in which the change is detected is excluded from the available settlement devices, the settlement device is used as the settlement device when the change is no longer detected.
(Appendix 11)
On the computer,
A first process for acquiring information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus;
A program for executing, based on the acquired information, a second process for making a settlement apparatus that can use a settlement apparatus in which no change has been detected.
(Appendix 12)
The second process includes a process of making the settlement apparatus usable when the change is no longer detected after the settlement apparatus in which the change is detected is excluded from the available settlement apparatus. Including The program according to appendix 11.
(Appendix 13)
A registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk's operation, and a settlement device for performing a settlement process based on the customer's operation,
The settlement apparatus is
Detection means for detecting the card;
A checkout process means for executing at least a part of the checkout process when a card is no longer detected by the detection means;
The registration device
A system comprising: a determination unit configured to use a settlement apparatus that has completed the settlement process when the settlement process is completed by the settlement processing unit.

100, 300, 1600 Accounting system 110, 310, 310a, 310b, 310c, 1610 Settlement device 111 Detection unit 120, 320, 1620, 1710, 1720 Registration device 121, 810, 1621, 1711, 1722 Determination unit 122, 820, 1712 Select part

Claims (10)

A registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk's operation, and a settlement device for performing a settlement process based on the customer's operation,
The settlement apparatus has a detecting means for detecting change,
The said registration apparatus has a determination means made into the payment apparatus which can utilize the payment apparatus in which change is not detected by the said detection means. The determining means excludes the payment apparatus in which change is detected by the detection means from the available payment apparatus, and then when the change is no longer detected by the detection means, the payment apparatus that can use the payment apparatus. The system according to claim 1. The system according to claim 1, wherein the registration device further includes a selection unit that selects any of the payment devices determined by the determination unit according to a user operation. The system according to claim 1, wherein the registration device further includes a selection unit that selects any one of the settlement devices determined by the determination unit based on a predetermined rule. A plurality of checkout devices each having a detecting means for detecting change;
A registration apparatus comprising: a selecting unit that selects, as a usage target, a settlement device in which change is not detected by the detection unit among the plurality of settlement devices. 6. The registration device according to claim 3, further comprising: a transmission control unit configured to control transmission of information used for the settlement process to the settlement apparatus selected by the selection unit. 6. system. Obtaining means for obtaining information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus;
A registration device comprising: a determination unit that determines an available settlement apparatus based on information acquired by the acquisition unit, the determination unit enabling use of a settlement apparatus in which no change is detected. Detect change in the checkout device,
A method for making a settlement apparatus that can use a settlement apparatus in which the change is not detected. On the computer,
A process of acquiring information indicating a change detection result in the payment apparatus;
A program for executing a process of making a settlement apparatus that can use a settlement apparatus in which no change has been detected based on the acquired information. A registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on a store clerk's operation, and a settlement device for performing a settlement process based on the customer's operation,
The settlement apparatus is
Detection means for detecting the card;
A checkout process means for executing at least a part of the checkout process when a card is no longer detected by the detection means;
The registration device
A system comprising: a determination unit configured to use a settlement apparatus that has completed the settlement process when the settlement process is completed by the settlement processing unit.

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