JP2018081490A - Settlement apparatus and control program thereof, and checkout system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from forgetting to pick up a receipt and another voucher.SOLUTION: A settlement apparatus of an embodiment includes settlement means, first issuing means, second issuing means, first control means, confirmation means, and second control means. The settlement means carries out settlement processing for settlement of the transaction. The first issuing means issues a receipt for the transaction. The second issuing means issues a different voucher from the receipt. The first control means controls the second issuing means so as to issue a voucher when it is necessary to issue a voucher. The confirmation means confirms that the voucher issued by the second issuing means has been removed. When the second issuing means issues a voucher, the second control means controls the first issuing means to issue a receipt after confirming that the voucher has been removed by the confirmation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a settlement apparatus and a control program therefor.

  2. Description of the Related Art A settlement apparatus that issues a voucher different from receipts and receipts such as a perfect score ticket, a coupon ticket, a cash voucher, or a shopping ticket by using a printer different from that for issuing a receipt is known. The perfect score is a vote for proving the right to receive a privilege for the amount of points given according to the content of the transaction exceeding a predetermined value.

However, vouchers such as perfect scores and coupons are not issued every time payment is made, and only receipts are often issued. For this reason, the operator may not be aware that the voucher has been issued and may be forgotten.
Under such circumstances, it has been desired to be able to prevent forgetting to take a voucher different from the receipt and the receipt.

JP 2011-048578 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a settlement apparatus capable of preventing forgetting to take a voucher different from a receipt and a receipt, a control program therefor, and a checkout system.

  The settlement apparatus according to the embodiment includes a settlement unit, a first issuing unit, a second issuing unit, a first control unit, a confirmation unit, and a second control unit. The settlement means performs a settlement process for transaction settlement. The first issuing means issues a receipt relating to the transaction. The second issuing means issues a voucher different from the receipt. The first control means controls the second issuing means to issue a voucher when it is necessary to issue a voucher. The confirmation means confirms that the voucher issued by the second issuing means has been removed. When the voucher is issued by the second issuing unit, the second control unit sets the first issuing unit to issue a receipt after the confirmation unit confirms that the voucher has been removed. Control.

The perspective view of the checkout system concerning one embodiment. The block diagram which shows the principal circuit structure of the registration apparatus and payment apparatus in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of control processing related to registration by a CPU included in the registration device in FIG. 2. The flowchart of the control processing by CPU contained in the payment apparatus in FIG. The flowchart of the control processing by CPU contained in the payment apparatus in FIG. The figure which shows the confirmation screen as an example. The flowchart of the control processing regarding the report by CPU contained in the registration apparatus in FIG. The figure which shows the report screen as an example. The figure which shows the report display as an example.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a checkout system 10 according to the present embodiment.
The checkout system 10 includes at least one registration device 11 and at least one settlement device 12. FIG. 1 shows a checkout system 10 including two registration devices 11 and four settlement devices 12. The number of registration devices 11 and payment devices 12 included in the checkout system 10 is arbitrary, and the ratio of the number of registration devices 11 and payment devices 12 is also arbitrary.
The registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are installed in a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket, for example.

In the registration device 11, the employee 21 of the store who plays a role called a checker is the operator. In the settlement apparatus 12, a shopper 22 who purchases a product for sale at the store is the operator. However, some operations of the registration device 11 may be performed by the shopper 22. The payment device 12 may be operated by the employee 21 on behalf of the shopper 22.
The registration device 11 is attached to a work table 31 in FIG. The work table 31 has a rectangular top plate. The plurality of work tables 31 are arranged so that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a passage for the shopper 22.
The registration device 11 has functions of purchase registration, generation of payment information, payment processing, and notification of payment information to the payment device 12. The purchase registration is a process of registering a product brought by a shopper who has entered the passage as a purchased product. The settlement process is a process for settlement of purchased products. The payment information is information necessary for the payment process.
When the payment information is notified from the registration device 11, the payment device 12 performs a payment process based on the payment information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12.
Both the registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 13. Instead of the LAN 13, another communication network such as the Internet can be used. Alternatively, the information may be exchanged between the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12 via a server.

  The registration device 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a, a read-only memory (ROM) 11b, a random-access memory (RAM) 11c, an auxiliary storage unit 11d, a drawer opening unit 11e, a scanner 11f, a touch panel 11g, a printer 11h, A reader / writer 11i, a communication unit 11j, and a transmission system 11k are included.

The CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, and auxiliary storage unit 11d are connected by a transmission system 11k to constitute a computer for controlling the registration device 11.
The CPU 11a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 11a controls each unit to implement various operations as the registration device 11 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 11b and the RAM 11c.
The ROM 11b corresponds to the main storage portion of the above computer. The ROM 11b stores the above operating system. The ROM 11b may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 11b may store data that is referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes.
The RAM 11c corresponds to the main storage portion of the above computer. The RAM 11c stores data that is referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes. Further, the RAM 11c is used as a so-called work area that stores data temporarily used when the CPU 11a performs various processes.
The auxiliary storage unit 11d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 11d stores data used when the CPU 11a performs various processes, or data generated by processes performed by the CPU 11a. As the auxiliary storage unit 11d, for example, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD) can be used.

  The application program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d includes a control program described regarding control processing described later. Transfer of the registration device 11 to the user is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. However, the registration device 11 may be transferred to the user in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d, or in a state where another control program is stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. In this case, a control program described with respect to the control processing described later is recorded on a removable recording medium or transferred to the user via a network, and is written in the auxiliary storage unit 11d according to, for example, an operation by the user. It is. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens a drawer for storing money.
The scanner 11f reads product information and obtains a product code of the product. As the scanner 11f, various known types can be used as they are. The scanner 11f may correspond to only one of various well-known types, or may correspond to a plurality of types. That is, the scanner 11f can include a fixed or handy two-dimensional code scanner. The scanner 11f may include a scanner that identifies a product from an image of the product using an image recognition technique.

The touch panel 11g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device uses an arbitrary screen such as a GUI (graphical user interface) screen as its display screen. As the display device, for example, a known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is disposed so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device, and sends the position information to the CPU 11a. As the touch sensor, a known device can be used. The operation surface of the touch panel 11g is directed to a place where the employee 21 who operates the registration device 11 is to be located. In addition to the touch panel 11g, another touch panel whose operation surface is directed to a place where a shopper who purchases a product should be located may be provided.
The printer 11h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a receipt by printing various character strings and images on a receipt sheet.

The reader / writer 11i reads data recorded on a recording medium such as a card or an IC (integrated circuit) chip and writes data to the recording medium. The card may include various cards for recording information related to payment processing, such as a member's card and a point card, in addition to a payment card such as a credit card, debit card, electronic money card, and prepaid card. The IC chip may be provided in an information terminal such as a smartphone in addition to the above various cards. The reader / writer 11i may be any one of a magnetic type, a contact type, and a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.
The communication unit 11j performs communication via the LAN 13.
The transmission system 11k transmits data exchanged among the CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, auxiliary storage unit 11d, drawer opening unit 11e, scanner 11f, touch panel 11g, printer 11h, reader / writer 11i, and communication unit 11j. As the transmission system 11k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses and respective units can be used.
As the hardware of the registration device 11, for example, an existing POS terminal can be used.

  The settlement apparatus 12 includes a CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, auxiliary storage unit 12d, automatic change machine 12e, scanner 12f, touch panel 12g, reader / writer 12h, built-in printer 12i, external printer 12j, communication unit 12k, and transmission system 12m.

The CPU 12a, the ROM 12b, the RAM 12c, and the auxiliary storage unit 12d are connected by the transmission system 12m to constitute a computer for controlling the settlement apparatus 2.
The CPU 12a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 12a controls each unit to implement various operations as the settlement apparatus 12 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 12b and the RAM 12c.
The ROM 12b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 12b stores the above operating system. The ROM 12b may store the above middleware and application programs. The ROM 12b may store data that is referred to when the CPU 12a performs various processes.
The RAM 12c corresponds to the main storage portion of the above computer. The RAM 12c stores data that is referred to when the CPU 12a performs various processes. Furthermore, the RAM 12c is used as a so-called work area that stores data temporarily used when the CPU 12a performs various processes.
The auxiliary storage unit 12d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 12d stores data used when the CPU 12a performs various processes, or data generated by the processes in the CPU 12a. As the auxiliary storage unit 12d, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be used.

  The application program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d includes a control program described regarding control processing described later. Transfer of the payment device 12 to the user is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. However, the settlement apparatus 12 may be transferred to the user in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d, or another control program is stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. In this case, a control program described with respect to a control process described later is recorded on a removable recording medium or transferred via a network, and is written in the auxiliary storage unit 12d according to, for example, an operation by a user. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

The automatic change machine 12e receives coins and bills that are input. Moreover, the automatic change machine 12e discharge | releases the coin and banknote as change.
The scanner 12f reads product information and obtains a product code of the product. As the scanner 12f, various known types can be used as they are. The scanner 12f may correspond to only one of various well-known types, or may correspond to a plurality of types. That is, the scanner 12f may include a fixed or handy type two-dimensional code scanner. The scanner 12f may include a type that identifies a product from an image of the product using an image recognition technique.

The touch panel 12g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device makes the screen an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen. As the display device, for example, a known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is disposed so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU 12a. As the touch sensor, a known device can be used.
The reader / writer 12h reads data recorded on a recording medium such as a card or an IC chip, and writes data to the recording medium. The card may include various cards for recording information related to payment processing, such as a member's card and a point card, in addition to a payment card such as a credit card, debit card, electronic money card, and prepaid card. The IC chip may be provided in an information terminal such as a smartphone in addition to the above various cards. The reader / writer 12h may be any one of a magnetic type, a contact type, or a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

The built-in printer 12i is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues receipts or receipts by printing various character strings and images on receipt paper. The built-in printer 12 i is built in the main unit of the settlement apparatus 12. That is, the built-in printer 12i is an example of a first issuing unit that issues a receipt. However, the mounting form of the printer provided as the first issuing means is arbitrary.
The external printer 12j is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a voucher different from the receipt and receipt by printing various character strings and images on the voucher paper. The external printer 12j is externally attached to the main unit of the settlement apparatus 12. Although the receipt and receipt are also certificates, in the following description of the present embodiment, a certificate different from the receipt and receipt will be simply referred to as “certificate”. That is, the external printer 12j is an example of a second issuing means for issuing a separate form from the receipt. However, the mounting form of the printer provided as the second issuing means is arbitrary.
The communication unit 12k performs communication via the LAN 13.
The transmission system 12m includes data transferred between the CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, auxiliary storage unit 12d, automatic change machine 12e, scanner 12f, touch panel 12g, built-in printer 12i, external printer 12j, reader / writer 12h, and communication unit 12k. Is transmitted. As the transmission system 12m, a known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses and respective units can be used.
As the hardware of the settlement apparatus 12, for example, an existing self POS terminal can be used.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 10 configured as described above will be described.
Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be used as appropriate.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control process related to registration by the CPU 11a included in the registration apparatus 11. When the CPU 11a operates in the semi-self mode and is in a standby state, when an event for starting registration for one transaction occurs, the process shown in FIG. 3 is started according to the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. To do. Note that the above event is a case where a product code is read by the scanner 11f, for example.

In Act1, the CPU 11a executes a registration process. The registration process is a process for generating a list of product codes (hereinafter referred to as a product list) of purchased products input by the scanner 11f or the like. This registration process may be a process similar to that performed in an existing checkout system. Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 11a as the central part functions as a registration unit. If the employee 21 performs a predetermined operation for declaring the completion of registration such as touching the transfer button displayed on the touch panel 11g, for example, the CPU 11a completes the registration process and proceeds to Act2. .
In Act 2, the CPU 11a generates settlement information including the product list generated by the registration process. The CPU 11a includes an identification code for identifying the registration device 11 provided with the CPU 11a in the payment information. Further, the CPU 11a may perform an accounting process at this time to calculate a settlement amount for settlement of the transaction, and include the settlement amount and the number of items in the settlement information.

In Act 3, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not it is necessary to issue a voucher. If the condition such as “a product for which a discount coupon is issued with purchase is included in the purchased product” is satisfied, the CPU 11a determines Yes and proceeds to Act4.
In Act 4, the CPU 11a adds the voucher information regarding the voucher to be issued to the settlement information. The voucher information may be arbitrary data such as, for example, an identification code for identifying a voucher or image data for printing on a voucher sheet for voucher issuance.
When the CPU 11a finishes adding the voucher information to the settlement information, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act5. If the CPU 11a determines No in Act 3 because it is not necessary to issue a voucher, it passes Act 4 and proceeds to Act 5.

In Act 5, the CPU 11a transmits the payment information generated as described above from the communication unit 11j to the LAN 13 to one payment device 12 selected according to a predetermined rule.
When the settlement information is transmitted to the settlement apparatus 12 that is the destination via the LAN 13, the settlement information is received by the communication unit 12k of the settlement apparatus 12. When this is notified from the communication unit 12k to the CPU 12a, the CPU 12a starts the control processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 based on the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d.

4 and 5 are flowcharts of control processing by the CPU 12a included in the settlement apparatus 12. FIG.
In Act 11, the CPU 12a stores the settlement information received by the communication unit 12k as described above in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d.
In Act 12, the CPU 12a checks whether or not the voucher information is included in the received settlement information. If the voucher information is included, the CPU 12a determines Yes and proceeds to Act13.
In Act 13, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the transmission source of the payment information is the registration device 11 set as the neighborhood registration device, based on the identification code of the registration device 11 included in the payment information. For this determination, it is assumed that any one of the registration devices 11 is set as a neighborhood registration device in each of the payment devices 12 as part of the work for constructing the checkout system 10. Then, the identification code of the registration device 11 set as the neighborhood registration device in this way is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. If the identification code stored in the auxiliary storage unit 12d in this way matches the identification code of the registration device 11 included in the settlement information, the CPU 12a determines Yes and proceeds to Act14. Which registration device 11 is set as the neighborhood registration device for the settlement device 12 is arbitrary, and may be determined by an administrator of the checkout system 10 or the like. However, it is desirable to set the registration device 11 installed closest to the installation location of the settlement device 12 as a neighborhood registration device. If the voucher information is not included in the received payment information, the CPU 12a determines No in Act 12, passes Act 13, and proceeds to Act 14.

In Act 14, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the payment information can be accepted. If the CPU 12a is in a state where it cannot execute the process for settlement based on the settlement information, it determines No and proceeds to Act 15. If the transmission source of the payment information is the registration device 11 that is not set as the neighborhood registration device, the CPU 12a determines No in Act 12, and proceeds to Act 15 without making the determination of Act 14.
In Act 15, the CPU 12a transfers the settlement information stored in Act 11 to another settlement apparatus 12. Specifically, the CPU 12a transmits the settlement information stored in Act 11 from the communication unit 11j to the LAN 13 to one other settlement apparatus 12 selected according to a predetermined rule. And CPU12a will complete | finish the control processing shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, if transfer of payment information is completed.

  As described above, when the payment information is received in a situation where the payment information cannot be accepted, the CPU 12a does not perform the payment process based on the payment information. Even if the payment information can be accepted, the payment processing based on the payment information is performed unless the payment information includes the voucher information and the registration device 11 of the transmission source is not set as the neighborhood registration device. Absent. That is, the payment information is transmitted from the registration device 11 without specifying the payment device 12 that executes the payment processing based on the payment information. Then, the payment information is selectively received by any one of the plurality of payment devices 12 according to the rules as described above. Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, the function as the transmission means is realized by the cooperation of the computer having the CPU 11a as a central part and the communication unit 11j. Further, the CPU 12a executes control processing based on the control program, so that the computer having the CPU 12a as a central part realizes a function as receiving means in cooperation with the communication unit 12k.

When the CPU 12a can execute the process for the settlement based on the settlement information, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act 14, and proceeds to Act 16.
In Act 16, the CPU 12a sends an acceptance notification to the registration device 1 that is the transmission source of the payment information. For example, the CPU 12a transmits notification information including an identification code for identifying the settlement apparatus 12 provided with the CPU 12a to the LAN 13 to the registration apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of the settlement information.

The CPU 11a of the registration apparatus 11 proceeds to Act 6 after transmitting the settlement information at Act 5 in FIG.
In Act 6, the CPU 11a waits for an acceptance notification. If the notification information is received as described above, the CPU 12a determines Yes and proceeds to Act7.
In Act 7, the CPU 12a performs a transfer destination guidance display on the touch panel 11g for guiding the employee 21 that the settlement information has been accepted by the settlement apparatus 12 that has received the acceptance notification. Based on this guidance, the store clerk informs the shopper 22 to move to the settlement apparatus 12 that has received the acceptance notification and perform settlement. The CPU 12a ends the transfer destination guidance display in response to, for example, a confirmation operation performed by a store clerk on the touch panel 11g, and the control processing shown in FIG.

The CPU 12a of the settlement apparatus 12 proceeds to Act 17 after making an acceptance notification in Act 16 in FIG.
In Act 17, the CPU 12a determines the payment amount based on the payment information stored in Act 11. Specifically, if the payment information includes the payment amount, the CPU 12a adopts the payment amount as it is. At this time, for example, a discount due to member benefits may be applied to the settlement amount included in the settlement information to determine a new settlement amount. Alternatively, the CPU 12a may calculate the payment amount by obtaining the total unit price of the products to be traded based on the product list indicated in the payment information and applying discount processing or the like as necessary. When such calculation of the payment amount is performed by the CPU 12a, the payment device 12 is also referred to as an accounting device.

In Act 18, the CPU 12a executes a settlement process for settlement of the settlement amount determined as described above. Since this settlement process may be a known process, detailed description thereof is omitted. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as a central part functions as a settlement means.
As described above, the CPU 12a accepts the payment information that does not include the voucher information regardless of the registration device 11 of the transmission source, and executes the payment process based on the payment information. Further, the CPU 12a accepts the payment information including the voucher information only when the registration device 11 as the transmission source is set as the neighborhood registration device, and executes the payment processing based on the payment information. Then, after completing the settlement process, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act 21 in FIG.

In Act 21, the CPU 12a checks whether it is necessary to issue a voucher. The CPU 12a determines Yes when the voucher information is included in the settlement information stored in Act 11, or when the settlement information satisfies a predetermined condition, and proceeds to Act 22.
In Act 22, the CPU 12a issues a voucher. Specifically, the CPU 12a generates an image representing the content of the voucher to be issued and instructs the external printer 12j to print it. In response to this instruction, the external printer 12j prints the image on the voucher sheet and discharges the voucher sheet on which the image is printed. That is, the CPU 12a controls the external printer 12j as the second printer so as to print the voucher. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as the central part functions as the first control means.

In Act 23, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the registration device 11 that is the transmission source of the payment information stored in Act 11 is set as a neighborhood registration device. If the CPU 12a is not set as a neighborhood registration device, the CPU 12a determines No and proceeds to Act 25.
In Act 25, the CPU 12a transmits, from the communication unit 11j, notification information indicating that the voucher has been issued, with the registration device 11 (hereinafter referred to as a default registration device) set in advance as a notification destination that the voucher has been issued as a destination. In each of the settlement apparatuses 12, as part of the work for constructing the checkout system 10, any one or more of the registration apparatuses 11 are set as default registration apparatuses. The identification code of the registration device 11 set as the default registration device in this way is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. Note that which registration device 11 is set as the default registration device for the settlement device 12 is arbitrary and may be determined by an administrator of the checkout system 10 or the like. However, the registration device 11 is in a setting state in which the employee 21 who is the operator can easily confirm whether or not the voucher issued by the settlement device 12 has been removed by the shopper 22. It is desirable to set as The neighborhood registration device and the default registration device may be the same. In this case, the setting of the default registration device may be omitted.
On the other hand, if the registration device 11 that is the transmission source is set as the neighborhood registration device, the CPU 12a determines No in Act 23 and proceeds to Act 26.
In Act 26, the CPU 12a transmits, from the communication unit 11j, notification information indicating that the voucher has been issued, with the registration device 11 that is the transmission source of the settlement information stored in Act 11 as the destination.
Thus, when the CPU 12a executes Act 25 or Act 26, the registration apparatus 11 is notified that a voucher is issued. That is, when the CPU 12a executes control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as a central part functions as a notification unit.

When the CPU 12a completes the notification in Act 25 or Act 26, the process proceeds to Act 27.
In Act 27, the CPU 12a starts displaying the confirmation screen on the touch panel 12g.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen SC1 as an example.
The confirmation screen SC1 represents the image IM1, the text message ME1, and the button B1. The image IM1 guides the shopper 22 where the voucher has been issued. The character message ME1 represents a message notifying the shopper 22 that a voucher has been issued by a character string. The button B1 is operated in order for the shopper 22 to declare that the issued voucher has been removed. The confirmation screen SC1 is an example when a perfect score is issued as a voucher, and the CPU 12a changes the confirmation screen to be displayed in Act 27 according to the voucher issuance status.

For example, if the shopper 22 confirms that the voucher has been issued by viewing the confirmation screen SC1, the shopper 22 touches the button B1 after removing the voucher.
In Act 28, the CPU 12a waits for a confirmation operation with the confirmation screen displayed. And it determines with Yes according to having detected that the button B1 was touched by the touch panel 12g as mentioned above, and progresses to Act29. That is, the CPU 12a confirms through the confirmation operation that the voucher has been removed. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as a central part functions as a confirmation unit.
In Act 29, the CPU 12a ends the display of the confirmation screen.

  In Act 30, the CPU 12a operates the built-in printer 12i and issues a receipt representing the contents of the transaction settled this time. That is, after confirming that the voucher has been removed, the CPU 12a controls the built-in printer 12i as the second printer so as to print a receipt. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as the central part functions as the second control means. If the CPU 12a determines No in Act 21 because it is not necessary to issue a voucher, it passes Act 22 to Act 29 and proceeds to Act 30. That is, when it is not necessary to issue a voucher, the CPU 12a issues a receipt without waiting for a confirmation operation.

In Act 31, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not change has occurred as a result of the settlement process performed in Act 18. Then, if there is a change, the CPU 12a determines Yes and proceeds to Act32.
In Act 32, the CPU 12a operates the automatic change machine 12e to pay out change. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes control processing based on the control program, a function as a payout means is realized by the cooperation of the computer having the CPU 12a as a central part and the automatic change machine.
Thereafter, the CPU 12a ends the control process shown in FIGS. If no change has occurred, the CPU 12a determines No in Act 31, passes Act 32, and ends the control processing shown in FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a control process related to a report by the CPU 11 a included in the registration device 11.
The CPU 11a repeatedly executes the control process shown in FIG. 7 according to a control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d every time a predetermined timing such as every predetermined time interval comes. The CPU 11a may execute the control process shown in FIG. 7 by a thread different from the control process shown in FIG. 3, and may be executed in parallel with the control process shown in FIG.

  In Act 41, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the notification information is received by the communication unit 11j. If the notification information is not received, the CPU 11a determines No and ends the control process shown in FIG.

When the notification information transmitted by Act 25 or Act 26 in FIG. 5 by the CPU 12a of the settlement apparatus 12 is transmitted to the registration apparatus 11 that is the destination via the LAN 13, the communication unit 11j of the registration apparatus 11 performs the above processing. Notification information is received. If it does so, CPU11a provided in the same registration apparatus 11 as the said communication unit 11j will determine Yes in Act41, and will progress to Act42.
In Act 42, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not another control process such as the control process shown in FIG. If the CPU 11a is in the standby state, the CPU 11a determines Yes and proceeds to Act 43.
In Act 43, the CPU 11a starts displaying a notification screen for notifying the employee 21 that the voucher has been issued.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example notification screen SC2.
The notification screen SC2 represents a text message ME2 and a button B2. The character message ME2 represents a message notifying the employee 21 that the voucher has been issued by a character string. The button B2 is operated for the employee 21 to declare that the notification screen SC2 is closed. The notification screen SC2 is an example in the case where a perfect score ticket is issued by the payment device 12 identified by the employee 21 with the name “accounting machine No. 1”, and the CPU 11a displays a notification screen to be displayed in Act 43. Change according to the voucher issuance status.

In Act 44, the CPU 11a waits for an end operation to be performed with the notification screen displayed. And it determines with Yes according to having detected that the button B2 was touched by the touch panel 11g, and progresses to Act45. The CPU 11a may also determine Yes in Act 44 when a new screen needs to be displayed on the touch panel 11g.
In Act 45, the CPU 11a finishes displaying the notification screen. And CPU11a complete | finishes the control processing shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the CPU 11a is not in the standby state, it determines No in Act 42 and proceeds to Act 46.
In Act 46, the CPU 11a starts displaying the notification icon.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the notification icon IC1 as an example.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the notification icon IC1 is displayed superimposed on the registration screen SC3 representing the registration status of the purchased product in the registration process. The notification icon IC2 includes a character string, and the employee 21 can recognize the issuance status of the voucher by the character string. The notification icon IC1 is an example when a perfect score ticket is issued by the payment device 12 identified by the employee 21 with the name “accounting machine No. 1”, and the CPU 11a displays the notification icon to be displayed in Act 46. Change according to the voucher issuance status.

That is, when the CPU 11a performs Act 43 or Act 46, the operator of the registration apparatus 11 is notified that a voucher is issued. Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 11a as the central portion functions as a notification unit.
In Act 47, the CPU 11a waits for the release condition to be satisfied with the notification icon displayed. Then, for example, the CPU 11a determines Yes if a cancellation condition such as the end of a predetermined display period is satisfied, and proceeds to Act 48. The release condition may be arbitrarily determined by a designer or administrator of the registration apparatus 11.
In Act 48, the CPU 11a finishes displaying the notification icon. And CPU11a complete | finishes the control processing shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the settlement apparatus 12, when a voucher is issued, the shopper 22 is notified of the fact by displaying a confirmation screen. The receipt is issued after it is confirmed that the voucher has been removed by operating the button shown on the confirmation screen. In other words, when a voucher is issued, a receipt is not issued unless the shopper 22 recognizes that and performs a confirmation operation. Therefore, the shopper can be surely recognized that the voucher has been issued, and the voucher can be prevented from being forgotten without the shopper 22 noticing the issue.

  Further, according to the settlement apparatus 12, when the voucher is issued, if the shopper 22 does not perform the confirmation operation, the change is not paid out even if the change has occurred. Therefore, since the change is not paid out, it is highly possible that the shopper 22 pays attention to the display on the touch panel 12g, and the shopper 22 can confirm the confirmation screen.

  Further, according to the checkout system 10, when the settlement apparatus 12 issues a voucher, it notifies the registration apparatus 11 of that. Then, the registration device 11 notifies the employee 21 who is the operator that the voucher has been issued by the settlement device 12. Therefore, the employee 21 can recognize that the voucher has been issued in the settlement apparatus 12. For this reason, the employee 21 can pay attention to the situation of the settlement apparatus 12 whether the voucher has been forgotten. For example, when the shopper 22 does not remove the voucher, if the employee 21 speaks to the shopper 22, forgetting to take the voucher can be prevented more reliably.

  Further, according to the checkout system 10, the settlement apparatus 12 notifies the registration apparatus 11 set as the default registration apparatus for the settlement apparatus 12 that the voucher has been issued. For this reason, the registration device in the installation state that makes it easy for the employee 21 who is the operator to confirm whether or not the voucher issued by the settlement device 12 has been removed by the shopper 22 as the prescribed registration device If 11 is set, notification to a store clerk suitable for confirming that the voucher has been forgotten will be performed.

  Further, according to the checkout system 10, the settlement apparatus 12 accepts the settlement information including the voucher information only when the transmission source is the registration apparatus 11 set as the neighborhood registration apparatus. Then, the settlement apparatus notifies the registration apparatus 11 that has transmitted the accepted settlement information that the voucher has been issued. In other words, the settlement for a transaction that is clearly issued at the stage of the registration process is performed by the settlement apparatus 12 installed near the registration apparatus 11 that has performed the registration process, and has issued the voucher. This notification is made to the registration apparatus 11 that has performed the registration process. Accordingly, since the notification is made to the registration apparatus 11 installed near the settlement apparatus 12 from which the voucher is issued, the employee 21 who operates the registration apparatus 11 can easily check the status of the settlement apparatus 12. Moreover, since the shopper 22 to remove the voucher in the settlement apparatus 12 is the shopper 22 who has received the notification as described above, the shopper 22 calls the shopper 22 from the employee 21. Can be done smoothly.

  When the registration device 11 is in a standby state in which registration processing or the like is not performed, the issuance of the voucher is notified on an easy-to-understand screen such as the notification screen SC2 shown in FIG. When the registration device 11 is in a state of performing registration processing or the like, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the voucher is issued by displaying an icon on the screen displayed by the processing being executed. Is notified. Thereby, it can be easily informed to the employee 21 that the voucher has been issued in the standby state, and can be notified without interfering with the processing during other processing.

  This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  A sensor for detecting that the issued certificate has been removed may be provided, and in Act 28, the CPU 12a may wait for the sensor to detect that the certificate has been removed. In this case, the button for the confirmation operation need not be displayed on the confirmation screen. In Act 28, the CPU 12a monitors the detection result of the sensor and the implementation status of the confirmation operation described in the embodiment, and confirms that the confirmation operation has been performed or the voucher has been removed. If detected by the sensor, the process may proceed to Act 29.

  The transfer destination of the payment information from the registration device 11 may be determined in the registration device 11, and the payment information may be transmitted from the registration device 11 to the payment device 12 determined as the transfer destination. In this case, the method for determining the transfer destination is arbitrary. For example, it is assumed that the transfer destination is determined according to the designation by the employee 21 in the registration apparatus 11 or that the CPU 11a determines the transfer destination without receiving the operation of the employee 21 according to a predetermined rule.

  The embodiment related to the settlement apparatus 12 applied to the semi-self type checkout system 10 has been described. However, as long as the shopper 22 performs an operation related to payment, the technical idea suggested in the above embodiment can be applied to other types of devices such as a self-type POS terminal device. .

  Transactions to be settled are not limited to buying and selling merchandise and may be, for example, provision of services that do not involve transfer of goods for a fee.

  A part or all of the functions realized by the CPU 11a or the CPU 12a by the control processing can also be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit that executes information processing not based on a program. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining software control with hardware such as the above logic circuit.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Registration apparatus, 2 ... Payment apparatus, 10 ... Check-out system, 11 ... Registration apparatus, 11a ... CPU, 11b ... ROM, 11c ... RAM, 11d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 11e ... Drawer release unit, 11f ... Scanner, 11g ... Touch panel, 11h ... Printer, 11i ... Reader / writer, 11j ... Communication unit, 11k ... Transmission system, 12 ... Payment device, 12a ... CPU, 12b ... ROM, 12c ... RAM, 12d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 12e ... Automatic change machine , 12f ... scanner, 12g ... touch panel, 12h ... reader / writer, 12i ... built-in printer, 12j ... external printer, 12k ... communication unit, 12m ... transmission system.

Claims (6)

A settlement means for performing a settlement process for settlement of the transaction;
First issuing means for issuing a receipt relating to the transaction;
A second issuing means for issuing a voucher different from the receipt;
First control means for controlling the second issuing means to issue the voucher when the voucher needs to be issued;
Confirmation means for confirming that the voucher issued by the second issuing means has been removed;
When the voucher is issued by the second issuing means, the first issuing means is controlled to issue the receipt after the confirmation means confirms that the voucher has been removed. Second control means to:
A settlement apparatus characterized by comprising: When change is generated by the settlement and the voucher is issued by the second issuing unit, the change unit pays out the change after it is confirmed by the confirmation unit that the voucher has been removed. ,
The settlement apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A checkout system comprising a registration device for registration of transaction contents and a plurality of payment devices for settlement of the transaction,
Each of the plurality of payment devices is
A payment means for performing a payment process for the payment;
First issuing means for issuing a receipt relating to the transaction;
A second issuing means for issuing a voucher different from the receipt;
First control means for controlling the second issuing means to issue the voucher when the voucher needs to be issued;
Confirmation means for confirming that the voucher issued by the second issuing means has been removed;
When the voucher is issued by the second issuing means, the first issuing means is controlled to issue the receipt after the confirmation means confirms that the voucher has been removed. Second control means to:
A notification means for notifying the registration device that the voucher is issued when the voucher is issued by the second issuing means;
The registration device comprises:
Registration means for performing a registration process for the registration;
Informing means for notifying the operator of the registration apparatus that the voucher is issued by the settlement apparatus provided with the notifying means when receiving the notice by the notifying means;
A checkout system comprising: The checkout system includes a plurality of the registration devices, and each of the plurality of settlement devices is associated with at least one of the registration devices,
The notification means notifies the associated registration device;
The checkout system according to claim 3. The checkout system includes a plurality of the registration devices that can communicate with the plurality of settlement devices via a network, respectively, and each of the plurality of settlement devices is associated with at least one of the registration devices,
Each of the plurality of registration devices is
A transmission means for transmitting the payment information obtained as a result of the registration processing to the network without specifying a payment device for executing the payment processing based on the payment information;
Each of the plurality of payment devices is
Receiving means for selectively receiving the payment information transmitted to the network by the transmission means for payment processing by a payment means provided in one of the plurality of payment devices according to a predetermined rule; Prepared,
The receiving means receives only information transmitted from the associated registration device for settlement information related to transactions for which the voucher needs to be issued,
The notifying means notifies the registration device that has transmitted the settlement information received by the receiving means;
The checkout system according to claim 3. A first issuing means for issuing a receipt relating to the transaction;
A computer for controlling the settlement apparatus comprising: a second issuing means for issuing a voucher different from the receipt;
A settlement means for performing a settlement process for settlement of the transaction;
First control means for controlling the second issuing means to issue the voucher when the voucher needs to be issued;
Confirmation means for confirming that the voucher issued by the second issuing means has been removed;
When the voucher is issued by the second issuing means, the first issuing means is controlled to issue the receipt after the confirmation means confirms that the voucher has been removed. Second control means to:
Control program to function.