JP2018147402A - Checkout system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a checkout system allowing an operator to efficiently perform checkout of a commodity.SOLUTION: A checkout system includes a registration device that registers a commodity purchased by a customer, and a settlement device that performs settlement of the commodity registered in the registration device. The registration device includes first reading means that reads identification information by which the customer can be identified from a storage medium possessed by the customer when the commodity is registered, and association means that associates information for settlement including a breakdown of each commodity registered in one transaction with the identification information read by the first reading means. The settlement device includes second reading means that reads the identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer, acquisition means that acquires the information for settlement associated with the identification information read by the second reading means, and settlement means that executes settlement processing of each commodity registered in the one transaction on the basis of the information for settlement acquired by the acquisition menas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system.

  Conventionally, there is a checkout system in which a registration device for registering merchandise and a settlement device for settlement of merchandise are separated. In such a checkout system, for example, when a registration device registers data related to product sales for each product purchased by a customer, it generates transaction data for settlement based on the data for one registered transaction. Send transaction data to the payment unit. On the other hand, the settlement apparatus receives transaction data transmitted from the registration apparatus, and executes transaction settlement processing based on the transaction data. There is also a semi-self checkout system in which a clerk operates a registration device and a customer himself operates a payment device. In addition, recently, payment apparatuses can perform payment (electronic payment) using an electronic money card in which electronic money information such as an electronic money balance is stored, in addition to a cash payment method.

  By the way, in the above-described checkout system, it is common that a plurality of settlement apparatuses are provided for one registration apparatus. For this reason, for example, in a semi-self checkout system, a clerk of a registration device guides a customer about a settlement device to which transaction data is transmitted, that is, a settlement device.

  However, the work of guiding the settlement apparatus at the settlement destination is cumbersome and the burden on the store clerk may increase. Further, when the settlement device at the customer side is also in use at the customer side, the other settlement device cannot be used even if there is a vacancy in the other settlement device. Will wait until is free. For this reason, there is a demand for a technology that can more efficiently check out (register and settle) merchandise.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system capable of efficiently checking out a product.

  The checkout system of the embodiment is a checkout system including a registration device that registers a product purchased by a customer, and a payment device that settles the product registered by the registration device, and the registration device includes: First reading means for reading identification information capable of identifying the customer from a storage medium possessed by the customer at the time of registration of the product, settlement information including a breakdown of each product registered in one transaction, and the first reading means And an association means for associating with the identification information read by the customer, wherein the settlement apparatus has a second reading means for reading the identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer, and the second reading means. Acquiring means for acquiring the payment information associated with the identification information read by the information processing device, and each quotient registered in the one transaction based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition means. And a settlement means for performing settlement processing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a checkout system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the registration device and the payment device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of the registration device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the settlement apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a transaction management file according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a checkout process performed by the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a registration device, a payment device, and a server device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a checkout process performed by the settlement apparatus and the server apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a checkout system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, an example applied to a semi-self checkout system introduced into a store such as a supermarket will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a checkout system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system 1 includes a registration device 10, a payment device 20, and a server device 30. The registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 are communicably connected via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The numbers of the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to provide a plurality of payment devices 20 for one registration device 10 from the viewpoint of processing efficiency.

  The registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 are provided in a predetermined area in the store, for example, near the store exit. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 are arranged in a separated (separated) state in an area A1 in the store. The registration device 10 is installed on a table-like work table 40, for example. The registration device 10 is operated by an operator O, who is a store clerk, and executes registration processing for products purchased by the customer C.

  In the layout of FIG. 2, the customer C puts a product to be purchased in a basket or the like and carries it to the work table 40. The operator O of the registration device 10 causes the scanner 101 to read each product brought in by the customer C, and inputs product identification information, which will be described later, to the registration device 10 so that the product can be identified. At this time, the operator O operates the registration device 10 while facing the customer C across the work table 40. When the registration of the product for one transaction is completed, the operator O ends the transaction by operating the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (see FIG. 3). Thereafter, the customer C puts the product for which registration has been completed into a bag or the like and carries it to any one of the settlement apparatuses 20, and operates the settlement apparatus 20 so that the customer C performs settlement of the commodity.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the registration apparatus 10 and shows the state of the registration apparatus 10 as viewed from the side operated by the operator O. As shown in FIG. 3, the registration device 10 installed on the upper surface of the work table 40 is configured based on a vertical scanner 101 having a reading window 102. The scanner 101 has an imaging unit (not shown) disposed behind the reading window 102.

  In addition, the registration apparatus 10 includes a display 104 with a touch panel 103 and a keyboard 105 above the scanner 101. The display 104 displays the product name and price of the product imaged by the imaging unit of the scanner 101. The touch panel 103 and the keyboard 105 are for assisting the input of product data.

  A printer 106 is provided on the left side of the registration device 10 as viewed from the operator O side. For example, the printer 106 can issue a receipt printed with a breakdown of products registered in one transaction, a total price of the products, and the like.

  A customer-side display 107 for customer C is provided on the left side of the registration device 10 as viewed from the operator O side.

  Furthermore, the registration device 10 includes a short-range wireless communication unit 108. The near field communication unit 108 is a communication device compliant with a near field communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication). The near field communication unit 108 performs near field communication with a storage medium possessed by the customer C. Here, the type of the storage medium possessed by the customer C is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 108. For example, the storage medium may be a card medium such as an electronic money card equipped with a non-contact IC chip. The storage medium may be an electronic device such as a smartphone equipped with a communication function capable of communicating with the short-range wireless communication unit 108.

  3 shows an example in which the short-range wireless communication unit 108 is externally attached to the registration device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the short-range wireless communication unit 108 may be provided integrally with the registration device 10. For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 108 may be arranged toward the customer C side in the same manner as the customer-side display 107.

  The registration device 10 identifies a product included in the image captured by the imaging unit by reading a code symbol such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark) attached to the product or general object recognition. Specifically, the registration device 10 refers to a PLU file F1 (see FIG. 5) in which a product code for identifying each product sold in a store is associated with the product name, price, etc. of the product. The product corresponding to the product code included in the read code symbol is specified.

Regarding generic object recognition for recognizing an object included in an image, a recognition technique is described in the following document.
Keiji Yanai, “Current Status and Future of General Object Recognition”, IPSJ Journal, Vol. 48, no. SIG16 [Search January 6, 2014], Internet <URL: http://mm.cs.uec.ac.jp/IPSJ-TCVIM-Yanai.pdf>

  In addition, the registration device 10 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer C using the short-range wireless communication unit 108. Here, the customer identification information is unique information held by the storage medium, and is used for identification of the customer C possessing the storage medium. For example, when the storage medium is a card medium such as an electronic money card, the registration device 10 reads customer identification information such as a card ID from the card medium. When the storage medium is an electronic device such as a smartphone, the registration device 10 reads customer identification information such as a device ID, a MAC address, and a telephone number from the electronic device.

  In addition, the registration device 10 displays a screen for accepting confirmation of the specified product and input of the number of items on the display 104. And the registration apparatus 10 registers the specified goods. Registration means that the product information of the product read from the PLU file F1 is stored in the RAM in association with the number of products (number of purchases).

  On the other hand, the settlement apparatus 20 is a settlement apparatus that executes a settlement process based on the sales data registered by the registration apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the settlement apparatus 20 is operated by the customer C as described above. That is, the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 form a semi-self checkout system.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the settlement apparatus 20. The settlement apparatus 20 includes a deposit / withdrawal unit 204, a stationary scanner 205, a display / operation panel 206, a hand scanner 207, a short-range wireless communication unit 208, a printer 209, a first casing 210, a second A housing 211 is provided. The first housing 210 is formed in a substantially box shape and incorporates an information processing device 202 (see FIG. 5), a deposit / withdrawal unit 204, and the like. The second housing 211 is an outer shell of the stationary scanner 205 and the printer 209, and is placed on the upper surface 210 a of the first housing 210.

  The stationary scanner 205 includes an imaging window 205 a provided in the upper part of the first housing 210 and an imaging unit (not shown) built in the first housing 210. The imaging unit captures a code symbol image such as a barcode held in front of the imaging window 205a, and decodes the captured code symbol image. Then, the imaging unit outputs the decoded code information to the information processing apparatus 202.

  The display operation panel 206 includes a display 2061 and a touch panel 2062, and is placed on the second housing 211. The display 2061 displays an image according to the control of the information processing apparatus 202. The touch panel 2062 is provided on the display surface of the display 2061 and outputs information based on the touched position to the information processing apparatus 202.

  The hand scanner 207 is disposed on the upper surface 210 b of the first housing 210. A holding part 210c that holds the front end part 207a of the hand scanner 207 in a hooked state is provided at the upper right part of the front face 210b of the first casing 210.

  The short-range wireless communication unit 208 is provided on the upper surface 210 a of the first housing 210. The short-range wireless communication unit 208 is a communication device similar to the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and performs short-range wireless communication with a storage medium owned by the customer C. It is assumed that the payment apparatus 20 can perform a payment process (electronic payment) using electronic money information read from an electronic money card or the like via the short-range wireless communication unit 208.

  The printer 209 includes a printing unit (not shown) built in the second housing 211 and a receipt issuing port 2091 provided on the front surface 211 a of the second housing 211. The printer 209 issues a receipt printed by the printing unit from a receipt issuing port 2091.

  The deposit / withdrawal unit 204 includes a money slot 2041, a banknote withdrawal port 2042, and a coin withdrawal unit 2043. The coin dispensing unit 2043 includes a payout opening 2043a and a tray 2043b. The deposit / withdrawal unit 204 accepts banknotes and coins inserted into the money slot 2041, and stores them separately for each denomination. Then, the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 pays change from the payout opening 2043a in response to a request from the information processing apparatus 202. The tray 2043b receives the changed change.

  The information processing apparatus 202 is built in the first casing 210 and controls the respective units included in the settlement apparatus 20 in an integrated manner. The information processing apparatus 202 outputs information to be displayed on the display 2061 of the display operation panel 206, and acquires information on an operation performed by the customer C from the touch panel 2062. Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 202 grasps the deposit to the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 and instructs the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 to withdraw.

  Further, the settlement apparatus 20 includes a basket placing table 221 on one side of the first housing 210. The basket storage table 221 is a storage table used as a storage room for the basket when the customer C performs a settlement process.

  Further, the settlement apparatus 20 is provided with a display pole 222 that displays the current state of the settlement apparatus 20 on the upper surface 210 a of the first housing 210. The display pole 222 has a light emitting portion 222a that selectively emits blue and red light at the tip.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the server device 30 is a server device such as a database server, and stores and manages various data. The installation position of the server device 30 is not particularly limited, and may be installed outside the area A1 shown in FIG. 2 such as a store backyard.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the registration device 10 includes a control unit 150 having a computer configuration including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM) that is a storage medium, a random access memory (RAM), and the like. . The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 150 is connected to the scanner 101, the touch panel 103, the display 104, the keyboard 105, the printer 106, the customer display 107, and the short distance via the bus 151 and the I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 152. In addition to the wireless communication unit 108, it is connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 153, a communication I / F 154, and the like.

  The HDD 153 stores a program P1 that can be executed by the control unit 150 (CPU) and various setting information. The HDD 153 stores the PLU file F1. The PLU file F1 stores a product code uniquely assigned to each product sold in the store and information (product information) related to the product such as the name, price, and product classification of the product in association with each other. When a product is specified by general object recognition, the PLU file F1 stores a feature amount indicating a feature on the appearance such as a hue read from a product image and an uneven surface condition.

  The communication I / F 154 is a communication device that can be connected to the network N. The control unit 150 communicates with the settlement apparatus 20 and the server apparatus 30 via the communication I / F 154.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the settlement apparatus 20 includes a control unit 250 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM and a RAM as storage media, and the information processing apparatus 202. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 250 receives the display 2061, the touch panel 2062, the stationary scanner 205, the hand scanner 207, the short-range wireless communication unit 208, the printer 209, and the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 via the bus 251 and the I / O device control unit 252. In addition to the display pole 222, it is connected to the HDD 253, the communication I / F 254, and the like.

  The HDD 253 stores a program P2 that can be executed by the control unit 250 (CPU) and various setting information. The HDD 253 stores the same PLU file F1 as that of the registration apparatus 10.

  The communication I / F 254 is a communication device that can be connected to the network N. The control unit 250 communicates with the registration device 10 and the server device 30 via the communication I / F 254.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the server device 30 includes a control unit 350 having a computer configuration including a CPU and ROM, RAM, and the like that are storage media. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 350 is connected to a display 353, an operation unit 354, an HDD 355, a communication I / F 356, and the like via a bus 351 and an I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 352.

  The display 353 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information under the control of the control unit 350. The operation unit 354 has an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and accepts an operation by an operator.

  The HDD 355 stores a program P3 executable by the control unit 350 (CPU) and various setting information. Further, the HDD 355 stores a transaction management file F2 related to data registration with the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the transaction management file F2. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the transaction management file F2 stores registration information, customer identification information, and payment information, which will be described later, in association with each other. Here, the set of sales information, customer identification information, and settlement information corresponds to a transaction (transaction history) for one transaction.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the communication I / F 356 is a communication device that can be connected to the network N. The control unit 350 communicates with the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 via the communication I / F 356.

  Next, functional configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 150 of the registration apparatus 10 executes a program P1, thereby performing a communication control unit 1501, an information input unit 1502, a specifying unit 1503, a registration unit 1504, a calculation unit 1505, The reading unit 1506, the display control unit 1507, and the association unit 1508 are realized as functional units.

  The communication control unit 1501 controls communication with external devices (settlement device 20 and server device 30) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 154.

  The information input unit 1502 inputs product identification information for identifying various products. Specifically, the information input unit 1502 inputs a product code or product image output from the scanner 101 as product identification information.

  The identification unit 1503 identifies a product based on the product identification information. Specifically, when a product code is input from the scanner 101, the specifying unit 1503 refers to the PLU file F1 and specifies a product corresponding to the product code. Further, when a product image is input from the scanner 101, the specifying unit 1503 specifies a product by general object recognition that recognizes an object included in the image.

  The registration unit 1504 registers sales data indicating the contents related to the commercial transaction for the specified product. Specifically, the registration unit 1504 acquires the product information of the specified product from the PLU file F1. In addition, the registration unit 1504 generates sales data in which the acquired product information is associated with the number of products (the number of purchases) separately input. Then, the registration unit 1504 registers the product by holding the generated sales data in the RAM.

  For each piece of registered sales data, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the amount of the product included in the sales data. Specifically, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the amount related to the commercial transaction of the product by multiplying the unit price and the number of the product included in the sales data. The calculation unit 1505 calculates the total amount of sales data registered in one transaction. Specifically, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the total amount for one transaction by adding the amounts calculated for each sales data.

  The reading unit 1506 is an example of a first reading unit. The reading unit 1506 reads customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 108. Specifically, the reading unit 1506 reads customer identification information such as a card ID and a device ID for identifying the customer C from the storage medium of the customer C that has established communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 108.

  The display control unit 1507 performs display control of the display unit 104 and the customer side display unit 107. For example, the display control unit 1507 displays the breakdown of each product registered by the registration unit 1504, the total amount calculated by the calculation unit 1505, and the like on the display unit 104 and the customer side display unit 107.

  The association unit 1508 is an example of an association unit. Corresponding unit 1508 generates and reads registration information including a breakdown of each product registered in the transaction on the condition that the end of the transaction (tightening operation or the like) is instructed via touch panel 103 or keyboard 105. The identification information read by the unit 1506 is associated. Specifically, the associating unit 1508 includes registration information including sales data registered in one transaction, a total amount calculated from the sales data, a transaction number for identifying the transaction, date information indicating the transaction date and time, and the like. Is generated. Here, the registration information corresponds to the payment information and is used for the payment process in the payment apparatus 20. Further, the associating unit 1508 generates transaction information for one transaction by associating the generated registration information with the identification information read by the reading unit 1506 in the transaction. Then, the associating unit 1508 cooperates with the communication control unit 1501 to transmit the generated transaction information to the server device 30.

  Further, the control unit 250 of the payment apparatus 20 executes the program P2, thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, a communication control unit 2501, a reading unit 2502, an acquisition unit 2503, a payment processing unit 2504, and a notification unit. 2505 is realized as a functional unit.

  The communication control unit 2501 controls communication with external devices (the registration device 10 and the server device 30) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 254.

  The reading unit 2502 is an example of a second reading unit. The reading unit 2502 reads customer identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. Specifically, the reading unit 2502 reads customer identification information such as a card ID and a device ID for identifying the customer C from the storage medium of the customer C that has established communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 208.

  The acquisition unit 2503 is an example of an acquisition unit. The acquisition unit 2503 acquires registration information associated with the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502. Specifically, the acquisition unit 2503 transmits an acquisition request including customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 to the server device 30 in cooperation with the communication control unit 1501. Then, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) registration information transmitted from the server device 30 as a response to the acquisition request.

  The settlement processing unit 2504 is an example of a settlement unit. Based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503, the payment processing unit 2504 executes a payment process for each product registered in the transaction related to the registration information. For example, the settlement processing unit 2504 executes a settlement process (cash settlement) using cash based on the total amount included in the registration information and the amount of cash (banknotes and coins) inserted into the money slot 2041. Further, the settlement processing unit 2504 executes settlement processing (electronic settlement) based on the total amount included in the registration information and the electronic money information read from the storage medium (such as an electronic money card) by the short-range wireless communication unit 208. To do.

  The notification unit 2505 cooperates with the communication control unit 1501 on the condition that the settlement process of the settlement processing unit 2504 is completed, and notifies the server device 30 that the settlement of the transaction is completed. Specifically, when the payment processing of the payment processing unit 2504 is completed, the notification unit 2505 completes the transaction including the payment information indicating the breakdown of the payment processing and the instruction information for instructing the transaction subjected to the payment processing. Generate information. Then, the notification unit 2505 transmits the generated transaction completion information to the server device 30. Here, the settlement information includes the amount paid by the customer C, the amount of change, information indicating a settlement method (cash settlement, electronic settlement), date / time information indicating the date and time when the settlement process is completed, and the like. As the instruction information, customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 or a transaction number included in the registration information can be used.

  Moreover, the control part 350 of the server apparatus 30 implement | achieves the communication control part 3501 and the transaction management part 3502 as a function part as shown in FIG. 7 by running the program P3.

  The communication control unit 3501 controls communication with external devices (the registration device 10 and the payment device 20) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 356.

  The transaction management unit 3502 manages the data linkage between the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 using the transaction management file F2. The transaction management unit 3502 functions as an example of a storage unit together with the HDD 355 (transaction management file F2).

  For example, when the transaction management unit 3502 receives transaction start information from the registration device 10, the transaction management unit 3502 associates registration information and customer identification information included in the transaction start information and registers them in the transaction management file F2.

  Further, when receiving an acquisition request from the payment apparatus 20, the transaction management unit 3502 transmits the registration information requested by the acquisition request to the payment apparatus 20. Specifically, the transaction management unit 3502 uses the customer identification information included in the acquisition request as a search key, and searches the transaction management file F2 for a transaction including the customer identification information corresponding to the search key. Then, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out the registered information in which the settlement information column is empty among the retrieved transactions, that is, the registration information for which the settlement process has not been completed, and transmits it to the settlement apparatus 20 that has transmitted the acquisition request.

  In addition, when the transaction management unit 3502 receives the transaction completion information from the settlement apparatus 20, the transaction management unit 3502 includes the transaction registration information and the customer identification number instructed by the instruction information of the transaction completion information, and is included in the transaction completion information. Register payment information.

  Next, the operation of the checkout system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a checkout process performed by the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that the customer C has a storage medium, and customer identification information is read from the storage medium at the time of product registration.

  First, when the product to be purchased is dropped by the customer C, the operator of the registration device 10 instructs the start of the transaction by operating the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (step S11). Next, the information input unit 1502 of the registration apparatus 10 determines whether or not product identification information for identifying a product purchased by the customer C has been input (step S12). When the product identification information is not input (step S12; No), the process proceeds to step S15.

  When product identification information is input in step S12 (step S12; Yes), the specifying unit 1503 of the registration apparatus 10 specifies the product of the input product identification information based on the PLU file F1 (step S13). Next, the registration unit 1504 of the registration device 10 registers the sales data including the product name, unit price, number, etc. of the identified product in the RAM (step S14), and proceeds to step S15.

  Subsequently, the reading unit 1506 of the registration device 10 determines whether or not communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium of the customer C has been established (step S15). Here, when the communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium is not established (step S15; No), the process proceeds to step S17.

  When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium is established in step S15 (step S15; Yes), the reading unit 1506 of the registration apparatus 10 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S16), and step S17. Migrate to

  Subsequently, the control unit 150 of the registration apparatus 10 determines whether or not the end of the transaction is instructed via the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (step S17). Here, when the end of the transaction is not instructed (step S17; No), the control unit 150 returns the process to step S12.

  Further, when the end of the transaction is instructed in step S17 (step S17; Yes), the associating unit 1508 of the registration device 10 registers the registration information (sales data, total amount, transaction number) of each product registered in this transaction. Etc.) is associated with the customer identification information and transmitted to the server device 30 as transaction information (step S18).

  In the server device 30, when transaction information is received from the registration device 10 (step S31; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 registers the registration information and customer identification information included in the transaction information in the transaction management file F2 (step S31). S32), the process proceeds to step S33. In addition, also when transaction information is not received (step S31; No), it transfers to step S33.

  On the other hand, the customer C who has completed registration of the product in the registration device 10 carries the product to the desired settlement device 20. In the settlement apparatus 20, the reading unit 2502 waits until communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium of the customer C is established (step S21; No). When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium is established (step S21; Yes), the reading unit 2502 of the settlement apparatus 20 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S22). Next, the acquisition unit 2503 of the settlement apparatus 20 transmits an acquisition request including the identification information read in step S22 to the server apparatus 30 (step S23).

  When the server device 30 receives the acquisition request from the settlement device 20 (step S33; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 searches the transaction management file F2 for a transaction including the identification information included in the acquisition request (step S34). ). Next, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out registration information of transactions for which payment processing has not been completed from the searched transactions, transmits the information to the payment device 20 (step S35), and proceeds to step S36. In addition, also when an acquisition request is not received (step S33; No), it transfers to step S36.

  In the settlement apparatus 20, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) the registration information transmitted from the server apparatus 30 (step S24). Next, the payment processing unit 2504 of the payment apparatus 20 executes a payment process based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503 (step S25).

  When the payment process in step S25 is completed, the notification unit 2505 of the payment apparatus 20 transmits transaction completion information including payment information indicating a breakdown of the payment process and instruction information instructing the transaction to the server apparatus 30 (step S26). ). Then, the control unit 150 of the settlement apparatus 20 causes the printer 209 to issue a receipt on which the registration information and the breakdown of the settlement information are printed (step S27), and ends the process.

  In server device 30, when transaction completion information is received from payment device 20 (step S36; Yes), transaction management unit 3502 associates the payment information included in the transaction completion information with the transaction instructed by the instruction information. Is registered in the transaction management file F2 (step S37), and the process returns to step S31. In addition, also when transaction completion information is not received (step S36; No), it returns to step S31.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the registration information of each product for one transaction registered by the registration device 10 and the customer identification information read from the storage medium of the customer C at the time of the transaction are stored in association with each other. To do. Further, at the start of the payment process, the payment apparatus 20 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C, and executes the payment process based on the registration information held in association with the customer identification information.

  As a result, in the checkout system 1 of the first embodiment, the customer C can arbitrarily select a payment destination payment device 20 from among a plurality of payment devices 20, so that the store clerk selects a payment destination payment device. There is no need to select or guide. Therefore, for example, the customer C can make a payment for a product by using a vacant payment apparatus 20 among the plurality of payment apparatuses 20. Therefore, in the checkout system 1 of the first embodiment, the checkout (registration, settlement) of the product can be performed efficiently.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which service information such as discount (or discount) and additional information such as advertisements are provided to the customer C based on the transaction history stored in the transaction management file F2. In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of the registration device 10, the settlement device 20a, and the server device 30a according to the present embodiment. Here, the settlement apparatus 20a and the server apparatus 30a correspond to the settlement apparatus 20 and the server apparatus 30 described in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 350 (see FIG. 5) of the server device 30a executes the program P3, and as shown in FIG. 9, the communication control unit 3501, the transaction management unit 3502, the analysis unit 3503, and the additional information providing unit. 3504 is realized as a functional unit.

  The analysis unit 3503 is an example of an analysis unit. The analysis unit 3503 analyzes the purchase tendency of the product for each customer C based on the transaction history stored in the transaction management file F2. Specifically, the analysis unit 3503 extracts the registration information stored in the transaction management file F2 for each customer identification information (for each customer C). The analysis unit 3503 analyzes the tendency of the purchased product for each customer C based on the name, product classification, number, transaction date and time of each product included in the extracted registration information. The analysis result of the analysis unit 3503 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 355 in association with the corresponding customer identification information, for example.

  The analysis method is not particularly limited, and a known analysis method can be used. When characteristic information such as age and gender of the corresponding customer C is stored in association with the customer identification information, the analysis unit 3503 is purchased between customers C of the same age based on the characteristic information. You may analyze the tendency of the product.

  Further, the timing at which the analysis unit 3503 starts analyzing the purchase tendency is not particularly limited. For example, the analysis unit 3503 may individually start the analysis of the customer C related to the transaction history every time a new transaction history is registered. Moreover, the analysis part 3503 may start the analysis of each customer C with a predetermined schedule.

  The additional information providing unit 3504 is an example of providing means. The additional information providing unit 3504 provides the customer C with service information such as discounts and additional information such as advertisements based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 3503. Specifically, the additional information providing unit 3504 purchases each customer C from a storage device (not shown) that stores service information for instructing product discounts, advertisement information for advertising (promoting) products, and the like. Extract additional information on products that meet. Here, the additional information extracted by the additional information providing unit 3504 is not limited to that according to the analysis result. For example, the additional information (service information such as discount) related to the product included in the registration information for which payment processing has not been completed. It may be. Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 provides the extracted additional information to the corresponding customer C.

  There are no particular restrictions on the method of providing the additional information, and various forms can be employed. For example, when the contact information of the corresponding customer C (for example, the e-mail address of the recording medium (electronic device)) is stored in association with the customer identification information, the additional information providing unit 3504 displays the contact information. Additional information may be provided (transmitted) first.

  Further, when the customer identification information is notified from the registration device 10 or the payment device 20a, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information to these devices, thereby adding the additional information via the registration device 10 or the payment device 20a. Information may be provided to customer C. For example, when the transaction information is transmitted from the registration device 10, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the transaction information to the registration device 10, thereby the registration device 10 The additional information may be displayed on the ten customer-side displays 107. Further, for example, when an acquisition request is transmitted from the settlement apparatus 20a, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request to the settlement apparatus 20a, thereby The additional information may be displayed on the display 2061 of the settlement apparatus 20a. Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 may cause the additional information provided to the registration device 10 or the settlement device 20a to be transmitted to the storage medium of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 108 or the short-range wireless communication unit 208. .

  Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 may change the providing method according to the type of additional information. For example, with respect to service information such as discounts that can be applied at the time when a transaction is performed, the additional information providing unit 3504 provides additional information via the registration device 10 or the settlement device 20a. In addition, for example, for service information and advertisement information that can be applied in transactions after this time, the timing of application and browsing is not particularly limited, so the additional information providing unit 3504 adds additional information to a contact address such as an e-mail address. Send. In this way, by changing the provision method according to the type of additional information, the customer C can apply coupon information at the time of payment processing or check advertisement information after the payment processing. Promotion can be done efficiently.

  On the other hand, by executing the program P2, the control unit 250 of the settlement apparatus 20a performs a communication control unit 2501, a reading unit 2502, an acquisition unit 2503, a settlement processing unit 2504, and a notification unit 2505 as illustrated in FIG. And the additional information provision part 2506 is implement | achieved as a function part.

  The additional information providing unit 2506 is an example of providing means. The additional information providing unit 2506 acquires additional information from the server device 30a and provides it to the customer C via the display 2061 and the short-range wireless communication unit 208. Specifically, the additional information providing unit 2506 receives the additional information provided from the additional information providing unit 3504 in cooperation with the communication control unit 2501. Then, the additional information providing unit 2506 displays the received additional information on the display device 2061 or outputs or displays it on the storage medium (electronic device) of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. The additional information is provided to the customer C.

  Note that the additional information providing unit 2506 may change the providing method according to the type of the additional information, similarly to the additional information providing unit 3504. For example, for service information such as discounts that can be applied at the time when the transaction is being performed, the additional information providing unit 2506 displays the additional information on the display 2061 and provides it to the customer C. Further, for example, for service information and advertisement information that can be applied in the transaction after this time, the timing of application or browsing is not particularly limited, and the additional information providing unit 2506 transmits the additional information via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. I will provide a. In this way, by changing the provision method according to the type of additional information, the customer C can apply coupon information at the time of payment processing or check advertisement information after the payment processing. Promotion can be done efficiently.

  Further, the additional information providing unit 2506 may change the method for providing additional information according to the type of the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208. For example, when the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208 is a card medium that does not have a display device, the additional information providing unit 2506 provides additional information via the display unit 2061. When the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208 is an electronic device having a display device, the additional information providing unit 2506 sends the additional information to the electronic device of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. provide. In this way, by changing the providing method according to the type of the storage medium, the customer C can easily confirm the content of the additional information, so that promotion can be performed efficiently. The method for determining the type of the storage medium is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be determined based on a card ID, a device ID, or the like included in the customer identification information.

  Next, operations of the settlement apparatus 20a and the server apparatus 30a according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a checkout process performed by the settlement apparatus 20a and the server apparatus 30a. The process shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the process performed by the settlement apparatus 20 and the server apparatus 30 described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the server device 30a receives transaction information from the registration device 10 (step S41; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 registers the registration information and customer identification information included in the transaction information in the transaction management file F2. (Step S42). Next, the analysis unit 3503 analyzes the purchase tendency of the customer identification information (customer C) based on each of the registration information corresponding to the customer identification information registered in step S42 (step S43), and proceeds to step S44. To do. In addition, also when transaction information is not received (step S41; No), it transfers to step S44.

  On the other hand, in the settlement apparatus 20a, the reading unit 2502 waits for establishment of communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium of the customer C (step S61; No). When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium is established (step S61; Yes), the reading unit 2502 of the settlement apparatus 20a reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S62). Next, the acquisition unit 2503 of the settlement apparatus 20a transmits an acquisition request including the customer identification information read in Step S62 to the server apparatus 30a (Step S63).

  In server device 30a, when an acquisition request is received from settlement device 20a (step S44; Yes), transaction management unit 3502 searches transaction management file F2 for a transaction including the identification information included in the acquisition request (step S45). ). Next, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out registration information of transactions for which payment processing has not been completed from the searched transactions and transmits the information to the payment device 20a (step S46).

  Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the server device 30a extracts additional information such as service information and advertisement information based on the analysis result related to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request (step S47). Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the extracted additional information to the settlement apparatus 20a (step S48), and the process proceeds to step S49. In addition, also when an acquisition request is not received (step S44; No), it transfers to step S49.

  In the settlement apparatus 20a, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) the registration information transmitted from the server apparatus 30a (step S64). Further, the additional information providing unit 2506 of the settlement apparatus 20a receives the additional information transmitted from the server apparatus 30a (Step S65). The additional information providing unit 2506 displays the received additional information on the display unit 2061 or displays the additional information on the storage medium (electronic device) of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. (Step S66).

  Subsequently, the payment processing unit 2504 of the payment apparatus 20a executes a payment process based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503 (step S67). When discount (discount) is applied based on the additional information (service information) displayed on the display 2061 etc., the settlement processing unit 2504 subtracts the discount amount from the total price of the product. Perform payment processing based on the amount. Subsequent processing of steps S68, S69, S49, and S50 executed by the settlement apparatus 20a and the server apparatus 30a is the same as S26, S27, S36, and S37 described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the registration information of each product for one transaction registered by the registration device 10 is associated with the customer identification information read from the storage medium of the customer C at the time of the transaction. Hold. Further, at the start of the payment process, the payment apparatus 20a reads the customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C, and executes the payment process based on the registration information held in association with the customer identification information. Further, the settlement apparatus 20a provides the customer C with additional information such as discounts and advertisements according to the purchase tendency of the customer C in the customer identification information.

  Thereby, in the checkout system 1 of 2nd Embodiment, the additional information according to the purchasing tendency of each customer C can be provided to the said customer C. Therefore, in the checkout system 1 of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved, and the promotion of products and stores can be efficiently performed for the customer C.

  In the above embodiment, the form in which the additional information is provided by the settlement apparatus 20a has been described. However, the same configuration can be applied when the additional information is provided by the registration apparatus 10. Specifically, the registration device 10 includes the functional unit of the additional information providing unit 3504 described above, so that the same additional information as that of the settlement device 20a can be provided to the customer C. In this case, for example, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the registration device 10 notifies the server device 30a of the customer identification information at the timing when the reading unit 1506 reads the customer identification information (step S16 in FIG. 8). Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the registration device 10 receives the additional information related to the notified customer identification information from the server device 30a, and sends the additional information to the customer C via the customer display 107 and the short-range wireless communication unit 108. To provide.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, combinations, 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.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the association unit 1508 of the registration device 10 is configured to deliver the registration information to the payment device 20 (20a) via the server device 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the payment device 20 (20a) is not limited thereto. It is good also as a structure handed over directly. When adopting this configuration, for example, the associating unit 1508 of the registration apparatus 10 stores (holds) the pair of registration information and customer identification information acquired for each transaction by the registration apparatus 10 in the HDD 153 in association with each other. To do. On the other hand, the acquisition unit 2503 of the settlement apparatus 20 (20a) transmits an acquisition request including the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 to each of the registration devices 10. Then, the association unit 1508 of the registration apparatus 10 transmits registration information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request to the settlement apparatus 20 (20a). When this configuration is adopted, the transaction history (registration information, customer identification information, payment information) of transactions for which payment processing has been completed is separately stored in the server device 30 (30a) or the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set as the structure which the server apparatus 30 (30a) hold | maintains the transaction management file F2, it is not restricted to this, For example, one of the registration apparatuses 10 used as a representative and one of the payment apparatuses 20 are transaction. The management file F2 may be held. In this case, the devices (registration device 10, settlement devices 20, 20a) that hold the transaction management file F2 are any or all of the transaction management unit 3502, the analysis unit 3503, and the additional information providing unit 3504 of the server device 30 (30a). May be provided.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the checkout system of the semi self method was illustrated, you may apply to the checkout system of the system which the operator O who is a salesclerk operates the payment apparatus 20 (20a) not only to this.

  In addition, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a storage medium (ROM or HDD) included in the device, but is not limited thereto. For example, the program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in a file in an installable or executable format. It may be configured to provide. Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted via a LAN or the Internet is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

  Further, the program executed in each device of the above embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network, or provided via a network such as the Internet. It may be configured to be distributed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Checkout system 10 Registration apparatus 150 Control part 1501 Communication control part 1502 Information input part 1503 Identification part 1504 Registration part 1505 Calculation part 1506 Reading part 1507 Display control part 1508 Corresponding part 20, 20a Payment apparatus 250 Control part 2501 Communication control part 2502 Reading unit 2503 Acquisition unit 2504 Payment processing unit 2505 Notification unit 2506 Additional information providing unit 30, 30a Server device 350 Control unit 3501 Communication control unit 3502 Transaction management unit 3503 Analysis unit 3504 Additional information provision unit F1 PLU file F2 Transaction management file

JP 2008-9561 A

Claims (5)

A checkout system having a registration device that registers a product purchased by a customer and a payment device that performs payment for the product registered in the registration device,
The registration device includes: a first reading unit that reads identification information that can identify the customer from a storage medium possessed by the customer when the product is registered; and information for settlement including a breakdown of each product registered in one transaction Association means for associating with the identification information read by the first reading means;
With
The payment apparatus includes a second reading unit that reads the identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer, and an acquisition unit that acquires the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading unit. And payment means for executing a payment process for each product registered in the one transaction based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition means;
Checkout system with The association means stores the settlement information and the identification information in association with each other in an external device,
The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading unit from the external device. The association means stores the payment information and the identification information in association with each other in a storage device of the own device,
The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading unit from the storage device of the payment device. Storage means for storing the settlement information and the identification information of each transaction for which settlement has been completed in the settlement apparatus;
Analyzing means for analyzing a purchase tendency of a product based on the information for settlement stored in the storage means;
Providing means for providing the customer with additional information according to the analysis result of the analyzing means by the providing method via the registration device, the payment device or the storage medium;
The checkout system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The checkout system according to claim 4, wherein the providing unit changes a method for providing the additional information according to a type of the additional information.

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