JP2019160341A - Checkout system and inquiry method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable information to be collected by an inquiry without delaying settlement processing.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, a checkout system includes a registration machine that generates transaction information for settling a commodity, and an accounting machine that performs settlement for the transaction information. The registration machine has setting means that generates setting information for controlling display of an inquiry for the commodity on the accounting machine, and transmission means that transmits the setting information to the accounting machine. The accounting machine has display means that displays the inquiry for the commodity on the basis of the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system.

  Information on the purchase reason of the shopper who has purchased the product and the impression of the product and the price is very important for the retailer and the product manufacturer because it is a reference for future product lineup and product development. Conventionally, in order to collect such information, a questionnaire survey is performed on customers in stores. Conventional questionnaire survey methods generally include a method in which a surveyor directly asks a shopper in a store or a method in which a questionnaire is attached to a product and collected. In this method, when investigators were used, human load was applied, and the number of questionnaires was limited and the response rate was low. Also, when using questionnaires, the shopper often ignores the questionnaires, so the response rate was still low.

  On the other hand, conventionally, a questionnaire is displayed on a touch panel type customer display provided in a terminal device for registering goods (a cash register terminal) installed in a store, and by a touch operation on a customer display for a shopper. It is considered to enter the answers to the questionnaire. The shopper can answer the questionnaire during the product registration operation by the cashier (store clerk).

  However, if it takes a long time to answer the questionnaire by the shopper, there is a risk of delaying the settlement process for the registered product. In addition, when the number of shoppers waiting for registration of merchandise is increasing, asking for answers to a questionnaire in the same manner as usual, a delay in settlement processing for many shoppers is caused.

JP 2007-65749 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system capable of collecting information by questionnaire without delaying the settlement process.

  According to the embodiment, the checkout system includes a registration machine that generates transaction information for settlement of goods and an accounting machine that settles the transaction information. The registration machine includes setting means for generating setting information for controlling display of a questionnaire for the product on the accounting machine, and transmission means for transmitting the setting information to the accounting machine. The accounting machine has display means for displaying a questionnaire for the product based on the setting information.

The top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the registration machine and accounting machine in the checkout system of this embodiment. The block diagram of the registration machine and accounting machine in this embodiment. The flowchart of the control processing of the registration machine (CPU) in this embodiment. The flowchart of the control processing of the registration machine (CPU) in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the registration screen in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the small plan surface in this embodiment. The flowchart of the control processing of the accounting machine (CPU) in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the questionnaire corresponding | compatible data in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the questionnaire main body data in this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the questionnaire screen in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The checkout system in the present embodiment is installed in a store such as a supermarket, for example.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a registration machine 11 (11A, 11B) and a plurality of accounting machines 12 (12A1, 12A2, 12B1, 12B2) in the checkout system of the present embodiment. The registration machine 11 and the accounting machine 12 are installed in a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket. The checkout system shown in FIG. 1 is provided with two registration machines 11A and 11B. Two accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2 are provided in the vicinity of the registration machine 11A. Two accounting machines 12B1 and 12B2 are provided in the vicinity of the registration machine 11B.

  The registration machine 11A inputs the product code of the product that the shopper 4 (4A-1) intends to purchase, and generates transaction information used for settlement processing in the accounting machine 12 based on the product code. Device. The registration machine 11A generates transaction information for each transaction. The transaction information includes information about at least one product and an amount to be settled (total amount of transaction). The registration machine 11A is operated by an employee 2-1 who performs a product registration operation called a checker. Further, the registration machine 11A has a function of performing the same settlement processing as the accounting machine 12 by a checker operation based on the transaction information.

  The accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2 are devices for receiving the transaction information generated by the registration machine 11A and performing a settlement process based on the transaction information. The accounting machines 12A1, 12A2 are operated by the shopper 4 (4A-2, 4A-3). The accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2 may be operated by the employee 2-1.

  The registration machine 11A is attached to the work table in FIG. The work table has a rectangular top plate, for example. The employee 2-1 performs a scan operation (product registration operation) on the product that the shopper 4A-1 intends to purchase on the work table.

  For example, the accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2 are arranged near the work table to which the registration machine 11A is attached. FIG. 1 shows an example in which two accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2 are arranged. Three or more accounting machines 12 may be provided.

  The registration machine 11B is an apparatus for registering a purchased product that the shopper 4 (4B-1) intends to purchase and generating transaction information. The registration machine 11B is operated by an employee 2-2 who performs a product registration operation called a checker. Further, the registration machine 11B has a function of performing the same settlement process as the accounting machine 12 by the operation of the checker based on the transaction information.

  The accounting machines 12B1 and 12B2 are devices for receiving the transaction information generated by the registration machine 11B and performing a settlement process based on the transaction information. The accounting machines 12B1 and 12B2 are operated by the shopper 4 (4B-2, 4B-3). The accounting machines 12B1 and 12B2 may be operated by the employee 2-2.

  Since the registration machine 11B is configured in the same manner as the registration machine 11A, detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, since the accounting machines 12B1 and 12B2 are configured in the same manner as the accounting machines 12A1 and 12A2, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In addition, the checkout system in this embodiment is not limited about the number of the registration machines 11. Further, the transaction information generated by the registration machine 11 is basically processed in the accounting machine 12 installed in the vicinity of the registration machine 11 that generated the transaction information, but installed in a remote place. The settlement process may be executed in the accounting machine 12. For example, the transaction information generated by the registration machine 11A may be processed for settlement by the accounting machine 12B or the accounting machine 12B.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the registration machine 11 and the accounting machine 12 in the present embodiment.

  The registration machines 11A and 11B and the accounting machines 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, and 12B2 are all connected to a LAN (local area network) 14. Instead of the LAN 14, another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN may be used. Alternatively, information may be exchanged between the registration machines 11A and 11B and the accounting machines 12A1, 12A2, 12B1, and 12B2 via the server 13 (store computer).

  The registration machine 11A has a computer function, and 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, It has a scanner 11f, a touch panel 11g, a printer 11h, a card reader / writer 11i, a communication unit 11j, and a display 11m.

  The CPU 11a is a circuit for controlling each unit to realize 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 and the RAM 11c record data referred to when the CPU 11a performs various processes in addition to various programs executed by the CPU 11a. In the RAM 11c, for example, when a process of registering product information is executed as temporarily recorded data, a registered product table in which information of each product is registered is recorded. The product information includes questionnaire information indicating the contents of the questionnaire about the product. The questionnaire information is set for at least some products sold in the store. A product for which questionnaire information is set is registered in a product file, for example. In the product file, for example, questionnaire information is set in association with the product code. The product file may be recorded in either the server 13 or the registration device 11A.

  The program executed by the CPU 11a includes processing for receiving shopper information (customer information) registered as a member from the server 13, processing for inputting product information (product code, etc.) through the scanner 11f, and registration in the registered product table. Processing for generating transaction information used for payment processing according to the information of the merchandise that has been made, payment processing based on the transaction information, and controlling the display of the questionnaire for the merchandise for which questionnaire information is set in the accounting machine 12 A control program for executing processing for generating questionnaire setting information, processing for transmitting transaction information (which may include questionnaire setting information) to the server 13 or the accounting machine 12, and the like are included. The questionnaire setting information includes information indicating whether or not to display the questionnaire, information for instructing adjustment of the contents (quantity) of the questionnaire, and display of the questionnaire based on the customer information of the shopper 4 registered as a member. The information etc. which instruct | indicate is included.

  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 EEPROM (registered trademark) (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used.

  The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens a drawer for storing money.

  The scanner 11f reads product information by optical scanning and inputs a product code unique to the product. The scanner 11f may be a fixed type or a handy type two-dimensional code scanner, or may be a type for identifying a product using an image recognition technique from an image obtained by photographing the product. Further, only one type of scanner 11f may be provided, or a plurality of types may be provided.

  The touch panel 11g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen. For example, the display device displays a list of transaction information (product names, amounts, etc.) related to products registered as purchase targets, subtotal amounts, various menus, buttons for inputting commands, and the like. As the display device, for example, a known device such as a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 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 touch panel 11g is basically used for the cashier, but may be provided for the shopper 4A-1.

  The printer 11h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and prints various character strings, images, code patterns (barcode, two-dimensional code, etc.), etc. on receipt paper, thereby allowing the product name, unit price, Issue receipts with transaction details such as total amount printed.

  The card reader / writer 11i reads data recorded on the card and writes data to the card. Cards include various cards for recording information related to payment, such as member cards and point cards, in addition to payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The card 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 communicates with the server 13 and the accounting machine 12 via the LAN 14.

  A known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display 11m. The display 11m displays, for example, a screen for displaying information on products registered as purchased products for the shopper 4A-1.

  For example, an existing POS terminal can be used as the hardware of the registration machine 11A. The registration machine 11B is configured in the same manner as the registration machine 11A, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The accounting machine 12A1 has a computer function and includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, an auxiliary storage unit 12d, an automatic change machine 12e, a scanner 12f, a touch panel 12g, a printer 12h, a card reader / writer 12i, and a communication unit 12j. .

  The CPU 12a is a circuit for controlling each unit to realize various operations as the accounting machine 12A1 based on the operating system, middleware, and application program stored in the ROM 12b and the RAM 12c.

  The ROM 12b and the RAM 12c record various programs executed by the CPU 12a and data to be referred to when the CPU 12a performs various processes. In the RAM 12c, data indicating transaction information (including questionnaire information) registered in the registered product table and questionnaire setting information transmitted from the registration device 11 are recorded as temporarily recorded data.

  The program executed by the CPU 12a includes processing for receiving transaction information used for payment processing, processing for setting a payment method based on customer information (payment method information) included in the transaction information, and operation according to the payment method. Includes a control program for executing processes for displaying screens, processes for displaying questionnaires for products based on questionnaire setting information, payment processes based on transaction information in response to inputs corresponding to operation screens, etc. .

  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. For example, data related to the display of a questionnaire is recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. For example, the questionnaire-related data (see FIG. 8) in which the data related to the display of the questionnaire is associated with the questionnaire information and information indicating the type of questionnaire to be displayed for the questionnaire information (for example, the questionnaire name), And questionnaire main body data (see FIG. 9) to be displayed corresponding to each of a plurality of pieces of information (questionnaire names) indicating the types of questionnaires. The questionnaire body data is divided into, for example, a plurality of contents (for example, a plurality of question items), and attributes to be referred to when limiting the display target such as the importance level and the customer base targeted for the questionnaire are classified into each category. Data to indicate is added.

  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 data recorded on a medium such as a receipt by optical scanning. The scanner 12f may be a fixed type or a handy type two-dimensional code scanner, or may be a type for identifying a product using an image recognition technique from an image obtained by photographing the product. Also, the scanner 12f may be provided with only one type or may be provided with a plurality of types.

  The touch panel 12g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen. For example, the display device displays a list of transaction information (product names, amounts, etc.) related to products registered as purchase targets, subtotal amounts, various menus, buttons for inputting commands, and the like. 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 printer 12h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues transaction receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper.

  The card reader / writer 12i reads data recorded on the card and writes data to the card. Cards include various cards for recording information related to payment, such as member cards and point cards, in addition to payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The card reader / writer 12i may be any of a magnetic type, a contact type, or a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

  The communication unit 12j communicates with the server 13 and the registration device 11 via the LAN 14.

The accounting machine 12A1 may be provided with a human sensor or the like that can detect that the shopper 4A-2 has approached.
For example, an existing self-POS terminal can be used as the hardware of the accounting machine 12A1. The accounting machines 12A2, 12B1, and 12B2 are configured in the same manner as the accounting machine 12A1, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The server 13 has a computer function, and a CPU (processor) executes various processes based on a program recorded in the memory. The server 13 has a function of managing information (customer information) regarding the shopper 4 (customer) registered as a member. The server 13 associates the storage unit with identification information (member ID) determined for each shopper 4 (member), and personal information such as name, address, telephone number, gender, date of birth (age), etc. Record information and information such as points earned. The member ID is recorded on, for example, a member card provided to the shopper 4 (member). When the server 13 receives an inquiry request for customer information corresponding to the member ID from the registration machine 11 or the accounting machine 12, the server 13 has a function of transmitting customer information corresponding to the corresponding member ID to the registration machine 11 or the accounting machine 12. Have.

  Next, the operation of the checkout system in this embodiment 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. In the following description, the operations of the registration machine 11A and the accounting machine 12A1 will be described as an example.

  When the registration machine 11A is activated in a mode for registering purchased products, the CPU 11a starts control processing based on a control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d.

3 and 4 are flowcharts of the control process of the registration machine 11A (CPU 11a) in the present embodiment.
When starting the control process, the CPU 11a clears the registered content of the registered product table recorded in the RAM 11c (Act 1). Further, the CPU 11a displays a registration screen and a registration operation screen on the touch panel 11g (Act 2). The registration screen is used to display information on products registered in the registered product table, and is a screen for allowing the employee 2-1 to confirm the implementation status of the registration process. The registration operation screen is a screen for displaying various function buttons such as a product button and a subtotal button for the employee 2-1 to specify a product.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the registration screen SC1 in the present embodiment.
Registration screen SC1 shown in FIG. 5 includes regions R1 and R2. The region R1 is a region for displaying the product name, number and unit price related to the product registered in the registered product table, and the total number and total price of the purchased products after the product is registered. The area R2 is an area for displaying a list of product names, numbers, unit prices, and amounts related to the products registered before the products displayed on the registration screen SC1. In the area R2, information AR0 indicating that there is a questionnaire is displayed for the product for which the questionnaire is set. Note that the registration screen SC1 represents only a basic form for displaying various types of information related to the registered product, and various types of information related to product registration other than that shown in FIG. 5 can also be displayed. .

  In a state where the registration screen and the registration operation screen are displayed, the CPU 11a waits for a touch operation on a subtotal button displayed on the screen of the touch panel 11g and acquisition of a product code through the scanner 11f.

  When detecting that the product code attached to the product has been read from the scanner 11f by the operation of the employee 2-1 (Act4, Yes), the CPU 11a registers the product information corresponding to the product code in the registered product table ( Update) (Act 5). The CPU 11a updates the product information on the registration screen SC1 according to the contents of the updated registered product table.

  Further, the CPU 11a determines whether or not the questionnaire information corresponding to the product code is set with reference to the product file (Act 6). If the product file is recorded in the server 13, the server 13 is inquired.

  Here, when it is determined that the questionnaire information is set for the product (Act7, Yes), the CPU 11a sends a message AR01 (notice that the questionnaire is set for the product in the region R1 of the registration screen SC1). “There is a questionnaire”) and a button B01 (“Delete”) for inputting an instruction to delete the questionnaire by operating the cashier is displayed (Act 8).

  The cashier can recognize that the questionnaire is set for the product by the message AR01 displayed in the region R1 of the registration screen SC1. Here, when an operation on the button B01 by the cashier is detected (Act 9, Yes), the CPU 11a deletes the message AR01 or changes the display to “no questionnaire” (Act 10). In this case, when the next product code is input, when the product information is moved to the region R2, the information AR0 indicating that there is a questionnaire is not displayed.

  Further, the CPU 11a changes the display of the button B01 to “return”. When an operation on the button B01 in the “return” display state is detected, the CPU 11a returns the message AR01 to “with questionnaire”, sets the display of the button B01 to “delete”, and sets the questionnaire for the product. Return to the state.

  If an operation of touching the information AR0 indicating the presence of a questionnaire displayed in the region R2 is detected, the CPU 11a determines that the cancellation of the questionnaire for the corresponding product has been instructed (Act 9, Yes). The CPU 11a deletes the information AR0 indicating that there is a questionnaire displayed as a list in the region R2 (Act10). That is, for a product for which the deletion of the questionnaire is not specified in the region R1, it is possible to set the cancellation of the questionnaire for each product by an operation on the region R2.

  Thereafter, as described above, the CPU 11a sequentially stores information on the products corresponding to the acquired product codes in the registered product table every time the employee 2-1 is operated to read the product code by the scanner 11f. Add (Act 4 to 10). In addition, the CPU 11a can set no questionnaire for each product through an instruction for displaying the questionnaire in the button B01 or the region R2 through the registration screen SC1. That is, in the accounting machine 12A, the questionnaire display for this product can be canceled.

  Thus, after at least one product is registered, when the CPU 11a detects that the subtotal button is touched (Act3, Yes), it is registered in the registered product table based on the content registered in the registered product table. Transaction information for settlement processing related to the merchandise is generated (Act 11). The transaction information includes a list of registered products, information such as the total number and total amount of purchased products, and questionnaire information. The CPU 11a causes the touch panel 11g to display a small plan surface SC2 including information such as a list of registered products and the total number and total amount of registered products (Act 12).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the small plan surface SC2 in the present embodiment.
The small plan surface SC2 includes display areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR5, AR6 and buttons B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B10.

  The CPU 11a displays the total number and the total amount included in the transaction information in the display area AR1, and displays whether or not the transaction information can be transferred to each of the four accounting machines 12 in the display areas AR2 to AR5. . The CPU 11a displays “transfer impossible” for the accounting machine 12 to which the transaction information can be transferred, and displays “transfer possible” for the accounting machine 12 that can transfer the transaction information. In the small plan surface SC2 shown in FIG. 6, “transferable” is displayed in the display area AR2 so as to indicate that transfer is possible to the accounting machine 12A1.

  Buttons B4 to B7 are transfer buttons for instructing to perform the accounting process in the accounting machine 12, and are associated with the four accounting machines 12 to designate the accounting machine 12 to which the transaction information is to be transferred. Is provided.

  Buttons B1 and B2 are used for the employee 2-1 to specify that a discount or a discount is applied to the total amount included in the transaction information. The button B3 is a button for the employee 2-1 to instruct a closing operation for completing the registration of the product and causing the registration machine 11A to shift to the accounting process. The button B8 is a button for the employee 2-1 to specify that the small plan surface SC2 is returned to the registration screen SC1.

  Buttons B9 and B10 are buttons that are displayed when the transaction information includes a commodity for which questionnaire information is set, and accepts an input of an instruction for controlling the display of the questionnaire in the accounting machine 12. When the commodity for which the questionnaire information is set is not included in the transaction information, the CPU 11a does not display the button B9 and the button B10 on the small plan surface SC2. The button B9 is a button for instructing the setting not to display the questionnaire in the accounting machine 12 ("Cancel"), and the button B10 is a button for instructing adjustment of the contents (quantity) of the questionnaire displayed in the accounting machine 12 "Content limited").

  The button B9 is a button for instructing not to display the questionnaire for all products on the accounting machine 12 even if the product for which the questionnaire information is set is included in the transaction information. When the questionnaire is not displayed for all the products, it is only necessary to perform an operation on the button B9, and it is not necessary to perform setting for not displaying the questionnaire for each product on the registration screen SC1.

  The button 10 is a button for instructing not to display a part of a predetermined questionnaire when the transaction information includes a product for which questionnaire information is set. For example, when a predetermined questionnaire is divided into a plurality of contents (for example, a plurality of question items) by an operation on the button 10, it is instructed not to display a part of the divided contents. it can.

  In this embodiment, the amount of the questionnaire is reduced by limiting the contents of the questionnaire displayed at the normal time. However, the amount of the questionnaire may be increased in divided content units as compared with the normal time. In this case, a button for instructing to increase the contents of the questionnaire is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the state where the small plan surface SC2 is displayed, it is further detected that the product code attached to the product is read from the scanner 11f by the operation of the employee 2-1 (Act 13, Yes). The CPU 11a registers (updates) product information corresponding to the product code in the registered product table and displays a registration screen (Act 14).

  In addition, the member card owned by the shopper 4 can be read in a state where the small plan surface SC2 is displayed. For example, the shopper 4 presents a membership card to the cashier in order to receive a predetermined benefit for the member, specifically, a discount on the payment price (such as 5% discount) or point grant. When the cashier operates the card reader / writer 11i to read the card (Act 15, Yes), the CPU 11a inputs the member ID recorded on the member card through the card reader / writer 11i.

  The CPU 11a inquires of the server 13 about customer information based on the member ID read from the member card. In response to the inquiry from the registration machine 11A, the server 13 transmits customer information corresponding to the member ID to the registration machine 11A. The CPU 11a receives customer information corresponding to the member ID read from the member card from the server 13 through the communication unit 11j, and records it in the RAM 11c (Act 16). The customer information recorded in the RAM 11c is used as a limiting condition when an instruction for limiting the contents of the questionnaire is input.

  On the small plan surface SC2, when the closing operation instruction is detected by the operation on the button B3 (Act 18, Yes), the CPU 11a executes a settlement process on the transaction information by the payment method requested by the shopper 4 (Act 19). The transaction receipt on which the contents are printed is issued by the printer 11h (Act 20).

  On the other hand, when detecting that the button B4 for instructing the “transferable” accounting machine 12A1 to execute the accounting process is detected on the small plan plane SC2 (Act 17, Yes), the CPU 11a displays the registration screen SC1 and the small plan plane. In response to the instruction input through SC2, questionnaire setting information for controlling the display of the questionnaire in the accounting machine 12A1 is generated (Act 21).

CPU11a produces | generates questionnaire setting information as follows, for example.
When neither the button B9 nor the button B10 is operated on the small plan surface SC2, the CPU 11a sets the entire questionnaire indicated by the questionnaire information for each product for which the questionnaire information is set.

  In the small plan screen SC2, when the stop of the questionnaire display is instructed by the operation of the button B9, the CPU 11a sets so as not to display the questionnaire for all products.

  In the small plan screen SC2, when adjustment of the contents (quantity) of the questionnaire is instructed by the operation of the button B10, the CPU 11a sets a condition for limiting the contents of the questionnaire. For example, when a questionnaire is divided into multiple contents (for example, multiple question items) and importance is set for each category, do not display contents below the criteria set in advance. Set. In addition, when a customer segment targeted for the questionnaire is set for each category of the questionnaire, the personal information (for example, gender, age, etc.) included in the customer information recorded in the RAM 11c is a condition for limiting the questionnaire. Set as. Moreover, it is also possible to set a combination of importance and customer demographic conditions. In addition, about the conditions which limit the content of a questionnaire, you may be other than targeting the importance and customer layer mentioned above.

  The CPU 11a generates identification information for identifying the current transaction, and transmits transaction information (including questionnaire information) associated with the identification information and questionnaire setting information to the accounting machine 12A1 corresponding to the button B4 ( Act22). Further, the CPU 11a displays a notification screen for notifying the cashier that the accounting machine 12A1 has been notified of the execution of the accounting process (Act 23).

  In this way, the registration machine 11A generates questionnaire setting information for controlling the display of the questionnaire in the accounting machine 12A1 in response to an instruction input through the registration screen SC1 and the small plan screen SC2, and sends it to the accounting machine 12A1 together with the transaction information. Send.

  In the above description, when the accounting machine 12 executes the accounting process, it is described as displaying a questionnaire. However, when the registration machine 11 performs settlement, based on the questionnaire setting information described above, It is also possible to display a questionnaire on the display 11m and have the shopper 4A-1 answer the questionnaire.

  Thus, the registration machine 11A can set the questionnaire setting information for adjusting the amount of the questionnaire displayed on the accounting machine 12A1 in accordance with the instruction from the cashier. Therefore, when the operations of the shopper 4 in the plurality of accounting machines 12 are stagnant, or when the number of shoppers waiting for registration of products has increased, the cashier may not display a questionnaire, The accounting machine 12A can be notified so as to reduce the amount of the questionnaire.

Next, the operation of the accounting machine 12A1 in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the control process of the accounting machine 12A1 (CPU 12a) in the present embodiment.
The accounting machine 12A1 (CPU 12a) displays a standby screen on the touch panel 12g in the initial state (Act 31). The standby screen represents that there is no payment processing status, and what kind of information is represented may be arbitrary. For example, the standby screen displays, for example, a message indicating that payment processing cannot be performed, or an arbitrary image indicating an advertisement or the like as a screen saver.

  The CPU 12a monitors reception of transaction information (and questionnaire setting information) from the registration device 11A in the standby state. Here, when reception of transaction information is detected (Act 32, Yes), the CPU 12a records the transaction information and questionnaire setting information in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d.

  When the questionnaire setting information indicates that the questionnaire is not displayed (Act 33, No), the CPU 12a executes the process for settlement without displaying the questionnaire. That is, the CPU 12a causes the touch panel 12g to display a payment screen for accepting an operation by the shopper 4 for payment processing (Act 38). For example, the settlement screen displays the total amount indicated in the transaction information. Further, the settlement screen may display a total number and a list of purchased products.

  The CPU 12a detects an operation by the shopper 4 for settlement (Act 39, Yes), and executes a settlement process for settlement of the total amount indicated in the transaction information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d (Act 40). ). The CPU 12a controls the printer 12h and issues a receipt representing the information shown in the transaction information recorded in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d and the result of the settlement process. Then, the CPU 12a returns to Act 31, and performs the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

  On the other hand, when the questionnaire setting information indicates that the questionnaire is displayed (Act 33, Yes), the CPU 12a sets the questionnaire setting information based on the questionnaire correspondence data and the questionnaire main body data recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. A questionnaire display screen is displayed on the touch panel 12g according to the content (Act 34).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of questionnaire correspondence data in the present embodiment.
In the questionnaire correspondence data, the questionnaire information (1, 2, 3, 4,...) Is associated with the questionnaire name (A, B, C,...) Indicating the type of questionnaire to be displayed for the questionnaire information. Yes. For example, for a product for which questionnaire information “1” is set, the questionnaire with the questionnaire name “A” is displayed. Therefore, the contents of the questionnaire can be changed by changing the questionnaire information set for the product.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of questionnaire main body data in the present embodiment.
The questionnaire main body data is divided into a plurality of contents (for example, a plurality of question items), and shows attributes to be referred to when limiting the display target, such as the importance level and the customer base targeted for the questionnaire, for each category. Data is added. For example, in the questionnaire main body data shown in FIG. 9, for each of the questionnaire names (A, B, C,...) Set in the questionnaire correspondence data, display targets for a plurality of question items (Q1, Q2,...) Data (for example, text data). Further, as data indicating the attribute for each question item, for example, data indicating importance (importance 1, 2,...) Is set. In addition, the questionnaire main body data includes data indicating the sex and age of the shopper who is the subject of the questionnaire as data indicating the customer segment that is the subject of the questionnaire. In the example shown in FIG. 9, data indicating the shopper's sex and age is set for each questionnaire, but different settings may be made in association with each question item.

  For example, when the setting for restricting the display of the questionnaire is not made in the questionnaire setting information, the CPU 12a displays the contents of the questionnaire corresponding to the questionnaire information on the questionnaire display screen for the product for which the questionnaire information is set.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the questionnaire screen SC3 in the present embodiment.
In the questionnaire screen SC3, an area AR11 for displaying a message for explaining operations on the screen (“Please answer the questionnaire”), an area AR12 for displaying an image of the product targeted for the questionnaire, and information on the products targeted for the questionnaire (for example, , Product name, unit price, etc.) and a questionnaire area AR14 for displaying questionnaire questions.

  Furthermore, in order to instruct the questionnaire screen SC3 to indicate the total display area AR15 for displaying the points and total amount (payment amount) of the products registered in the registration device 10 as the object of the settlement process, and to end the questionnaire response. Button B21 and a next questionnaire button B22 for instructing the display of the next questionnaire are provided. Further, the total display area AR15 is provided with a detail button B23 for displaying the information of the products registered in the registration device 10 in a list (detail).

  In the area AR14, a plurality of choices of answers are displayed in addition to the question items. The shopper 4 can input an answer to the question item by an operation of touching the selector displayed in the area AR14. When the CPU 12a detects that an answer has been input by an operation of touching the selector (Act 35, Yes), it records data indicating the contents of the answer (the selector) in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d (Act 36). In response to the input of the answer, when there are a plurality of questions regarding the same product, the CPU 12a displays the next question in the questionnaire area AR14 (Act 34).

  Further, when all the questions are answered for one product, the CPU 12a displays a questionnaire corresponding to the questionnaire information for the next product (Act 34). Or when operation to the next questionnaire button B22 by the shopper 4 is detected, CPU12a switches to the display of the questionnaire which should be displayed next as mentioned above, even when there is no answer input.

  In addition, CPU12a limits the questionnaire (category) made into display object according to setting content, when it is set to adjust the content (quantity) of a questionnaire in questionnaire setting information. For example, when the questionnaire A shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, for example, only the question item Q1 of importance 1 is displayed, and the question item Q2 is not displayed.

  In addition, when personal information (gender, age, etc.) included in customer information is set in the questionnaire setting information, only questionnaires having attributes corresponding to the conditions are displayed. For example, if the contents of the questionnaire corresponding to the questionnaire information are the questionnaires A and B shown in FIG. 9, if the sex is “male” and the age is “20 years” as personal information, only the questionnaire A is displayed. Questionnaire B is not displayed.

  Thus, the accounting machine 12 can adjust the amount of the displayed questionnaire based on the questionnaire setting information set in the registration machine 11. Accordingly, when the operations of the shopper 4 in the plurality of accounting machines 12 are stagnant, or when the number of shoppers waiting for product registration increases, the questionnaire is not displayed or the amount of the questionnaire is reduced. By doing so, it becomes possible to prevent the settlement process from being delayed for the answer to the questionnaire.

  As described above, the CPU 12a performs the settlement process when the answer input for all the questionnaires is completed or when the shopper answers the instruction by the operation of the button B21 by the shopper 4 (Act 37, Yes). The settlement screen is displayed and processing for settlement is executed (Act 38 to 41).

  When the completion of the answer to the questionnaire is instructed by the operation of the button B21, the CPU 12a stops displaying the questionnaire and shifts to a settlement process even when the questionnaire to be displayed remains. That is, when the shopper 4 refuses to answer the questionnaire, the display of the questionnaire can be stopped in response to the request from the shopper 4.

  In addition, when the shopper 4 who is reading the membership card receives an answer to the questionnaire, it is possible to prompt the answer to the questionnaire by giving a privilege to the member. For example, as a privilege for the shopper 4 who answered the questionnaire, there are granting of points that can be used for purchasing the product, discounting of the payment price (for example, discounting of the product targeted for the questionnaire), granting of a coupon, and the like.

  When there is a discount for the payment price, the CPU 12a, for example, makes an amount obtained by discounting the display of the total amount of the total display area AR15 on the questionnaire screen SC3. Moreover, when granting a coupon, CPU12a issues the coupon receipt on which the barcode etc. which can be used as a coupon ticket were printed with the receipt issue after a payment process.

  In the above description, the questionnaire is displayed before the settlement process. However, after the settlement process, the questionnaire may be displayed in the same manner as described above and the answer by the shopper 4 may be input (Act 33). ~ 37).

  As described above, according to the checkout system in the present embodiment, questionnaire setting information for controlling the display of the questionnaire in the accounting machine 12 is generated by the checker operating the registration machine 11, and the accounting machine 12 Can be sent. Since the accounting machine 12 can adjust the contents of the questionnaire to be displayed based on the questionnaire setting information, it is possible to collect information by the questionnaire without delaying the settlement process.

  In the above explanation, an example in which a part of the contents of the questionnaire set for the product is deleted and displayed is explained, but the contents of the questionnaire displayed at the time of default are set in the registration machine. The contents of the questionnaire may be added according to the questionnaire setting information.

  In the above description, it is described that the questionnaire information is set for each product in the product file. However, for example, the questionnaire information may be set for all products, the product type, the product The presence / absence of questionnaire information may be set for each manufacturer and for each time period when the product is registered in the registration device 11.

  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 embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  Further, the processing described in the above-described embodiment is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), semiconductor memory, etc., as a program that can be executed by a computer. And can be provided to various devices. It is also possible to transmit to a variety of devices by transmitting via a communication medium. The computer reads the program recorded on the recording medium or receives the program via the communication medium, and the operation is controlled by this program, thereby executing the above-described processing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Checkout system, 11 ... Registration machine, 11a ... CPU, 11b ... ROM, 11c ... RAM, 11d ... Auxiliary storage unit, 11e ... Drawer release unit, 11f ... Scanner, 11g ... Touch panel, 11h ... Printer, 11i ... Card Reader / writer, 11j ... communication unit, 11m ... display, 12 ... accounting machine, 12a ... CPU, 12b ... ROM, 12c ... RAM, 12d ... auxiliary storage unit, 12e ... automatic change machine, 12f ... scanner, 12g ... touch panel, 12h ... Printer, 12i ... Card reader / writer, 12j ... Communication unit.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a checkout system and a questionnaire method .

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system and a questionnaire method capable of collecting information by a questionnaire without delaying the settlement process.

According to the embodiment, the checkout system includes a registration machine that generates transaction information for settlement of goods and an accounting machine that settles the transaction information. The registration device, when the questionnaire information about the product is set, and outputs the information indicating that the questionnaire information is set to the product on the display unit. The accounting machine displays a questionnaire for the product based on the questionnaire information.

Claims (5)

A checkout system including a registration machine that generates transaction information for settlement of goods and an accounting machine that settles the transaction information,
The registration machine
Setting means for generating setting information for controlling display on the accounting machine of the questionnaire for the product;
Transmitting means for transmitting the setting information to the accounting machine,
The accounting machine
A checkout system comprising display means for displaying a questionnaire for the product based on the setting information.   The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit generates the setting information including information indicating that the questionnaire is displayed or not displayed.   The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit generates the setting information including information instructing to adjust the contents of the questionnaire. The questionnaire is divided into a plurality of contents,
The checkout system according to claim 3, wherein the setting information includes information instructing to adjust the questionnaire in units of divided contents. The registration machine
An input means for inputting identification information for identifying the customer;
The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit generates the setting information including information instructing to adjust the questionnaire to contents corresponding to the identification information.