JP2020149731A - Settlement device, commodity registration device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for avoiding a potential problem caused by forgetting to receive change in a system in which a customer performs settlement of commodities.SOLUTION: A settlement device 10 receives settlement information from a commodity registration device registering a commodity to be purchased in accordance with an operation of a store clerk and generating the settlement information of the commodity, and performs settlement processing based on the settlement information according to an operation of a customer. The settlement device 10 includes a change dispensing part 110 for dispensing change generated in the settlement processing from a dispensing port; a change detection part 120 for detecting a specific state in which at least a part of the change remains in the dispensing port; and an output part 130 performing a first output for limiting use of the settlement device when continuing to detect the specific state by the change detection part 120 for longer than a reference time after dispensing change.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for supporting accounting operations in stores.

As a POS (Point of Sale) system used in stores, a system in which a clerk only registers the product and the customer pays for the product (payment of the price and receipt of change) (hereinafter, also referred to as "semi-self POS system"). )It has been known.

An example of the technique relating to the above-mentioned semi-self POS system is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In Patent Document 1 below, the payment device (payment device) sends a notification indicating that the change has been forgotten to be taken to the POS server, and the POS server forgets to take the change based on the notification from the payment device. A technique for displaying a layout screen showing a payment device in which a problem occurs on a product registration device is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-162108

In the technique of Patent Document 1, another customer can use the payment device (payment device) in which the change of the previous customer remains. In this case, another customer may accidentally or maliciously take away the change of the previous customer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a technique for avoiding a problem that may occur due to forgetting to take a change in a system in which a customer pays for a product.

The first settlement device of the present invention is a settlement device that receives settlement information of a product to be purchased from a product registration device operated by a clerk and performs a settlement process based on the settlement information according to a customer's operation. The first settlement device of the present invention comprises (1) a change payout means for paying out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port, and (2) at least a part of the change at the payout port after the payout of the change. It has a limiting means for restricting the operation of the customer with respect to the settlement device when the remaining state continues for a predetermined time. The second settlement device of the present invention is a settlement device that receives settlement information of a product to be purchased from a product registration device operated by a clerk and performs a settlement process based on the settlement information according to a customer's operation. The second settlement device of the present invention includes a change payout means for paying out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port, and after the payout of the change, at least a part of the change remains in the payout port. Limits the use of the settlement device when the payment continues for a predetermined time.

The first product registration device of the present invention is a product registration device operated by a clerk. The first product registration device of the present invention is (1) from a payment device that performs a payment process based on the product payment information generated by the product registration device according to a customer's operation, and is a change generated by the payment process. A receiving means for receiving a notification that at least a part of the payment device remains in the change payout port of the payment device, and (2) selecting the payment device as a transmission destination of the payment information in response to receiving the notification. It has a limiting means for limiting. The second product registration device of the present invention is a product registration device operated by a clerk. The second product registration device of the present invention is: (1) From a payment device that performs a payment process based on the product payment information generated by the product registration device according to a customer's operation, the change generated by the payment process. A receiving means for receiving a notification that at least a part of the payment device remains in the change payout port of the payment device, and (2) a limiting means for restricting selection of the notified payment device as a transmission destination of the payment information. And.

The first control method of the present invention is executed by a settlement device that receives settlement information of a product to be purchased from a product registration device operated by a clerk and performs a settlement process based on the settlement information according to a customer's operation. In the control method, (1) the change generated in the settlement process is paid out from the payout port, and (2) after the payout of the change, at least a part of the change remains in the payout port for a predetermined time. In some cases, it includes restricting the customer's operation on the checkout device.

The second control method of the present invention is executed by a product registration device operated by a clerk. The control method is from a settlement device that performs a settlement process based on the settlement information of the product generated by the product registration device according to a customer's operation. (1) At least a part of the change generated in the settlement process is the settlement. Receive the notification that the product remains in the changeout port of the device, and (2) output to restrict the selection of the payment device as the destination of the payment information in response to the reception of the notification. Including.

The first program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the first control method of the present invention.

The second program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the second control method of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem due to forgetting to take change in a system in which a customer pays for a product.

It is a figure which schematically illustrates the semi-self POS system. It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the settlement apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which conceptually shows the hardware configuration of the settlement apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the appearance of the settlement apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process which restricts the use of a settlement apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which shows that the settlement device cannot be used. It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the product registration device. It is a figure which conceptually shows the hardware composition of the product registration apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the appearance of the product registration apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates the process flow of the product registration apparatus. It is a figure which shows the display example by the display processing part of a product registration apparatus. It is a figure which illustrates the screen transition of the settlement device and the product registration device in another display example. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process of releasing the use restriction of a settlement device. It is a figure which shows the screen transition example of the settlement apparatus corresponding to the 2nd output. It is a figure which shows the screen transition example of the product registration apparatus corresponding to the 2nd output. It is a block diagram which conceptually shows the functional structure of the settlement apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of processing in the modified example of 2nd Embodiment.

<Overview>
The present invention relates to a settlement device and a product registration device used in a semi-self POS system. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a semi-self POS system. The semi-self POS system includes one or more payment devices 10 and one or more product registration devices 20. The semi-self POS system shown in FIG. 1 is just an example. In the semi-self POS system illustrated in FIG. 1, as shown by the dotted line and the broken line in the figure, the settlement device 10 to be a set for each product registration device 20 is predetermined, but there is no such limitation. May be good. Further, the semi-self POS system may further include a server device (not shown) that relays communication between the settlement device 10 and the product registration device 20.

The product registration device 20 is a device operated by a clerk. The clerk operates the product reading scanner, keyboard, touch panel, etc. of the product registration device 20 to have the product registration device 20 acquire the information of the product M that the customer has brought to the cash register counter. The product registration device 20 uses a scanner for reading the product, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like to use the product information of the product M (for example, the product identification code, the product name, the unit price of the product, the number of registered products, the discount / discount of the product). Get information etc.). Then, the product registration device 20 generates payment information using the acquired product information. The settlement information is information used when the settlement device 10 performs the settlement process for completing the sale and purchase transaction of the product, and includes at least the information regarding the total amount of the products registered as the settlement target. For example, the settlement information includes at least information on the unit price, the number of registrations, and discounts / discounts of each product acquired as described above, or information indicating the total amount of products that can be calculated from these information. The product registration device 20 is a server device that directly or does not show the settlement information on the settlement device 10 selected by the operation of the clerk or automatically determined based on the availability and the preset priority. It can be sent via.

The settlement device 10 is a device operated by the customer. The settlement device 10 acquires the settlement information generated by the product registration device 20, and uses the settlement information to complete the settlement process (commodity) for completing the sales transaction of the product registered as the settlement target by the product registration device 20. Accepting banknotes and coins as payment, returning change, printing receipts, etc.). The settlement device 10 can acquire settlement information directly from the product registration device 20 or via a server device (not shown). In addition, the settlement device 10 can also acquire settlement information via a symbol (for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark)) that can be read by the settlement device 10. In this case, the product registration device 20 prints and outputs the information that identifies the settlement information or the symbol that encodes the settlement information itself on some medium. In the former case, the product registration device 20 transmits the identification information encoded from the settlement information to a server device (not shown), and the settlement device 10 acquires the settlement information from the server device based on the identification information read from the symbol of the medium. can do. In the latter case, the settlement device 10 can acquire settlement information from the symbol of the medium.

In such a semi-self POS system, a customer who uses a certain settlement device 10 may forget to take out the change paid out in the settlement process. In this case, another customer who next uses the checkout device 10 may mistakenly or maliciously take away the change that the previous customer forgot to take.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention that solve the above-mentioned problems will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, unless otherwise specified, in each block diagram, each block represents a configuration of a functional unit, not a configuration of a hardware unit.

[First Embodiment]
[Functional configuration of payment device 10]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the settlement device 10 according to the first embodiment. As described above, the settlement device 10 is a device that receives settlement information from the product registration device 20 and performs settlement processing based on the settlement information according to the operation of the customer. As described above, the settlement information is generated by the product registration device 20 registering the product to be purchased according to the operation of the clerk. As shown in FIG. 2, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment includes a change payout unit 110, a change detection unit 120, and an output unit 130. The change payout unit 110 pays out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port (not shown) of the settlement device 10. The change detection unit 120 detects a state in which at least a part of the change generated in the payment process remains in the payout port of the payment device 10 (hereinafter, also referred to as “specific state”). The output unit 130 performs the first output for limiting the use of the settlement device 10 when the detection of the specific state by the change detection unit 120 continues for the reference time or more after the payout of the change.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when at least a part of the change remains in the change payout port of the settlement device 10 for the reference time or longer, that is, when there is a possibility of forgetting to take the change, the settlement device 10 Output that limits the use of. As a result, it is possible to prevent a customer who uses the payment device 10 next from accidentally or maliciously taking away the change that the previous customer forgot to take in the payment device 10.

Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

[Hardware configuration of payment device 10]
Each functional component of the settlement device 10 may be realized by hardware (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit) that realizes each functional component, or a combination of hardware and software (eg, electronic). It may be realized by a combination of a circuit and a program that controls it). Hereinafter, a case where each functional component of the settlement device 10 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the settlement device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement device 10 includes a bus 101, a processor 102, a memory 103, a storage device 104, an input / output interface 105, and a network interface 106.

The bus 101 is a data transmission line for the processor 102, the memory 103, the storage device 104, the input / output interface 105, and the network interface 106 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 102, the memory 103, the storage device 104, the input / output interface 105, the network interface 106, and the like to each other is not limited to the bus connection.

The processor 102 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 103 is a main storage device realized by using a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 104 is an auxiliary storage device realized by using an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, or the like.

The storage device 104 stores a program module that realizes each functional component (change payout unit 110, change detection unit 120, and output unit 130) of the settlement device 10. The processor 102 reads each of these program modules into the memory 103 and executes them to realize a function corresponding to each program module.

The input / output interface 105 is an interface for connecting the settlement device 10 and the peripheral device 15. In the example of FIG. 3, the settlement device 10 is connected to peripheral devices 15 such as an input device 151, a display 152, and an automatic change machine 153 via an input / output interface 105.

The input device 151 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display 152 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like. The display 152 may be a touch panel that also functions as an input device 151.

The automatic change machine 153 is provided with an entrance for accepting banknotes and coins for the price of goods and a payout port for paying out banknotes and coins for change. The automatic change machine 153 counts banknotes and coins inserted into the receiving port, and the counting result (total amount of money input by the customer) and the settlement target included in the settlement information generated by the product registration device 20 Pay out the change for the difference from the total price of the products from the payout port. The total amount of the goods to be settled required to calculate the difference is output from the program module of the change payout unit 110 executed by the processor 102. In this way, the settlement device 10 realizes the function of the change payout unit 110 described above by using the automatic change machine 153. Further, the automatic change machine 153 is provided with sensors such as an infrared sensor and a pressure sensitive sensor for detecting the presence or absence of banknotes and coins at the payout port. The settlement device 10 realizes the function of the change detection unit 120 described above by using the output from such a sensor.

The network interface 106 is an interface for connecting the settlement device 10 to various communication networks. This communication network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement device 10 can connect to the communication network via the network interface 106 and acquire settlement information from the product registration device 20. The method of connecting the network interface 106 to the communication network may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

The hardware configuration of the settlement device 10 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the settlement device 10 is a card reader that reads a point card, a credit card, etc., a printing device that prints receipts, coupons, etc., a speaker device that outputs sound or voice, and the status of the settlement device 10 (for example, "available"). , "In use", "Error (including forgetting to take change)", etc.) may be further provided with an indicator lamp or the like that notifies the lamp according to the light emitting state (example: FIG. 4). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the settlement device 10. In the example of FIG. 4, the settlement device 10 includes an automatic change including a touch panel in which an input device 151 and a display 152 are integrated, a bill receiving / paying port 153a, a coin receiving port 153b, and a coin payout port 153c. It is equipped with a machine 153. Reference numerals 154, 155, 156, and 157 in FIG. 4 indicate a card reader, a printing device, a speaker, and an indicator light, respectively.

[Operation to limit the use of the settlement device 10]
Hereinafter, an operation example for limiting the use of the settlement device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing that limits the use of the settlement device 10.

The change payout unit 110 changes the difference between the total amount of banknotes and coins inserted by the automatic change machine 153 and the total amount of the products included in the settlement information acquired from the product registration device 20. Pay out from the payout port of 153 (S102).

Next, the change detection unit 120 acquires information indicating a change detection state at the payout port (S104). The change detection unit 120 acquires, for example, an output signal from a sensor provided at a bill or coin payout port as information indicating a change detection state at the payout port. Specifically, when the paid-out change does not remain in the payout port, the sensor outputs a signal indicating that a bill or coin is not detected. On the other hand, when at least a part of the paid-out change remains in the payout port, the sensor outputs a signal indicating that a bill or coin is being detected. The state in which the latter signal is output from the sensor corresponds to the above-mentioned "specific state".

Then, the output unit 130 determines whether or not a specific state is detected based on the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in S104 (S106).

The output unit 130 outputs a screen (end) when it can be determined from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the processing of S104 that "a specific state has not been detected" (S106: NO) and the settlement process is normally completed. A screen (not shown) is displayed on the display 152 (S112). As a result, the settlement process in the settlement device 10 is normally completed.

On the other hand, when the output unit 130 can determine that "a specific state has been detected" from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the process of S104 (S106: YES), whether or not the specific state continues for a predetermined time. Is further determined (S108). Here, the predetermined time used by the output unit 130 for determination is an arbitrary time, and is stored in advance in, for example, a memory 103 or the like. Further, the duration of the specific state can be measured, for example, by operating the timer from the timing when the change is paid out.

When the specific state continues for a predetermined time or more (S108: YES), the output unit 130 performs the first output for limiting the use of the settlement device 10 (S110). A specific example of this first output will be described later. On the other hand, when the specific state does not continue for a predetermined time or more (S108: NO), the above-mentioned process from S104 is repeated.

[Specific example of the first output by the output unit 130]
Hereinafter, a specific example of the first output by the output unit 130 will be described. The output unit 130 can execute at least one of the first outputs illustrated below.

<First specific example>
In this specific example, the output unit 130 is for displaying a screen for controlling the settlement device 10 so that it cannot be operated (for example, a screen indicating that the settlement device 10 cannot be used) on the display 152 of the settlement device 10. The output is performed as the first output. For example, the output unit 130 outputs data for displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 6 to the display 152 of the settlement device 10.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing that the settlement device 10 cannot be used. By displaying the screen S1 as shown in FIG. 6 on the display 152 of the payment device 10, another customer uses the payment device 10 in a state where the change that the previous customer forgot to take remains in the payout port. You can limit what you do. This makes it possible to prevent another customer from accidentally or maliciously taking away the change that the previous customer forgot to take.

<Second specific example>
In this specific example, the output unit 130 outputs as the first output notifying the product registration device 20 that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the payout port of the automatic change machine 153. As described above, the product registration device 20 generates the settlement information of the product by registering the product to be purchased according to the operation of the clerk, and the generated settlement information is settled based on the settlement information. Send to the device. Hereinafter, the functional configuration and operation of the product registration device 20 will be illustrated with reference to the drawings.

<< Functional configuration of product registration device 20 >>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the product registration device 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the product registration device 20 has a receiving unit 210 and a display processing unit 220. The receiving unit 210 receives the first output notifying that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the payout port of the settlement device 10. The receiving unit 210 may receive the first output directly from the settlement device 10 or may receive it via a server device (not shown). The display processing unit 220 causes the display unit of the product registration device 20 to display the settlement device that has performed the first output.

<< Hardware configuration of product registration device 20 >>
Each functional component of the product registration device 20 may be realized by hardware that realizes each functional component (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software (eg, example). It may be realized by a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it). Hereinafter, a case where each functional component of the product registration device 20 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the product registration device 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the product registration device 20 includes a bus 201, a processor 202, a memory 203, a storage device 204, an input / output interface 205, and a network interface 206.

The bus 201 is a data transmission line for the processor 202, the memory 203, the storage device 204, the input / output interface 205, and the network interface 206 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 202, the memory 203, the storage device 204, the input / output interface 205, the network interface 206, and the like to each other is not limited to the bus connection.

The processor 202 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 203 is a main storage device realized by using a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage device 204 is an auxiliary storage device realized by using an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a memory card, or the like.

The storage device 204 stores a program module that realizes each functional configuration unit (reception unit 210 and display processing unit 220) of the product registration device 20. The processor 202 realizes the function corresponding to each program module by reading each of these program modules into the memory 203 and executing the module.

The input / output interface 205 is an interface for connecting the product registration device 20 and the peripheral device 25. In the example of FIG. 8, the product registration device 20 is connected to peripheral devices 25 such as the input device 251 and the display 252, and the reading device 253 via the input / output interface 205.

The input device 251 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display 252 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like. The display 252 may be a touch panel that also functions as an input device 251. The reading device 253 is a so-called bar code reader, an image scanner, or the like. The product registration device 20 uses the reading device 253 to acquire information for identifying the product, such as a symbol (eg, bar code) attached to the product or an image of the appearance of the product. In addition, the product registration device 20 can also acquire information for identifying the product by operating the input device 251. Then, the product registration device 20 registers the product specified by using the information as the product to be settled. By repeating the registration operation of the product to be settled, the settlement information required for the settlement process in the settlement device 10 is updated.

The network interface 206 is an interface for connecting the product registration device 20 to various communication networks. This communication network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). As shown in FIG. 3, the product registration device 20 can connect to the communication network via the network interface 206 and transmit the settlement information to the settlement device 10. The method of connecting the network interface 206 to the communication network may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

The hardware configuration of the product registration device 20 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the product registration device 20 may further include a card reader that reads various cards, a printing device that prints coupons, a speaker device that outputs sound or voice, and the like (example: FIG. 9). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the product registration device 20. In the example of FIG. 9, the product registration device 20 includes a touch panel in which an input device 251a and a display 252 are integrated, a keyboard 251b which is another input device, and a reading device 253 including a handy scanner 253a and an image scanner 253b. I have. Reference numerals 254, 255, and 256 in FIG. 9 indicate a card reader, a printing device, and a speaker, respectively.

<< Operation example of product registration device 20 >>
An operation example of the product registration device 20 for restricting the use of the payment device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the product registration device 20.

The receiving unit 210 receives the first output from the settlement device 10 (S202). In this case, information that can identify the settlement device 10 that is the source of the first output (for example, an identification number or an IP address assigned to each of the settlement devices 10) is associated with the first output. There is. The display processing unit 220 identifies the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the first output (S204). The display processing unit 220 can identify the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the first output based on the information that is associated with the first output and can identify the settlement device 10.

Then, the display processing unit 220 causes the display 252 to display a screen showing the payment device specified in S204 (S206). The display processing unit 220 can display, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 on the display 252. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example by the display processing unit 220 of the product registration device 20. The screen of FIG. 11 is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the screen illustrated here.

<< Display example by display processing unit 220 >>
The screen S2 shown in FIG. 11 is an example of a screen for selecting the settlement device 10 as the transmission destination of the settlement information generated by the product registration device 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as “selection screen”). The selection screen S2 is displayed, for example, in response to pressing a button (eg, the “payment machine” button in FIG. 11) for transitioning to the selection screen S2 arranged on another screen. On the selection screen S2, the current status of each settlement device 10 is displayed together with the name of each settlement device 10 (eg, settlement machine 1, settlement machine 2, settlement machine 3). Further, on the selection screen, a "send" button is displayed as selectable on the settlement device 10 having a status of "waiting" indicating that it is currently available. In response to the pressing of the "send" button displayed in association with each settlement device 10, a process of transmitting settlement information to the settlement device 10 corresponding to the pressed button is executed.

On this selection screen, the display processing unit 220 displays the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output in an identifiable manner. In the selection screen S2 illustrated in FIG. 11, the display processing unit 220 sets the status of the "payment machine 1" to "change" so that the "payment machine 1" can be seen to be the payment device 10 that has performed the first output. "Forgot to take" (part A surrounded by the dotted line in the figure) is displayed. According to such a status display, the clerk who operates the product registration device 20 is notified of the settlement device 10 in which the change has been forgotten, and the settlement device 10 is not selected as the transmission destination of the settlement information. Can be induced. As a result, it is possible to restrict another customer from using the checkout device 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the display processing unit 220 may be in a state in which the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output cannot be selected as the transmission destination of the settlement information on the selection screen S2. Here, the "non-selectable state" means (1) a state in which a screen element for transmitting settlement information (for example, a "send" button, etc.) is not displayed (example: FIG. 11), and (2) settlement. The screen element for transmitting information is displayed in an unpressable state (inactive state), and (3) the screen element for transmitting settlement information is displayed in a pressable state, but it is pressed. However, it includes a state in which settlement information cannot be transmitted (for example, error processing such as display of a transmission impossible message is executed). By controlling the system so that the settlement information is not transmitted to the settlement device 10 in which the change is forgotten, it is possible to more reliably restrict the use of the settlement device 10 by another customer.

<< Other display examples by the display processing unit 220 >>
As another example, the display processing unit 220 displays the display 252 of the product registration device 20 on a screen for selecting whether or not to disable the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output in response to the reception of the first output. It may be displayed in. In this case, the clerk who operates the product registration device 20 performs selection input on the displayed screen. The display processing unit 220 outputs to the settlement device 10 for displaying a screen (example: FIG. 6) indicating that the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output cannot be used in response to the selection input by the clerk. Do it against.

The screen transition in this example will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating screen transitions of the settlement device 10 and the product registration device 20 in another display example.

First, when the product price is input and the change is paid out in the settlement device 10, a screen (example: screen S3) to be displayed after the payment is completed is displayed. After that, when a predetermined time elapses while the change remains in the payout port (that is, when a specific state is continuously detected for a predetermined time), the first output is transmitted to the product registration device 20.

When the receiving unit 210 receives the first output, the display processing unit 220 can identify the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the first output (example: selection screen S2), as described with reference to FIG. Is displayed. When the settlement device 10 that has transmitted the first output is selected on the selection screen S2, the display processing unit 220 displays, for example, the screen S4 of FIG. 12 on the display 252 of the product registration device 20. The screen S4 illustrated in FIG. 12 has a "payment in progress" button and an "absence" button. When the "payment in progress" button is pressed, the display processing unit 220 does not output the screen S1 as shown in FIG. 6 for displaying on the payment device 10. When the "absence" button is pressed, the display processing unit 220 outputs to display the screen S1 as shown in FIG. 6 on the settlement device 10. The clerk of the product registration device 20 confirms whether or not the customer stays around the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output, and then presses any button on the screen S4.

If it can be confirmed that the customer stays around the settlement device 10 that performed the first output, it can be determined that it is taking time to change for some reason, so the settlement device 10 cannot be used. It is not preferable to put it away. Therefore, in this case, the clerk presses the "payment in progress" button. When the "payment in progress" button is pressed, the display on the display 152 of the payment device 10 does not change. On the other hand, when it can be confirmed that there are no customers around the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output, it can be clearly determined that the change has been forgotten. Therefore, in this case, the clerk presses the "absent" button. When the "absence" button is pressed, a screen S1 indicating that the settlement device 10 cannot be used is displayed on the display 152 of the settlement device 10.

By doing so, it is possible to erroneously recognize that the change has been forgotten and prevent the settlement device 10 from becoming unusable in an originally unintended situation.

<< When the payment device 10 is automatically selected >>
The product registration device 20 is a payment device 10 to which payment information is transmitted based on the availability of each payment device 10 and a preset priority order, without going through the selection screen as shown in FIG. May be configured to determine automatically. In this case, when the product registration device 20 automatically selects the settlement device 10 to which the settlement information is transmitted, the product registration device 20 excludes the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output from the selection candidates. Even with such a configuration, the settlement information is not transmitted to the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output due to forgetting to take the change. Therefore, another customer can use the settlement device 10 in which the change is forgotten. Can be restricted.

[Operation to release the usage restriction of the settlement device 10]
Hereinafter, an operation example of releasing the usage restriction of the settlement device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for releasing the usage restriction of the settlement device 10.

The change detection unit 120 acquires information indicating a change detection state at the payout port after executing the process of S110 in FIG. 5 (after performing the first output) (S302). Then, the output unit 130 determines whether or not a specific state is detected based on the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in S302 (S304).

When it can be determined from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the process of S302 that "a specific state has not been detected" (S304: NO), the output unit 130 is the second for releasing the usage restriction of the settlement device 10. Output is performed (S306). A specific example of this second output will be described later. On the other hand, when it can be determined that "a specific state has been detected" from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the process of S302 (S306: YES), the output unit 130 does not perform the second output. In this case, the process is repeated from S302 described above.

[Specific example of the second output by the output unit 130]
Hereinafter, a specific example of the second output by the output unit 130 will be described. The output unit 130 can execute at least one of the second outputs illustrated below.

<First specific example>
In this specific example, the output unit 130 performs the first output to display a screen (example: FIG. 6) indicating that the settlement device 10 cannot be used on the display 152, and then displays the screen. The output to be terminated is performed as the second output. An example of the screen transition of the settlement device 10 in this case is shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition of the settlement device 10 according to the second output.

First, in the process of S110 of FIG. 5, the output unit 130 performs the first output for displaying the screen S1 as shown in FIG. 6, for example, on the display 152 of the settlement device 10, and another customer sets the settlement device 10. Control so that it cannot be used.

After that, when the specific state is no longer detected in the determination process of S304 in FIG. 13, the output unit 130 performs the second output to end the display of the screen S1. For example, the output unit 130 performs a second output for displaying the screen S5 on the display 152 of the settlement device 10 instead of the screen S1. The screen S5 is an example of a screen displayed after the display of the screen S1 is canceled, and the screen displayed on the display 152 can be arbitrarily determined according to the second output.

In this way, when it is detected that the forgetting to take the change in the settlement device 10 has been resolved, the settlement device 10 is promptly transitioned to a usable state, thereby increasing the utilization rate of the settlement device 10. The waiting time of the customer can be shortened.

<Second specific example>
In this specific example, the output unit 130 performs an output for notifying the product registration device 20 that there is no change left in the payout port of the automatic change machine 153 as the second output. Further, in this specific example, the display processing unit 220 cancels the display based on the first output received earlier in response to the reception unit 210 receiving the second output from the settlement device 10. FIG. 15 shows an example of screen transition of the product registration device 20 in this case. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition of the product registration device 20 according to the second output.

First, in the process of S110 of FIG. 5, the output unit 130 performs the first output of displaying the screen S2 as shown in FIG. 11, for example, on the display 252 of the product registration device 20, and the product registration device 20 displays the screen S2 thereof. Suppress the transmission of settlement information to 10. For example, when the receiving unit 210 receives the first output, the display processing unit 220 displays the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output as the transmission destination of the settlement information in a non-selectable state on the selection screen S2. As a result, it is possible to control so that other customers cannot use the checkout device 10.

After that, when the specific state is no longer detected in the determination process of S304 in FIG. 13, the output unit 130 transmits a second output indicating that no change remains in the payout port to the product registration device 20. When the receiving unit 210 receives the second output, the display processing unit 220 displays the settlement device 10 that has performed the first output in a selectable state as a transmission destination of the settlement information (example: surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 15). Part B). In FIG. 15, the status of the "payment machine 1" is updated to "waiting" indicating the available status, and a "send" button for sending the payment information to the "payment machine 1" is displayed. An example is shown.

In this way, in response to the detection that the forgetting to take the change in the settlement device 10 has been resolved, the status of the settlement device 10 is promptly changed to the "state in which the settlement information can be transmitted". , The utilization rate of the settlement device 10 can be increased and the waiting time of the customer can be shortened.

<When the payment device 10 is automatically selected>
The product registration device 20 is a payment device 10 to which payment information is transmitted based on the availability of each payment device 10 and a preset priority order, without going through the selection screen as shown in FIG. May be configured to determine automatically. In this case, when the product registration device 20 receives the second output from the settlement device 10 excluded from the candidates at the time of automatic selection due to the first output, the product registration device 20 automatically selects the settlement device 10. Can be included again in the candidates. Even with such a configuration, the utilization rate of the settlement device 10 can be increased and the waiting time of the customer can be shortened.

[Second Embodiment]
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the following points.

[Functional configuration of payment device 10]
FIG. 16 is a block diagram conceptually showing the functional configuration of the settlement device 10 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment further includes a person detection unit 140 that detects a person using the settlement device 10.

The person detection unit 140 can be realized by, for example, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, or the like whose detection range is in the vicinity of the settlement device 10 (the place where the customer will be when operating the settlement device 10). Further, the person detection unit 140 may be a camera whose imaging range is in the vicinity of the settlement device 10. In this case, the person detection unit 140 can detect a person by analyzing the image generated by the camera. Further, the person detection unit 140 measures, for example, the duration of a state in which there is no operation on the touch panel, and determines whether or not the time exceeds a predetermined threshold value, whereby the person using the settlement device 10 The presence or absence may be detected.

The output unit 130 of the present embodiment has the first output as described above when the change detection unit 120 continues to detect the specific state for the reference time or longer and the person detection unit 140 no longer detects the person. I do. The reference time used here is stored in advance in, for example, the memory 103 of the settlement device 10.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the specific state continues for a predetermined time and no person is detected around the settlement device 10, that is, when there is a high possibility that the change has been forgotten. , The use of the settlement device 10 can be restricted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the settlement device 10 from being accidentally disabled due to an erroneous detection of the occurrence of forgetting to take the change.

[Modification example]
The settlement device 10 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the settlement device 10 of the present embodiment may be configured to be able to execute the processing as described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing in the modified example of the second embodiment.

First, in response to the payout of change (S402) by the change payout unit 110, the change detection unit 120 acquires information indicating the change detection state at the payout port (S404), and the output unit 130 is the change detection unit 120. Based on the information acquired in S404, it is determined whether or not a specific state is detected (S406). The output unit 130 outputs a screen (end) when it can be determined from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the processing of S404 that "a specific state has not been detected" (S406: NO) and the settlement process is normally completed. A screen (not shown) is displayed on the display 152 (S416). As a result, the settlement process in the settlement device 10 is normally completed. These processes are the same as those of S102 to S106 and S112 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the output unit 130 can determine that "a specific state has been detected" from the information acquired by the change detection unit 120 in the process of S404 (S406: YES), the person detection state (person) by the person detection unit 140. Information indicating (presence or absence of) is further acquired (S408).

Then, the output unit 130 satisfies the determination result of whether or not the first condition that "the specific state continues for a predetermined time" and the second condition that "the person does not exist" are satisfied. The process to be executed is determined based on the combination with the determination result (S410). The output unit 130 can output a determination result of whether or not each condition is satisfied by using, for example, a Boolean type variable. Specifically, as a determination result of the first condition, the output unit 130 sets "True" when the specific state continues for a predetermined time, and "False" when the specific state does not continue for a predetermined time. Is output. Further, the output unit 130 outputs "True" when the person does not exist and "False" when the person exists as the determination result of the second condition.

When both the determination result of the first condition and the determination result of the second condition are "True" (S410: both True), the output unit 130 performs the first output for limiting the use of the settlement device 10 (S412). ). In response to this first output, the display 152 of the settlement device 10 displays a screen (example: screen S1 of FIG. 6) indicating that the settlement device 10 cannot be used.

When either the determination result of the first condition or the determination result of the second condition is "True" and the other is "False" (S410: one is True and the other is False), the output unit 130 For example, a predetermined process for paying the customer's attention is executed without performing the first output (S414). The predetermined processing here is not particularly limited, but is a process of outputting a screen displaying a message warning of forgetting to take change to the display, and a process of outputting a message warning of forgetting to take change or a buzzer sound from the speaker device. And so on.

When both the determination result of the first condition and the determination result of the second condition are "False" (S410: both False), and after the predetermined process of S414 is executed, the process from S404 described above is repeated. ..

According to this modification, the frequency with which the settlement device 10 becomes unusable decreases due to the determination based on a plurality of conditions, so that it is possible to prevent the utilization rate of the settlement device 10 from decreasing.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above can be adopted.

For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of predetermined times to be compared with the duration of the specific state may be prepared, and different controls may be performed for each. For example, the output unit 130 outputs a message urging the receipt of the change together with the payout of the change, and then, when the specific state continues for the first predetermined time, the message urging the receipt of the change is larger than the previous message. It may be output at a volume. Then, when the specific state continues for a second predetermined time longer than the above-mentioned first predetermined time, the output unit 130 outputs the message urging the receipt of the change with more emphasis, and the change is paid out. The screen remaining on the display 152 may be displayed. Further, when the specific state continues for a third predetermined time longer than the above-mentioned second predetermined time, the output unit 130 may output the screen S1 as shown in FIG.

Further, in the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order of description. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as the contents do not conflict with each other.

Hereinafter, an example of the reference form will be added.
1. 1.
A payment device that receives the payment information from a product registration device that registers the product to be purchased according to the operation of the clerk and generates the payment information of the product, and performs the payment processing based on the payment information according to the customer's operation. There,
A change payout means for paying out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port,
A detection means for detecting a specific state in which at least a part of the change remains in the payout port,
After the payout of the change, when the detection of the specific state by the detection means continues for a reference time or longer, the output means for performing the first output for limiting the use of the settlement device, and the output means.
A payment device equipped with.
2. 2.
1. 1. In the settlement device described in
The output means is a settlement device that outputs as the first output for displaying a screen indicating that the settlement device cannot be used on the display unit.
3. 3.
1. 1. Or 2. In the settlement device described in
The output means is a settlement device that outputs as the first output notifying the product registration device that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the payout port.
4.
1. 1. To 3. In the settlement device according to any one of
Further equipped with a person detection means for detecting a person using the payment device,
The output means is a settlement device that performs the first output when the detection means continues to detect the specific state for a reference time or longer and the person detection means no longer detects a person.
5.
1. 1. To 4. In the settlement device according to any one of
The output means is a settlement device that performs a second output for releasing the usage restriction of the settlement device when the specific state is no longer detected by the detection means after the first output is performed.
6.
5. In the settlement device described in
The output means outputs an output for displaying a screen indicating that the settlement device cannot be used on the display unit as the first output, and then outputs an output for ending the display of the screen as the first output. Settlement device performed as output.
7.
5. Or 6. In the settlement device described in
The output means is a settlement device that outputs as the second output notifying the product registration device that no change remains in the payout port.
8.
A product registration device that registers a product to be purchased according to the operation of a clerk, generates payment information for the product, and transmits the payment information to a payment device that performs payment processing based on the payment information.
A receiving means for receiving a first output notifying that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the change payout port of the settlement device.
A display processing means for displaying a screen indicating the settlement device that performed the first output on the display unit, and
Product registration device equipped with.
9.
8. In the product registration device described in
The display processing means is a product registration device that identifiablely displays the settlement device that has performed the first output on a selection screen for selecting a settlement device to which the settlement information is transmitted.
10.
9. In the product registration device described in
The display processing means is a product registration device that makes it impossible to select the settlement device that performed the first output as the transmission destination of the settlement information on the selection screen.
11.
8. To 10. In the product registration device described in any one of
The display processing means further displays a screen for selecting whether or not to disable the settlement device that has performed the first output, and the settlement device cannot be used in response to the selection input on the screen. A product registration device that outputs to the checkout device to display a screen indicating that.
12.
8. To 11. In the product registration device described in any one of
The receiving means further receives a second output indicating that there is no change left in the payout port from the checkout device.
The display processing means is a product registration device that releases the display based on the first output in response to the reception of the second output.
13.
12. In the product registration device described in
The display processing means
On the selection screen for selecting the settlement device as the transmission destination of the settlement information, the settlement device that has performed the first output is displayed in a state in which it cannot be selected as the transmission destination of the settlement information.
A product registration device that displays a settlement device that has performed the first output in a state in which it can be selected as a transmission destination of the settlement information in response to the reception of the second output.
14.
By a settlement device that receives the settlement information from the product registration device that registers the product to be purchased according to the operation of the clerk and generates the settlement information of the product, and performs the settlement process based on the settlement information according to the customer's operation. The control method that is executed
Pay out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port,
Detecting a specific state in which at least a part of the change remains in the payout port,
When the detection of the specific state continues for a reference time or longer after the payout of the change, the first output for limiting the use of the settlement device is performed.
Control method including that.
15.
14. In the settlement method described in
A settlement method including performing an output for displaying a screen indicating that the settlement device cannot be used on the display unit as the first output.
16.
14. Or 15. In the settlement method described in
A control method including performing as the first output an output for notifying the product registration device that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the payout port.
17.
14. To 16. In the control method described in any one of
Detects the person using the payment device and
A control method including performing the first output when the detection of the specific state is continued for a reference time or more and the person is no longer detected by the person detecting means.
18.
14. ~ 17. In the control method described in any one of
A control method including performing the second output for releasing the usage restriction of the settlement device when the specific state is no longer detected by the detection means after the first output is performed.
19.
18. In the control method described in
After the output for displaying the screen indicating that the payment device cannot be used on the display unit is performed as the first output, the output for ending the display of the screen is performed as the second output. Control method including.
20.
18. Or 19. In the control method described in
A control method including performing as the second output an output for notifying the product registration device that no change remains in the payout port.
21.
A control method executed by a product registration device that registers a product to be purchased according to an operation of a clerk, generates settlement information for the product, and transmits the settlement information to a settlement device that performs settlement processing based on the settlement information. And
The first output notifying that at least a part of the change generated in the settlement process remains in the payout port of the change of the settlement device is received from the settlement device, and the first output is received.
A screen showing the settlement device that performed the first output is displayed on the display unit.
Control method including that.
22.
21. In the control method described in
A control method including displaying the settlement device that has performed the first output in an identifiable manner on a selection screen for selecting a settlement device as a destination for transmitting the settlement information.
23.
22. In the control method described in
A control method including setting the settlement device that has performed the first output on the selection screen into a state in which it cannot be selected as a transmission destination of the settlement information.
24.
21. ~ 23. In the control method described in any one of
A screen for selecting whether or not to disable the settlement device that has performed the first output is further displayed, and a screen indicating that the settlement device cannot be used is displayed in response to the selection input on the screen. A control method including providing an output to the settlement device.
25.
21. ~ 24. In the control method described in any one of
Further, a second output indicating that there is no change left in the payout port is further received from the checkout device.
A control method including canceling a display based on the first output in response to receiving the second output.
26.
25. In the control method described in
On the selection screen for selecting the settlement device as the transmission destination of the settlement information, the settlement device that has performed the first output is displayed in a state in which it cannot be selected as the transmission destination of the settlement information.
A control method including displaying a settlement device that has performed the first output in a state in which it can be selected as a transmission destination of the settlement information in response to the reception of the second output.
27.
On the computer, 14. ~ 20. A program that executes the control method described in any one of the above.
28.
To the computer, 21. ~ 26. A program that executes the control method described in.

10 Settlement device 101 Bus 102 Processor 103 Memory 104 Storage device 105 Input / output interface 106 Network interface 110 Change payout unit 120 Change detection unit 130 Output unit 140 Person detection unit 15 Peripheral device 151 Input device 152 Display 153 Automatic change machine 154 Card reader 155 Printing device 156 Speaker 157 Indicator light 20 Product registration device 25 Peripheral device 201 Bus 202 Processor 203 Memory 204 Storage device 205 Input / output interface 206 Network interface 210 Receiver 220 Display processing unit 251 Input device 252 Display 253 Reader 254 Card reader 255 Printing Device 256 speaker

Claims (5)

It is a settlement device that receives the settlement information of the product to be purchased from the product registration device operated by the clerk and performs the settlement process based on the settlement information according to the operation of the customer.
A change payout means for paying out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port,
After the payout of the change, when at least a part of the change remains in the payout port for a predetermined time, a display means for displaying a screen restricting the use of the settlement device, and
A payment device equipped with. In the settlement device according to claim 1,
The display means is a payment device that displays a screen in which at least a part of the change generated in the payment process remains in the payout port as the screen when the customer's operation on the payment device is restricted. In the settlement device according to claim 1 or 2.
Further equipped with a person detection means for detecting a person using the payment device,
The display means displays the screen when the detection of a state in which at least a part of the change remains in the payout port continues for a predetermined time and the person is no longer detected by the person detection means. Settlement device to let you. It is a control method executed by a settlement device that receives settlement information of a product to be purchased from a product registration device operated by a clerk and performs a settlement process based on the settlement information according to a customer's operation.
Pay out the change generated in the settlement process from the payout port,
After the payout of the change, when at least a part of the change remains in the payout port for a predetermined time or more, a screen for restricting the use of the settlement device is displayed.
Control method including that. A program that causes a computer to execute the control method according to claim 4.

Images