JP2022058880A - System, registration device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a settlement device suitable for a shopper to be designated.

SOLUTION: A registration device includes: determination means for, based on a distance between a current position of the registration device and each of a plurality of settlement devices, determining a priority order indicating the degree suitable as a settlement device for a shopper who operates the registration device to perform settlement processing; display means for displaying designation information for causing a settlement device to be designated in accordance with the priority order determined by the determination means; designation means for causing a settlement device that performs the settlement processing to be designated from the designation information displayed by the display means; and transmission means for transmitting accounting information concerning commodities registered such that the settlement processing of the shopper can be performed by the settlement device designated by the designation means.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to systems, registration devices and programs.

A POS (Point Of Sales) system is known in which a registration device for registering a product and a payment device for performing payment processing based on the accounting information of the product registered by the registration device are separately configured (Point Of Sales). For example, see Patent Document 1).

In such a POS system, there is a mechanism that allows a shopper to select a payment device for performing payment processing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-081072

However, in the method in which the shopper freely selects an arbitrary payment device and transmits the accounting information, there is a high possibility that the payment device selected by the shopper will be biasedly selected, and the payment device will be biasedly selected. There is a possibility that the amount of money stored in the change machine of the payment device will be insufficient. Also, just because it is vacant does not mean that the designated payment device is suitable for shoppers.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a system capable of designating a payment device suitable for both the store side and the shopper side in a POS system including a registration device and a plurality of payment devices. , To provide registration devices and programs.

One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a portable registration device for registering products purchased by shoppers, and a plurality of products registered in the registration device for payment processing by the operation of shoppers. A POS system including a payment device, wherein the registration device performs payment processing by a shopper who operates the registration device based on the distance between the current position of the registration device and each of the plurality of payment devices. A determination means for determining a priority indicating the degree of suitability as a device, a display means for displaying designated information for designating the payment device according to the priority determined by the determination means, and a display means for displaying the payment device. Accounting information on the registered product so that the designated means for designating the payment device to perform the payment processing and the payment device designated by the designated means can perform the payment processing for the shopper from the designated information. It is a POS system characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting the above.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned POS system, the determination means determines the priority of the payment device during payment processing or the payment device during maintenance to be low.

Further, one aspect of the present invention further comprises a timekeeping means for measuring the time required for settlement in the above-mentioned POS system.
The determination means is characterized in that the priority of the payment device is determined based on the time measured by the timekeeping means and the distance.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the POS system, the designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified, and the payment processing included in the designated information. The payment device is further provided with a permission means for permitting designation by the designated means, and the transmission means is the payment device during the payment process when the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated. The accounting information is transmitted so that the shopper can perform the payment processing with the payment device permitted on the condition that the payment processing of the above is completed.

Further, one aspect of the present invention comprises a portable registration device for registering a product purchased by a shopper, and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the product registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. The degree to which the registration device in the POS system provided is suitable as the payment device for the shopper who operates the registration device to perform payment processing based on the current position of the registration device and the distance between each of the plurality of payment devices. A determination means for determining a priority order indicating the above, a display means for displaying designated information for designating the payment device according to the priority order determined by the determination means, and the designated information displayed by the display means. A means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing, and a transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing for the shopper can be performed with the payment device designated by the designation means. It is a registration device characterized by being provided with.

Further, one aspect of the present invention comprises a portable registration device for registering a product purchased by a shopper, and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the product registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. Priority is given to the computer as the POS system provided to indicate the degree of suitability as the payment device for the shopper who operates the registration device to perform payment processing based on the current position of the registration device and the distance between each of the plurality of payment devices. Settlement is made from a determination step for determining an order, a display step for displaying designated information for designating the payment device according to the priority determined by the determination step, and the designated information displayed by the display step. A designated step for designating the payment device to be processed, and a transmission step for transmitting accounting information about the registered product so that the shopper can perform payment processing with the payment device designated by the designated step. It is a program to be executed.

Further, one aspect of the present invention comprises a portable registration device for registering a product purchased by a shopper, and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the product registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. The computer as the registration device in the POS system provided is suitable as the payment device in which the shopper who operates the registration device performs payment processing based on the current position of the registration device and the distance between each of the plurality of payment devices. A determination step for determining a priority indicating a degree, a display step for displaying designated information for designating the payment device according to the priority determined by the determination step, and the designation displayed by the display step. From the information, a designated step for designating the payment device to be settled, and a transmission for transmitting accounting information about the registered product so that the shopper can perform the payment processing with the payment device designated by the designated step. It is a program to execute steps.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a POS system including a registration device and a plurality of payment devices, a payment device suitable for a shopper can be designated.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the POS system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the registration POS register in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the POS register for settlement in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the appearance example of the registration POS register and the settlement POS register in the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the product registration screen displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the subplanning surface displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure and the data example of the state display information stored in the RAM of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship between the mobile terminal and each payment POS register and POS register in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the subplanning surface displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the subplanning surface displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the recall screen displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the processing transition example of the mobile terminal in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the subplanning surface displayed on the display part of a mobile terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of a mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the POS system 1 according to the present embodiment. The POS system 1 shown in the figure includes a store controller 10, a registration POS register 20, three payment POS registers 30-2, 30-3, 30-4, a mobile terminal 40, and a POS register 50. Is configured to include.
In the following description, when the settlement POS registers 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4 are not particularly distinguished, they are described as the settlement POS register 30.

The store controller 10, the registration POS register 20, the three payment POS registers 30, and the POS register 50 are connected so that they can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11. Has been done. Further, the mobile terminal 40 connects to the POS system 1 via the access point of the wireless LAN. The destination to which the mobile terminal 40 is connected by wireless LAN may be the store controller 10, or may be directly connected to the registration POS register 20, the three settlement POS registers 30, or the POS register 50. .. Further, the number of payment POS registers 30 connected to the registration POS register 20 is not limited to three, and two or four units may be connected to one registration POS register 20 for registration POS. The number of payment POS registers 30 connected to the register 20 may be appropriately changed.

The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is an example. For example, the POS system 1 may be configured to include two or more registration POS registers 20, a mobile terminal 40, or a POS register 50, or may include two or less or four or more settlement POS registers 30. May be. Further, the POS system 1 may be configured not to include the store controller 10. When the configuration of the POS system 1 does not include the store controller 10, when there are other devices (for example, a registration POS register 20, a POS register 50, or two or more registration POS registers 20). May also have a function as a store controller 10 in one representative POS register 20) for registration. The POS register 50 is installed in a service counter or the like and is a POS register operated by a store clerk, and may not be supported by the registration POS register 20 or the settlement POS register 30, or may be a product by a shopper. It is used to issue product warranty cards, parking tickets, receipts, etc. after the payment process is completed. Further, the original data for issuing the guarantee, parking ticket, receipt, etc. in the POS register 50 is transmitted from the settlement POS register 30, or is issued by the registration POS register 20 or the settlement POS register 30. The code information (identification information) printed on the receipt may be read by a reading device included in the POS register 50, and specific settlement data (transaction information) may be read from the store controller 10 for processing. When the receipt is an electronic receipt, the code information (identification information) is the code information (identification information) of the electronic receipt displayed on the screen of a mobile phone or the like (for example, a smart phone or the like) carried by the shopper. There may be.

The store controller 10 is a computer that controls the POS system 1 and manages various information such as a product master. The store controller 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the registration POS register 20, each settlement POS register 30, the mobile terminal 40, and the POS register 50. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (for example, JAN code), product name (product name, item name), selling price, and discount information of each product. The store controller 10 acquires a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external device (for example, a server at the headquarters, a medium such as a CD-ROM), and has a registration POS register 20, each payment POS register 30, and a portable device. It is appropriately transmitted to the terminal 40 and the POS register 50. Further, the store controller 10 appropriately receives data for performing payment processing and payment data from the registration POS register 20, each payment POS register 30, the mobile terminal 40 and the POS register 50, and stores the data in the storage area. When data for performing payment processing or identification information requesting payment data is received from the registration POS register 20, each payment POS register 30, mobile terminal 40, POS register 50, etc., based on the received identification information. Data for performing payment processing or data that has already been settled may be specified and returned (sent) to the requested device.

The registration POS register 20 is a registration device that executes a registration process for registering a product to be purchased. To register a product, for example, use a scanner to scan the barcode attached to the product, or preset buttons displayed on the product registration screen (product information (for example, product code, price, etc.) for each button in advance. ) Is registered), etc. Further, the registration POS register 20 generates and stores information about the registered product (hereinafter referred to as accounting information).

The accounting information includes payment identification information for identifying the accounting information, registration date and time, product identification information of each registered product, product name of each registered product, selling price, discount information, and number of products to be purchased. Includes the number of transaction points (purchased points) and the total amount of products to be purchased (total amount). Further, the accounting information further includes registration device identification information for identifying the registration POS register 20 that generated the accounting information (that is, the registration POS register 20 that registered the product related to the accounting information). You may.

The accounting information is used in the settlement process for settling the price of the product purchased by the shopper in the settlement POS register 30. The payment process is a process of selectively paying and settling the price of a registered product using cash, electronic money (including the charge balance of a prepaid card), a credit card, or the like. Further, when the POS register 30 for payment is connected to all various payment terminal devices corresponding to payment methods such as cash, electronic money, and credit cards, or when payment methods such as cash, electronic money, and credit cards are used. The settlement POS register 30 corresponding to each may be used.

Further, various payment terminal devices may be appropriately combined and connected to the payment POS register 30 according to the frequency of use of the payment method. For example, cash, electronic money, a credit card, or the like can be considered as a combination, but if there is another payment method, a payment terminal device corresponding to the other payment method may be combined.

As an example of other payment terminal devices, for example, when a gift certificate (gold ticket) is inserted into the slot of the payment terminal device, the information of the inserted gift certificate (gold ticket) is read and the face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket) is read. A gift certificate (gold ticket) device that identifies and transmits to the POS register 30 for settlement can be considered. This payment terminal device (gift ticket (gold ticket) device) calculates the gift certificate amount (gold ticket amount) when the gift certificate (gold ticket) is inserted as the price of the product purchased by the shopper based on the command of the POS register 30 for payment. If the price of the product to be specified and sent to the POS register 30 for payment is smaller than the face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket) into which the shopper purchases, the change machine (automatic change) is instructed by the POS register 30 for payment. Various payment terminal devices are interlocked and controlled via the payment POS register 30, such as controlling the payment of the difference as change from the machine).

When a gift certificate (gold ticket) is specified in the POS register 20 for registration, when the settlement price and the gift certificate (gold ticket) amount are equal, or when the gift certificate (gold ticket) without change is used, the gift certificate (gold ticket) is more than the settlement price. When the amount is large, the settlement is completed in the registration POS register 20, so that the accounting information is not transmitted to the settlement POS register 30. On the other hand, when the gift certificate (gold ticket) for which change is issued has a larger gift certificate (gold ticket) amount than the settlement price, the accounting information for paying the change is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30. Further, when the settlement price is larger than the gift certificate (gold ticket) amount, the amount is insufficient, and therefore the accounting information for requesting the difference is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30. Further, the data to be transmitted is not limited to transmitting the difference amount for charging the price of the product to be purchased to the shopper, for example, the type of gift certificate (gold ticket) (for example, the gift certificate set to have change). Alternatively, it may be determined whether or not to transmit depending on the size of the gift certificate set without change) and the settlement price, and the data may be transmitted.

It should be noted that the POS register 20 for registration is not limited to specifying the gift certificate (gold ticket), but the type of the gift certificate (gold ticket) should be specified by a portable registration device (portable registration terminal) such as a tablet terminal. You may do it.

Also, if the type of gift certificate (gold ticket) to be specified is information including the type for specifying the gift certificate and the face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket), only the type of gift certificate (gold ticket) is specified. However, if the face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket) is not set, the face value of the specified gift certificate to be the target may be entered.

Further, when the payment process is performed using the gift certificate (gold ticket), the billing amount for charging the shopper for the product to be purchased is calculated on the registration POS register 20 side and the payment POS register 30. In some cases.

When the payment price and the gift certificate (gold ticket) amount are equal, or when the gift certificate (gold ticket) without change is larger than the payment price, the calculation should be performed using the registration POS register 20. You may. On the other hand, when the gift certificate (gold ticket) for which change is issued and the gift certificate (gold ticket) amount is larger than the settlement price, or when the settlement price is larger than the gift certificate (gold ticket) amount, the calculation is performed by the POS register 30 for settlement. You may.

When the billing amount is calculated by the settlement POS register 30, the gift certificate (gold ticket) information (for example, the type and face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket)) and the settlement price are transmitted from the registration POS register 20. If the billing amount is not calculated by the POS register 30 for settlement, the gift certificate (gold ticket) information (for example, the type and face value of the gift certificate (gold ticket)), the settlement price, and the settlement price can be used as the gift certificate. The difference obtained by subtracting the face value may be transmitted from the registration POS register 20. In the settlement using the gift certificate (gold ticket), which device may be used to calculate the billing amount may be appropriately controlled by the setting.

The charge in the above-mentioned electronic money will be described. There are roughly two types of electronic money charging methods. The first method is a method of designating a charge amount in the registration POS register 20 and transmitting accounting information including information indicating the charge amount. The second method is a method in which the registration POS register 20 specifies that charging is performed by the settlement POS register 30. In the case of the second method, the payment POS register 30 first displays a screen for charging electronic money.

Further, in the charging of electronic money in the POS register 30 for settlement, when money equal to or greater than the charge amount of electronic money is inserted and the difference obtained by subtracting the settlement price from the charge amount is 1 yen or more, the balance of electronic money is the difference. Or, if the difference between the charge amount and the balance of the electronic money minus the settlement price is 1 yen or more, the balance of the electronic money may be updated with the difference.

In the present embodiment, there are a plurality of payment POS registers 30, but any one of the plurality of payment POS registers 30 that is free (not used) based on the priority is the registration POS register. The settlement process is executed using the accounting information generated in No. 20. As a mode for designating the settlement POS register 30 to execute the settlement processing from the plurality of settlement POS registers 30, the clerk registers the settlement POS register 30 in the registration POS register 20. There is an aspect to specify. That is, the clerk designates the settlement POS register 30 for executing the settlement process from among the plurality of settlement POS registers 30 by performing the operation for designating the settlement POS register 30 for the registration POS register 20. .. In the registration POS register 20, information indicating the status (operating status) of each settlement POS register 30 is displayed, and when the clerk specifies the settlement POS register 30 in the registration POS register 20. , The state of each POS register 30 for settlement may be confirmed.

When the clerk designates one settlement POS register 30, the accounting information generated in the registration POS register 20 is transmitted to the designated settlement POS register 30 via the LAN 11. That is, when the settlement POS register 30 is designated after the registration process, the registration POS register 20 transmits the accounting information based on the registration process to the designated settlement POS register 30. In the present embodiment, the registration POS register 20 directly transmits the accounting information to the settlement POS register 30, but the accounting information is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 via the store controller 10. May be good. When accounting information is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 via the store controller 10, status information indicating the status of the settlement POS register 30 (for example, empty status, change or receipt is near-end or near-full status, is used). The POS register 30 for settlement in the vacant state is set based on the priority order based on the medium state, the end state, the hibernation state, the unconnected state (or the information indicating the order of the power off in the power off state, etc.). You may select and send. In this case, the priority of the vacant state is high, then the change or receipt is selected in the order of near-end or near-full state, and when the in-use state is selected as the next priority order, the POS register 30 for settlement is in the vacant state. Wait until it becomes, and then send the accounting information. In general, the POS register 30 for settlement in which the change or receipt is in the end state, the hibernation state, or the unconnected state (or the power off state) is controlled to be excluded from the selection. By excluding it from the target to be defined, it may be in a state where selection cannot be made. When the change or receipt is released from the end state, hibernation state, or unconnected state (or power off state), it is controlled to be included as a target for determining the priority of the released POS register 30 for payment. .. Further, the selection of the settlement POS register 30 according to this priority may be performed by the registration POS register 20 or may be performed by the registration terminal device.

In addition, near full means a state where it becomes full soon. Full means that a certain currency type stored in the change billing machine is full. The near end indicates a state in which the end is almost reached. The end indicates a state in which a specific currency type stored in the change ticket machine is exhausted.

The settlement POS register 30 is a settlement device that executes the settlement process of the product registered in the registration POS register 20 in response to the operation of the shopper. That is, the settlement POS register 30 executes the settlement process based on the accounting information received from the registration POS register 20. Further, when the settlement process is completed, the settlement POS register 30 notifies the registration POS register 20 of the end of the settlement process. The registration POS register 20 that has received the notification of the end of the payment process changes the status information indicating the status of each payment POS register 30 from the in-use state to the empty state, and displays it in the registration POS register 20. The status information indicating the state of each settlement POS register 20 may be changed from the in-use state to the display mode indicating the free state. As a display mode, for example, the vacant state may be displayed in a selectable color or symbol, and the in-use state may be displayed in a grayout display or a color or symbol indicating that the selection cannot be performed.

Further, in the method in which the order of transmission is set in advance in the registration POS register 20 and the accounting information is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 based on the set order, the settlement POS register 30 that has received the accounting information settles. Since the settlement POS register 30 that transfers the accounting information when the processing cannot be performed is preset, if the settlement POS register 30 that has received the accounting information is currently undergoing settlement processing, the set settlement POS register 30 is set. Accounting information is transferred to the POS register 30.

If the transferred settlement POS register 30 can execute the settlement process, it is transmitted that the settlement process is executed based on the transferred accounting information to the registration POS register 20 that has transmitted the accounting information. When the registration POS register 20 receives from the settlement POS register 30 that the settlement process is executed, the device number of the settlement POS register 30 for executing the settlement process is notified to the screen for the clerk or the screen for the shopper. .. For example, "Sent to accounting machine No. 2" is displayed. As a result, the clerk and the shopper can easily grasp which settlement POS register 30 should be used for accounting, and the clerk also guides the shopper to the settlement POS register 30 for accounting. be able to.

Further, the POS register 30 for payment is provided with a change machine, and the change machine (automatic change machine) is provided with a control unit (not shown) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (storage area) inside. This control unit manages the amount of each currency type, and the shopper performs payment processing by the shopper's own operation using cash, and performs various controls such as change payout control in which the difference from the price is paid out as change.

The change machine (automatic change machine) is connected to the payment POS register 30 via a predetermined serial cable, and pays money to the bill payout unit and the coin payout outlet in response to an instruction from the payment POS register 30. .. Further, for example, a bill for replenishment is inserted into the bill slot, and coins for replenishment are inserted into the coin slot. The change machine (automatic change machine) automatically sorts and stores these inserted banknotes and coins by denomination. It also has a return port for returning coins that cannot be recognized (identified) as coins, and this return port is located vertically below the coin slot.

Further, the change machine (automatic change machine) manages the number of banknotes and coins stored as described above. Then, the change machine (automatic change machine) generates information on the amount of cash stored (change machine amount information) based on the number of banknotes and coins managed. The change machine amount information includes, for example, information showing a breakdown of each number of banknotes or coins for each denomination that forms the total amount of banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine). The change machine (automatic change machine) generates change machine presence information in response to a request from the settlement POS register 30, and outputs the generated change machine presence information to the settlement POS register 30. The POS register 30 for settlement is the change machine position information output from the change machine (automatic change machine) (for each denomination that forms the total amount of banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine)). Information indicating the breakdown of each number of banknotes or coins) is stored. The change machine presence information stored in the payment POS register 30 is periodically (predetermined) to a portable registration device such as a registration POS register 20 or a tablet terminal, or a management device (store controller) which is a higher-level device. A portable registration device such as a registration POS register 20 or a tablet terminal that is transmitted every hour and receives change machine status information, or a management device (store controller) that is a higher-level device is read into its own device. Store in the storage area as much as possible.

Further, the registration POS register 20 and the management device (store controller, tablet terminal, etc. display a button indicating each payment POS register 30 on the display unit, and when the button is selected, the corresponding payment POS. Even if the information showing the breakdown of each number of banknotes or coins for each denomination forming the total amount of banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine) connected to the register 30 is displayed. good.

Further, in the case of a method in which the operator selects the settlement POS register 30 for transmitting accounting information from the button indicating each settlement POS register 30, the status information (status) corresponds to the button indicating each settlement POS register 30. The information includes, for example, an empty state, a change or receipt near-end or near-full state, an in-use state, a change or receipt in an end state, a hibernation state, or an unconnected state (or in the order of power off state, etc.). When the status information is pressed, the banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine) connected to the pressed settlement POS register 30 and the banknotes or coins for each denomination that make up the total amount of coins. Information indicating the breakdown of each number of sheets may be displayed.

The mobile terminal 40 is, for example, a tablet terminal or a portable registration device such as a smartphone or tablet, and executes a registration process for registering a product to be purchased. The product registration is performed, for example, by extracting and reading the barcode from the captured image obtained by capturing the barcode attached to the product by the camera, or by operating the preset button displayed on the product registration screen. .. Further, the mobile terminal 40 generates and stores accounting information regarding the registered product. Further, the mobile terminal 40 designates a payment POS register 30 for executing payment processing, and transmits accounting information to the designated payment POS register 30. As for the designation (selection) of the POS register 30 for settlement, the POS register 30 for settlement that is automatically vacant may be designated (selected) based on the priority order, or the POS register for settlement displayed on the display unit may be designated (selected). The button indicating 30 may be displayed in a selectable manner, and the operator may specify (select) the button to be displayed in order of priority and send the button. Further, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 directly transmits the accounting information to the payment POS register 30, but the accounting information may be transmitted to the payment POS register 30 via the store controller 10. ..

The POS register 50 is a product sales data processing device operated by a clerk installed in, for example, a service counter, and is used for registration processing, payment processing, service ticket issuance, receipt, warranty card for products purchased by shoppers, and the like. Execute the issue. The POS register 50 may function as a payment device that receives accounting information from the registration POS register 20 or the mobile terminal 40 and executes payment processing based on the accounting information. It should be noted that the issuance of service (for example, coupons, discount discounts) tickets, receipts, guarantees of products purchased by shoppers, etc. are not limited to the POS register 50, but are purchased by shoppers at the POS register 30 for settlement. It may be automatically issued after the payment processing of the price of the product is completed. When issuing a service (for example, coupon, discount discount) ticket or warranty card, if there is a product to be issued, it may be printed on a receipt and issued. Further, the various issues may be converted into electronic data (for example, an electronic receipt) and output to a terminal device (for example, a smart phone) carried by the shopper.

Next, a configuration example of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the registration POS register 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the POS register 30 for settlement. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external example of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration POS register 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, and a display unit (clerk). (For) 205, a display unit (for customers) 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, and a printing unit 209. These can communicate with each other via the bus. The scanner 204 optically reads, for example, a barcode (product code) attached to a product or a barcode (member code) attached to a membership card or the like. When the scanner unit 204 of the registration POS register 20 optically reads the barcode (member code) attached to the membership card or the like, the member information based on the membership code is stored in the payment POS register 30 together with the accounting information. You may send it. As a result, in the POS register 30 for settlement, it is possible to execute control to perform discount or discount from the settlement price based on the member information (for example, member code, member name, member rank and discount discount information according to the rank). It will be possible. When the membership card is equipped with an IC chip or RFID tag, it may be a reading device that reads from the IC chip or RFID tag included in the membership card in a non-contact manner.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the registration POS register 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202.
The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various information used by the CPU 201 including a program.

The RAM 203 is a read / write memory at any time, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores the product master acquired from the store controller 10, the accounting information generated after the registration process, and the information related to the settlement POS register 30 for executing the settlement process. Further, the RAM 203 may store a state (operation information) received from the settlement POS register 30.
The scanner unit 204 optically reads a barcode (product code) attached to the product. When the scanner unit 204 is an image pickup device such as a CCD camera, the barcode (product code) attached to the product is imaged, and the barcode (product code) is image-analyzed from the captured image to obtain the barcode information. (Product code information) may be extracted.

The display unit (for clerk) 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for the clerk. For example, the display unit (for clerk) 205 displays a product registration screen or the like in which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged.

The display unit (for customers) 205a is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel), and displays various information for shoppers. For example, the display unit (for customers) 205a displays the price or the like of the registered product.

The operation unit 206 includes various operation buttons (subtotal key, current total key, number key, correction key, preset key, etc.) for operating the registration POS register 20. For example, when the operation button (preset key) is operated, the operation unit 206 receives an operation input for the product information (product code or the like) preset and registered in the preset key.

Further, the number key provided in the operation unit 206 may be controlled so that it can be used as a button for designating the POS register 30 for payment. As the control in this case, for example, after the identification number of the settlement POS register 30 is numbered with the number key, the transmission button displayed on the display unit or the transmission key provided on the operation unit 206 is pressed. Therefore, it may be controlled so that the accounting information can be transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 of the identification number placed by the number key. When such a control method is used, when a problem such as a malfunction of the touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) occurs, it is possible to respond flexibly without making the shopper wait. .. It is also effective when it becomes necessary to transmit accounting information to the settlement POS register 30, which is not preset as the settlement POS register for transmitting accounting information, and it should be used in conjunction with pressing the button on the screen display. It is possible to respond flexibly to the demands of shoppers.

It should be noted that the operation button (preset key) for selecting the POS register 30 for each settlement is set in the operation button (preset key) instead of the number key. ) May be controlled to transmit the accounting information to the settlement POS register 30 of the identification number set in the pressed operation button (preset key). Further, the operation button (preset key) and the operation button (preset key) for selecting each payment POS register 30 displayed on the screen may be switched and used depending on the setting.

The communication unit 207 communicates with another device via the LAN 11.
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a clerk to confirm the operation.
The printing unit 209 prints and publishes the medium as needed. For example, the printing unit 209 may print information for guiding the payment POS register 30 designated by the clerk.

FIG. 4 shows the external configuration of the scanner unit 204, the display unit (for store clerk) 205, the operation unit 206, and the printing unit 209.
Further, the registration POS register 20 includes an electronic money terminal, a credit card terminal, or a gift certificate (gold ticket) processing terminal device that automatically recognizes a gift certificate (gold ticket), which makes payment by a payment method other than cash. May be good. In such a case, the payment POS register 30 described later may be connected to a change machine (automatic change machine) for making payment using cash. The registration POS register 20 includes an electronic money terminal, a credit card terminal, or a gift certificate (gold ticket) processing terminal device that automatically recognizes a gift certificate (gold ticket), which makes payment by a payment method other than cash. In this case, when the settlement process is completed (finished) in the registration POS register 20, it may be controlled not to transmit the accounting information to the settlement POS register 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement POS register 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, and a printing unit 309. , A settlement unit 310, a barber's pole 311 and a human detection sensor 312. These can communicate with each other via the bus.

The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement POS register 30 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 302.
The ROM 302 is a read-only memory and stores various information used by the CPU 301 including a program.

The RAM 303 is a read / write memory at any time, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores the product master acquired from the store controller 10 and the accounting information acquired from the registration POS register 20.
The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a barcode (product code) attached to a product or a barcode (member code) attached to a membership card or the like. The scanner unit 304 is used to register the product or the like that the shopper wants to purchase additionally with the POS register 30 for payment, but when the product purchased by the shopper is registered only with the POS register 20 for registration, the scanner unit 304 is used for payment. It does not have to be provided in the POS register 30. The same applies to the reading of the membership card, and when the membership card is read only by the registration POS register 20, the payment POS register 30 does not have to be provided. In such a case, the member information corresponding to the membership card read by the scanner unit of the registration POS register 20 may be transmitted together with the accounting information so that the payment POS register 30 can be used.

The display unit 305 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information. For example, the display unit 305 displays a payment screen on which the total amount and the like are displayed.

The operation unit 306 includes various operation buttons (correction key, preset key, etc.) for operating the settlement POS register 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts the correction of the operation input by operating the operation button (correction key). The correction key and preset key may be provided on the maintenance screen (emergency response screen). The maintenance screen is, for example, a screen for individually responding to a shopper's request, and is displayed when a clerk logs in by having the settlement POS register 30 read the identification information for identifying the clerk from a card or the like. ..

The communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11.
When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound for notifying the error.
The printing unit 309 prints the medium and issues it. For example, when the settlement process (that is, the settlement of the purchase price of the product) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a receipt that shows the settlement result and should be taken back by the shopper.

The payment unit 310 includes a change ticket machine (change machine, automatic change machine), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a gift certificate (cash ticket) terminal device, and a control unit thereof for payment. Payment processing is performed by cash, credit, electronic money, or the like using the unit 310. The settlement unit 310 executes settlement by cash by the change ticket machine, and outputs the result of executing the settlement (for example, information indicating whether or not the settlement is successful) to the CPU 301 via the bus. The change billing machine is provided with a bill insertion slot for inserting and discharging bills, a coin insertion slot for inserting coins, and a change ejection port for discharging change. In the following description, the bill slot and the coin slot may be collectively referred to as a coin slot.
Further, the settlement unit 310 executes the settlement by credit and outputs the result of the execution of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the port and the bus. Further, the settlement unit 310 executes the settlement with electronic money, and outputs the result of the execution of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus.

The barber's pole 311 has indicators of a plurality of colors, and by turning on or blinking those indicators, information indicating that the POS register 30 for payment is a device designated by a clerk can be notified or operated. Notify that it is possible. The barber's pole 311 is limited to lighting or blinking when the accounting information transmitted from the registration POS register 20 is received. For example, when the indicator lamp is normally turned on and the accounting information is received. It may be turned off, or it may be turned on or off when the accounting process is started.
Further, normally, the color of the indicator lamp may be turned on in white or the like, and when the accounting information is received, the color may be changed to blue or the like to notify that the accounting information has been received. Further, the barber's pole 311 may display the status of the settlement POS register 30. For example, if a receipt runs out, a paper jam, a change out, or some other trouble occurs, you can switch to the display that maintenance is required (alarm) instead of notifying that the accounting information has been received. good. The notification that this maintenance is necessary (alarm) may be turned on or blinked in red, or if it is normally operated without any problem, it is turned on and maintenance is required (alarm). It may be turned off only in the case of notification of. Further, when the power of the POS register 30 for payment is inadvertently turned off or communication is not possible (for example, it is not connected to the LAN), the light may be turned on in red, for example (the color of the alarm is Not limited to red, it may be another different color). By changing from the normal display state to the display mode of the notification, it is possible to alert or draw attention to the clerk or the shopper, so that the location can be clearly indicated and the current situation can be communicated.

In this case, the sign pole 311 and the payment POS register 30 are connected by a wired or wireless communication method or the like, and the sign pole 311 is turned on, off, and blinks based on the information from the payment POS register 30. You may do it. When the power of the payment POS register 30 is turned off, the sign pole 311 may turn on the warning color (red) because the connection of the payment POS register 30 cannot be confirmed.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects that a person (shopper) is within a predetermined range in front of the payment POS register 30. It should be noted that the detection of a person (shopper) is not limited to the person detection sensor 312, and it is determined that there is a shopper from an image taken by a CCD camera or the like for a shopper who performs accounting processing (not shown). May be good. In this case, it can be easily determined by comparing the image with no shopper and the captured image.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance configuration of the scanner unit 304, the display unit 305, the operation unit 306, the printing unit 309, the settlement unit 310, the barber's pole 311 and the like.

Next, a configuration example of the mobile terminal 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the mobile terminal 40.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile terminal 40 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an image pickup unit 404, a display unit 405, an operation unit 406, a wireless communication unit 407, and a position information acquisition unit 408. .. These can communicate with each other via the bus.

The CPU 401 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the mobile terminal 40 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 402.
The ROM 402 is a read-only memory and stores various information used by the CPU 401 including a program.

The RAM 403 is a read / write memory at any time, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 403 stores the product master acquired from the store controller 10, the accounting information generated after the registration process, the information about the settlement POS register 30 for executing the settlement process, and the status display information described later. Further, the RAM 403 may store a state (operation information) received from the settlement POS register 30. Further, the image of the current usage status captured by the CCD camera included in the POS register 30 for payment may be stored, and the result of analyzing the image captured by the CCD camera (information indicating whether or not there are shoppers) may be stored. You may remember it. When storing the captured image of the current usage status, the image of the current usage status stored in association with each payment POS register 30 may be displayed. In this case, the image may be acquired and displayed in real time, but the image may be displayed at predetermined time intervals. Since it takes time to receive the image data from the POS register 30 for payment, the communication load can be reduced by receiving and storing only the changed image portion from the image in the situation where there are no shoppers.
The image pickup unit 404 is a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) camera, and for example, captures a barcode (product code) attached to a product.

The display unit 405 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for a clerk. For example, the display unit 405 displays a product registration screen or the like in which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged.

The operation unit 406 includes various operation buttons for operating the mobile terminal 40 (for example, a power key for turning on / off the power, a volume key for changing the volume, and the like).
The wireless communication unit 407 wirelessly communicates with other devices by wireless LAN.

The position information acquisition unit 408 acquires the current position information of the mobile terminal 40. For example, the position information acquisition unit 408 identifies the current position of its own device based on the access point of the wireless LAN to which the wireless communication unit 407 is connected and its radio wave strength. The method of acquiring the current position in the mobile terminal 40 is not limited to this, and may be another method such as GPS (Global Positioning System).

The mobile terminal 40 according to the present embodiment has a current position of the mobile terminal 40 and a plurality of payment devices (for payment) so that a payment device (POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment) suitable for the shopper can be specified. Based on the distance to each of the POS register 30 or the POS register 50), the priority indicating the degree of suitability as a payment device (the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for payment) in which the shopper operating the mobile terminal 40 performs payment processing is set. decide.

Further, the mobile terminal 40 determines the priority of the payment device (settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50) during payment processing or maintenance to be low. Further, the mobile terminal 40 uses the time management function of the OS (Operating System) to measure the time required for payment. Then, the mobile terminal 40 determines the priority of the payment device (payment POS register 30 or POS register 50) based on the time and distance measured. An example of the algorithm for determining the priority will be described later. The time required for settlement determines (determines) the current status of the settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 from the status information of each settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 and the time required for each status information. It may be used as an index to be used. Further, the status of the current settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 may be determined (determined) not only by the time (time) to be clocked but also by the status information alone.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a product registration screen displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40.
On the product registration screen of the figure, a button area AR1, a registration item area AR2, a registration confirmation area AR3, a subtotal area AR4, and a subtotal button for completing product registration are arranged.

The button area AR1 is an area in which buttons and the like associated with each item of goods are arranged. Some of the buttons in the button area AR1 shown in FIG. 6 are omitted, but the items of the products such as "carrot" and "tomato" are actually described. The registration item area AR2 is an area in which the items of the products registered by the registration process so far corresponding to one transaction are displayed in a list format. In this case, the registered product is reflected in the registered item area AR2 in response to reading the barcode of the product or pressing the button arranged in the button area AR1.

The registration confirmation area AR3 is an area in which information on the product registered for confirmation is displayed when the store clerk registers the product by operating the mobile terminal 40. The product may be registered by capturing the code information attached to the product with the CCD camera provided in the mobile terminal 40, analyzing the code information from the captured image, and acquiring the information about the product. Further, the product information of the touched preset button may be registered by touching the button area AR1 (preset button) displayed on the mobile terminal 40. Further, the invisible barcode (for example, the code information formed by dots) printed on the outer surface of the product may be read by the CCD camera to register the product.

The subtotal area AR4 is an area in which information regarding subtotals of products registered in one transaction is displayed. In this figure, as information on the subtotal of registered products, the number of registered products and the total amount of all registered products are displayed.

Further, on the product registration screen, the gift certificate button 501, the subtotal button 502, and the current total button 503 are displayed. The gift certificate button 501 is pressed when registering the gift certificate. The subtotal button 502 is pressed when displaying the subplanning surface. The current total button 503 is pressed when making a payment. The current total button 503 is masked on the product registration screen, and nothing is executed even if it is pressed. When the gift certificate button 501 is pressed, the type of gift certificate is registered. The types of gift certificates are, for example, gift certificates of various card companies, beer tickets, rice tickets, gift certificates issued by stores, gift cards, coupons, etc., and change is paid out according to the type of gift certificate. , Or the condition of not paying out change is added. Therefore, the subsequent processing differs depending on the type of the gift certificate selected after the gift certificate button 501 is pressed. Details of this different process will be described later.

On the product registration screen, the clerk presses the subtotal button 502 when the registration of all the products purchased by the shopper is completed. When the subtotal button 502 accepts the input, the mobile terminal 40 displays a subplanning surface for designating one settlement device (the POS register 30 for settlement or the POS register 50) of the settlement destination that executes the settlement process of the registered product. It is displayed in the unit 405.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a subplanning surface displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. On the sub-planning side of the figure, the button area AR1 and the subtotal area AR5 are arranged as in the product registration screen. In the subtotal area AR6, information about the registered products, the total amount, and the like are displayed. On the subplanning side, the subtotal button 502 is changed to a back button. The back button is a button for returning to the registration screen. In addition, the mask of the current total button 503 is released. The current total button 503 of the mobile terminal 40 is, for example, payment by a credit card by a card reader connected to the mobile terminal 40, payment by electronic money by an IC card reader also connected, a gift certificate without change, etc. Used when paying by.

A settlement destination designated area AR5 is further arranged on the subplanning surface. The settlement destination designation area AR5 includes a service counter button BT1 corresponding to the POS register 50, a 102 register button BT2 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-2, and a 103 register button BT3 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-3. , 104 register button BT4 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-4 is arranged. The buttons BT1 to BT4 are buttons for designating one payment device of the payment destination that performs payment processing for the products registered in the mobile terminal 40. The clerk can specify the settlement device of the settlement destination by designating any one of the buttons BT1 to BT4.

Further, at the time of receiving the subtotal button input, the payment devices having the highest priority are arranged in the buttons BT1 to BT4 in order from the top. As shown in the figure, the service counter button BT1, 102 registration button BT2, 103 registration button BT3, and 104 registration button BT4 are arranged in this order from the top. That is, at the time of accepting the subtotal button input, the priority is higher in the order of the POS register 50, the settlement POS register 30-2, the settlement POS register 30-3, and the settlement POS register 30-4. By arranging the buttons BT1 to BT4 based on the priority in this way, the clerk can know the priority of each payment device.

Status information indicating the status of the corresponding settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 is pop-up displayed on each of the buttons BT1 to BT4. In the illustrated example, the service counter button BT1 displays the state "standby (free state)" of the POS register 50, and the 102 register button BT2 displays the state "standby (free state)" of the POS register 30-2 for settlement. The 103 register button BT3 displays the status "in use (payment processing)" of the settlement POS register 30-3, and the 104 register button BT4 displays the status "maintenance" of the settlement POS register 30-4. It is displayed.

Here, the 103 cash register button BT3 corresponding to the payment POS register 30-3 in the in-use state and the 104 cash register button BT4 corresponding to the payment POS register 30-4 in the maintenance state are diagonal lines (/ marks). Indicates that the designation is not possible (prohibited state). In this example, the / mark indicates that the designation is not possible, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other display modes such as grayout may indicate that the designation is not possible.

As described above, the mobile terminal 40 displays the buttons BT1 to BT4 as an example of the designated information for causing the clerk to specify the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for payment according to the priority. Further, the designated information includes a payment device being processed for payment as a payment device that cannot be specified. The mobile terminal 40 causes the clerk to designate the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement to perform the settlement process from the displayed designated information. The mobile terminal 40 transmits accounting information regarding the product registered so that the shopper can perform the payment processing in the designated payment POS register 30 or POS register 50.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure and a data example of the state display information stored in the RAM 403 of the mobile terminal 40. The status display information is information indicating the status to be displayed on the buttons BT1 to BT4. As shown in the figure, the status display information has each item of status, pop-up, / mark, sample, blinking, etc., and priority. The state is the state of the POS register 30 for settlement or the POS register 50. A pop-up is a character to be displayed in the pop-up. The / mark indicates that the operation is not possible, and indicates whether or not the / mark is displayed. The sample is a sample image. Blinking or the like indicates the presence or absence of blinking of the pop-up. The priority is the priority of the state to be displayed.

The mobile terminal 40 pops up the status of the corresponding settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 to the buttons BT1 to BT4 based on the status display information. For example, the mobile terminal 40 waits in a pop-up when the corresponding payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 is in a state where the payment processing of another shopper is not performed (accounting information is not received). Is displayed. Further, the mobile terminal 40 pops up when the state of the corresponding payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 is the accounting information transmitted from the own device and the payment processing has not been completed. Show in use. Further, in the mobile terminal 40, the state of the corresponding settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 is a state in which some accounting information is transmitted from another registration POS register 20 and the settlement process is not completed. In the case of, the status of use is displayed in the pop-up and the / mark is displayed. Further, in the mobile terminal 40, the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment reaches a predetermined number of acceptance limits for accounting information transmitted from the own device and for which payment processing has not been completed. If it is in the state of being used, the status of use is displayed in the pop-up and the / mark is displayed.

Further, when the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment has elapsed a predetermined elapsed time from the start of the payment process, the mobile terminal 40 flashes red during use in a pop-up. Display and display / mark. Further, the mobile terminal 40 displays the clerk call screen in the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment, and when the clerk is called, CALL is displayed in red in a pop-up. And display the / mark. Further, the mobile terminal 40 displays a pause screen in the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment, and when the state is paused, the pause is displayed in a pop-up and / mark. Is displayed. Further, the mobile terminal 40 displays a maintenance screen (a clerk-only screen) in the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment, and if the state is under maintenance, the maintenance is displayed in a pop-up. And display the / mark. Further, when the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment is operated on a screen other than the payment screen for payment processing, the mobile terminal 40 displays a menu in a pop-up. , / Display the mark. Further, when the mobile terminal 40 cannot be connected to the corresponding payment POS register 30 or POS register 50, the mobile terminal 40 displays offline in a pop-up and displays a / mark.

Further, when the mobile terminal 40 has a plurality of states of the corresponding settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50, the mobile terminal 40 preferentially displays the state in which the priority number is smaller.

Next, the operation of the POS system 1 will be described. Since the mobile terminal 40 is portable, products can be registered at any position in the store. The goods registered in the mobile terminal 40 are settled by the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50, but the nearby payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 differs depending on the current position of the mobile terminal 40. That is, the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for payment, which is optimal for the shopper to perform the payment processing, differs depending on the current position of the mobile terminal 40. Therefore, the mobile terminal 40 determines the priority of each payment device based on the distance from the current position of the own device to each payment POS register 30 or POS register 50.

Here, the mobile terminal 40 stores in advance the installation positions of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50 for each payment in the store. Then, the mobile terminal 40 acquires the current position in the position information acquisition unit 408, and calculates the distance to each of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50 for settlement.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the mobile terminal 40 and each of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50 for payment. In the example shown in this figure, the three settlement POS registers 30 and POS registers 50 are installed at the four corners of the store S, respectively. Further, the mobile terminal 40 can move in the store S.

In the example shown in this figure, the POS register 30-2 for payment, the POS register 50, the POS register 30-3 for payment, and the POS register 30-4 for payment are located closer to each other from the current position where the mobile terminal 40 is located. .. Therefore, when all the payment POS registers 30 and POS registers 50 are on standby, the mobile terminal 40 has a payment POS register 30-2, a POS register 50, a payment POS register 30-3, and a payment. The priority is increased in the order of POS registers 30-4. That is, the mobile terminal 40 raises the priority of the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that is close to the current position.

Further, the mobile terminal 40 lowers the priority of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 whose state is in use to that in which the state is standby. Further, the mobile terminal 40 lowers the priority of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 whose state is CALL, hibernation, maintenance, menu, or offline to the one whose state is in use.

Here, in the mobile terminal 40, with respect to the payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 in use, the payment POS register 30 or POS with less accounting information (that is, waiting shoppers) for which payment processing has not been completed. Raise the priority of register 50. Further, in the mobile terminal 40, for the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement, which has one accounting information for which the settlement process has not been completed, the elapsed time from the start of the ongoing settlement process is timed. Of these settlement POS registers 30 or POS registers 50, the settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 having a long elapsed time has a higher priority. The elapsed time from the start of the settlement process is expected to be the progress of the settlement process. Therefore, the mobile terminal 40 assigns the priority of the payment POS register 30 or the payment POS register 50, which is expected to be completed early and the state is on standby, among the payment POS registers 30 or POS registers 50 in use. Make it high. The time to be timed may be the elapsed time (after the settlement device receives the accounting information) after the accounting information is transmitted. In addition, the time elapsed since the start of the ongoing payment process is not limited to timekeeping. For example, the status information received from each of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 and the time required for each status information (timed time) are used to determine the current status of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50. It may be used as an index for (discrimination). Further, the status of the current settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 may be determined (determined) not only by the time (time) to be clocked but also by the status information alone. Further, the priority may be simply set from the preset selection order of the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement and the current position where the mobile terminal 40 is located. In this case, the preset selection order is an order set so that the shopper alternately selects the payment device for performing the payment processing so that the payment device is used evenly and evenly. As another selection order, the POS register 50 is a payment device having a clerk installed in a service counter or the like, and the POS register 30 for payment is a payment device operated by the shopper himself to perform accounting processing. There is a selection order in which the selection of the POS register 50 is prioritized according to the above, and then the POS register 30 for settlement is selected. The priority may be set based on the selection order, the status information of the payment device corresponding to the selection order, and the current position of the mobile terminal 40. In addition, the order of the highest amount of banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine) connected to each payment POS register 30, the current position of the mobile terminal 40, and the payment POS register 30. The priority may be determined based on the order of the closest distances and displayed on the display unit.

The mobile terminal 40 changes the priority order based on the distance from the current position of the own device to each payment POS register 30 and POS register 50 and the state of each payment POS register 30 and POS register 50. Buttons BT1 to BT4 for designating any one payment device based on the priority order are arranged in the settlement destination designation area AR5. Specifically, the mobile terminal 40 arranges the corresponding buttons BT1 to BT4 at the upper part of each payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 having a high priority.

Here, an example of the algorithm for determining the priority will be described. First, for the sake of simplicity, each settlement POS register 30 and POS register 50 are collectively referred to as a settlement device. The mobile terminal 40 specifies a payment device that can be used (hereinafter, referred to as "usable payment device") by excluding the payment device that cannot be used from the payment devices. Here, the payment devices that cannot be used are the "clerk call screen", "pause screen", "maintenance screen", "operating other than the payment screen", and "cannot connect" among the states shown in FIG. (For example, offline not connected to the LAN or the power is not turned on) ”is a payment device in any of the states.

Next, each distance to the available payment device is calculated and ranked in ascending order of distance.
Then, the number N of accounting information for which payment processing has not been completed and the elapsed time t (seconds) are acquired in each available payment device, and the following priority index P is calculated.
P = distance rank + (N-1) + f (t)
f (t) is a reduction function in which 1-t / T is set when t≤T and 0 is set when t> T, where T (seconds) is the predetermined standard settlement time. .. The reason for subtracting 1 from the number of accounting information is that one of the number N of accounting information is considered to be currently being settled. The time during the settlement process is reflected in the priority index by f (t).

For example, the priority index P of the usable settlement device with the distance ranking of 1st place, the number of accounting information of 2, t = 20 seconds, and T = 60 seconds is the priority of 1 + (number of accounting information 2-1) + ( 1-20 / 60) = 8/3.

In the mobile terminal 40, the smaller the priority index P, the higher the priority. Then, after displaying in order from the button BT1 according to the priority, the payment device that cannot be used is displayed from the button below it. If there are multiple usable settlement devices with the same priority index P, the priority of the one with the smaller distance ranking is higher, and if the distance ranking is the same, the priority of the one with the smaller number of accounting information N is set. If the number of accounting information N is the same, the priority of the smaller f (t) is higher, and if the f (t) is the same, the priority is the same.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a subplanning surface in which a time of about 2 minutes has passed from the time when the subtotal button input is received as shown in FIG. For example, after the subtotal button is input, the shopper may move or look at a certain product for a while, and the time may elapse. If the time elapses, the state of the POS register 30 for settlement or the POS register 50 may elapse. Also changes. The mobile terminal 40 determines the priority each time the state of the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 changes, and updates the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 displayed on the buttons BT1 to BT4.

FIG. 10 shows, as an example, when the positional relationship between the moved shopper and the settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 is the positional relationship shown in FIG. 9, and the states of the settlement POS register 30-2 and the settlement POS register 50. Is on standby, the state of the settlement POS register 30-3 is in use, and the state of the settlement POS register 30-4 is maintenance.

In this example, for the sake of simplicity, priorities shall be determined based on distance and condition (in use, maintenance only). The mobile terminal 40 has the highest priority of the payment POS register 30-2 located at the position closest to the mobile terminal 40 in the standby state. Subsequently, the mobile terminal 40 raises the priority of the POS register 50 next to the settlement POS register 30-2.
After that, the mobile terminal 40 raises the priority of the settlement POS register 30-3 whose state is in use to the settlement POS register 30-4 whose state is maintenance. That is, the mobile terminal 40 has a higher priority in the order of the settlement POS register 30-2, the settlement POS register 50, the settlement POS register 30-3, and the settlement POS register 30-4.

Therefore, as shown in the figure, in the settlement destination designated area AR5, the mobile terminal 40 has a 102 register button BT2 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-2, a service counter button BT1 corresponding to the POS register 50, and a settlement POS register 30. The 103 register button BT3 corresponding to -3 and the 104 register button BT4 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-4 are arranged in this order from the top.

That is, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the priority of the POS register 50 is the highest and the service counter button BT1 is arranged at the top, whereas in the example shown in this figure, the priority of the POS register 30-2 for settlement is given. The ranking is the highest, and the 102 register button BT2 is located at the top. In this way, the mobile terminal 40 changes the priority of each payment device based on the current position of its own device and the state of each payment device, and arranges the buttons BT1 to BT4 based on the changed priority. Have one payment device specified.

The clerk can know the priority order of each settlement POS register 30 and POS register 50 by the arrangement order of the buttons BT1 to BT4. Therefore, the clerk can specify the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement, which has a high priority. When the clerk specifies one of the settlement destination POS register 30 or POS register 50, the clerk presses the buttons BT1 to BT4 corresponding to the designated settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50. The mobile terminal 40 transmits accounting information to the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 (designated payment device) corresponding to the buttons BT1 to BT4 that have received the input (transmission means). As a result, the settlement process can be executed in the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 of the settlement destination that has received the accounting information.

In this figure, the 103 register button BT3 is marked with / to indicate that it cannot be specified, but the settlement POS register 30-3 whose state is in use can be specified as the settlement destination. You may do so.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. This figure shows a display example when the 103 cash register button BT3 whose state is in use accepts an input on the subplanning surface shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the mobile terminal 40 displays a pop-up screen P1 for permitting the designation of the payment POS register 30-3 in use when the 103 registration button BT3 whose state is in use accepts an input. Display on.

On the pop-up screen P1, the message "Do you want to cancel the prohibited state?" Asking whether to cancel the disabled state (prohibited state), the key to cancel the prohibited state, and the key not to cancel the prohibited state. And are arranged. By pressing the key to release, the clerk allows the designation of the settlement POS register 30-3 whose state is in use, and can be designated as the settlement destination.

When the key to be released on the pop-up screen P1 accepts the input, the mobile terminal 40 designates the settlement POS register 30-3 as the settlement destination, and the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30-3 is completed. The accounting information is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30-3. For example, the mobile terminal 40 temporarily stores accounting information in the RAM 403 together with information identifying the payment POS register 30-3, and when the state of the payment POS register 30-3 becomes standby, the stored accounting information is stored in the payment POS. Send to register 30-3. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 40 may transmit accounting information and store it in the settlement POS register 30-3. Further, the mobile terminal 40 displays that the accounting information is pending in the settlement POS register 30-3.

In this way, the mobile terminal 40 can allow the designation of the payment device during the payment processing included in the designated information. Then, when the permitted payment device is designated, the mobile terminal 40 can perform the payment processing of the shopper on the condition that the payment processing of the payment device being processed is completed. Send accounting information.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a subplanning surface displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. This figure shows a display example when the key to be released on the pop-up screen P1 shown in FIG. 11 accepts an input. As shown in the figure, a pop-up for which accounting information is pending is displayed on the 103 cash register button BT3 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-3. At this time, the mobile terminal 40 may change the display mode of the 103 registration button BT3 in order to emphasize that the accounting information is pending. For example, the mobile terminal 40 may make the pop-up characters blue and gray out the 103 cash register button BT3.

On the other hand, the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment whose state is CALL (calling a clerk), pause, maintenance, menu, or offline may release the prohibited state because the payment process cannot be executed. Can not. Further, when the mobile terminal 40 can acquire full, near full, end, and near end as the state of the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment, it is determined that the payment process cannot be executed in the case of full and end. May be good.

The mobile terminal 40 acquires full, near full, end, and near end status information from the change machine (automatic change machine) connected to the POS register 30 for payment or the POS register 50, and determines whether or not the payment process can be executed. There is also a method of making a judgment (judgment). As another method, the mobile terminal 40 sets in advance the number of full, near full, end, and near end in each number of banknotes or coins for each denomination, and sets the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement. Change machine position information output from the change machine (automatic change machine) obtained from each (banknotes or coins for each denomination that make up the total amount of banknotes and coins stored in the change machine (automatic change machine) Information showing the breakdown of each number of coins) is acquired, and when each coin shown in the acquired change machine inventory information exceeds each set number of coins, it is determined to be full, near full, end, or near end. , This determination result may be used as status information. The method of setting such a number in advance and comparing it with the change machine current amount information is performed by the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50, and the determination result is notified to the mobile terminal 40 as status information. You may do so.

The mobile terminal 40 has a display mode indicating that the prohibited state cannot be canceled for the buttons BT1 to BT4 that cannot be released from the prohibited state. In the illustrated example, in the mobile terminal 40, the 104 cash register button BT4 corresponding to the settlement POS register 30-4 whose state is maintenance is red, and the display color is different from that of the other buttons BT1 to BT3.
That is, the mobile terminal 40 has different display modes of the 103 registration button BT3 that can release the prohibited state and the 104 registration button BT4 that cannot release the prohibited state. As a result, the clerk can easily know at a glance that the 104 cash register button BT4 cannot be specified. The display mode in which the prohibited state cannot be released is not limited to this, and the characters may be red or marked. In this way, by changing the display mode of the buttons BT1 to BT4 according to the state of the corresponding POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement, the store clerk can operate intuitively, so that a quick response is taken. be able to.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. This figure shows an example of display when the 104 registration button BT4 whose state is maintenance on the subplanning surface shown in FIG. 10 accepts an input. As shown in the figure, when the 104 registration button BT4 whose state is maintenance receives an input, the mobile terminal 40 displays a pop-up screen P2 indicating that the designation is not possible on the display unit 405. On the pop-up screen P2, the message "Currently cannot be sent to this cash register. Please specify another cash register." Is displayed to inform that the designation is not possible.

Further, the mobile terminal 40 can recall the accounting information that has already been transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 and has not been settled yet.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a recall screen displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40.
This figure shows an example of a recall screen for recalling unsettled accounting information. As shown in the figure, the transaction list area AR11, the transaction detail area AR12, the key 510 for recalling the accounting information of the selected transaction, and the cancel key 511 for canceling the recall of the accounting information are arranged on the recall screen. There is.

In the transaction list area AR11, unsettled accounting information transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 is displayed in a list. In addition, the accounting information selected in the transaction list area AR11 is highlighted so that it can be seen that it is selected. The transaction details area AR12 displays the details of the accounting information selected in the transaction list area AR11.

The clerk selects the accounting information to be recalled from the transaction list area AR11 and presses the recall key 510 to recall the selected accounting information from the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 (stops the execution of the settlement process). And receive accounting information). On the product registration screen, the mobile terminal 40 can edit the recalled accounting information, such as additional product registration. Further, in the sub-planning aspect, the mobile terminal 40 can transmit the recalled accounting information to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 again by pressing the buttons BT1 to BT4. At that time, the mobile terminal 40 may specify a settlement POS register 30 or a settlement POS register 50 different from the settlement source settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 as the settlement destination. That is, the mobile terminal 40 may change the settlement destination POS register 30 or POS register 50.

Subsequently, a processing transition example of the mobile terminal 40 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As an initial state, the mobile terminal 40 is in a standby state. The waiting state is a state of waiting for the start of the registration process for recording the purchased goods of the shopper. In the standby state, the standby screen is displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. Here, when the shopper goes to the mobile terminal 40 to settle the purchased product and hands the purchased product to the clerk, the clerk starts the operation of registering the delivered purchased product. Then, in response to the registration operation for the first purchased product, the mobile terminal 40 executes the process shown in the figure.

(Step S101) The CPU 401 executes a registration process for registering a product in response to a registration operation. After that, the process proceeds to step S102.

(Step S102) The CPU 401 determines whether or not the registration process is completed. The clerk operates the subtotal key when the registration of the purchased product is completed. When the subtotal key accepts the input, the CPU 401 determines that the registration process is completed. If the CPU 401 determines that the registration process is completed, the process proceeds to step S103. If the CPU 401 determines that the registration process has not been completed, the process returns to the process of step S101.

(Step S103) The CPU 401 generates accounting information based on the registration process. After that, the process proceeds to step S104.

(Step S104) The CPU 401 acquires a state from each of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50 for settlement. After that, the process proceeds to step S105.
(Step S105) The CPU 401 acquires the current position of the mobile terminal 40, and calculates the distance from the acquired current position to each of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50 for settlement. After that, the process proceeds to step S106.

(Step S106) The CPU 401 determines each of the settlement POS registers 30 and POS based on the acquired states of the settlement POS registers 30 and POS registers 50 and the distances to each of the settlement POS registers 30 and POS registers 50. The priority of the register 50 is changed, and one POS register 30 and one POS register 50 for settlement are displayed on the display unit 405 in the changed priority. After that, the process proceeds to step S107.

(Step S107) The CPU 401 accepts a designated input of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50, which is the settlement destination. After that, the process proceeds to step S108.
(Step S108) The CPU 401 transmits accounting information to the designated settlement destination POS register 30 or POS register 50 via the wireless communication unit 407. After that, the process shown in this figure is terminated.

As described above, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the portable mobile terminal 40 for registering the product purchased by the shopper and the product registered in the mobile terminal 40 are settled by the shopper's operation. It is provided with a plurality of POS registers 30 for settlement. The mobile terminal 40 changes the priority of the payment POS register 30 based on the distance between the current position of the mobile terminal 40 and each of the plurality of payment POS registers 30, and one of the payments is made based on the changed priority. The POS register 30 for selection is provided with a selection means for selecting the POS register 30 for payment, and a transmission means for transmitting accounting information about the product registered so that the payment process of the shopper can be performed at the selected POS register 30 for payment.

According to the above configuration, the mobile terminal 40 changes the priority order based on the distance between the current position of the own device and each of the payment POS registers 30, and causes the mobile terminal 40 to select the payment POS register 30 based on the changed priority. There is. As a result, the POS register 30 for settlement, which is most suitable for the shopper, can be selected and the settlement process can be performed, so that the POS system 1 with high satisfaction with the shopper can be provided.

Further, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the selection means lowers the priority of the settlement POS register 30 during the settlement process or the settlement POS register 30 during maintenance. According to the above configuration, it is possible to preferentially select the standby POS register 30 that is not in the process of payment processing or maintenance.

Further, the POS system 1 in the present embodiment further includes a timekeeping means for measuring the time required for settlement, and the selection means changes the priority of the settlement POS register 30 based on the time and distance measured by the timekeeping means. According to the above configuration, for example, by increasing the priority of the timed time, the POS register 30 for settlement, which is expected to finish the settlement process being executed earlier (wait earlier), is preferentially selected. Can be made to.

Further, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the selection means further includes a permission means for permitting the selection of the settlement POS register 30 during the settlement process, and the transmission means is the settlement POS register permitted by the selection means. When 30 is selected, the accounting information is transmitted so that the shopper can perform the settlement processing at the settlement POS register 30 permitted on condition that the settlement processing of the settlement POS register 30 during the settlement processing is completed. According to the above configuration, the settlement POS register 30 during the settlement process can be selected as the settlement destination.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 displays the buttons BT1 to BT4 for selecting the settlement destination in order from the top in order of priority, but the display mode of the buttons BT1 to BT4 is not limited to this. .. FIG. 16 shows another example of the subplanning surface displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. In the example shown in this figure, the buttons BT12 to BT14 for selecting the settlement destination are displayed side by side at the bottom of the product registration screen. In this example, the 102 cash register button BT12 on the far left has the highest priority, the 103 cash register button BT13 next to it has the next highest priority, and the 104 cash register button BT14 on the far right has the lowest priority. ..
Further, the display mode of the button itself may be changed to indicate the priority, such as increasing the size of the button corresponding to the payment POS register 30 having a high priority or changing the display color or the character color.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the payment POS register 30 and the payment POS register 50 are exemplified as payment devices for processing the products registered in the registration POS register 20 or the mobile terminal 40, but the present invention is not limited to this. A full-self POS register that is operated by the shopper himself to perform registration processing and payment processing may be designated as the payment device of the payment destination.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 indicates that the buttons BT1 to BT4 cannot be selected (prohibited state) by the / mark, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the display color and the character color of the buttons are not limited to this. May be another display mode, such as different display modes. For example, the display color (or character color) of the button that can cancel the selection prohibition state may be red, and the display color (or character color) of the button that cannot be canceled may be dark gray.

Further, when accumulating unsettled accounting information in the settlement POS register 30, the settlement POS register 30 stores the received accounting information in order, reads out the accounting information in sequence each time the settlement process is completed, and next It may be possible to process the payment of the shopper. In this case, when the next accounting information is read out after the settlement processing is completed, the settlement POS register 30 may notify the waiting next shopper that the settlement turn has come. As an example of notification, for example, the settlement POS register 30 may display information or the like for identifying shoppers on the display unit 305 so that the shoppers who have come in order can easily understand. Alternatively, the POS register 30 for payment may turn on the indicator lamp of the barber's pole 311 and display information or the like for identifying a customer on a display board (not shown) such as an electric bulletin board.

Further, the place where the unsettled accounting information is stored is not limited to the mobile terminal 40 and the payment POS register 30, and the accounting information may be stored in another device such as the store controller 10.

Further, depending on the payment type, the payment process may be executed by the registration POS register 20 or the mobile terminal 40. In this case, the display of the button for selecting the payment device to be settled may be omitted in the registration POS register 20 or the mobile terminal 40.

Further, when discounting or discounting by coupons or benefits, it is preferable to process the discount or discount at the registration POS register 20 or the mobile terminal 40, but the discount or discount is performed by the shopper's operation at the payment POS register 30. May be possible.

In addition, when registering products with eat-in and take-out types, the registration POS register 20 or mobile terminal 40 divides the products registered for eat-in and take-out on the product registration screen or the subplanning surface. It may be displayed and the total amount may be displayed at different tax rates.

Further, the mobile terminal 40 may visually display the special sale information and the like in the sales floor around the current position on the display unit 405. Further, the mobile terminal 40 may be used for checking the selling price. Specifically, for example, in a store that updates the selling price at night, the clerk can check the selling price by comparing the pop of the product with the selling price displayed on the mobile terminal 40 before the opening of the store in the morning.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 extracts and reads a barcode from the captured image captured by the image pickup unit 404, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a scanner dedicated to the barcode is connected to the mobile terminal 40. You may.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an embodiment for designating the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 to execute the payment processing, the store clerk uses the mobile terminal 40 for the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 to execute the payment processing. The mode specified in the above is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a clerk issues a payment processing medium (account ticket (registered trademark)) handed to a shopper on the mobile terminal 40, and the clerk issues it. The billing ticket handed over from the customer may be read by one POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement. That is, the shopper causes the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 to read the accounting ticket handed over by the clerk, so that the settlement process is executed from the plurality of settlement POS registers 30 or POS registers 50. POS register 30 or POS register 50 is specified. In this case, the accounting information registered in the mobile terminal 40 corresponding to the accounting ticket is either the store controller, the host management device, the cloud, the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment, or the mobile terminal 40. I will remember it.

The payment identification information and the registration device identification information are printed on the checkout ticket in either a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code format. For example, when the accounting ticket on which the one-dimensional code is printed is read in the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50, the accounting information generated in the mobile terminal 40 via the LAN 11 (on the accounting ticket). The corresponding accounting information) is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that has read the accounting ticket from any of the store controller, the host management device, the cloud, or the mobile terminal 40. If the accounting information corresponding to the accounting ticket is transmitted and stored in the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 all at once, the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 is read. The accounting information corresponding to the accounting ticket is read out from the storage unit stored in any of the above.

That is, when the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement reads the accounting ticket, the accounting information corresponding to the accounting ticket (accounting information identified by the settlement identification information obtained from the accounting ticket) is obtained. , The mobile terminal 40 that requests (sends the request information) to the mobile terminal 40 corresponding to the accounting ticket (the mobile terminal 40 identified by the registration device identification information obtained from the accounting ticket), and the accounting information is requested. , The requested accounting information is transmitted to the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement of the requesting source. The settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 may request accounting information from the mobile terminal 40 via the store controller 10. Further, the mobile terminal 40 may transmit accounting information to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 via the store controller 10. The mobile terminal 40 issues an accounting ticket in which the payment identification information and the registration device identification information are printed in a two-dimensional code instead of the accounting ticket in which the payment identification information and the registration device identification information are printed in a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code. You may. When the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement reads an accounting ticket in which accounting information is printed with a two-dimensional code, the accounting information is directly acquired from the accounting ticket.

Further, when the mobile terminal 40 cannot transmit the accounting information to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 selected in the subplanning aspect (when it cannot communicate with the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50), the mobile terminal 40 cannot communicate with the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50. , You may have a printer (not shown) issue an accounting ticket with accounting information printed in a two-dimensional code. The printer may be carried by a clerk together with the mobile terminal 40.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 405 of the mobile terminal 40. This figure shows a display example when the accounting information cannot be transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 selected in the subplanning aspect. As shown in the figure, when the mobile terminal 40 cannot transmit the accounting information to the settlement POS register 30, the mobile terminal 40 displays a pop-up screen P3 indicating that fact on the display unit 405. On the pop-up screen P3, there is a message "Cannot send to this cash register at this time", a ticketing button for issuing a checkout ticket, and another POS register for payment 30 returning to the subplanning side. There is a back button to select. When the ticketing button accepts the input, the mobile terminal 40 causes the printer to issue a checkout ticket. Further, when the back button accepts the input, the mobile terminal 40 returns the display of the display unit 405 to the subplanning surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 40 is operated by a clerk, but the shopper may register the product by enabling the shopper to operate the mobile terminal 40. An application for executing the function of the mobile terminal 40 may be provided so that the shopper can download it to his / her own mobile terminal, and the above-described embodiment may be executed on the shopper's mobile terminal. .. In this case, the shopper who downloaded the application may be given points or the like that can be used at the store. Alternatively, the application may be provided with a function that allows the information about the purchased product to be browsed like a household account book.

<Modification example>
Hereinafter, a modification of the present embodiment will be described.

[First modification]
In the above embodiment, as a mode for designating the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for executing the settlement process from the plurality of settlement POS registers 30 or POS registers 50, the settlement POS for executing the settlement process is specified. A mode in which the clerk designates the register 30 or the POS register 50 on the mobile terminal 40 (first designated mode), and an accounting ticket handed to the customer is issued from the mobile terminal 40, and the payment is handed over by the clerk. The mode (second designated mode) in which the customer is made to read the ticket by one payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 is mentioned. However, the mode for designating the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 is not limited to the above mode. For example, the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 may be designated as in the third designated mode to the seventh designated mode below.

The third to seventh designation modes described below are the "distance from the current position of the own device to the POS registers 30 and 50 for each payment and each payment" described in the present embodiment. Based on the state of the POS register 30 and the POS register 50, the priority order is determined and can be selected and specified. " It may be executed.

As a third designation mode, according to the operation performed on the buttons BT1 to BT4 displayed in response to the completion of the product registration (or the operation may be an operation for declaring the completion of the product registration). The mobile terminal 40 can inquire about the status of, for example, the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 and perform payment processing (for example, no failure has occurred and the product is not in use). The payment POS register 30 or POS register. 50 is recognized, and one settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 is determined from among the settlement POS registers 30 or POS registers 50 that are not in use according to a predetermined rule. Then, the mobile terminal 40 transmits the settlement information to the determined POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement, and instructs the execution of the settlement process.

As a fourth designation mode, the priority of the settlement process is set in advance for the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 in place of the priority described in the present embodiment. Then, when the product registration is completed, the buttons BT1 to BT4 for instructing the transmission of the settlement information to the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 are displayed so as to be effective. In response to the operation of the buttons BT1 to BT4, the mobile terminal 40 confirms whether or not the payment processing of the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for payment can be performed in the order according to the set priority. If it is not confirmed that the settlement process is possible, the priority is to confirm the next settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50. Then, the mobile terminal 40 transmits the settlement information to the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50, which is first confirmed to be capable of payment processing, and instructs the execution of payment processing.

The priority of the settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 according to the predetermined rule in the third designated mode, or the settlement POS register 30 or POS register 50 in the fourth designated embodiment is, for example, settlement. It may be determined based on the number assigned to the POS register 30 or the POS register 50. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the distance from the mobile terminal 40 to the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50. Alternatively, it is determined based on the relationship between the breakdown of change denominations predicted based on the total amount and the number of coins stored in the change machine of the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement. good.

As a fifth designation mode, the mobile terminal 40 transmits the settlement information to all the settlement POS registers 30 or POS registers 50.
When the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that has received the settlement information becomes in a state where the settlement processing can be executed by using the settlement information included in the settlement information received by itself, the self executes the settlement processing. The payment processing execution notification to be notified is transmitted to the mobile terminal 40 of the transmission source of the settlement information.
The mobile terminal 40 displays (payment processing execution display) indicating the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 of the destination of the payment processing execution notification in response to the reception of the payment processing execution notification.
The clerk may look at the payment processing execution display and inform the customer which is the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for payment that executes the payment processing.
At this time, along with the payment processing execution display, the sign pole 311 of the payment processing POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that has transmitted the payment processing execution notification is lit in a predetermined pattern, or the payment processing POS register 30 or the POS register 50 determines. By outputting a notification sound, it may be notified that the self is executing the payment process.

According to the designation of the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement according to the third to fifth designation modes described above, it is not possible to determine which of the POS register 30 or POS register 50 for settlement to execute the settlement process. It is also good.

As a sixth designation mode, a shopping cart containing products for which product registration has been completed on the mobile terminal 40 is placed in a basket storage area corresponding to each POS register 30 or POS register 50 for payment by a clerk. Move the shopping cart to one of the.
The basket storage area is equipped with a sensor (weight sensor, optical sensor, etc.) for detecting the placed shopping cart. When it is determined by the sensor that the shopping cart is placed in the basket storage area, the corresponding payment POS register 30 or POS register 50 makes a request, acquires the corresponding settlement information from the mobile terminal 40, and performs the payment process. Be made to run.
Also in this case, the POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for settlement, which is to execute the settlement process, notifies itself that the settlement process is to be executed by lighting the sign pole 311 or outputting a notification sound. May be.
In addition, instead of the sensor for detecting the placed shopping cart, a motion sensor or an image pickup device may be provided, for example, in response to a store clerk. Then, the mobile terminal 40 determines the movement of the clerk based on the detection output of the motion sensor, the image captured by the image pickup device, and the like, and the clerk determines the movement of the clerk based on the determined result, and the clerk makes a payment POS register. It is determined in which of the basket storage areas corresponding to each of the 30 or the POS register 50 the shopping basket is installed. Then, the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 corresponding to the determined basket storage location may be determined as the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for which the settlement process should be executed.

As a seventh designation mode, the mobile terminal 40 uses the settlement instruction information including the settlement information and the transfer order information in which the transfer order between the settlement POS registers 30 or the POS registers 50 is set for a certain settlement. It is transmitted to the POS register 30 or the POS register 50.
The transfer order information may cyclically specify the transfer order between the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50.
The settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that has received the settlement instruction information transmits a settlement processing execution notification to the mobile terminal 40 that is the sender of the settlement instruction information, if it can execute the settlement process. Settlement processing is executed using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information.
On the other hand, when the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 that has received the settlement instruction information cannot execute the settlement process, the settlement order is the next settlement according to the transfer order information included in the received settlement instruction information. The received settlement instruction information is transferred to the POS register 30 or the POS register 50. In this way, even if the settlement instruction information is sequentially transferred between the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50, it corresponds to the designation of the settlement POS register 30 or the POS register 50 to execute the settlement process. The procedure to do is realized.

In each of the above-mentioned designation modes, the processing related to the determination of the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50 for executing the payment processing is other than the mobile terminal 40 and the payment POS register 30 or the POS register 50, such as the store controller 10. The predetermined device may be configured to be executed in response to the end of the product registration process by the mobile terminal 40. The predetermined device other than the mobile terminal 40 and the POS register 30 for payment or the POS register 50 may be, for example, a device provided for monitoring the state of the POS register 30 for payment or the POS register 50.

It should be noted that the program for realizing the functions as the above-mentioned registration POS register 20, payment POS register 30, mobile terminal 40, etc. is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is recorded. The processing as the above-mentioned registration POS register 20, payment POS register 30, mobile terminal 40, or the like may be performed by reading the program into a computer system and executing the program. Here, "loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and a dedicated line. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium in which the program is stored may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

The recording medium also includes an internal or external recording medium accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. It should be noted that the configuration in which the program is divided into a plurality of parts and downloaded at different timings and then combined by the terminal device, or the distribution server for distributing each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network, and holds the program for a certain period of time. It shall include things. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1 POS system, 10 store controller, 11 LAN, 20 POS for registration
Register, 30 POS register for payment, 40 mobile terminal, 50 POS register, 20
1 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 scanner unit, 205 display unit (
(For clerk), 205a Display unit (for customers), 206 Operation unit, 207 Communication unit, 208 Buzzer, 209 Printing unit, 301 CPU, 302 ROM, 303 RAM, 304 Scanner unit, 305 Display unit, 306 Operation unit, 307 communication Department, 308 buzzer, 309
Printing department, 310 payment department, 311 barber's pole, 312 human detection sensor, 401 CP
U, 402 ROM, 403 RAM, 404 Imaging unit, 405 display unit, 406 operation unit, 407 wireless communication unit, 408 location information acquisition unit

Claims (6)

A system including a portable registration device for registering products purchased by shoppers and a plurality of payment devices for processing payments for products registered in the registration device by the operation of shoppers.
The registration device is
From the designated information displayed by the display means for allowing the shopper to specify the payment device for performing payment processing, the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing and the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing.
A transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing of the shopper can be performed by the payment device designated by the designated means.
A permission means for permitting the designation of the payment device in the payment process included in the designated information by the designated means, and
Equipped with
The designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified.
When the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated, the transmission means is the payment device permitted by the shopper on condition that the payment processing of the payment device during the payment processing is completed. A system characterized by transmitting the accounting information so that payment processing can be performed. The system according to claim 1, wherein the designated means can designate a registered settlement device that performs registration processing and settlement processing by the operation of a shopper as the settlement device that performs settlement processing. A system including a portable registration device for registering products purchased by shoppers and a plurality of payment devices for processing payments for products registered in the registration device by the operation of shoppers.
The registration device is
Based on the current position of the registration device and the distance between each of the plurality of payment devices, a determination means for determining a priority indicating the degree to which the shopper who operates the registration device is suitable as the payment device for performing payment processing, and
A display means for displaying designated information for designating the payment device according to the priority determined by the determination means, and a display means for displaying the designated information.
From the designated information displayed by the display means, a designated means for designating the payment device to perform payment processing and
A transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing of the shopper can be performed by the payment device designated by the designated means.
A permission means for permitting the designation of the payment device in the payment process included in the designated information by the designated means, and
Equipped with
The designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified.
When the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated, the transmission means is the payment device permitted by the shopper on condition that the payment processing of the payment device during the payment processing is completed. A system characterized by transmitting the accounting information so that payment processing can be performed. The registration device in a system including a portable registration device for registering products purchased by a shopper and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the products registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. ,
From the designated information displayed by the display means for allowing the shopper to specify the payment device for performing payment processing, the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing and the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing.
A transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing of the shopper can be performed by the payment device designated by the designated means.
A permission means for permitting the designation of the payment device in the payment process included in the designated information by the designated means, and
Equipped with
The designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified.
When the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated, the transmission means is the payment device permitted by the shopper on condition that the payment processing of the payment device during the payment processing is completed. A registration device characterized by transmitting the accounting information so that payment processing can be performed. A computer is used as the registration device in a system including a portable registration device for registering products to be purchased by a shopper and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the products registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. It ’s a program to make it work.
The computer
From the designated information displayed by the display means for allowing the shopper to specify the payment device for performing payment processing, the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing and the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing.
A transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing of the shopper can be performed by the payment device designated by the designated means.
A permission means for permitting the designation of the payment device in the payment process included in the designated information by the designated means, and
To make it work
The designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified.
When the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated, the transmission means is the payment device permitted by the shopper on condition that the payment processing of the payment device during the payment processing is completed. A program characterized by transmitting the accounting information so that payment processing can be performed. A computer is used as the registration device in a system including a portable registration device for registering products purchased by a shopper and a plurality of payment devices for performing payment processing for the products registered in the registration device by the operation of the shopper. It ’s a program to make it work.
The computer
From the designated information displayed by the display means for allowing the shopper to specify the payment device for performing payment processing, the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing and the designation means for designating the payment device for performing payment processing.
A transmission means for transmitting accounting information regarding the registered product so that the payment processing of the shopper can be performed by the payment device designated by the designated means.
A permission means for permitting the designation of the payment device in the payment process included in the designated information by the designated means, and
To make it work
The designated information includes the payment device being processed for payment as the payment device that cannot be specified.
When the payment device permitted by the designated means is designated, the transmission means is the payment device permitted by the shopper on condition that the payment processing of the payment device during the payment processing is completed. A program characterized by transmitting the accounting information so that payment processing can be performed.

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