JP2022168277A - Article sale data processing system, registration apparatus, adjustment apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article sale data processing system including a registration apparatus and adjustment apparatus and being characterized in that efficiency in handling customers is upgraded.

SOLUTION: An article sale data processing system including a registration apparatus, which registers an article in response to a sales person's manipulation, and plural adjustment apparatuses, which perform adjustment processing on the basis of adjustment information, on which a result of registration of the article by the registration apparatus is reflected, in response to a customer's manipulation further includes article registration means that registers an article, which is associated with a deal, in response to a sales person's manipulation performed at the registration apparatus, adjustment related manipulation acceptance means capable of accepting initiation of an adjustment related manipulation, which is associated with a deal and performed by a customer at the adjustment apparatus, on a stage preceding acquisition of adjustment information, and deal control means that associates a deal which is associated with the registration of an article performed by the article registration means, with a deal associated with the adjustment related manipulation accepted by the adjustment related manipulation acceptance means.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a product sales data processing system, a registration device, a settlement device, and a program.

A registration device that executes product registration processing according to a product registration operation performed by a store clerk and a settlement device that executes settlement processing according to the product registration processing executed by the registration device according to a customer's operation are separately provided. A POS system (merchandise sales data processing system) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
For example, in the case of a POS register that is configured to execute product registration processing and settlement processing by one unit, a store clerk performs operations related to product registration and settlement for each customer. .
On the other hand, in a POS register having a configuration in which a registration device and a checkout device are separated as in Patent Document 1, in the checkout flow from product registration to checkout, a clerk performs an operation corresponding to checkout for each customer. Since there is no need to do this and only the product registration operation can be performed, it is possible to improve the efficiency of handling customers.

JP 2017-50005 A

In the above Patent Document 1, the registration device selects a settlement device to execute settlement processing according to the availability of the settlement device according to the priority set in the settlement device, thereby further improving the efficiency of customer handling. is made possible. However, it is desirable to further improve the efficiency of handling customers in a POS cash register having a registration device and a settlement device, in addition to the configuration of Patent Document 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of handling customers in a product sales data processing system having a registration device and a settlement device.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is to provide a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the products by the registration device. A product sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices operated in accordance with customer operations, and product registration means for registering products corresponding to one transaction in accordance with operations performed by a store clerk on the registration device. and settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by the customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired, and by the commodity registration means. The merchandise sales data processing system includes transaction control means for associating a transaction corresponding to product registration to be performed with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation received by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device according to a customer's operation. A registration device in a commodity sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices for performing transactions, comprising commodity registration means for registering a commodity corresponding to one transaction according to an operation by a store clerk, and commodity registration performed by the commodity registration means. The settlement information acquires the transaction corresponding to the registration and the transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation performed by the customer on the settlement device or the registration device corresponding to one transaction by the settlement device or the registration device. It is a registration device provided with a transaction control means for matching from a stage before being registered.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device according to a customer's operation. A checkout device in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of checkout devices, wherein the start of a checkout-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the checkout device is performed before the checkout information is acquired. Transaction control that associates settlement-related operation reception means that can be accepted from the stage of (1), transactions corresponding to product registration performed by said registration device, and transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by said settlement-related operation reception means. means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device according to a customer's operation. a commodity registration means for registering a commodity corresponding to one transaction in accordance with the operation of a store clerk on the registration device; settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired; It is a program for functioning as transaction control means for associating a corresponding transaction with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation received by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device according to a customer's operation. a computer as a registration device in a commodity sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices, commodity registration means for registering a commodity corresponding to one transaction according to the operation of a store clerk; The settlement information acquires the transaction corresponding to the registration and the transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation performed by the customer on the settlement device or the registration device corresponding to one transaction by the settlement device or the registration device. It is a program for functioning as a transaction control means that associates from the stage before it is done.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for registering products according to an operation by a store clerk, and a settlement process based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device according to a customer's operation. A computer as a settlement device in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices that performs settlement information is obtained by starting settlement-related operations corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device. Payment-related operation reception means that can be accepted from a previous stage; transaction control that associates transactions corresponding to product registration performed by said registration device with transactions corresponding to payment-related operations received by said payment-related operation reception means. It is a program for functioning as a means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the efficiency of dealing with customers in a product sales data processing system having a registration device and a settlement device.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a POS system according to a first embodiment; FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an external appearance of the registration apparatus in 1st Embodiment, and a payment|settlement apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the registration apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the settlement apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the aspect of a settlement apparatus state display in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the aspect of the settlement screen in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of a mode of the settlement screen in 1st Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows an example of a processing procedure which a registration device and a settlement device in a 1st embodiment perform. It is a figure which shows the example of the content of the point provision management table in 2nd Embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a POS system 1 (an example of a product sales data processing system) according to this embodiment. The POS system 1 shown in the figure includes a management device 10, two registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, and three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2 and 30-3.
In the following description, the registration devices 20-1 and 20-2 will be referred to as the registration device 20 unless otherwise distinguished. Further, the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3 are referred to as the settlement device 30 when they are not particularly distinguished.
The management device 10, the registration device 20, and the settlement device 30 are interconnected by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11. FIG.

Note that the configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is an example. For example, in the POS system 1, the number of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 to be installed is not particularly limited, and the number may be one or more. Also, the POS system 1 of the present embodiment may be configured without the management device 10 .
If the configuration of the POS system 1 does not include the management device 10, another device (for example, one representative registration device 20 among the plurality of registration devices 20) may include the management device 10. You may make it combine the function as.

The management device 10 is an information processing device that manages the POS system 1. The management device 10 manages the registration device 20, the settlement device 30, and the like in the POS system 1, and manages various information such as a product master. The management device 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master data to the registration device 20 and each settlement device 30 . A 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 for each product.
The management device 10 acquires a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (for example, a server at the head office or a removable storage medium), and transmits it to the registration device 20 and each settlement device 30 as appropriate.

The registration device 20 executes product registration processing for registering products to be purchased. The operation of registering a product (product registration operation) is performed, for example, by using a scanner to read a barcode attached to the product, or by operating a preset button or the like displayed on the product registration screen. Through such a product registration operation, for example, product identification information is input to the registration device 20, and the registration device 20 acquires product information corresponding to the input product identification information.
Further, the registration device 20 generates and stores information (hereinafter referred to as "settlement information") used for settlement of the merchandise registered corresponding to each transaction.

The settlement information includes transaction identification information that identifies the corresponding transaction, settlement information identification information that identifies the settlement information, registration date and time, product identification information of each registered product, product name of each registered product, sales price, It may include discount information, transaction points (purchase points) indicating the number of products to be purchased, and the total amount of products to be purchased (total amount). Further, the settlement information may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration device 20 that generated the settlement information (that is, the registration device 20 that registered the product related to the settlement information). In this way, the settlement information has contents reflecting the product registration processing result corresponding to one transaction.

The settlement information is used for settlement processing in the settlement device 30 . The settlement process is a process of paying and settling the price of the registered product by selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, or the like.

In this embodiment, a plurality of settlement devices 30 are installed, and one of the plurality executes settlement processing using settlement information generated in the registration device 20 . Modes for designating the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing from among the plurality of settlement devices 30 include the following first designation mode and second designation mode.

A first designation mode is a mode in which the store clerk designates the settlement device 30 on which the settlement process is to be executed using the registration device 20 .
That is, the store clerk designates the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing from among the plurality of settlement devices 30 by performing an operation for designating the settlement device 30 on the registration device 20 .
The registration device 20 displays operation information indicating the operation status of each settlement device 30, and when the clerk designates the settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, the operation state of each settlement device 30 is confirmed. You may make it possible.

When the store clerk designates the settlement device 30 , the settlement information generated by the registration device 20 is transmitted to the specified settlement device 30 via the LAN 11 . That is, when the settlement device 30 is specified following the product registration process, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information reflecting the result of the product registration process to the specified settlement device 30 .
In this embodiment, the registration device 20 directly transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 30 , but may transmit the settlement information to the settlement device 30 via the management device 10 .

In the second specification mode, the registration device 20 issues a medium for settlement processing (accounting ticket (registered trademark)), and the customer reads the accounting ticket handed over by the store clerk with one settlement device 30. It is a mode that allows
That is, the customer designates one of the plurality of settlement devices 30 to execute settlement processing by causing the settlement device 30 to read the accounting ticket handed over by the clerk.
Registration device identification information indicating the registration device 20 of the issuer and settlement information are printed (printed) on the accounting ticket in the form of either a bar code (one-dimensional code) or a two-dimensional code. . When the settlement device 30 reads the code of the accounting ticket, it acquires the settlement information indicated by the read code.

The settlement device 30 executes settlement processing according to customer's operation. Further, when the settlement processing is completed, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of the completion of the settlement processing.

Next, configuration examples of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance example of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the registration device 20. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the settlement device 30. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a storage section 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner section 204, a store clerk display section 205, and a customer display. A unit 205 a , an operation unit 206 , a communication unit 207 , a buzzer 208 , a printing unit 209 and a card reader 210 are provided. They can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the registration device 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 202 .
The storage unit 202 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 201 and stores various information used by the CPU 201 including programs.

A RAM 203 is a main storage device of the CPU 201 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores a product master acquired from the management device 10, settlement information generated after product registration processing, and the like.
The scanner unit 204 optically reads a bar code (product code) attached to the product.

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

The customer display section 205a displays various information for customers. For example, the customer display unit 205a displays the price of the registered product. The customer display unit 205a may be a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel).

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

A communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
A buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for the store clerk to confirm the operation.
A printing unit 209 prints and issues a medium as necessary. For example, the printing unit 209 can print and issue accounting coupons.

The card reader 210 is a device that reads information from, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag in the form of an IC (Integra Circuit) card.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the registration device 20 including the scanner unit 204, display unit for store clerk 205, operation unit 206, printing unit 209, and card reader 210. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the settlement device 30 includes a CPU 301, a storage unit 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 sign pole 311 , a human detection sensor 312 and a card reader 313 . They can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement device 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 302 .
A storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 301 and stores various kinds of information used by the CPU 301 including programs.

A RAM 303 is a main storage device of the CPU 301 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores settlement processing information that reflects the result of executing settlement processing based on the product master acquired from the management device 10 and the settlement information acquired from the registration device 20 .
The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a code (bar code or two-dimensional code) printed on an accounting ticket or a code (membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

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 settlement 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 device 30 . For example, the operation unit 306 accepts correction of operation input by operating an operation button (correction key).

A communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
A buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound for reporting an error when an error or the like occurs.
A printing unit 309 prints and issues a medium. For example, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a settlement receipt to be brought back by the customer when settlement processing (that is, settlement of the purchase price of the product) is completed.

The settlement unit 310 performs processing related to settlement (settlement). The type of payment that the payment unit 310 in this embodiment can handle is at least one of payment using cash, payment using a credit card, and payment using electronic money. Listed in
The settlement unit 310 is provided with a change machine to handle settlement by cash. The change machine has a bill slot for inserting and ejecting bills, a coin slot for inserting coins, and a change slot for ejecting change. The settlement unit 310 executes settlement with cash using a change dispenser, 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.
In addition, when dealing with payment by using a credit card, the payment unit 310 is provided with a credit card reader, and performs payment processing using information read by the credit card reader.
In addition, when dealing with payment using electronic money, the payment unit 310 includes an electronic money reader, and performs payment processing using information read by the electronic money reader.

The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of a plurality of colors, and by lighting or blinking these indicator lights, it is possible to report information indicating that the checkout device 30 is the device specified by the store clerk and to operate it. Inform you of something.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects that a person (customer) is within a predetermined range in front of the settlement device 30 .
Note that the detection output of the human detection sensor 312 is used to determine whether or not a person has approached the machine when the payment system 30 automatically displays the payment screen in response to a person approaching the machine, for example. Used to judge. However, the settlement device 30 may display the settlement screen, for example, in response to receipt of settlement information, reading of a bar code printed on an accounting ticket, etc. In this case, human detection is possible. Sensor 312 may be omitted.

The card reader 313 is a device that reads information from, for example, an IC card type RFID tag.

2 shows the external configuration of the settlement device 30 including a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, a card reader 313, and the like.

The POS system 1 of the present embodiment can be operated according to either of the following first and second examples as accounting procedures from product registration to settlement according to one transaction.
First, a first example of the accounting procedure in this embodiment will be described.
A customer who intends to receive payment goes to the registration device 20 with his purchased merchandise and places the purchased merchandise on the table on which the registration device 20 is installed. The store clerk who operates the registration device 20 sequentially registers the purchased products placed on the table for each product type. In response to the registration operation, the registration device 20 executes product registration processing corresponding to one transaction. While the product is being registered in this manner, the customer waits in front of the registration device 20 until the registration of the product is completed.
After completing the registration of all the products purchased by the customer, the clerk performs a subtotal operation. According to the subtotal operation, the product registration processing corresponding to one transaction is completed.

In the clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20 of the present embodiment, an operation is performed to designate the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing according to one transaction from among the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3. A designated button is placed. In the case of this embodiment, three settlement device designation buttons may be arranged corresponding to each of the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3, for example.
The store clerk selects, for example, one of the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3 that is on standby and is not currently executing settlement processing, as the settlement device 30 to be subjected to settlement processing according to the current transaction, and The settlement device designation button corresponding to the determined settlement device 30 is operated. In response to the operation of the settlement device designation button, the registration device 20 sends settlement instruction information including settlement information reflecting the registration result of the product carried out in response to the current transaction to the operated settlement device designation button. It is transmitted to the corresponding settlement device 30 .
The settlement instruction information is information that instructs the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing. The settlement information included in the settlement instruction information includes, for example, information on the total amount to be paid by the customer. Further, the settlement information may include information such as a breakdown of the registered products and the unit price and price of each product.
Also, the clerk who has operated the settlement device designation button verbally instructs the customer, for example, to settle the account at the settlement device 30 corresponding to the settlement device designation button he or she has operated.

The customer goes even to the settlement device 30 informed to the store clerk. When the customer goes to the settlement device 30, the settlement device 30 has received the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20, and starts settlement processing using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information. waiting when possible.
When the customer goes to the checkout device 30, the customer performs an operation corresponding to the start of the checkout process. The operation corresponding to the start of the settlement process is, for example, an operation on the settlement start button displayed on the display unit 305 for instructing the start of settlement. Alternatively, the operation corresponding to the start of the settlement process may be an operation of inserting money such as banknotes or coins as a deposit into the settlement unit 310 in the case of cash payment, for example. Alternatively, the operation corresponding to the start of settlement processing may be an operation of reading a membership card, for example.

The settlement device 30 executes the settlement processing according to the operation related to the settlement started as described above. For example, in the case of cash payment, the settlement device 30 waits until the total amount of money deposited as a deposit (inserted amount) becomes equal to or greater than the payment price (total amount). When the settlement device 30 detects that the amount of money inserted has become equal to or greater than the payment amount, the settlement device 30 ends accepting the operation of inserting money as a deposit and calculates the change. When a significant amount of change is calculated, the settlement device 30 causes the settlement unit 310 to discharge money corresponding to the calculated amount of change. Further, the settlement device 30 causes the printing unit 309 to issue a receipt reflecting the result of the current settlement processing. The customer receives the change discharged from the settlement device 30 and the issued receipt.
Thus, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform checkout according to the first example of the checkout procedure.

Next, a second example of checkout procedures that can be performed in the POS system 1 of this embodiment will be described.
The customer puts his/her purchased product on the table on which the registration device 20 is installed, and requests the store clerk to register the product. The store clerk starts registration of the purchased product and informs the customer that he/she may go to the settlement device 30 and perform operations related to settlement (settlement-related operation) without waiting for completion of registration of the purchased commodity. inform.
In this case, the customer goes to the settlement device 30 before completing the registration of his/her purchased product. In this case, the customer may go to the waiting settlement device 30 among the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3. Then, the customer starts a predetermined payment-related operation on the payment device 30 at the destination. The settlement device 30 of the present embodiment can accept a predetermined settlement-related operation when a predetermined settlement-related operation is started even in a standby state in which settlement instruction information is not received.
The settlement-related operation for starting the settlement is similar to the operation corresponding to the start of the settlement process in the first example of the above-described accounting procedure. You can operate the start button. Alternatively, the settlement-related operation in response to the start of settlement may be an operation of inserting money as a deposit into settlement unit 310 in the case of cash payment, for example. Alternatively, the settlement-related operation in response to the start of settlement may be, for example, an operation of reading a membership card.
Alternatively, the settlement device 30 sets a state in which settlement-related operations can be accepted in response to the determination by the settlement device 30 that a person (customer) is within a predetermined range in front, for example, based on the detection output of the human detection sensor 312. You may
Alternatively, instead of the human detection sensor 312, an imaging device is installed so that the settlement device 30 can capture an image of a customer who makes a payment. A state in which operations related to payment can be accepted may be set in response to determination that there is a customer who needs to pay in front of the device 30 .

As described above, in the second example of the checkout procedure, when the product corresponding to one transaction is registered in the registration device 20, the settlement device 30 starts the settlement-related operation corresponding to the same one transaction. be able to.
Here, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of its own state, for example, in response to a state inquiry request from the registration device 20 or at regular time intervals. After that, the settlement device 30, when the settlement-related operation is started in the standby state in which the settlement instruction information has not yet been received as described above, notifies that the settlement device 30 is in a state of not being able to handle the transaction. , to each registration device 20 . A state in which a transaction has not yet been handled is a state of the settlement device 30 in which a settlement-related operation has been accepted but settlement information for the corresponding transaction has not been acquired, that is, a correspondence between the accepted settlement-related operation and the corresponding transaction. Indicates that no attachment has been made.

Upon receiving the state notification from the settlement device 30 , the registration device 20 displays the settlement device state indicating the state of the settlement device 30 indicated by the received state notification on the store clerk display unit 205 .
FIG. 5 shows a mode example of the settlement device status display in this embodiment. In the same figure, an example is given in which the checkout device status is displayed on the product registration screen displayed corresponding to the execution of the product registration process. Further, the figure shows an example in which the settlement device 30-1 is the settlement device 30 that has entered the state of not being able to handle the transaction as a result of the customer starting the settlement-related operation as described above.

The product registration screen shown in the figure has a structure in which sheets (product registration sheets) indicating the content of product registration corresponding to each transaction are superimposed. Each product registration sheet is provided with a tab (product registration tab: an example of a header area). In the figure, three product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2 and TAB1-3 are displayed. The product registration screen shown in the figure has a structure in which these three product registration sheets are superimposed.
The product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display numbers indicating registration order numbers. The registration order number indicates the order in which product registration was started. In the figure, registration order numbers "1", "2" and "3" are displayed on the product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2 and TAB1-3, respectively. This means that the order in which product registration was started is the order of the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1, the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-2, and the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-3. indicates
In the following description, the individual product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, TAB1-3, etc. will be referred to as product registration tab TAB1 unless otherwise distinguished.

In this embodiment, the fact that three product registration tabs TAB1 are displayed as shown in FIG. is shown. The store clerk can perform the product registration for the corresponding transaction by operating the product registration sheet arranged in the foreground among these three product registration sheets. As for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet arranged below the forefront, the product registration is suspended.
By performing an operation (touch operation) on the product registration tab TAB1, the clerk moves the product registration sheet to which the operated product registration tab TAB1 is attached to the foreground, and corresponds to the product registration sheet moved to the forefront. It is possible to register products for transactions to be made. In other words, the store clerk selects the active product registration sheet corresponding to any one transaction from among the multiple transactions being registered by operating the product registration tab TAB1, and selects the active product registration sheet. Product registration operations in transactions can be performed.

The figure shows a state in which the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 is activated. A product button area AR10 is arranged in the active product registration sheet. In the product button area AR10, product buttons corresponding to each product are arranged. The product button displays, for example, the product name indicating the corresponding product.
The store clerk can specify the product to be registered by operating the product button in the product registration operation. Specifically, when a product with a product name of "product B" is to be designated as a registration target, the clerk operates the product button labeled "product B" among the product buttons arranged in the product button area AR10. should be done. By operating the product button for "product B", "product B" is designated as a registration target. Subsequently, the store clerk can perform an operation of inputting, for example, the quantity of "merchandise B". By performing the above-described operation for each purchased product, the store clerk can register the products one by one.

The product registration sheet of FIG. 1 shows that two products are currently registered. Specifically, in the registered product list area AR11 in the product registration sheet of FIG. 10, it is indicated that two products have been registered in the order of "product A" and "product B". Further, in the registered product area AR12, information about the last registered "product B" is shown. The total amount area AR13 indicates that the total number of products registered so far is "2" and the total amount of these two products is 1900 yen.

Also, on the product registration screen, checkout device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, and BT1-3 are arranged. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 correspond to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, respectively, and the operation of designating the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing (settlement device designation operation). is the button on which the
Note that the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 are referred to as the settlement device designation button BT1 when they are not distinguished from each other.

When the settlement device designation button BT1 is pressed, settlement device state display indicating the current state of the corresponding settlement device 30 is performed. In the same figure, an example is shown in which the settlement device status display is performed by badges BG arranged for each settlement device designation button BT1.
Specifically, an example is shown in which a badge BG displaying "not supported" is arranged on the settlement device designation button BT1-1 in the figure. The state of the settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates that the settlement device 30-1 is in a non-transaction state. That is, in the settlement device 30-1 in this case, although the customer has started the settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction, the settlement-related operation is associated with the transaction corresponding to the product registration in the registration device 20. has not yet been performed (settlement instruction information has not been received).
In addition, an example in which a badge BG displaying "standby" is arranged on the settlement device specifying button BT1-2 in the figure is shown. The state of this settlement device designation button BT1-2 indicates that the settlement device 30-2 is waiting for the start of settlement processing. In other words, the settlement device 30-1 at this time is in a state where the settlement-related operation has not been started and the settlement instruction information has not been received.
Further, an example is shown in which a badge BG displaying "in use" is arranged on the settlement device specifying button BT1-3. Further, the characters "payment machine 3" in the payment device designation button BT1-3 are hatched. The state of the settlement device designation button BT1-3 indicates that the settlement device 30-3 is executing the settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired by receiving the settlement instruction information in accordance with the customer's operation.
For example, the color and pattern of the settlement device designation button BT1 itself may be changed according to the state of the settlement device 30 as described above.

Depending on the settlement device state display, various states other than the above-mentioned "unsupported" (transaction unsupported), "standby", and "in use", such as near-end, near-full, and failure, may also be displayed. The settlement device status display is displayed in a manner other than the badge BG, such as by displaying characters, icons, etc. that fit within the settlement device designation button BT1, or in an area separate from the settlement device designation button BT1. may be

Regarding the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state, a more detailed state of the "in use" state may be displayed. For example, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing the settlement processing corresponding to the settlement type by cash, the information regarding the deposit amount as the deposit is indicated by the corresponding settlement device designation button BT1. may be displayed. In this case, the information on the amount of money deposited as a deposit is such that, for example, in response to the insertion of money as a deposit into the settlement device 30, the total amount of money that has been deposited up to the present time is indicated. good. Alternatively, at the stage when an amount equal to or more than the total amount of products has been put in and the amount of the deposit has been determined, the determined amount of the deposit may be displayed.
In addition, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing settlement processing corresponding to the settlement type by credit card, electronic money, etc., for example, "paying by card" or "paying by electronic money" is displayed. , a display may be made to indicate that the settlement process is being executed for credit cards or electronic money.
The display indicating the more detailed state in the "in use" state as described above may be performed instead of the display indicating the "in use" state by the badge BG in FIG. 5, for example.

In the following explanation, it is assumed that the transaction corresponding to the customer who started the settlement-related operation on the settlement device 30 is the transaction corresponding to the commodity registration sheet with the commodity registration tab TAB1-1 in FIG. list.
When the store clerk completes the registration of all the products in the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1 product registration sheet, the settlement device 30 for executing the settlement processing corresponding to the transaction is activated by the settlement devices 30-1 to 30- Check if it is one of the three. In this case, the store clerk can confirm which settlement device 30 executes settlement processing corresponding to the transaction by visually confirming which settlement device 30 currently has a corresponding customer, for example.
In the case where the settlement device 30 is provided with an imaging device as described above, for example, when it is determined that the same person has been imaged continuously for a certain period of time or more based on the image captured by the imaging device, The captured image may be displayed on the clerk display section 205 of the registration device 20 . In this way, the store clerk can more accurately confirm which settlement device 30 has the corresponding customer.
Then, as the settlement device designation operation, the store clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the confirmed settlement device 30 . In correspondence with the example of FIG. 5, the settlement device designation button BT1 targeted for the settlement device designation operation is the settlement device designation button BT1-1 corresponding to the settlement device 30-1. Therefore, the clerk in this case operates the settlement device designation button BT1-1 as the settlement device designation operation. Here, a badge BG indicating that the transaction is not yet handled is arranged on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. When operating the settlement device designation button BT1-1, the store clerk can also confirm that the badge BG indicates that the transaction has not been completed. is also prevented from being manipulated.

In response to the operation of the settlement device designation button BT1-1, the registration device 20 outputs settlement instruction information including settlement instruction information for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet to which the product registration tab TAB1-1 is attached. is transmitted to the settlement device 30-1.
In response to the transmission of the settlement information to the settlement device 30-1 as described above, the commodity registration sheet with the commodity registration tab TAB1-1 that has been displayed on the registration device 20 is changed to the commodity registration sheet. It should be erased from the screen. Then, instead, for example, the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-2 is displayed so as to be in the foreground.
Also, when the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-2 is displayed in the foreground, the registration order number displayed on the product registration tab TAB1-2 changes from "2" to " 1”, and the registration order number displayed on the product registration tab TAB1-2 is moved up from “3” to “2”.

The settlement device 30-1, which is in a transaction-unsupported state, receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20 as described above. As can be understood from the description so far, the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30-1 in a transaction-unready state initiates settlement-related operations for the settlement device 30-1. Respond to customer transactions. In other words, the settlement device 30-1 in the transaction unsupported state receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20, and the registration device 20 responds to the settlement-related operation initiated by the customer. This means that the transaction corresponding to the product registration has been associated.

The settlement device 30-1, which is not ready for transaction, is in a state where the customer has already started the settlement-related operation at the timing of receiving the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20. FIG.
Here, an example of settlement processing executed by the settlement apparatus 30-1 in a state of not yet dealing with a transaction in response to receipt of settlement instruction information will be described, taking a case where a customer pays in cash as an example.
After starting the operation related to settlement, the customer performs an operation of inserting money as a deposit into the settlement unit 310 in order to pay the price in cash. When the settlement instruction information is received, the settlement device 30-1 recognizes the payment amount from the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information. After that, the settlement device 30-1 determines whether or not the current amount of money deposited as a deposit is equal to or greater than the payment amount.
If the input amount is less than the payment amount, the settlement apparatus 30-1 waits until the input amount, which increases according to the subsequent operation of inserting money, reaches the payment amount or more. Then, in response to the input amount becoming equal to or greater than the payment amount, the settlement device 30-1 calculates the change, discharges the change, issues a receipt, and the like.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a settlement screen displayed on the display unit 305 of the settlement device 30-1 that executes settlement processing as described above.
A registered product area AR21 and a settlement-related information area AR22 are arranged on the settlement screen of FIG.
Information (registered product information) for each product registered by the registration device 20 in the corresponding transaction is displayed in the registered product area AR21. The registered product information is displayed based on the settlement instruction information received from the registration device 20 . At the stage where the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is not associated with the settlement-related operation, the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR21. When the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR21, the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is associated with the current payment-related operation, such as "unsupported". It may be shown that it is in a state where it is not
A product registration result area AR221 is arranged in the settlement-related information area AR22. The product registration result area AR221 is an area for displaying the product registration result for the corresponding transaction. In the example shown in the figure, the number of registered products and the total price of the registered products are displayed as the product registration result in the product registration result area AR221. The product registration result in the product registration result area AR221 is displayed based on the settlement instruction information received from the registration device 20. FIG. Therefore, the product registration result is in a non-display state when the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is not associated with the settlement-related operation.
In addition, an input amount area AR222 is arranged in the settlement related information area AR22. The deposit amount area AR222 displays the deposit amount deposited by the customer. The display of the amount of the deposit is displayed in response to the start of the insertion of money as the deposit by the customer.

The settlement screen of FIG. 6 is one mode when the settlement type supported by the settlement device 30 is limited to payment by cash. On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows an example of a settlement screen when there are multiple settlement types that the settlement device 30 can handle.

FIG. 7A is an example of a settlement screen that is first displayed when a predetermined settlement-related operation is performed in response to the start of settlement, for example. In the checkout screen shown in the figure, a registered product area AR31, a checkout-related information area AR32, and an operation area AR33 are arranged.

Information (registered product information) for each product registered by the registration device 20 in the corresponding transaction is displayed in the registered product area AR31. At the stage where the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is not associated with the settlement-related operation, the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR31. When the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR31, it indicates that the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is not associated with the current settlement-related operation. You may allow

The settlement-related information area AR32 displays the product registration result for the corresponding transaction. In the example shown in the figure, the number of registered products and the total price of the registered products are displayed as the product registration result. The product registration result is in a non-display state when the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is not associated with the settlement-related operation.

The operation area AR33 is an area where the customer performs operations related to payment. In the operation area AR33 in the figure, a "Yes" button BT21 and a "No" button BT22 are arranged along with a message asking whether the customer has a membership card.
The customer has a membership card and operates the "yes" button BT21 if the customer uses the membership card for this payment. On the other hand, if the customer does not have a membership card or does not intend to use the membership card even if the customer has the membership card, the customer operates the "No" button BT22.

When the "yes" button BT21 is operated, although not shown, for example, a message is displayed in the operation area AR33 to guide the user to perform an operation to read the information recorded in the membership card. The customer performs an operation to read the information recorded on the membership card with the scanner unit 304 or the card reader 313 according to the guidance.

After the member card information is read, or when the "No" button BT22 is operated, the settlement screen transitions to the mode shown in FIG. 7(B). In the settlement screen shown in the figure, the mode of the operation area AR33 is changed from that shown in FIG. 7(A). That is, in the operation area AR33 in the same figure, a "Yes" button BT31 and a "No" button BT32 are arranged along with a message asking whether the customer has a point card.

The customer has a point card and operates the "Yes" button BT31 if the customer will use the point card for this payment. On the other hand, if the customer does not have a point card or does not intend to use the point card even if the customer has a point card, the customer operates the "No" button BT32.

When the "yes" button BT31 is operated, although not shown, for example, a message is displayed in the operation area AR33 to guide the user to perform an operation to read the information recorded in the point card. The customer performs an operation to read the information recorded on the point card with the scanner unit 304 or the card reader 313 according to the guidance.

After the member card information is read, or when the "No" button BT32 is operated, the settlement screen transitions to the mode shown in FIG. 7(C).
If the membership card has a function as a point card, the settlement screen shown in FIG. 7(C) may be displayed without displaying the settlement screen shown in FIG. 7(B).

In the operation area AR33 of the checkout screen in FIG. 7C, a message is displayed to guide the customer to perform an operation to select a payment type (payment method), and a button corresponding to each selectable payment type is arranged. be. In the same figure, an example in which a "cash" button BT41, a "credit card button" BT42, and an "electronic money" button BT43 are arranged as buttons corresponding to payment types is shown. In other words, the type of payment can be selected from cash, credit card, and electronic money depending on the operation on the operation area AR33 in FIG.
The customer operates the button corresponding to the type of payment he/she uses for payment, out of the "cash" button BT41, "credit card button" BT42, and "electronic money" button BT43.
When the button corresponding to the payment type is operated, although illustration is omitted, a payment screen is displayed according to the operation, guidance, etc. for performing payment according to the payment type selected according to the operated button. The customer performs the settlement operation according to the settlement type selected by the customer according to the settlement screen displayed thereafter.
Thus, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform checkout even according to the second example of the checkout procedure.
In the checkout procedure of the second example, the purchased product, which has been registered by the registration device 20, is put in a basket or the like at a predetermined position near the registration device 20 by the store clerk, and the customer places it there. For example, it may be arranged to pick up after the payment is completed.

In the first example of the checkout procedure, in one transaction, the store clerk first performs a commodity registration operation on the registration device 20 , and then the customer performs a settlement-related operation on the settlement device 30 . That is, in the first example of the checkout procedure, the checkout-related operation is performed after the product registration operation is completed.
On the other hand, in the second example of the checkout procedure, in one transaction, the customer can start the checkout-related process on the checkout device 30 while the store clerk is performing the product registration operation on the registration device 20 . That is, in the second example of the accounting procedure, the period during which the product registration operation is performed and the period during which the settlement-related operation is performed can partially overlap in one transaction. Thus, by operating in the second example of the accounting procedure, it is possible to shorten the time required for one transaction and improve the efficiency of handling customers as compared with the case of the first example of the accounting procedure.

As described above, between the first example and the second example of the checkout procedure, the second example is more advantageous in terms of customer handling efficiency. However, in stores, it is not always necessary to operate according to the second example of the checkout procedure.
For example, the first example of the checkout procedure is a procedure that customers are accustomed to at present, so there is also an aspect that customers are not perplexed. Therefore, in a situation where there are few customers and there are few or no queues of customers who want to pay, the first example of the checkout procedure is used. On the other hand, in a situation where the queue of customers has increased, the operation may be switched to the second example of the checkout procedure.

Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 of the present embodiment in correspondence with the second example of the checkout procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8 .
Step S101: The registration device 20 determines whether or not a product registration operation has been performed for each product in one transaction.
Step S102: When it is determined in step S101 that a product registration operation has been performed, the registration device 20 executes product registration processing according to the product registration operation.

Step S103: When it is determined in step S101 that the product registration operation is not performed, or after the process of step S102, the registration device 20 determines whether or not the status notification transmitted from the settlement device 30 has been received. judge. In the description of FIG. 1, a case will be taken as an example in which the settlement device 30 transmits a state notification in response to a change in the state of the settlement device 30 .
Step S104: When it is determined in step S103 that the status notification has been received, the registration device 20 displays the settlement device status indicating the state of the settlement device 30 which is the sender of the received status notification. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the state of the settlement device may be displayed by a badge BG or the like arranged for the settlement device designation button BT1.

Step S105: If it is determined in step S103 that the status notification has not been received, or after the process of step S104, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a subtotal operation has been performed.
When it is determined that the subtotal operation is not performed, the process is returned to step S101.
Step S106: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the subtotal operation has been performed, the registration device 20 waits for the settlement device designation operation to be performed. The settlement device designation operation is, as described above, an operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the settlement device 30 on which settlement processing is to be executed.
Step S107: In response to the operation for specifying the settlement device, the registration device 20 makes the settlement device 30 specified by the settlement device designation operation reflect the product registration result corresponding to the current transaction. Send settlement instruction information containing information.

Next, processing of the settlement device 30 will be described.
Step S201: The settlement device 30 waits for a settlement-related operation to start before the settlement instruction information is received.
Step S202: In response to the start of the settlement-related operation, the settlement device 30 starts processing corresponding to the settlement-related operation after the start (processing for settlement-related operation). For example, in the case where an operation of inserting money as a deposit into the settlement unit 310 is performed as a settlement-related operation in response to a payment in cash, the settlement device 30 responds to the settlement-related operation in step S202. As a process, the total amount of money (inserted amount) is detected. Further, the settlement device 30 may display the detected input amount on the settlement screen of the display unit 305, for example. Although such settlement-related operation handling processing does not yet use settlement information, it may be treated as being included in the settlement processing.

Step S203: In addition, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of the status notification indicating that the transaction has not yet been handled in response to the start of settlement-related operations before the settlement instruction information is received. to each of the

Step S204: After step S203, the settlement device 30 waits for settlement instruction information to be received while executing the settlement-related operation handling process started in step S202.
Step S205: When the settlement instruction information is received, the settlement device 30 executes subsequent settlement processing using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information.
Step S206: Further, in response to receiving the settlement instruction information and starting settlement processing using the settlement information, the settlement device 30 notifies each registration device 20 of the status indicating that it is in use. Send to
Step S207: The settlement device 30 waits for completion of the settlement process executed in response to step S205.
Step S208: After completing the settlement process, the settlement device 30 transmits to each of the registration devices 20 a state notification indicating that it is in a standby state.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In a POS system that includes a registration device and a settlement device, the following are some of the reasons why it takes a long time to complete one transaction.
In other words, when a customer who wants to receive payment is a member of the store and wants to receive benefits as a member in response to this transaction, the customer must register at the registration device 20 when registering the product. It is necessary to present the member card owned by the user to the store clerk who operates the device 20 . The store clerk presented with the membership card uses the membership card to input the member identification information of the customer into the registration device 20 and performs the product registration operation. As a result, the transaction of this time is managed as one corresponding to the member. For example, the registration device 20 and the management device 10 communicate with each other to give the customer benefits such as points.

A membership card is often put in a wallet or the like. Therefore, in order to present the membership card to the store clerk, the customer needs to take out the wallet or the like at the stage of registering the merchandise with the registration device. However, customers are conscious that taking out a wallet or the like in the flow of checkout is when performing a checkout-related operation at the checkout device. For this reason, customers who are members tend to forget that they need to take out their wallets, etc., at the stage of receiving product registration on the registration device, and they take time to take out their wallets, etc., and present their membership cards. may be delayed. Such a delay in presenting the membership card can hinder improvement in the efficiency of handling customers.

Therefore, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the contents of benefits given to customers who are members are made different according to the timing at which the customer registering the product on the registration device 20 presents the membership card.
In this embodiment, specifically, a plurality of processing stages corresponding to product registration processing for one transaction in the registration device 20 are set. The number of points to be given is changed according to which processing stage the timing at which the member identification information recorded on the member card is read by the card reader 210 or the scanner unit 204 of the registration device 20 corresponds to. be. Specifically, the earlier the timing at which the member identification information is read, the higher the number of points to be given.

In the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, in order to provide the points as described above, the registration device 20, for example, stores a given point number table in which the processing stage and the given point number are associated with each other.
FIG. 9 shows an example of the number-of-points-to-be-given table. In the figure, an example is shown in which three processing stages are set as processing stages: "Before starting product registration processing", "Before subtotal operation", and "Within 5 seconds after subtotal operation".
“Before starting product registration processing” is the stage before starting product registration processing for one transaction. "Before subtotal operation" is the stage from the start of product registration processing for one transaction to before the subtotal operation is performed. "Within 5 seconds after the subtotal operation" is a stage within 5 seconds after the subtotal operation is performed. In addition, in the same figure, "5" points are associated with "before product registration process starts", "3" points are associated with "before subtotal operation", and " An example is shown in which a given point number of "1" is associated with "within 5 seconds after subtotal operation".
It should be noted that the setting of the processing stage and the setting of the number of points to be given for each processing stage in FIG.

When the member identification information is read from the member card, the registration device 20 of the present embodiment refers to the given point number table to determine whether the member identification information is read at any of the processing stages shown in the given point number table. Determine if applicable. The registration device 20 acquires the number of assigned points associated with the determined processing stage from the number of assigned points table. The registration device 20 transmits to the management device 10 a privilege provision request including the member identification information read from the membership card and the number of points to be provided obtained from the number of points to be provided table. The management device 10 performs processing such that the number of points to be given included in the same privilege grant request is added to the cumulative value (point balance) of the member's points in the member identification information included in the privilege grant request.
In this manner, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the earlier the timing at which the customer presents the membership card while the customer is registering the merchandise on the registration device 20, the greater the number of points awarded. can do.

The store should let the members know that the sooner the member card is presented, the more points are given. As a result, customers who are members are conscious of presenting their membership cards as soon as possible when registering merchandise with the registration device 20 . As a result, it is less likely that the product registration time will be prolonged due to the customer having to take out the membership card, and the efficiency of handling customers will be improved.

<Modification>
Modifications of this embodiment will be described below.
[First modification]
Note that the number of points to be given in the second embodiment is not limited to the number of points to be given in the table of FIG. 9, and may be used more flexibly.
For example, the number of points to be given may be changed according to the customer base, basically according to the number of points to be given table as shown in FIG. Specifically, for example, according to the customer information managed by the member identification information read from the membership card, if the customer who is a member is an elderly person of a certain age or older, "before subtotal operation" and "after subtotal operation In the "within 5 seconds" processing stage, the predetermined number of points to be awarded may be higher than indicated by the points to be awarded table. In other words, in the case of the elderly, it often takes time to take out the membership card, which is disadvantageous for the elderly. Therefore, if the number of points to be given is set in this way, the elderly are not disadvantaged.
Also, for example, points can be granted using a table of the number of points to be granted, limited to specific days (for example, holidays, bargain sales days, etc.) or specific time periods (for example, evenings and bargain sales periods) when store operations are busy. shall be operated. On the other hand, on days other than a specific day or time period, a predetermined number of points may be uniformly applied regardless of the reading timing of the member identification information without using the number of points provided table. With this kind of operation, when the store is busy, customers will proactively present their membership cards as soon as possible. can effectively shorten the waiting time until receiving

[Second modification]
It should be noted that the registration device 20 without a change dispenser can be used for payment processing corresponding to settlement methods that do not require cash handling, such as credit cards, cash vouchers, and electronic money. In such a case, a store clerk who operates the registration device 20 for product registration, for example, asks the customer what payment method the customer desires, and confirms the payment method. From among them, an operation may be performed to designate a device that should execute the settlement process corresponding to the customer.
In the case of this modification, when a registration device is specified as a device to execute settlement processing corresponding to a customer, transactions corresponding to product registration and settlement performed by the customer are performed by the designated registration device. A correspondence with related operations may be made.

[Third Modification]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is assumed that the clerk who operates the registration device 20 orally communicates with the customer, and the clerk performs an operation to designate the device to execute the settlement process corresponding to the customer. has been
However, for example, after the start timing of product registration on the registration device 20, by operating the customer display unit 205a of the registration device 20, the customer can make his/her own payment including specification of the payment method if necessary. A device that should execute the process may be designated.

[Fourth Modification]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the POS system 1 including the product registration device that performs product registration processing according to the operation of the store clerk and the settlement device that executes the settlement processing according to the operation of the customer is taken as an example.
However, as in each of the above embodiments, the configuration of this embodiment that associates transactions corresponding to product registration performed by the registration device 20 with settlement-related operations can also be applied to the following POS system. good.
That is, the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments may be applied to a POS system having a plurality of POS registers in which a store clerk performs a product registration operation and a customer performs an operation corresponding to payment in front of the store clerk. In the case of such a POS system, the POS register where product registration was performed issues an instruction (transmission of payment instruction information) to execute payment processing at one of the other POS registers. It should be done.
Further, the configuration of each of the above-described embodiments includes the first checkout mode in which the store clerk performs the product registration operation and the operation corresponding to the payment, and the store clerk performs the product registration operation and the customer performs the operation corresponding to the payment. A POS system provided with a plurality of POS registers capable of switching between a second checkout mode in which a customer performs a commodity registration operation and a third checkout mode in which a customer performs an operation corresponding to product registration and settlement. can also be applied to In the case of such a POS system, for example, in the first checkout mode or the second checkout mode, the state of the second checkout mode or the third checkout mode is changed from the POS register that has registered the merchandise according to the operation of the store clerk. It suffices that an instruction (transmission of settlement instruction information) is performed so that the settlement processing is executed at one of the other POS registers in the .

[Fifth Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, as a mode of specifying the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing from among the plurality of settlement devices 30, a store clerk designates the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing using the registration device 20. (a first specification mode), and a mode in which an accounting ticket handed to a customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the customer reads the accounting ticket handed by the clerk with one checkout device 30 (second specification mode). specified mode). However, the mode of designating the settlement device 30 is not limited to the above mode. For example, the settlement device 30 may be designated as in the following third designation mode to seventh designation mode.

As a third specification mode, according to the operation performed on the send button displayed on the salesclerk display unit 205 in response to the completion of product registration (or an operation such as declaring the completion of product registration) The registration device 20, for example, inquires of the settlement device 30 about the state of the settlement device 30 and recognizes the settlement device 30 that is capable of settlement processing (for example, it is neither faulty nor in use), and is not in use. One settlement device 30 is determined from among the settlement devices 30 according to a predetermined rule. Then, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to the determined settlement device 30 and instructs execution of settlement processing.

As a fourth specification mode, the order of priority of settlement processing is set in advance for the settlement device 30 . After that, according to the completion of the product registration, the salesclerk display unit 205 is displayed so that the operation of the transmission button instructing the transmission of the settlement information to the settlement device 30 is enabled. In response to the operation of the send button, the registration device 20 confirms whether or not the settlement processing of the settlement device 30 is possible in order according to the set priority order, and confirms that the settlement processing is possible. is not confirmed, the checkout device 30 having the next priority is checked. After that, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to the settlement device 30 that is first confirmed to be capable of settlement processing, and instructs execution of settlement processing.

Note that the priority of the settlement device 30 according to the predetermined rule in the third specification mode or the settlement device 30 in the fourth specification mode is determined based on the number assigned to the settlement device 30, for example. you can Alternatively, it may be determined based on the distance from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30 . Alternatively, it may be determined based on the relationship between the breakdown of the denomination of change predicted based on the total amount and the number of coins by denomination stored in the change machine of the settlement device 30 .

As a fifth specification mode, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to all settlement devices 30 . When the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement information becomes ready to execute the settlement processing using the settlement information included in the settlement information received by itself, the settlement device 30 notifies that it will execute the settlement processing. is transmitted to the registration device 20 that is the transmission source of the settlement information.
In response to receiving the settlement process execution notification, the registration device 20 displays (settlement process execution display) indicating the settlement apparatus 30 to which the settlement process execution notification is transmitted. The store clerk can tell the customer which settlement device 30 executes the settlement processing by looking at the settlement processing execution display.
At this time, along with the settlement processing execution display, the sign pole 311 of the settlement device 30 that has transmitted the settlement processing execution notification is lit in a predetermined pattern, or the settlement device 30 outputs a predetermined notification sound. You may make it alert|report that an adjustment|settlement process is performed.

According to the designation of the settlement device 30 according to the third to fifth designation modes, it is not necessary to determine which settlement device 30 should execute the settlement process.

As a sixth specification mode, a clerk puts a shopping basket containing products for which product registration has been completed in the registration device 20 into one of the basket storage areas provided corresponding to each settlement device 30. to move.
The basket storage area is equipped with a sensor (weight sensor, optical sensor, or the like) that detects the placed shopping basket. When it is determined by the sensor that a shopping basket has been placed in the basket storage area, the corresponding settlement device 30 makes a request, acquires the corresponding settlement information from the registration device 20, and executes settlement processing. .
In this case as well, the settlement device 30 that has decided to execute the settlement processing may notify that it will execute the settlement processing by lighting the sign pole 311 or outputting a notification sound.
Instead of the sensor that detects the placed shopping basket, for example, a human sensor or an imaging device may be provided corresponding to the store clerk. Then, the registration device 20 judges the movement of the clerk based on the detection output of the human sensor and the image obtained by imaging with the imaging device. It is determined in which of the basket storage areas installed corresponding to the shopping basket is installed. Then, the settlement device 30 corresponding to the determined basket place may be determined as the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process.

As a seventh specification mode, the registration device 20 transmits to a certain settlement device 30 settlement instruction information including settlement information and transfer order information that sets the transfer order among the plurality of settlement devices 30. . The transfer order information may cyclically specify the transfer order between the settlement devices 30 .
The settlement device 30 that has received the settlement instruction information transmits a settlement processing execution notification to the registration device 20 that transmitted the settlement instruction information, if the settlement device 30 itself can execute the settlement processing. Execute the settlement process using the settlement information included in the .
On the other hand, if the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement instruction information is unable to execute settlement processing, the settlement device 30 that is next in the transfer order in accordance with the transfer order information included in the received settlement instruction information: Transfer the received settlement instruction information. By sequentially transferring the settlement instruction information between the settlement devices 30 in this manner, a procedure corresponding to designation of the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing is realized.

In each of the above specification modes, the processing related to the determination of the settlement device 30 to execute settlement processing is performed by a predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30, such as the management device 10, for example, when the product registration by the registration device 20 is performed. It may be executed according to the end of processing. The predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 may be a device provided for monitoring the state of the settlement device 30, for example.

A program for realizing the functions of the above-described registration device 20, settlement device 30, etc. is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium is read and executed by a computer system. As a result, processing as the above-described registration device 20, settlement device 30, and the like may be performed. Here, "loading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible discs, magneto-optical discs, ROMs and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard discs incorporated in computer systems. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Recording media also include internal or external recording media accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the program code in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed on the terminal device, the form stored in the distribution server does not matter. It should be noted that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, and the divided programs may be downloaded at different timings and then merged in the terminal device, or the distribution servers that distribute the divided programs may be different. In addition, "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network, and retains the program for a certain period of time. It shall also include things. Further, the program may be for realizing part of the functions described above. Further, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above functions by combining with a program already recorded in the computer system.

<Summary of embodiment>
(1) As described above, one aspect of the present embodiment includes a registration device (20) for registering products according to the operation of a store clerk, and settlement information reflecting the registration results of products by the registration device. A product sales data processing system (for example, a POS system 1) comprising a plurality of settlement devices (30) that perform settlement processing based on the customer's operation according to the operation of the store clerk on the registration device. a commodity registration means for registering a commodity corresponding to one transaction according to the request, and the start of the settlement-related operation corresponding to the one transaction performed by the customer on the settlement device from the stage before the settlement information is acquired. settlement-related operation reception means that can be accepted; and transaction control means for associating transactions corresponding to product registration performed by said product registration means with transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by said settlement-related operation reception means. It is a product sales data processing system provided.

According to the above configuration, before the registration of the product corresponding to a certain transaction is completed on the registration device 20, the customer who has accepted the same transaction can start the operation corresponding to the payment on the settlement device 30. can be done. In this case, an overlapping period is obtained in which an operation corresponding to product registration and an operation corresponding to settlement are performed in parallel for the same transaction. As a result, the time required to complete the accounting for one transaction is shortened compared to the case where the operation for settlement is performed after the product registration performed by the registration device 20 is completed, and the efficiency of handling customers is improved. Improvement is planned.

(2) One aspect of the present embodiment is the merchandise sales data processing system according to (1), wherein the settlement-related operation reception means initiates an operation to insert cash into the settlement device. , is accepted as the start of settlement-related operations.

According to the above configuration, the operation of inserting money, which is an operation that takes a relatively long time among the settlement-related operations corresponding to payment in cash, can be performed while product registration is being performed in the registration device 20. can be kept This makes it possible to further improve the efficiency of handling customers.

(3) One aspect of the present embodiment is the product sales data processing system according to (1) or (2), wherein the settlement-related operation receiving means transmits customer identification information for identifying a customer to the settlement device. Receives an operation to input to it as the start of the settlement-related operation.

According to the above configuration, for example, the customer performs an operation to cause the settlement device 30 to read member identification information (an example of customer identification information) recorded on the membership card while product registration is being performed on the registration device 20. can be kept

(4) An aspect of the present embodiment is the product sales data processing system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the registration device displays a state of the settlement device. Settlement device state display means is further provided, and the settlement device state display means displays the state of the settlement device that is executing settlement processing based on the acquired settlement information, and the state of the settlement device for the transaction corresponding to the started settlement-related operation. and the state of the settlement device to which the transaction corresponding to the registration of is not associated is displayed in different predetermined modes.

According to the above configuration, even if an operation corresponding to the same settlement is accepted, the settlement device 30 in the state of executing settlement processing based on the settlement information is not associated with the transaction corresponding to the product registration. It becomes possible to distinguish and display the settlement device 30 of the state.

(5) One aspect of the present embodiment includes a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a customer's operation for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the products by the registration device. A registration device in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices that perform transactions according to a transaction, and is performed by merchandise registration means for registering merchandise corresponding to one transaction according to an operation by a store clerk, and the merchandise registration means. Transactions corresponding to product registration and transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in correspondence with one transaction are recorded in the settlement device or the registration device as settlement information. is a registration device comprising a transaction control means that associates from a stage before is acquired.

(6) One aspect of the present embodiment includes a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a customer's operation for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the products by the registration device. A settlement device in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices that perform operations in response to the acquisition of the settlement information when the settlement information is acquired to start a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device. means for accepting settlement-related operations that can be accepted from a stage prior to the registration, transactions corresponding to product registration performed by the registration device, and transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by the settlement-related operation receiving means. and transaction control means.

(7) One aspect of the present embodiment includes a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a customer's operation for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration result of the products by the registration device. A computer provided in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices that perform transactions according to a customer's request. settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired; It is a program for functioning as transaction control means for associating transactions corresponding to registration with transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

(8) One aspect of the present embodiment is a registration device for registering products according to the operation of a store clerk, and a payment processing based on payment information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device. A computer as a registration device in a commodity sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices according to a request, a commodity registration means for registering a commodity corresponding to one transaction according to the operation of a store clerk, and a transaction corresponding to the registration of the commodity. and a transaction corresponding to a settlement-related operation performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in response to one transaction, before the settlement information is acquired by the settlement device or the registration device. It is a program for functioning as a transaction control means for matching from.

(9) One aspect of the present embodiment is a registration device for registering products according to the operation of a store clerk, and a payment processing based on payment information reflecting the registration result of the product by the registration device. a computer as a settlement device in a merchandise sales data processing system comprising a plurality of settlement devices that performs settlement information in response to a start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device; settlement-related operation reception means that can be accepted from a stage before the registration, the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed by the registration device, and the transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation received by the settlement-related operation reception means. A program for functioning as a transaction control means.

1 POS system, 10 management device, 11 LAN, 20 (20-1, 20-2) registration device, 30 (30-1 to 30-3) settlement device, 201 CPU, 202 storage unit, 203 RAM, 204 scanner unit , 205 clerk display unit, 205a customer display unit, 206 operation unit, 207 communication unit, 208 buzzer, 209 printing unit, 210 card reader, 301 CPU, 302 storage unit, 303 RAM, 304 scanner unit, 305 display unit, 306 operation unit, 307 communication unit, 308 buzzer, 309 printing unit, 310 settlement unit, 311 sign pole, 312 human detection sensor, 313 card reader

Claims (9)

A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. A sales data processing system comprising:
product registration means for registering a product corresponding to one transaction in accordance with an operation performed by a store clerk on the registration device;
settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired;
A merchandise sales data processing system comprising transaction control means for associating transactions corresponding to merchandise registration performed by said merchandise registration means with transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by said settlement-related operation receiving means. The settlement-related operation receiving means is
2. The merchandise sales data processing system according to claim 1, wherein a start of an operation of inserting money into the settlement device is accepted as a start of a settlement-related operation. The settlement-related operation receiving means is
3. The commodity sales data processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an operation of inputting customer identification information for identifying a customer to said settlement device is accepted as a start of settlement-related operation. The registration device further comprises settlement device state display means for displaying the state of the settlement device,
The settlement device status display means is
The state of the settlement device that is executing the settlement process based on the acquired settlement information, and the state of the settlement device that does not correspond to the transaction corresponding to the product registration with the transaction corresponding to the started settlement-related operation. are displayed in different predetermined modes, respectively. A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. A registration device in a sales data processing system, comprising:
product registration means for registering products corresponding to one transaction according to an operation by a store clerk;
A transaction corresponding to product registration performed by the product registration means and a transaction corresponding to a payment-related operation performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in response to one transaction may be performed by the settlement device or the registration device. A registration device, comprising: transaction control means for making the correspondence from a stage before the settlement information is acquired by the registration device. A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. A checkout device in a sales data processing system,
settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired;
A settlement device comprising transaction control means for associating transactions corresponding to product registration performed by said registration device with transactions corresponding to settlement-related operations received by said settlement-related operation receiving means. A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. The computer provided in the sales data processing system,
Product registration means for registering a product corresponding to one transaction in accordance with an operation by a store clerk performed on the registration device;
settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired;
A program for functioning as transaction control means for associating transactions corresponding to product registration performed by said product registration means with transactions corresponding to payment-related operations received by said payment-related operation receiving means. A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. a computer as a registration device in a sales data processing system,
product registration means for registering products corresponding to one transaction in accordance with the operation of the store clerk;
A transaction corresponding to product registration performed by the product registration means and a transaction corresponding to a payment-related operation performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in response to one transaction may be performed by the settlement device or the registration device. A program for functioning as a transaction control means that associates from a stage before the settlement information is acquired by the registration device. A product comprising a registration device for registering products according to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices for performing settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the registration results of the products by the registration devices according to operations by customers. A computer as a settlement device in a sales data processing system,
settlement-related operation reception means capable of accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired;
A program for functioning as transaction control means for associating a transaction corresponding to product registration performed by the registration device with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation received by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

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