JP2023014317A - Registration/settlement device and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily switch an operation mode between a semi self-registration/settlement mode and a full self-registration/settlement mode.

SOLUTION: Switching means switches between a first operation mode in which a registration operation for registering a purchased commodity, which is purchased by a customer, is performed by a salesclerk and a settlement operation for paying the price of the purchased commodity is performed by the customer and a second operation mode in which the registration operation and the settlement operation are performed by the customer. A salesclerk storage unit stores salesclerk identification information for identifying a salesclerk who performs the registration operation. In the case where first updating means receives an instruction for switching the first operation mode into the second operation mode from the switching means, the first updating means updates the salesclerk identification information stored in the salesclerk storage unit into specific information. In the case where second updating means receives an instruction for switching the second operation mode into the first operation mode from the switching means when it waits for the input of the salesclerk identification information and accepts the input of the salesclerk identification information through the input means, the second updating means updates the specific information stored in the salesclerk storage unit into the input salesclerk identification information.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The embodiment of the present invention relates to a registered payment apparatus and an information processing program.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, among registered payment devices represented by POS (Point Of Sales) terminals, etc., there has been an increasing number of self-type models in which the customer himself/herself intervenes in the operation. In the self-type, there is a so-called semi-self type in which the store clerk performs the registration operation for registering the purchased product to be purchased by the store clerk, and the customer performs the settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and the so-called semi-self type in which the registration operation is followed by the payment. There is a so-called full self that allows the customer to operate it himself. Currently, a registered payment apparatus that operates as a semi-self and a registered payment apparatus that operates as a full self are in operation.

On the other hand, there has been proposed a registration/payment apparatus that operates both as a semi-self and as a full-self with a single unit. However, in the case of semi-self operation, it is necessary to clarify which store clerk performed the registration operation of the purchased product. For this reason, it is necessary that the identification information of the clerk has been input to the registered payment device in advance. However, when operating as a full self, since the operator is a customer, the clerk's identification information is unnecessary. Therefore, when switching the operation mode from semi-self to full-self, it is necessary to invalidate the clerk's identification information input at the time of semi-self. Conversely, when switching the operation mode from full-self to semi-self, it is essential to input the clerk's identification information.

In this way, when the operation mode is switched between semi-self and full-self, there are cases where restrictions in one of the operation modes are lifted or new restrictions are added. Unless this point is considered, the operation mode cannot be easily switched between the semi-self mode and the full-self mode.

JP 2018-109932 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a registration/payment apparatus capable of easily switching the operation mode between semi-self and full-self.

In one embodiment, a registered settlement apparatus includes switching means, a store clerk storage unit, first updating means, and second updating means. The switching means is a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer and a customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and a first operation mode from the registration operation to the settlement operation. to the second operation mode in which the customer performs the operation. The store clerk storage unit stores store clerk identification information for identifying a store clerk who performs a registration operation. The first updating means updates the store clerk identification information stored in the store clerk storage unit to specific information when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode. The second update means waits for input of the salesclerk identification information when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and receives the salesclerk identification information through the input means. Then, the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit is updated to the entered store clerk identification information.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a POS system including a POS terminal, which is an embodiment of a registered settlement device; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the external configuration of the POS terminal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing procedures executed by the processor shown in FIG. 3 according to an information processing program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a keyboard screen; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for switching from semi-self to full self; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a switching screen; FIG. Schematic diagram showing an example of a receipt. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for switching from full-self to semi-self; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an instruction screen; Schematic diagram showing an example of an error screen.

An embodiment of a registration/payment apparatus capable of easily switching the operation mode between semi-self and full self will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, a POS terminal of a POS system for convenience stores is used as an example of a registration and settlement device.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a POS system. The POS system is configured by connecting a plurality of POS terminals 100 and store servers 200 via a communication network 300 . Communication network 300 may be wireless or wired. As communication network 300, a LAN (local area network) is typically used. As the communication network 300, in addition to a LAN, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in combination as appropriate.

Each POS terminal 100 is installed at a checkout counter 400 provided in the store to separate the sales floor space SP1 and the clerk's work space SP2. FIG. 1 shows a state in which three POS terminals 100 are installed at the checkout counter 400 . As illustrated, the POS terminals 100 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the checkout counter 400 . Each POS terminal 100 is operated by a store clerk positioned on the work space SP2 side across the checkout counter 400 and a customer positioned on the sales floor space SP1 side.

Each POS terminal 100 has a function of registering the sales data of the purchased product purchased by the customer, calculating the price paid by the customer based on the registered sales data, and settling the commercial transaction with the customer upon receiving the payment of the price. have the function of Since such functions are well known functions possessed by well known POS terminals, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The store server 200 is installed in the backyard of the store. The store server 200 may be installed in a space other than the backyard. The store server 200 has a function of collecting sales data of each product registered at each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and based on the collected sales data, for example, by product, by time period, by customer segment, or by person in charge. It has functions such as aggregating sales data of purchased products. Since such functions are known functions possessed by known store servers, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

It should be noted that the customer base is defined by classifying customers according to gender and age. For example, men under 20, men in their 20s and 30s, men in their 40s and 50s, men over 60, women under 20, women in their 20s and 30s, women in their 40s and 50s, and women over 60. The customer base is divided into The POS terminal 100 is provided with customer stratum indicating means. A store clerk judges a customer group by looking at customers who have come to pay for purchased commodities, and operates a customer group instruction means to indicate the corresponding customer group. In the POS terminal 100, when the customer group is designated before the registration of the purchased product is completed, the sales data of the purchased product is transmitted from the POS terminal 100 to the store server 200 together with the customer group information. The store server 200 aggregates the sales data for each customer class.

The person in charge is a store clerk who signs on to the POS terminal 100 in order to register the purchased product. When the salesclerk signs on, the employee number of the salesclerk is registered in the POS terminal 100 as the responsible person number. The employee number is an example of salesclerk identification information that identifies a salesclerk. The sales data of the purchased product is transmitted from the POS terminal 100 to the store server 200 together with the number of the person in charge. In the shop server 200, the sales data are aggregated according to the person in charge number. Also, the name of the clerk registered as the person in charge is printed on the receipt issued from the POS terminal 100 .

Next, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2, which is an external perspective view, and FIG. 3, which is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration. The POS terminal 100 is installed at the checkout counter 400 so that the far right side in FIG. 2 faces the workspace SP2. In other words, the POS terminal 100 is installed at the checkout counter 400 so that the front left side in FIG. 2 faces the sales floor space SP1. That is, in FIG. 2, the right back side is the clerk side, and the left front side is the customer side. Therefore, hereinafter, the right rear side in FIG. 2 is called the store clerk side, and the left front side is called the customer side.

The POS terminal 100 includes a customer side touch panel 1, a fixed scanner 2, an automatic change dispenser 20, a credit card reader 5, a proximity communication unit 6, a prepaid card reader/writer (prepaid card reader/writer) 7, a receipt printer 8, and a clerk side touch panel. 9. A sub-touch panel 10, a keyboard 11 and a handy scanner 12 are provided.

The customer-side touch panel 1 is provided facing the customer as shown in FIG. The customer-side touch panel 1 displays a screen for presenting information to customers. Also, the customer-side touch panel 1 inputs an instruction by a customer's touch operation on the screen. The customer-side touch panel 1 is an example of a second display device.

The fixed scanner 2 has a reading window 2a facing the customer side. The fixed scanner 2 captures an image of the product held in front of the reading window 2a, and then recognizes the barcode information represented by the barcode formed on the product by image processing. The stationary scanner 2 then outputs the recognized bar code information to the processor 14, which will be described later. It should be noted that the stationary scanner 2 can also utilize other types of known devices that optically read barcodes using reflection of laser light. The fixed scanner 2 can also use a well-known device of a type that has a function of identifying the product using object recognition technology from the image of the product itself obtained by imaging the product.

Automatic change dispenser 20 includes coin unit 3 and bill unit 4 .
The coin unit 3 includes a coin slot 3a, a coin outlet 3b, and a coin tray 3c. The coin slot 3a is formed so that a customer can insert coins. The coin unit 3 stores coins inserted from the coin slot 3a in an internal storage while counting the amount of coins. The coin unit 3 discharges the coins stored in the storage to the coin tray 3c through the coin discharge port 3b. The coin tray 3c is formed so that coins can be taken out from the customer side.

The banknote unit 4 includes a banknote insertion port 4a and a banknote discharge port 4b. The banknote insertion slot 4a is formed so that banknotes can be inserted from the customer side. The banknote unit 4 stores the banknotes inserted from the banknote slot 4a in an internal storage box while counting the amount of the banknotes. The banknote unit 4 ejects the banknotes stored in the storage from the banknote ejection port 4b. The banknote discharge port 4b holds discharged banknotes in a state in which a part thereof is exposed to the outside. The banknote discharge port 4b is formed so that the banknotes held as described above can be taken out from the customer side.

A credit card reader 5 reads card information from a credit card slid along the slit 5a. The credit card reader 5 is arranged with the slit 5a facing the customer side so that the customer positioned on the customer side can slide the credit card.

A proximity communication unit 6 is provided to form a communication range on the customer side. The close proximity communication unit 6 performs close proximity wireless communication with a wireless tag approached by a customer, and acquires data stored in the wireless tag. Also, the near field communication unit 6 writes arbitrary information to the above wireless tag by the above near field wireless communication.

The prepaid card reader/writer 7 has a slot 7a. The prepaid card reader/writer 7 reads card data magnetically recorded on the prepaid card inserted in the slot 7a. The prepaid card reader/writer 7 also writes arbitrary data to the prepaid card inserted in the slot 7a.

The receipt printer 8 prints a receipt image on receipt paper. The receipt printer 8 ejects the receipt paper on which the receipt image is printed to the outside from the receipt ejection port 8a. A customer can receive the cut receipt paper discharged from the receipt discharge port 8a as a receipt.

The clerk-side touch panel 9 is provided facing the clerk. The clerk-side touch panel 9 displays a screen for presenting information to the clerk. Further, the clerk-side touch panel 9 is used for inputting an instruction by the clerk's touch operation on the screen. The clerk-side touch panel 9 is an example of a first display device.

The sub-touch panel 10 is provided facing the store clerk. The sub-touch panel 10 displays a screen for presenting information to the store clerk. Further, the sub-touch panel 10 is used for inputting an instruction by touch operation on the screen by the store clerk.

The keyboard 11 has a large number of keys for easy operation by a store clerk located in the store clerk's work space SP2. The keyboard 11 inputs the store clerk's instructions by pressing these keys.

The handy scanner 12 is held in the operator's hand and used to optically read a bar code facing the reading port 12a. The handy scanner 12 is connected to the POS terminal 100 via a communication cable 13, and can be operated not only by the store clerk but also by the customer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the POS terminal 100 includes a processor 14, a main memory unit 15, an auxiliary memory unit 16, a buzzer 17, a communication unit 18 and a transmission line 19 in addition to the elements also shown in FIG. 2, the processor 14, the main storage unit 15, the auxiliary storage unit 16, the buzzer 17 and the communication unit 18 are connected to a transmission line 19. The components shown in FIG.

The processor 14 , main storage unit 15 and auxiliary storage unit 16 are connected by a transmission line 19 to form a computer that executes information processing for controlling the POS terminal 100 .

The processor 14 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 14 implements various functions of the POS terminal 100 based on information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the main storage unit 15 and the auxiliary storage unit 16. to control.

The main memory unit 15 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main storage unit 15 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main storage unit 15 stores the above information processing program in a non-volatile memory area. The main storage unit 15 may also store data necessary for the processor 14 to execute various types of information processing in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main storage unit 15 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 14 .

The auxiliary storage unit 16 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 16 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disk drive), SSD (solid state drive), or the like. The auxiliary storage unit 16 stores data used by the processor 14 for various types of information processing and data generated by processing in the processor 14 . The auxiliary storage unit 16 may store the above information processing program.

The communication unit 18 performs communication processing for the processor 14 to exchange various data with an arbitrary device such as the store server 200 via the communication network 300 . As the communication unit 18, a well-known device conforming to the communication method of the communication network 300 can be used.

The buzzer 17 sounds so as to emit a warning sound according to the drive signal given from the processor 14 . The buzzer 17 sounds so as to emit different warning sounds depending on the type of drive signal. The buzzer 17 sounds, for example, so as to intermittently repeatedly emit a warning sound. The buzzer 17 sounds, for example, so as to emit a warning sound continuously.

The transmission line 19 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The transmission path 19 transmits data and signals exchanged between the connected units.

As the basic hardware of the POS terminal 100, for example, another existing POS terminal can be used. At this time, the POS terminal 100 is generally transferred while an information processing program describing information processing described later is stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 . However, the hardware of the POS terminal 100 and the information processing program may be transferred separately when the information processing program is not stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 . An information processing program may be written in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 according to the operation of the administrator of the POS terminal 100 or the like. The information processing program can be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

As shown in FIG. 2, the POS terminal 100 having such a configuration has a clerk-side touch panel 9, a sub-touch panel 10, and a keyboard 11 facing the clerk. The POS terminal 100 includes a customer-side touch panel 1, a reading window 2a of a fixed scanner 2, a coin inlet 3a and a coin outlet 3b of a coin unit 3, a bill inlet 4a and a bill outlet 4b of a bill unit 4, and a credit card reader. 5, the proximity communication unit 6, the slot 7a of the prepaid card reader/writer 7, and the receipt outlet 8a of the receipt printer 8 are provided facing the customer side. The handy scanner 12 is placed at a position where it can be handled not only by the store clerk located in the work space SP2 but also by the customer located in the sales floor space SP1.

The POS terminal 100 has a so-called semi-self first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchase by a customer and a customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product. and a second operation mode as a full-self operation in which the customer performs operations from the operation to the payment operation. Hereinafter, the first operation mode will be referred to as a semi-self mode, and the second operation mode will be referred to as a full-self mode.

When the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is the semi-self mode, the store clerk located in the work space SP2 and the customer located in the sales floor space SP1 face each other across the checkout counter 400 . Then, the store clerk uses the touch panel 9 on the side of the store clerk, the sub-touch panel 10, the keyboard 11, and the handy scanner 12 to perform the registration operation. The customer uses the customer-side touch panel 1, coin unit 3, bill unit 4, credit card reader 5, proximity communication unit 6, and prepaid card reader/writer 7 to perform settlement operations.

When the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is the full-self mode, a customer located in the sales floor space SP1 uses the customer-side touch panel 1, the fixed scanner 2, and the handy scanner 12 to perform a registration operation of the purchased product. conduct. Further, the customer uses the customer-side touch panel 1, coin unit 3, bill unit 4, credit card reader 5, proximity communication unit 6, and prepaid card reader/writer 7 to perform settlement operations. At this time, there is no need for a store clerk to be on the workspace SP2 side of the checkout counter 400 .

The POS terminal 100 has switching means for switching between the semi-self mode and the full-self mode. The POS terminal 100 stores a mode flag MF in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16 in order to identify whether the semi-self mode or the full-self mode is selected. The processor 14 of the POS terminal 100 recognizes that the semi-self mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "0", and the full-self mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "1". recognize that it is Regarding this point, the processor 14 recognizes that the full-self mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "0", and recognizes that the semi-self mode is selected when the mode flag MF is set to "1". It may be recognized that the mode is selected.

Next, the operation of the POS terminal 100 configured as above will be described.
When the processor 14 is powered on by turning on a power switch (not shown) or the like, the processor 14 performs information processing described below according to the information processing program stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 .

4 to 9 are flow charts showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor 14 when the power is turned on. This procedure follows the information processing program stored in the main memory unit 15 or the auxiliary memory unit 16 . Note that the contents of the information processing shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 and described below are examples. The procedure and contents of the information processing are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

When the power is turned on, the processor 14 sets the mode flag MF to "0" as Act1. Then, the processor 14 waits for sign-on as Act2. A store clerk who operates the POS terminal 100 to perform a registration operation performs a sign-on operation prior to starting the registration operation. In the sign-on operation, for example, a responsible person key arranged on the keyboard 11 is pressed, and then the clerk identification information written on the clerk's ID card, the so-called employee number bar code, is read by the handy scanner 12. operation. Note that the sign-on operation is not limited to this. It can be any sign-on operation already applied in known POS terminals.

When the processor 14 detects the sign-on operation, it determines YES in Act2, and proceeds to Act3. The processor 14 stores the employee number entered by the sign-on operation as Act 3 in the responsible person memory as the responsible person number. The person-in-charge memory is an example of a store clerk storage unit. The person-in-charge memory is formed in a part of the volatile memory area of the main storage unit 15 . The responsible person memory may be formed in the auxiliary storage unit 16 .

As Act 4, the processor 14 turns on, that is, enables the automatic responsible person release function. The automatic person-in-charge release function is a function to automatically sign off after a certain period of inactivity. By activating the automatic person-in-charge release function, it is possible to prevent a third party from illegally operating the POS terminal 100 that has been left unattended while being signed on.

After finishing the processing of Act3 and Act4, the processor 14 clears the product list as Act5. The product list is data indicating a list of products registered as purchased products. The product list is stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. FIG.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a waiting screen as Act 6 . The content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but it is assumed that it is, for example, a screen showing an advertisement. The standby screen does not include an operation element for registering purchased products.

The processor 14 displays the home screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 as Act7. The home screen is a basic screen for a store clerk to perform an operation for registering purchased products. At this time, since the mode flag MF is "1", that is, the semi-self mode is selected as the operation mode, the home screen may display an image indicating the semi-self mode. The store clerk can perform an operation for specifying a product to be purchased on this home screen or another screen that can be transitioned from this home screen.

The processor 14 causes the sub-touch panel 10 to display the keyboard screen as Act8. The keyboard screen is a screen showing a software keyboard with an array of buttons.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a keyboard screen SC1 as an example. A plurality of buttons such as a button BU1 and a button BU2 are arranged on the keyboard screen SC1. It should be noted that although no reference numerals are attached, buttons having the same shape as the button BU1 or the button BU2 are also buttons.

Each button on the keyboard screen SC1 is assigned a function in advance. The switching button BU3 is assigned a function for the operator to instruct switching to the full self mode. The switching button BU3 displays a character string "self-switching" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also has a character string indicating its assigned function, but the character string is omitted in FIG.

The processor 14 confirms in Act 9 whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. Then, if the relevant instruction is not given, the processor 14 determines NO, and proceeds to Act10. The processor 14 confirms whether or not the switch button BU3 has been touched in Act10. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that the switching button BU3 has been touched, it determines NO and returns to Act9. Thus, in Act9 and Act10, the processor 14 waits for the product to be designated or the switch button BU3 to be touched.

Note that the processor 14 may confirm whether or not another instruction operation has been performed in this standby state and the standby state described later. Then, when the processor 14 confirms that such an instruction operation has been performed, it shifts to processing according to the operation. In addition, the processor 14 automatically signs off after a predetermined period of non-operation in the standby state, because the automatic responsible person release function is enabled. In that case, the processor 14 will redo the process from Act2.

The customer picks up the product to be purchased from the sales floor and brings it to the checkout counter 400. - 特許庁A salesclerk who operates the POS terminal 100 is positioned on the work space SO2 side across the POS terminal 100 from the customer positioned on the sales floor space SP1 side. The store clerk uses the touch panel 9, the keyboard 11, or the handy scanner 12 on the store clerk's side to perform a registration operation for designating the product brought in by the customer to the checkout counter 400 as the purchased product. The store clerk's registration operation at this time may be the same as that performed at another existing POS terminal. The processor 14 determines YES in Act 9 if the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product has been performed, and proceeds to Act 11 .

As described above, the standby screen does not include an operation element for registering the purchased product, so that the customer-side touch panel 1 is not operated to register the product as the purchased product. Also, the processor 14 does not use the recognition result obtained by the stationary scanner 2 for registering the purchased product. That is, the processor 14 disables the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 in the semi-self mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the operation by the store clerk. By disabling the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration as a purchased product by customer's operation.

The processor 14 updates the product list to include the products specified by the above operation as Act11. The product list is, for example, a list of product codes for identifying products. Accordingly, the processor 14 adds a product code for identifying the designated product to the product list.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display the overview screen in Act 12 . The overview screen is a screen that shows an overview of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this time. The overview screen displays, for example, the product name, unit price and quantity of the product registered as the purchased product immediately before, the total amount of discount applied to the registered product, and the total price of the registered product. The overview screen does not contain operational elements for registration of purchased products.

The processor 14 displays a detailed screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 as Act13. The detail screen is a screen showing the details of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this time. The detail screen displays, for example, a list of product names, unit prices, and quantities of products registered as purchased products, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered products, and the total price of the registered products.

The processor 14 confirms in Act 14 whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. Then, the processor 14 determines NO if the relevant instruction is not given, and proceeds to Act15. The processor 14 confirms in Act 15 whether or not a customer group has been designated. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that the customer group has been instructed, the processor 14 determines NO and returns to Act14. Thus, in Act 14 and Act 15, the processor 14 waits for the product to be specified or the customer group to be specified.

When a customer brings a plurality of products to the checkout counter 400, the clerk instructs the processor 14 to wait for Act 14 and Act 15 to perform an operation for designating the second and subsequent products as purchased products. sometimes do If such an operation is performed, the processor 14 determines YES in Act14, and executes the processing of Act11 to Act13 in the same manner as described above. As a result, a plurality of products brought by the customer to the checkout counter are added to the product list. As described above, the outline screen does not include an operation element for registering the purchased product, so the customer-side touch panel 1 is not operated to designate the product as the purchased product. Also, the processor 14 does not use the recognition result obtained by the stationary scanner 2 for registering the purchased product.

When the clerk finishes designating all the products brought to the checkout counter 400 by the customer as purchased products, the salesclerk estimates the sex and age of the customer and determines the customer base. Then, the store clerk depresses the customer layer key of the determined customer layer among the customer layer keys arranged on the keyboard 11 as the customer layer instruction means. In this way, the customer class key indicates the customer class of the customer and also instructs the end of registration of the products purchased by the customer. The customer stratum instruction means is not limited to pressing the customer stratum key. For example, a customer layer function is assigned to each of a plurality of buttons arranged on the sub-touch panel 10, and when a store clerk touches a button to which a corresponding customer layer is assigned from among these plurality of buttons, a customer layer is designated. may

When the processor 14 detects that the customer layer key has been pressed to indicate the customer layer, it determines YES in Act 15 and proceeds to Act 21 in FIG. The processor 14 stores a customer stratum code for identifying the instructed customer stratum in the customer stratum memory as Act21. The customer layer memory is an example of a customer layer storage unit. Also, the customer segment code is an example of customer segment information. The customer layer memory is formed in part of the volatile memory area of the main storage unit 15 . The customer layer memory may be formed in the auxiliary storage unit 16 .

Here, the computer mainly composed of the processor 14 constitutes the first half of the customer base storage means by executing the processing of Act21.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a selection screen as Act 22 . The selection screen is a screen for receiving an operation by the customer for selecting a payment method. For example, the selection screen represents a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment methods. In this embodiment, the POS terminal 100 can selectively use cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid as payment methods. Therefore, the selection screen includes four buttons respectively associated with cash, credit, electronic money and prepaid. For electronic money and prepaid, a plurality of buttons associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to each may be included. Alternatively, when a button associated with electronic money or prepaid is touched, the processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a subordinate selection screen showing buttons associated with each of a plurality of payment services belonging to the payment method. may be displayed in

The processor 14 confirms whether or not a payment method has been specified in Act23. If the payment method is not specified, the processor 14 determines NO and proceeds to Act24. The processor 14 confirms in Act 24 whether or not it has been instructed to return to the registration of the purchased product. Then, the processor 14 determines NO if the relevant instruction is not given, and returns to Act23. Thus, the processor 14 waits in Acts 23 and 24 for a payment method to be specified or to be instructed to return to registration.

When the customer wants to add a purchased product, the customer instructs to return to the registration by a predetermined operation on the touch panel 1 on the customer side. The operation is, for example, touching a return button displayed on the selection screen. If there are still purchased products that have not been registered, the clerk instructs to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 . The operation is, for example, a touch on the return button displayed on the detail screen or keyboard screen. The processor 14 determines YES in Act24 in response to the operation being performed, and executes the processes after Act12 in FIG. 4 in the same manner as described above.

When the customer proceeds to pay for the purchased product, the customer designates the payment method to be used by a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, a touch on a button displayed on the selection screen as associated with the payment method to be used. The processor 14 determines YES in Act23 in response to the operation being performed, and proceeds to Act25.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a payment screen as Act 25 . The settlement screen is a screen that displays the amount to be settled and guides the operation method for settlement. A plurality of types of settlement screens corresponding to a plurality of settlement methods are determined in advance. The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a payment screen associated with the designated payment method. Therefore, when displaying the payment screen, the processor 14 determines the payment amount for purchasing the purchased product registered in the product list.

The processor 14 displays a detailed screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 as Act 26 . The detailed screen may be the same screen as the detailed screen displayed in Act13. However, the detailed screen to be displayed in Act 26 is assumed to be a screen showing that the payment is being made by the customer.

The processor 14 activates the payment device corresponding to the payment method specified as Act27. For example, when cash is specified as the settlement method, the processor 14 activates the coin unit 3 and bill unit 4 of the automatic change dispenser 20 . For example, the processor 14 activates the credit card reader 5 when credit is specified as the settlement method. For example, the processor 14 activates the proximity communication unit 6 when electronic money is specified as the settlement method. For example, the processor 14 activates the prepaid card reader/writer 7 when prepaid is specified as the settlement method.

The processor 14 waits for the settlement operation according to the settlement method designated as Act28. For example, when cash is specified as the settlement method, the processor 14 recognizes that a settlement operation has been performed when coins and banknotes are inserted into the coin unit 3 and the banknote unit 4 . For example, when credit is specified as the settlement method, the processor 14 recognizes that the settlement operation has been performed when the credit card is slid through the slit 5a of the credit card reader 5 . For example, when electronic money is designated as a payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when a wireless tag for electronic money is brought close to the proximity communication unit 6 . For example, when prepaid is specified as a payment method, the processor 14 recognizes that a payment operation has been performed when a prepaid card is inserted into the slot 7a of the prepaid card reader/writer 7. FIG. When the processor 14 recognizes that the settlement operation has been performed, it determines YES in Act 28 and proceeds to Act 29 .

The processor 14 performs settlement processing as Act29. Specifically, the processor 14 uses the data input in the payment operation accepted in Act 28 for the payment method specified in Act 23 to execute processing for paying the payment amount. In this settlement process, the processor 14 generates sales data of the purchased product according to the contents of the product list, and communicates the sales data together with the responsible person number stored in the responsible person memory and the customer class code stored in the customer class memory. It transmits to the store server 200 via the network 300 . Since such settlement processing is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

After completing the payment process, the processor 14 stops the payment device activated in Act 27 as Act 30 . In Act 31, the processor 14 controls the receipt printer 8 to issue a receipt printed with a receipt image showing the content of the transaction settled this time and the result of the settlement.

At this time, in addition to the date and time of the transaction, the cash register number, etc., the receipt contains the name corresponding to the responsible person number stored in the responsible person memory, that is, the name of the employee identified by the responsible person number. printed in the column. The transaction date and time indicates the date and time when the transaction was made. The POS terminal 100 has a clock function (not shown), and the processor 14 controls the date and time kept by this clock function to be printed on the receipt as the transaction date and time. Also, the register number is a unique number assigned to each POS terminal 100 in order to identify each POS terminal 100 . The POS terminal 100 stores a register number in advance, for example, in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16 . The data printed on the receipt is also recorded in the electronic journal file as it is. Electronic journal files are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 16 .

After issuing the receipt, the processor 14 clears the product list in Act32. The processor 14 also causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display an end screen as Act 33 . The end screen is a screen that notifies the customer that the transaction has been completed.

Processor 14 then returns to Act 6 of FIG. That is, the processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a waiting screen, the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a home screen, and the sub-touch panel 10 to display a keyboard screen. The processor 14 then enters a standby state for Act9 and Act10.

By the way, the clerk can switch the POS terminal 100 operating in the semi-self mode to the full self mode. However, switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode is limited to when the processor 14 is in the standby state of Act9 and Act10. That is, it is limited to the state in which the responsible person number is stored in the responsible person memory, that is, the responsible person is registered, and the product list is cleared, that is, the product data is not entered.

When switching the POS terminal 100 operating in the semi-self mode to the full self mode, the clerk touches the switch button BU3 arranged on the keyboard screen SC1 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. FIG.

When the processor 14 in the standby state of Act9 and Act10 detects that the switching button BU3 has been touched, it determines YES in Act10, and proceeds to Act41 in FIG. In Act 41, the processor 14 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a switching confirmation screen in a pop-up manner.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a switching confirmation screen SC2 as an example. The switching confirmation screen SC2 displays a message M1 for confirming with the store clerk that the semi-self mode is to be switched to the full self mode, as well as a "yes" button BU11 and a "no" button BU12.

After confirming the switching confirmation screen SC2, the clerk touches the "Yes" button BU11 when switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode. Also, the clerk touches the "No" button BU12 to cancel switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode.

The processor 14 that displays the switching confirmation screen SC2 on the clerk-side touch panel 9 confirms in Act 42 whether or not execution of mode switching has been instructed. The processor 14 determines that execution of mode switching has been commanded when the "Yes" button BU11 on the switching confirmation screen SC2 is touched. In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act42 and proceeds to Act43.

The processor 14 determines in Act 43 whether or not the switching condition is satisfied. As described above, mode switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode is permitted when the person in charge is registered and product data has not yet been entered. That is, when the processor 14 confirms that the employee number of any store clerk is stored in the person-in-charge memory and that the product list is cleared, it determines that the switching condition is satisfied.

In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act43 and proceeds to Act44. The processor 14 records information indicating that the semi-self mode has been switched to the full-self mode as Act 44 in the electronic journal file together with the responsible person number stored in the responsible person memory.

In Act 45, the processor 14 rewrites the data in the responsible person memory to a specific number that is not used as the employee number of the store clerk, such as "999". In Act 46, the processor 14 turns off, that is, disables the automatic responsible person release function. Further, the processor 14 sets the mode flag MF to "1" in Act47.

Here, the computer mainly composed of the processor 14 cooperates with the switching button BU3 to execute the processes of Act41 to Act43 and Act47, thereby switching the operation mode from the semi-self mode to the full self mode. configure. Further, the same computer constitutes the first update means by executing the process of Act45. Further, the same computer constitutes the first half of the control means by executing the processing of Act46.

Note that the processor 14 determines NO when the “No” button BU12 of the switching confirmation screen SC2 is touched in Act42, and returns to Act9 in FIG. The processor 14 also determines NO when the switching condition is not satisfied in Act 43, and returns to Act 9 in FIG. That is, the processor 14 returns to the standby state of Act9 and Act10.

After completing the processing of Act44 to Act47, the processor 14 proceeds to Act51 in FIG. It should be noted that the procedure of the processing from Act44 to Act47 is not limited to the procedure described above. The order of processing may be changed.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display the guidance screen as Act 51 . The guidance screen is a screen for guiding the customer that the customer should perform a registration operation for registering the purchased product. The guide screen may indicate what kind of operation should be performed as the registration operation for registering the purchased product.

The processor 14 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a standby screen as Act 52 . The content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but at least an image is displayed that notifies the store clerk of the full self mode. The standby screen does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.

The processor 14 causes the sub-touch panel 10 to display the switching screen in Act 53 . The switching screen is a screen showing a switching button.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a switching screen SC3 as an example. A plurality of buttons such as a switch button BU21 and buttons BU22 and BU23 are arranged on the switch screen SC3. It should be noted that although no reference numerals are attached, buttons having the same shape as the button BU23 are also buttons.

A function is assigned in advance to each button on the switching screen SC3. The switching button BU21 is assigned a function for the operator to instruct switching to the semi-self mode. The switching button BU21 displays a character string "self-switching" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also has a character string indicating the function assigned to it, but the character string is omitted in FIG. The switching screen SC3 does not include an operation element for registering purchased products.

The processor 14 confirms in Act 54 whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. Then, the processor 14 determines NO if the relevant instruction has not been given, and proceeds to Act 55 .

The processor 14 confirms whether or not the switch button BU21 has been touched in Act55. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that the switching button BU21 has been touched, it determines NO and returns to Act54. Thus, in Act54 and Act55, the processor 14 waits for the product to be designated or the switch button BU21 to be touched.

When the customer picks up the merchandise to be purchased from the sales floor and brings the merchandise to the checkout counter 400, the customer uses the touch panel 1 on the customer side or the fixed scanner 2 to perform a registration operation for designating the merchandise as the purchased merchandise. . The customer's operation at this time may be the same as that performed at another existing self-service POS terminal. The processor 14 determines YES in Act 54 if the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product has been performed, and proceeds to Act 56 .

Since the standby screen does not include an operation element for registering the purchased product as described above, the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product is not performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 . Moreover, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 14 does not accept this as the designation of the purchased product. Further, since the switching screen SC3 does not include an operation element for registering the purchased product as described above, the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10 . In other words, the processor 14 disables the clerk side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10 and the keyboard 11 in the full self mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the customer's operation. By disabling the clerk-side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10 and the keyboard 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration as a purchased product by the clerk's operation.

The processor 14 updates the product list to include the products specified by the above registration operation in Act56. Then, the processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a detailed screen as Act 57 . The detail screen is a screen showing the details of the current status of registration of purchased products according to the contents of the product list at this time. The detail screen displays, for example, a list of product names, unit prices, and quantities of products registered as purchased products, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered products, and the total price of the registered products.

Further, the processor 14 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a detailed screen as Act 58 . Here, the detailed screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 displays the same information as that displayed in Act 13, and also indicates the full self mode. The detailed screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 does not include operation elements for registering purchased products.

The processor 14 confirms in Act 59 whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. Then, if the relevant instruction is not given, the processor 14 determines NO, and proceeds to Act60. The processor 14 confirms whether or not accounting is instructed in Act60. If the processor 14 cannot confirm that the payment has been instructed, it determines NO and returns to Act 59 . Thus, the processor 14 waits in Acts 59 and 60 for product designation or accounting instructions.

When the customer brings a plurality of products to the checkout counter 400, the processor 14 is in the waiting state of Acts 54 and 55 to perform the registration operation for designating the second and subsequent products as purchased products. go to If such a registration operation has been performed, the processor 14 determines YES in Act54, and executes Act56 to Act58 in the same manner as described above. As a result, a plurality of products brought in by the customer to the checkout counter 400 are added to the product list. Since the detailed screen displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 does not include operation elements for registering the purchased product as described above, the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product is performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9. no. Moreover, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 14 does not accept this as the designation of the purchased product. Further, since the switching screen SC3 does not include an operation element for registering the purchased product as described above, the registration operation for designating the product as the purchased product is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10 .

When the customer finishes designating all the products brought to the checkout counter 400 as purchased products, the customer instructs payment by a predetermined operation on the touch panel 1 on the customer side. The operation is, for example, a touch on the checkout button included in the detailed screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1 . The processor 14 determines YES in Act60 in response to the touch operation of the checkout button, and proceeds to Act61.

The processor 14 rewrites the customer segment code stored in the customer segment memory as Act61 to a specific customer segment code, for example, a customer segment identification code of "male in his 40s". A specific customer stratum code is preset in the store server 200, downloaded to each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. FIG. It is arbitrary to select which customer segment identification code to use as a specific customer segment code. For example, the customer segment code of the most popular customer segment at the store may be used as the specific customer segment code.

Here, the computer mainly composed of the processor 14 constitutes the second half of the customer base storage means by executing the processing of Act61.

After storing the particular customer segment code in customer segment memory, processor 14 proceeds to Act 71 of FIG. The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display the selection screen as Act71. The selection screen represents information similar to that displayed in Act22.

The processor 14 confirms whether or not a payment method has been specified in Act72. Then, if the payment method is not specified, the processor 14 determines NO, and proceeds to Act73. The processor 14 confirms in Act 73 whether or not it is instructed to return to the registration of the purchased product. Then, the processor 14 determines NO if the relevant instruction is not given, and returns to Act72. Thus, the processor 14 waits in Acts 72 and 73 for a payment method to be specified or to be instructed to return to registration.

When the customer wants to add a purchased product, the customer instructs to return to the registration by a predetermined operation on the touch panel 1 on the customer side. The operation is, for example, touching a return button displayed on the selection screen. The processor 14 determines YES in Act73 in response to the operation being performed, and executes the processes after Act57 in FIG. 7 in the same manner as described above.

When the customer proceeds to pay for the purchased product, the customer designates the payment method to be used by a predetermined operation on the selection screen. The operation is, for example, a touch on a button displayed on the selection screen as associated with the payment method to be used. The processor 14 determines YES in Act72 in response to the operation being performed, and proceeds to Act74.

The processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display a payment screen as Act 74 . The settlement screen is a screen that displays the amount to be settled and guides the operation method for settlement. The settlement screen displays the same information as displayed in Act25.

The processor 14 displays a detailed screen on the clerk side touch panel 9 as Act75. The detail screen represents information similar to that displayed in Act 26 .

As Act76, the processor 14 activates a payment device corresponding to the specified payment method, similar to Act27. Then, in Act77, the processor 14 waits for the settlement operation for settlement according to the specified settlement method, as in Act28.

When the processor 14 determines that the payment operation has been performed, it determines YES in Act77 and proceeds to Act78. As Act79, the processor 14 performs settlement processing in the same manner as in Act29.

After completing the payment process, the processor 14, as Act80, stops the payment device activated in Act76. The processor 14 also controls the receipt printer 8 in Act 80 to issue a receipt printed with a receipt image representing the content of the transaction settled this time and the settlement result on receipt paper.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a receipt RE1 as an example. In addition to transaction date D1, register number D2, etc., receipt RE1 is stored in main storage unit 15 or auxiliary storage unit 16 in association with the responsible person number stored in the responsible person memory, that is, the specific number "999". A predetermined name "Self" stored in is printed in the responsible person column. The name “self” is preset in the store server 200, downloaded to each POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300, and stored in the main storage unit 15 or the auxiliary storage unit 16. FIG. Note that the predetermined name is not limited to "self". Also, instead of the name "self", a specific number "999" may be printed in the responsible person column of the receipt RE1. The data printed on the receipt is also recorded in the electronic journal file as it is.

Here, the computer mainly composed of the processor 14 constitutes printing means by cooperating with the receipt printer 8 and executing the processing of Act 80 .

After issuing the receipt, the processor 14 clears the product list in Act81. The processor 14 also causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display an end screen as Act 82 . The end screen represents information similar to that displayed in Act 33 .

The processor 14 then returns to Act 51 of FIG. That is, the processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display the guidance screen, the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display the standby screen, and the sub-touch panel 10 to display the switching screen. Then, the processor 14 enters a standby state for Act54 and Act55.

By the way, the clerk can switch the POS terminal 100 operating in the full-self mode to the semi-self mode. However, switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode is possible when the processor 14 is in the standby state of Act54 and Act55. That is, the settlement of the commercial transaction in the full-self mode is completed, and the guidance screen is displayed on the touch panel 1 on the customer side.

When switching the POS terminal 100 operating in the full-self mode to the semi-self mode, the clerk touches the switch button BU21 arranged on the switch screen SC3 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. FIG.

When the processor 14 in the waiting state of Act54 and Act55 detects that the switching button BU21 has been touched, it determines YES in Act55, and proceeds to Act91 in FIG. In Act 91, the processor 14 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display a switching confirmation screen in a pop-up manner.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a switching confirmation screen SC4 as an example. The switch confirmation screen SC4 displays a message M2 for confirming with the clerk that the full-self mode is to be switched to the semi-self mode, as well as a "yes" button BU31 and a "no" button BU32.

After confirming the switching confirmation screen SC4, the clerk touches the "Yes" button BU31 when switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode. The store clerk touches the "No" button BU32 to cancel switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode.

The processor 14 that displays the switching confirmation screen SC3 on the clerk-side touch panel 9 confirms in Act 92 whether or not execution of mode switching has been instructed. The processor 14 determines that execution of mode switching has been commanded when the "Yes" button BU31 on the switching confirmation screen SC4 is touched. In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 92 and proceeds to Act 93 .

The processor 14 determines in Act 93 whether or not the switching condition is satisfied. As described above, when the guide screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1, mode switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode is permitted. That is, when the processor 14 confirms that the guide screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1, it determines that the switching condition is satisfied.

In that case, the processor 14 determines YES in Act 93 and proceeds to Act 94 . The processor 14 records information indicating that the full-self mode has been switched to the semi-self mode as Act 94 in the electronic journal file together with the specific number "999" stored in the responsible person memory. Note that it is not essential to record the specific number "999" in the electronic journal file.

The processor 14 causes the clerk-side touch panel 9 to display an instruction screen for instructing the clerk to input the responsible person number in Act 95 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an instruction screen SC5 as an example. On the instruction screen SC5, an "OK" button BU41 is displayed together with a message M3 instructing the clerk to enter the responsible person number. After confirming the instruction screen SC5, the clerk touches the OK button B41, and then uses the handy scanner 12 to read the bar code of the employee number written on the ID card of the clerk.

The processor 14, which displays the instruction screen SC4 on the clerk-side touch panel 9, waits for the input of the responsible person number in Act96. In this waiting state, when the OK button B41 is touched and the handy scanner 12 confirms that the barcode of the employee number has been read, the processor 14 determines YES in Act96 and proceeds to Act97. In Act 97, the processor 14 stores the employee number obtained by analyzing the bar code in the responsible person memory as the responsible person number. In Act 98, the processor 14 turns on, that is, enables the automatic responsible person release function. Further, the processor 14 resets the mode flag MF to "0" as Act99.

Here, the computer mainly composed of the processor 14 constitutes the second half of the switching means for switching the operation mode from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode by executing the processes of Act91 to Act99 in cooperation with the switching button BU21. do. Further, the same computer constitutes the second updating means by executing the processing of Act95 to Act97. Further, the same computer constitutes the latter half of the control means by executing the processing of Act98.

Note that the processor 14 determines NO when the "No" button BU32 of the switching confirmation screen SC4 is touched in Act92, and returns to Act54 in FIG. The processor 14 also determines NO when the switching condition is not satisfied in Act 93, and returns to Act 54 in FIG. That is, the processor 14 returns to the standby state of Act54 and Act55.

After completing the processing of Act97 to Act99, the processor 14 proceeds to Act6 in FIG. The processor 14 then executes the processing after Act 6, that is, the processing in the semi-self mode in the same manner as described above. It should be noted that the procedure of the processing from Act97 to Act99 is not limited to the procedure described above. The order of processing may be changed.

Thus, the POS terminal 100 of this embodiment has a semi-self mode and a full-self mode. Then, the clerk who is the operator touches the switching button BU3 when switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode. At this time, when the conditions for switching from the semi-self mode to the full self mode, that is, the responsible person is registered and the product data is not input, the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is switched from the semi-self mode to the full self mode. Then, the data in the person-in-charge memory is rewritten with a specific number "999" that is not used as the employee number of the store clerk. That is, the user is signed on with the specific number "999". Therefore, the employee number of the clerk who signed on in the semi-self mode is automatically invalidated.

Also, the clerk touches the switch button BU21 when switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode. At this time, when a state in which a guidance screen is displayed on the customer side touch panel 1, which is a condition for switching from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode, is satisfied, the operation mode of the POS terminal 100 is switched from the full-self mode to the semi-self mode. Then, an instruction screen SC5 for instructing the clerk to input the responsible person number is displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 9 of the POS terminal 100. FIG. When the clerk inputs the employee number here, the employee number is registered in the responsible person memory as the responsible person number. That is, the store clerk has signed on. Therefore, the full-self mode is not switched to the semi-self mode without signing on.

In this way, when switching the operation mode between semi-self and full-self, there are cases where restrictions on one operation mode are released or new restrictions are added. 100 is considered in that respect.

As a result, in the POS terminal 100, the procedures of Act6 to Act15 and Act21 to Act33 indicating information processing from registration to payment in semi-self mode and Act51 to Act61 indicating information processing from registration to payment in full self mode are performed. And the procedures of Act71 to Act82 are almost the same. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the POS terminal 100 that can easily switch between the semi-self mode and the full-self mode without significantly modifying the information processing program.

By the way, the name of the clerk identified by the responsible person number stored in the responsible person memory is printed in the responsible person column of the receipt issued in the semi-self mode. Regarding this point, in the POS terminal 100, the name "self" corresponding to the specific number "999" stored in the responsible person memory is also printed in the responsible person column of the receipt issued in the full self mode. I'm trying Therefore, also from this point of view, it is possible to obtain the effect that it is not necessary to change the information processing program significantly when switching between the semi-self mode and the full self mode.

Further, the automatic responsible person release function, which is enabled when the semi-self mode is selected, is disabled when the full self mode is selected. And when the semi-self mode is selected again, the function is enabled. Therefore, in the full self mode, automatic sign-off will not occur due to the lapse of a certain period of inactivity. In other words, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the automatic person-in-charge release function works and the customer is automatically signed off in the full-self mode, and the customer cannot operate. Therefore, there is no need to add routines to the information processing program to deal with such problems, so that there is no need to significantly change the information processing program.

By the way, generally in a POS terminal, the sales data of the purchased product is transmitted to the store server 200 together with the customer base information when the customer group is specified before the registration of the purchased product is completed. Regarding this point, in the POS terminal 100 of the present embodiment, when the semi-self mode is selected, the customer's customer class is input when instructing the end of the registration of the merchandise purchased by the customer. On the other hand, in the full-self mode, the customer voluntarily instructs the end of the registration of the purchased product, so there is resistance to inputting the customer class. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the customer instructs to finish registering the purchased product in the full-self mode, a customer stratum code indicating a predetermined customer stratum is automatically stored in the customer stratum memory. Therefore, since the customer class is input not only in the semi-self mode but also in the full self mode, switching between the semi-self and the full self can be easily dealt with without significantly changing the information processing program.

Although the embodiment of the registration and payment apparatus capable of easily switching the operation mode between semi-self and full-self has been described above, the embodiment is not limited to this.

For example, conditions for switching from semi-self to full-self or conditions for switching from full-self to semi-self are not limited to those illustrated. For example, the switching condition may include that the processor 14 confirms the state of the automatic change dispenser 20 and that there is no disconnection error. In this case, if a disconnection error occurs in the automatic change dispenser 20 when switching from semi-self to full self, the processor 14 displays, for example, "The change dispenser is not connected, so mode switching is not possible" on the touch panel 9 on the clerk side. is displayed to return to the state before the switching button BU3 was operated. If the automatic change dispenser 20 is in a disconnection error when switching from full-self to semi-self, the processor 14 displays, for example, "Drawer in operation" on the touch panel 9 on the clerk side, and the switch button BU21 is operated. should return to the state of

In the above-described embodiment, the receipt printer 8 prints the receipt image on the receipt paper. Alternatively, the receipt image may be an electronic receipt and downloaded to the customer's information terminal.

In the above embodiment, the switching button BU3 is exemplified as means for instructing mode switching from semi-self to full self, and the switching button BU21 is exemplified as means for instructing mode switching from full self to semi-self. Regarding this point, for example, mode switching may be instructed by a command delivered from the store server 200 to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 300 . In this case, the transmission source of the command is not limited to the store server 200 . For example, another POS terminal 100 may be the source of the command.

By the way, products such as alcoholic beverages and cigarettes that require age verification, or drugs that belong to the first or second class drugs cannot be sold in the full-self mode because they require the intervention of a store clerk. For such products, a flag is set in the product data stored in the product master table to indicate that sales are prohibited in the full-self mode. Then, in the process of Act54 or Act59 in the full self mode, when the product with the flag set is specified, the processor 14 causes the customer-side touch panel 1 to display an error screen indicating that the product cannot be registered. .

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an error screen SC6 as an example. The error screen SC5 displays an "OK" button BU51 along with a message M4 instructing to move to a semi-self POS terminal because product registration cannot be accepted in full self. In this case, the clerk who confirmed the error screen SC6 touches the OK button B51 and moves to the semi-self POS terminal.

Also, in the POS terminal 100 in which the full self mode is selected, an upper limit may be set on the transaction amount. For example, a transaction exceeding 10,000 yen cannot be settled by the POS terminal 100 in which the full self mode is selected. In such a case, if the transaction amount exceeds a predetermined amount as a result of updating the product list in Act 56, an error screen is displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. FIG. In this case, the error screen has a message M4 that reads, for example, "Self-checkout cannot settle more than 10,000 yen. Please pay once."

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 Customer-side touch panel 2 Fixed scanner 3 Coin unit 4 Bill unit 5 Credit card reader 6 Proximity communication unit 7 Prepaid card reader/writer 8 Receipt printer 8a Receipt ejection Exit 9... Clerk side touch panel 10... Sub touch panel 11... Keyboard 12... Handy scanner 14... Processor 15... Main storage unit 16... Auxiliary storage unit 17... Buzzer 18... Communication unit 19... Transmission path 20 Automatic change dispenser 100 POS terminal 200 store server 300 communication network.

In one embodiment, the registered settlement apparatus includes switching means, a store clerk storage section, and update means. The switching means is a first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer and a customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and a first operation mode from the registration operation to the settlement operation. to the second operation mode in which the customer performs the operation. The store clerk storage unit stores specific information . The updating means waits for input of the salesclerk identification information when the switching means instructs switching from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, and when the salesclerk identification information is inputted through the input means, The specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit is updated to the input store clerk identification information.

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
In addition, the description of the scope of claims as originally filed for this application will be added below.
[C1]
A first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer, and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and the registration operation to the settlement operation. a switching means for switching between a second operation mode performed by the customer;
a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk who performs the registration operation;
first updating means for updating the store clerk identification information stored in the store clerk storage section to specific information when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode; When,
When the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, the input of the salesclerk identification information is waited for, and when the salesclerk identification information is inputted via the input means, second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information;
Totoku payment device.
[C2]
a printing means for printing a name on a receipt according to the information stored in the store clerk storage unit;
2. The registration and settlement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing means prints a predetermined name on said receipt when the information stored in said store clerk storage unit is said specific information.
[C3]
When switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode is instructed by the switching means, an automatic person-in-charge release function that automatically signs off after a certain period of inactivity elapses is disabled. a control means for enabling the automatic responsible person release function when the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode;
The registration settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising:
[C4]
When operating in the first operation mode, input of customer stratum information identifying the customer stratum of the customer is awaited before the settlement operation, the inputted customer stratum information is stored in the customer stratum storage unit, and the second operation mode is stored. customer segment storage means for storing preset specific customer segment information in the customer segment storage unit when operating in the operation mode;
The registration settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising:
[C5]
The computer that controls the registered payment device,
A first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer, and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and the registration operation to the settlement operation. a switching means for switching between a second operation mode performed by the customer;
When switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode is instructed by the switching means, a store clerk stored in a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information for identifying a store clerk who performs the registration operation. a first updating means for updating identification information to specific information;
When the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, the input of the salesclerk identification information is waited for, and when the salesclerk identification information is inputted via the input means, second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information;
Information processing program for functioning as

Claims (5)

A first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer, and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and the registration operation to the settlement operation. a switching means for switching between a second operation mode performed by the customer;
a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information that identifies the store clerk who performs the registration operation;
first updating means for updating the store clerk identification information stored in the store clerk storage section to specific information when the switching means instructs switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode; When,
When the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, the input of the salesclerk identification information is waited for, and when the salesclerk identification information is inputted via the input means, second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information;
A registered payment device comprising: a printing means for printing a name on a receipt according to the information stored in the store clerk storage unit;
2. The registration and settlement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said printing means prints a predetermined name on said receipt when the information stored in said store clerk storage unit is said specific information. When switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode is instructed by the switching means, an automatic person-in-charge release function that automatically signs off after a certain period of inactivity elapses is disabled. a control means for enabling the automatic responsible person release function when the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode;
The registration settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising: When operating in the first operation mode, input of customer stratum information identifying the customer stratum of the customer is awaited before the settlement operation, the inputted customer stratum information is stored in the customer stratum storage unit, and the second operation mode is stored. customer segment storage means for storing preset specific customer segment information in the customer segment storage unit when operating in the operation mode;
The registration settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising: The computer that controls the registered payment device,
A first operation mode in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering a purchased product to be purchased by a customer, and the customer performs a settlement operation for paying for the purchased product, and the registration operation to the settlement operation. a switching means for switching between a second operation mode performed by the customer;
When switching from the first operation mode to the second operation mode is instructed by the switching means, a store clerk stored in a store clerk storage unit that stores store clerk identification information for identifying a store clerk who performs the registration operation. a first updating means for updating identification information to specific information;
When the switching means instructs to switch from the second operation mode to the first operation mode, the input of the salesclerk identification information is waited for, and when the salesclerk identification information is inputted via the input means, second updating means for updating the specific information stored in the store clerk storage unit to the input store clerk identification information;
Information processing program to function as

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