JP2023124390A - Checkout system, registration machine, accounting machine, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to efficiently charge electronic money in a semi-self checkout system.SOLUTION: A registration machine accepts a charge declaration of electronic money. The registration machine reads identification information of an electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration. The registration machine outputs the identification information of the electronic money medium to an accounting machine. The accounting machine inputs the identification information output from the registration machine and specifies an amount to be charged. The accounting machine detects a deposit of cash corresponding to the charge amount. The accounting machine controls the charge amount to be added to a balance of electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information in response to the deposit of cash corresponding to the charge amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system, a registration machine and a checkout machine of the system, and a program for making a computer function as a registration machine or a checkout machine.

In recent years, mass retailers such as supermarkets have introduced semi-self checkout systems. This checkout system separates a registration machine for registering purchased products by a customer and an accounting machine for settling sales transactions with customers upon receiving payment for the purchased products. The store clerk operates the registration machine and the customer operates the checkout machine. Moreover, in recent years, the number of customers who want to pay for purchase transactions with electronic money is increasing. Therefore, a semi-self checkout system that supports electronic money payment has already been put into practical use.

Electronic money users generally charge electronic money using electronic money media such as IC cards and smart phones. Then, the user causes the accounting machine to read the information on the electronic money medium when paying the price. By doing so, the accounting machine deducts the amount equivalent to the charge from the charge amount of the electronic money, and the payment by the electronic money is completed. For this reason, the user needs to charge electronic money in advance in excess of the price.

Methods for users to charge electronic money in stores include a method of using a dedicated charging machine and a method of using a registration machine or accounting machine of a checkout system. However, from the point of view of the store, the method of using a dedicated charging machine requires installation space for the charging machine, and also requires equipment costs. The method of charging with a registration machine imposes a burden on the store clerk, and there is a problem that the number of customers handled by the registration machine is reduced, and the advantage of introducing the semi-self system is diminished. In the method of charging with the accounting machine, not only customers who have completed registration of purchased products with the registration machine, but also customers who simply want to charge electronic money are users of the accounting machine. For this reason, since the checkout machines are all occupied by customers charging electronic money, customers who have finished registering purchased products with the registration machine may not be able to proceed to checkout. In view of such circumstances, there is a demand for a semi-self checkout system capable of efficiently charging electronic money.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-051782

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technique for efficiently charging electronic money in a semi-self checkout system.

In one embodiment, the checkout system separates the registration and accounting machines. The registration machine comprises declaration acceptance means, reading means, and output means. The declaration receiving means receives a declaration of charging electronic money. The reading means reads the identification information of the electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration. The output means outputs the identification information of the electronic money medium to the accounting machine. The accounting machine comprises designation means, detection means and control means. The designation means inputs the identification information output from the registration machine and designates the charge amount. The detection means detects receipt of cash equivalent to the charge amount. The control means controls so that the charge amount is added to the balance of the electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information in response to the payment of cash corresponding to the charge amount.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a checkout system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of an electronic money record. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration machine. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuitry of the accounting machine. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the first information processing executed by the processor of the registration machine according to the registration program. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of charge acceptance processing in the first information processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the second information processing procedure executed by the processor of the accounting machine according to the accounting program. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a registration screen. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the balance inquiry screen. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the accounting machine transmission screen. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a destination notification screen. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the first payment method selection screen. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the second payment method selection screen. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a charge amount designation screen. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of a charge amount acceptance screen. FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of an input completion screen. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of issuing a charge receipt.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, in a semi-self checkout system in which a registration machine and an accounting machine are separated, the registration machine and the accounting machine are configured so that an electronic money user can efficiently charge electronic money at a store. be.

[Description of checkout system]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a checkout system 10 according to this embodiment. The checkout system 10 includes a registration machine 11, a checkout machine 12, a server 13, and a network 14 connecting them. The type of network 14 is not particularly limited, but generally a wired or wireless LAN (local area network) is applied.

The registration machine 11 is operated by a store clerk 21 who plays a role called a checker. The operator of the accounting machine 12 is a customer 22 who has purchased a product at the store. A customer 22 who operates a checkout machine 12 to settle a sales transaction may be referred to as a payer. It should be noted that the sales transaction is not limited to payment for the purchased product. For example, payment for services is one aspect of sales transactions.

The register 11 is attached to the work table 23 in FIG. The work table 23 has a rectangular top plate. A passage for customers 22, a so-called checkout lane, is formed by arranging a plurality of work tables 23 so that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel.

A registration machine 11 and a checkout machine 12 are arranged for each checkout lane. One registration machine 11 and a plurality of checkout machines 12 are arranged for one checkout lane. Various data signals are sent and received through the network 14 between the registration machine 11 and the accounting machine 12 located in the same checkout lane. Data signals may be exchanged through the server 13 or may be exchanged without the server 13 . Incidentally, FIG. 1 shows an example in which one registration machine 11 and two checkout machines 12 are arranged for each of two checkout lanes. Three or more checkout machines 12 may be arranged for one registration machine 11 .

The server 13 has an electronic money file 15 . The electronic money file 15 is a collection of electronic money records 150 (see FIG. 2) created for each electronic money user. The electronic money file 15 may be stored in a storage device built into the server 13 or may be stored in a storage device connected to the outside of the server 13 .

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the electronic money record 150. As shown in FIG. The electronic money record 150 includes items such as user ID, balance, expiration date, and update history data. A user ID is a unique ID set for each electronic money user. A user owns an electronic money card in which information associated with his or her user ID is recorded. Alternatively, the user has installed an electronic money application (application software) capable of displaying a barcode or two-dimensional code associated with his or her user ID in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone.

The balance is the amount of electronic money held by the user. The user can increase the balance up to the upper limit amount by charging electronic money as appropriate.

The expiration date is the last day of the period during which electronic money can be used. Most electronic money has an expiration date, for example, 5 years or 10 years from the date of last use. The term of validity is renewed starting from the date of use each time the electronic money is used for payment. If the electronic money does not have an expiration date, the expiration date data is omitted.

The update history data consists of usage history data of payment for sales transactions using electronic money and charge history data of charging electronic money. The usage history data includes the payment date and the payment amount. The charge history data includes the date when electronic money was charged and the charge amount.

[Explanation of configuration of registration machine]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration device 11. As shown in FIG. The registration machine 11 includes a processor 31, a main memory 32, an auxiliary storage device 33, a clock 34, a communication unit 35, a keyboard 36, a scanner 37, a touch panel 38, a customer display 39, a printer 40, a reader 41, a system transmission path 42, and the like. Prepare. The system transmission line 42 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The system transmission line 42 connects the processor 31 and other units directly or via a signal input/output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

The registration device 11 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 31 , the main memory 32 , the auxiliary storage device 33 , the clock 34 and the communication unit 35 via the system transmission line 42 . The registration machine 11 connects devices such as a keyboard 36 , a scanner 37 , a touch panel 38 , a customer display 39 , a printer 40 and a reader 41 to the computer via a system transmission line 42 .

The processor 31 corresponds to the core part of the computer. The processor 31 controls each part to realize various functions of the registration machine 11 according to an operating system or application program. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 32 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 32 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 32 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 32 may store data necessary for the processor 31 to execute processing for controlling each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 32 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 31 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 33 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 33 . The auxiliary storage device 33 stores data used when the processor 31 performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 31, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 33 may store the above application programs.

Clock 34 keeps date and time. The processor 31 processes the date and time kept by the clock 34 as the current date and time.

The communication unit 35 performs data communication with the server 13 and the accounting machine 12 connected via the network 14 . The communication unit 35 can also perform data communication with other registration devices 11 connected via the network 14 .

The keyboard 36 is an input device having various keys necessary for inputting data related to products purchased by customers.

The scanner 37 is an input device for reading code symbols such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes. The scanner 37 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

The touch panel 38 is a device having both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 38 displays information to the store clerk 21 who is the operator of the registration machine 11 and accepts operation input by the store clerk 21 .

The display for customer 39 displays information to the customer 22 whose data on the purchased product is registered in the registration machine 11 .

The printer 40 issues receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper. A thermal printer, a dot impact printer, or the like, for example, can be used as this type of printer 40 .

A reader 41 is an input device for reading a user ID of a user who uses electronic money. For example, when information associated with a user ID is recorded in an IC card, an IC card reader can be the reader 41 . For example, when information associated with a user ID is recorded on an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) medium, the reader 41 can be an RFID reader or an RFID reader/writer. When a bar code or two-dimensional code associated with a user ID is displayed on the display of a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a scanner can be the reader 41 . In this case, the scanner 37 may also function as the reader 41 .

For example, an existing POS terminal can be used as hardware for such a registration machine 11 . Devices connected to the registration machine 11 are not limited to the keyboard 36, scanner 37, touch panel 38, customer display 39, printer 40 and reader 41 shown in FIG. Devices required for the use of the registration machine 11 may be added, or some devices may be omitted.

In the registration machine 11 having such a configuration, the processor 31 includes a declaration accepting means 311, a reading means 312, an output means 313, an inquiry means 314, a standby means 311, a reading means 312, an output means 313, and a waiting means 314 so that a user of electronic money can charge electronic money efficiently at a store. It has functions as means 315 and notification means 316 .

The declaration receiving means 311 has a function of receiving a declaration of charging electronic money. The reading means 312 has a function of reading the identification information of the electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration. The electronic money medium is, for example, an IC card, an RFID medium, or an information terminal such as a smart phone. The identification information is a user ID. The output means 313 has a function of outputting the identification information of the electronic money medium to the accounting machine 12 .

The inquiry means 314 has a function of inquiring the balance of the electronic money medium identified by the identification information read by the reading means 312 to the server 13 having the electronic money file 15 . The standby means 315 has a function of displaying the balance obtained by the inquiry by the inquiry means 314 on the display device, and then waiting for the selection input as to whether or not to charge. The display device may be both the touch panel 38 and the customer display 39, or either one of them.

The notification means 316 has a function of notifying the accounting machine 12 that has output the identification information of the electronic money medium from the output means 313 . Each accounting machine 12 is assigned a accounting machine number as unique identification information. The notification means 316 displays, on a display device, the cashier number of the cashier 12 that has output the identification information of the electronic money medium, and notifies the salesclerk 21 or the customer 22 of the cashier 12 to which the identification information is output.

The functions of the declaration receiving means 311, the reading means 312, the output means 313, the inquiry means 314, the waiting means 315 and the notification means 316 are all realized by the first information processing executed by the processor 31 according to the registered program. The first information processing will be described later. A registered program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 32 or the auxiliary storage device 33 . The method of installing the registration program in the main memory 32 or the auxiliary storage device 33 is not particularly limited. It is possible to record the registration program on a removable recording medium or distribute the registration program by communication via the network 14 and install it in the main memory 32 or the auxiliary storage device 33 . The recording medium may be of any form, such as CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device.

[Description of accounting machine configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the essential circuitry of the accounting machine 12. As shown in FIG. The accounting machine 12 includes a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a clock 64, a communication unit 65, a change dispenser interface 66, a scanner 67, a touch panel 68, a printer 69, a reader/writer 70, a system transmission line 71, and the like. . The system transmission line 71 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The system transmission line 71 connects the processor 61 and other units directly or via a signal input/output circuit, and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

The accounting machine 12 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 61 , a main memory 62 , an auxiliary storage device 63 , a clock 64 and a communication unit 65 via a system transmission line 71 . The accounting machine 12 connects device interfaces or devices such as a change dispenser interface 66 , a scanner 67 , a touch panel 68 , a printer 69 and a reader/writer 70 to the computer via a system transmission line 71 .

The processor 61 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part to realize various functions of the accounting machine 12 according to an operating system or application program. Processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 62 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. Main memory 62 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data necessary for the processor 61 to control each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 61 . The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 63 . The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used when the processor 61 performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 61, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 63 may store the above application programs.

A clock 64 keeps the date and time. The processor 61 processes the date and time kept by the clock 64 as the current date and time.

The communication unit 65 performs data communication with the server 13 or registration device 11 connected via the network 14 . The communication unit 65 can also perform data communication with other accounting machines 12 connected via the network 14 . The communication unit 65 functions as an input section for inputting transaction files output by the transaction output means of the registration machine 11, that is, data relating to sales transactions with the settlement party.

The change machine interface 66 constitutes an interface with an automatic change machine (not shown). The change machine interface 66 inputs the amount data of the money thrown into the automatic change machine from the automatic change machine. The change machine interface 66 outputs change data from the accounting machine 12 to the automatic change machine. An automatic change machine to which change data is input automatically dispenses money corresponding to the change data as change.

The scanner 67 is an input device for reading code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The scanner 67 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

The touch panel 68 is a device having both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 68 displays information to the customer 22 who is the operator of the checkout machine 12 and accepts operation input by the customer 22 . The touch panel 68 functions as a display unit that displays screens related to settlement of sales transactions. Screens related to settlement of sales transactions will be described later.

The printer 69 issues receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper. As this type of printer 69, for example, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, or the like can be used.

The reader/writer 70 has a function of reading data recorded on a medium such as a card and a smart phone, and a function of writing data to the medium. Cards may include membership cards called membership cards, point cards, etc., in addition to settlement cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The reader/writer 70 may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, and may include multiple types of devices.

As hardware for such a checkout machine 12, it is possible to use, for example, a POS terminal in an existing full-self checkout system, a so-called self-service POS terminal. Devices connected to the checkout machine 12 are not limited to the scanner 67, touch panel 68, printer 69, and reader/writer 70 shown in FIG. Devices required for the use of the accounting machine 12 may be added or some devices may be omitted.

In the checkout machine 12 having such a configuration, the processor 61 functions as a designation means 611, a detection means 612, a control means 613, and an issuance means 614 so that the electronic money user can charge the electronic money efficiently at the store. have

The specifying means 611 has a function of inputting the identification information output from the registration device 11 and specifying the charging amount. As described above, in the checkout system 10 of this embodiment, the charge amount is designated by the checkout machine 12 . The registration machine 11 does not specify the charging amount.

The detection means 612 has a function of detecting receipt of cash equivalent to the charge amount. Cash deposits are made to an automatic change dispenser connected to the change dispenser interface 66 .

The control means 613 has a function of controlling so that the charge amount is added to the electronic money balance managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information when cash equivalent to the charge amount is deposited. be. Specifically, the control means 613 changes the balance of the electronic money record 150 containing the electronic money ID, which is the identification information output from the registration device 11, out of the electronic money records 150 stored in the electronic money file, to the charge amount. The server 13 is instructed to update to the added amount. Issuing means 614 has a function of using the printer 69 to issue a charge receipt indicating that the charge amount has been added to the electronic money balance.

The functions of the specifying means 611, the detecting means 612, the controlling means 613 and the issuing means 614 are all realized by the second information processing executed by the processor 61 according to the accounting program. The second information processing will be described later. The accounting program is a type of application program stored in main memory 62 or auxiliary storage device 63 . The method of installing the accounting program in main memory 62 or auxiliary storage device 63 is not particularly limited. The accounting program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed via communication via the network 14 and installed in the main memory 62 or the auxiliary storage device 63 . The recording medium may be of any form, such as CD-ROM, memory card, etc., as long as it can store the program and can be read by the device.

[Description of first and second information processing]
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the first information processing executed by the processor 31 of the registration device 11 according to the registration program. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the second information processing procedure executed by the processor 61 of the accounting machine 12 according to the accounting program. 8 to 11 are examples of various screens displayed on the touch panel 38, which is the display device of the registration machine 11. FIG. 12 to 16 are examples of various screens displayed on the touch panel 68, which is the display device of the accounting machine 12. FIG. FIG. 17 is an example of a charge receipt issued by the function of issuing means 614 . Details of the first information processing and the second information processing will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the procedure of the processing described below is an example. The contents of the procedure or processing can be changed as appropriate as long as similar effects can be achieved.

First, in the checkout system 10 of the present embodiment, not only customers 22 who pay for purchased products but also customers 22 who only charge electronic money line up at the checkout lane. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a customer who pays for purchased products is referred to as a customer 221, and a customer 22 who only charges electronic money is referred to as a customer 222. FIG.

When the customer 221 or the customer 222 comes to the checkout lane, the store clerk 21 who plays the role of a checker performs an operation to declare the start of registration to the registration machine 11 . In response to this declaration operation, the processor 31 starts the first information processing whose procedure is shown in the flow charts of FIGS.

The processor 31 resets the in-registration flag F to "0" as ACT1 in FIG. The in-registration flag F is 1-bit data for identifying whether or not the registration of the product purchased by the customer 221 has started. In this embodiment, the in-registration flag F is set to "0" before registration is started, and the in-registration flag F is set to "1" after registration is started. The registering flag F is stored, for example, in a register inside the processor 31 . The in-registration flag F may be stored in a volatile area in the main memory 32 .

After completing the processing of ACT1, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display the registration screen SCa (see FIG. 8) as ACT2.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the registration screen SCa. As illustrated, the registration screen SCa has a detail area ARa and a total area ARb. The registration screen SCa also has a subtotal key BTa and a charge key BTb.

The detail area ARa is an area for displaying the product name, quantity, unit price, and price of the purchased product in a list format in numerical order. Items displayed in the detail area are not limited to product name, quantity, unit price, and price. Other items may be added, or any item may be omitted, such as the amount.

The total area ARb is an area for displaying the total number (points) and the total amount (yen) displayed in the detail area ARa. The items displayed in the total area are not limited to the total number of items and the total amount of money. Other items may be added, or any item may be omitted, such as the total count.

The subtotal key BTa is an operator input by the store clerk 21 to instruct subtotal output of the registered purchased products. The charge key BTb is an operator input by the store clerk 21 when receiving a charge request for electronic money from the customer 22 . Incidentally, the customer 22 who requests to charge the electronic money is not necessarily the customer 222 who only charges the electronic money. The customer 221 who pays for the purchased product can also make a charge request for electronic money in the middle of the payment. Both the subtotal key BTa and the charge key BTb are soft keys arranged on the registration screen SCa. Both or one of the subtotal key BTa and charge key BTb may be hard keys arranged on the keyboard 36 .

After controlling the display of the registration screen, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT3. The processor 31 determines whether or not the product is registered as ACT3. Many products are provided with barcodes representing product codes, which are identification information of the products. Then, the store clerk 21 operates the scanner 37 to read the bar code attached to the product purchased by the customer 221 . The product code of the purchased product is input to the registration machine 11 by reading the bar code with the scanner 37 . On the other hand, some products, such as perishables, may not have barcodes. If the purchased product does not have a barcode attached, the store clerk 21 touches the product key corresponding to the purchased product from among the product key group displayed on the touch panel 38 . When the product key is touched, the product code of the purchased product corresponding to the product key is input to the registration machine 11. - 特許庁When the product code of the purchased product is input to the registration machine 11, the processor 31 determines that the product has been registered.

If it cannot be determined in ACT3 that the product has been registered, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT4. The processor 31 confirms whether or not the charge key BTb has been input as ACT4. If the charge key BTb has not been input, the processor 31 returns to ACT3. Thus, the processor 31 waits for product registration or input of the charge key BTb in ACT3 and ACT4.

When the charge key BTb is input in the standby state of ACT3 and ACT4, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT5. Processor 31 executes charge acceptance processing. The charge acceptance process will be described later. After completing the charge acceptance process, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT6. The processor 31 checks the registering flag F as ACT6. When the in-registration flag is "0", that is, when the charge key BTb is input before the product registration is started and the charge acceptance process is executed, the processor 31 ends the first information processing.

On the other hand, if the in-registration flag is "1", that is, if the charge key BTb is input after product registration is started and the charge acceptance process is executed, the processor 31 returns to ACT3. That is, the processor 31 is again in a standby state for ACT3 and ACT4.

If it is determined in ACT3 that the product has been registered, that is, if the product has been registered, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT7. The processor 31 checks the registering flag F as ACT7. If the in-registration flag F is reset to "0", the processor 31 proceeds to ACT8. The processor 31 sets the in-registration flag F to "1" as ACT8. On the other hand, if the in-registration flag F has already been set to "1", the processor 31 skips the processing of ACT7. Therefore, the in-registration flag F remains at "1".

After completing or skipping ACT 8, processor 31 proceeds to ACT 9. The processor 31 executes merchandise sales data processing as ACT9. Specifically, the processor 31 searches the product file and acquires product data such as the product name and unit price of the product identified by the product code input via the scanner 37 or the touch panel 38 . Then, the processor 31 registers product sales data including items such as product code, product name, unit price, number of sales, and sales amount in the transaction memory. Transactional memory is part of the volatile memory area in main memory 32 . The processor 31 updates data in the detail area ARa and total area ARb of the registration screen SCa based on the data in the transaction memory.

Processor 31, which has finished processing the merchandise sales data, confirms in ACT 10 whether subtotal output has been instructed. Subtotal output is designated by inputting the subtotal key BTa. If subtotal output is not indicated, processor 31 returns to ACT3. The processor 31 again enters a standby state for ACT3 and ACT4. When a product is registered in this waiting state, the processor 31 executes product sales data processing.

When the store clerk 21 finishes registering all the products purchased by the customer 221, he inputs the subtotal key BTa. When subtotal output is instructed by inputting the subtotal key BTa, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT11. The processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display a small plan screen as ACT11.

The sub-plan screen is a screen on which a total area is arranged and soft keys such as a sub-total discount key, a sub-total discount key, a return key and a payment key are arranged. The total area is the same as the total area ARb of the registration screen SCa. A subtotal discount key and a subtotal discount key are operators input by the store clerk 21 to instruct a discount or discount on the total amount. The return key is an operator input by the store clerk 21 to instruct returning to the previous registration screen SCa. The payment key is an operator input by the store clerk 21 to instruct payment. At least one of the subtotal discount key, subtotal discount key, return key, and payment key may be a hard key assigned to the keyboard 36 .

After confirming the sub-plan screen, the store clerk 21 registers all the products purchased by the customer 221, and enters a payment key if there is no need for sub-total discounts or sub-total discounts. When performing a subtotal discount or a subtotal discount, the store clerk 21 inputs a subtotal discount key or a subtotal discount key. If unregistered purchased products remain, the store clerk 21 inputs a return key.

The processor 31 that has controlled the display of the subplan screen confirms whether or not the return key has been input as ACT12. If the return key has not been entered, processor 31 proceeds to ACT13. Processor 31 checks whether a payment key has been entered as ACT13. If the payment key has not been entered, processor 31 returns to ACT12. Thus, processor 31 waits in ACT 12 and ACT 13 for either the return key to be entered or the pay key to be entered. When a subtotal discount key or a subtotal discount key is input in this waiting state, the processor 31 performs subtotal discount processing or subtotal discount processing (not shown). After that, the processor 31 returns to the waiting state of ACT12 and ACT13.

In the standby state of ACT12 and ACT13, if the clerk 21 presses the return key, the processor 31 returns to ACT2. That is, the processor 31 returns the screen of the touch panel 38 to the registration screen SCa. The processor 31 then executes the processing after ACT3 in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state of ACT12 and ACT13, if the clerk 21 inputs the payment key, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT14. Processor 31 creates a transaction file as ACT 14 . That is, the processor 31 creates a data file describing the merchandise sales data of each purchased merchandise registered in the transaction memory, the data of the total points and the total amount, and the transaction identification data such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, registration machine ID, and the like. create.

Processor 31 controls communication unit 35 to transmit the transaction file to accounting machine 12 as ACT 15 . This control causes the transaction file to be sent to the accounting machine 12 via the network 14 . The transaction file may be sent to accounting machine 12 via server 13 or may be sent to accounting machine 12 without server 13 .

The transaction file is sent to the accounting machine 12 according to, for example, the following rules.
<Rule 1>
Priorities are set in advance for a plurality of accounting machines 12, and the registration machine 11 transmits the transaction file to the accounting machine 12 with the highest priority. At this time, the accounting machine 12 capable of settlement processing receives the transaction file. For example, an accounting machine 12 that is in a busy state and unable to process settlement transfers a transaction file to an accounting machine 12 with a lower priority.
<Rule 2>
Each checkout machine 12 notifies the registration machine 11 of whether the payment processing is possible or not. The registration machine 11 selects an accounting machine 12 capable of settlement processing by a predetermined algorithm and transmits the transaction file to the accounting machine 12 .
<Rule 3>
Each checkout machine 12 notifies the registration machine 11 of whether the payment processing is possible or not. The registration machine 11 displays on the touch panel 38 a list of checkout machines 12 that can process payments. When one of the checkout machines 12 is specified from the list by an operation input by the store clerk 21, the transaction file is transmitted to the specified checkout machine 12.例文帳に追加
Note that the rules for determining the destination of the transaction file are not limited to the rules 1, 2, and 3 described above. Other rules may be used to determine where to send the transaction file.

Processor 31 , having completed sending the transaction file, proceeds to ACT 16 . The processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display a destination notification screen as ACT16. The destination notification screen is a screen displaying information indicating the accounting machine 12 to which the transaction file is to be sent, for example, the accounting machine number. With this, the processor 31 ends the first information processing.

In this way, when the clerk 21 who has completed the registration of the purchased product inputs the payment key, the transaction file describing the product sales data of the registered purchased product is sent to the accounting machine 12 . The touch panel 38 also displays information indicating the accounting machine 12 to which the transaction file is to be sent. Then, the store clerk 21 instructs the customer 221 to pay the price with the accounting machine 12 . The customer 221 moves to the installation place of the checkout machine 12 instructed by the store clerk 21 and operates the checkout machine 12 to pay for the purchased product.

Next, charge acceptance processing will be specifically described.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the procedure of charge acceptance processing executed by the processor 31. As shown in FIG. Upon receiving a charge request for electronic money from the customer 221 or 222 and inputting the charge key BTb, the store clerk causes the reader 41 to read the information on the electronic money medium presented by the customer 221 or 222 . When the charge key BTb is input, the processor 31 enters the charge acceptance process and acquires the user ID from the information on the electronic money medium read by the reader 41 as ACT21.

Upon obtaining the user ID, processor 31 controls communication unit 35 to send a balance inquiry command to server 13 as ACT 22 . A balance inquiry command is transmitted via the communication unit 35 by this control. The balance inquiry command is sent to server 13 via network 14 . The balance inquiry command includes the user ID acquired in ACT21.

Upon receiving the balance inquiry command, the server 13 searches the electronic money file 15 and acquires an electronic money record 150 in which the user ID included in the balance inquiry command is recorded. The server 13 transmits, via the network 14, a balance response command including the acquired electronic money record 150 to the registration machine 11, which is the source of the balance inquiry command.

The processor 31 that has controlled transmission of the balance inquiry command waits for a balance response command as ACT23. When the balance response command is received via the communication unit 35, the processor 31, as ACT 24, confirms whether charging is possible based on the data of the electronic money record 150 included in the balance response command. For example, if the expiration date recorded in the electronic money record 150 is earlier than the current date clocked by the clock 34, the processor 31 determines that charging is not possible. If the expiration date is later than the current date, processor 31 determines that charging is possible.

If charging is not possible in ACT24, processor 31 proceeds to ACT25. The processor 31 notifies as ACT25 that charging is not possible. For example, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 and the customer display 39 to display a message such as "cannot be charged because the electronic money has expired". From this notification, the customer 221 or 222 who requested electronic money to be charged can know that the electronic money cannot be charged because the expiration date of the electronic money has expired.

If it is chargeable in ACT24, processor 31 proceeds to ACT26. The processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display the balance inquiry screen SCb (see FIG. 9) as ACT26.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the balance inquiry screen SCb. As shown, the balance inquiry screen SCb displays the balance and expiration date of electronic money recorded in the electronic money record 150 . The balance inquiry screen SCb also has a close key BTc. In this way, the store clerk 21 who has entered the charge key BTb can confirm the balance and expiration date of the electronic money of the customer 221 or 222 who wishes to charge from the information displayed on the balance inquiry screen SCb. After confirming the balance and expiration date, the store clerk 21 inputs the close key BTc. At this time, the customer display 39 may also display the balance and expiration date of the electronic money. By doing so, the customer 221 or 222 can visually confirm the balance and expiration date of the electronic money. However, the information displayed on the customer display 39 may be viewed by other customers. Therefore, from the viewpoint of personal information protection, the balance and expiration date of electronic money may not be displayed on the customer display 39 .

After controlling the display of the balance inquiry screen SCb, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT27. The processor 31 waits for input of the close key BTc as ACT27. If the close key BTc is entered, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT28. As ACT 28, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display the accounting machine transmission screen SCc (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the accounting machine transmission screen SCc. As illustrated, the checkout transmission screen SCc has a transmission key BTd and a cancel key BTe. The accounting machine transmission screen SCc also has a total display area ARc. Then, the processor 31 displays 0 yen in the total display area ARc.

After confirming the accounting machine transmission screen SCc, the clerk confirms whether the customer 221 or 222 is really to be charged. When charging, the store clerk inputs a transmission key BTd. When canceling charging, the clerk inputs a cancellation key BTe. In addition, in the accounting machine transmission screen SCc, the shape of the transmission key BTd is made larger than that of the cancel key BTe so that the store clerk 21 can easily operate it.

The processor 31 that has controlled the display of the accounting machine transmission screen SCc proceeds to ACT29. The processor 31 waits for the input of the transmission key BTd as ACT 29 or the input of the cancel key BTe. If the cancel key BTe has been entered, processor 31 proceeds to ACT30. The processor 31 notifies charge cancellation as ACT30. For example, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 and/or the customer display 39 to display a message such as "Electronic money has been canceled" to notify the user.

In ACT29, if the send key BTd is entered, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT31. Processor 31 controls communication unit 35 to send a charge command to accounting machine 12 as ACT 31 . This control causes a charge command to be sent to the accounting machine 12 via the network 14 . The charge command includes identification information linked to the information on the electronic money medium read by the reader 41, that is, the user ID obtained in the process of ACT21. The charge command may be sent to the accounting machine 12 via the server 13 or may be sent to the accounting machine 12 without going through the server 13 . Also in this case, the charge command is sent to the accounting machine 12 according to the rules described above.

The processor 31 that has sent the charge command proceeds to ACT32. As ACT 32, the processor 31 causes the touch panel 38 to display a destination notification screen SCd (see FIG. 11).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the destination notification screen SCd. As shown, the destination notification screen SCd displays information indicating the accounting machine 12 to which the charge command is sent, for example, the accounting machine number.

After completing the processing of ACT25, ACT30, or ACT33, the processor 31 exits the charge acceptance processing. After exiting the charge acceptance process, the processor 31 proceeds to ACT 6 in FIG. 6 as described above. That is, when the registration flag F is set to "0", the first information processing is terminated. Therefore, the first information processing for the customer 222 who only charges electronic money ends after the charge acceptance process.

On the other hand, when the in-registration flag F is set to "1", the standby state of ACT3 and ACT4 is entered. Therefore, for the customer 221 who requested charging of electronic money during registration of the purchased product, the registration of the remaining purchased products can be continued after the charge acceptance process. In this case, if the subtotal key BTa is entered without registering the purchased product, the process proceeds to ACT11. By doing so, if there are no remaining purchase items, it is possible to shift to the output of the small plan screen.

Here, the processor 31 realizes the function as the declaration receiving means 311 by executing the process of ACT4 in FIG. The processor 31 realizes the function as the reading means 312 by cooperating with the reader 41 and executing the process of ACT21 of FIG. The processor 31 realizes the function as the output means 313 by executing the processing of ACT 31 in FIG. 6 in cooperation with the communication unit 35 . The processor 31 realizes the function as the inquiry means 314 by cooperating with the communication unit 35 and executing the processing of ACT 22 in FIG. The processor 31 realizes the function as the standby means 315 by executing the processes of ACT26 to ACT29 in FIG. 6 in cooperation with the touch panel 38 . The processor 31 realizes the function as the notification means 316 by executing the processing of ACT 32 in FIG. 6 in cooperation with the touch panel 38 .

As described above, when the store clerk 21 inputs the transmission key BTd of the checkout machine transmission screen SCc, the charge command is sent to the checkout machine 12 and the destination notification screen SCd is displayed on the touch panel 38 . Therefore, the store clerk 21 instructs the customer 221 or 222 to charge electronic money at the checkout machine 12 indicated by the destination notification screen SCd. The customer 221 or 222 moves to the location of the checkout machine 12 instructed by the store clerk 21, operates the checkout machine 12, designates the charging amount of the electronic money, and charges the electronic money.

For example, when the processor 61 of the accounting machine 12 completes the settlement process for the previous customer or completes the charging process of electronic money and becomes ready for a new settlement process, the procedure is shown in the flow chart of FIG. start processing the information.

Processor 61 checks as ACT 41 whether a transaction file has been received. If no transaction file has been received, processor 61 proceeds to ACT 42 . Processor 61 confirms whether or not a charge command has been received as ACT 42 . If no charge command has been received, processor 61 returns to ACT41. Thus processor 61 waits in ACT 41 and ACT 42 to receive a transaction file or to receive a charge command. It should be noted that when receiving data other than the transaction file or the charge command in this waiting state, the processor 61 executes information processing according to the data.

Upon receipt of a transaction file via communication unit 65 in the await states of ACT 41 and ACT 42, processor 61 proceeds to ACT 43. The processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display the first payment method selection screen SCe (see FIG. 12) as ACT43. That is, the first payment method selection screen SCe is the top screen displayed on the checkout machine 12 to which the customer 221 who pays for the purchased product has moved.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the first payment method selection screen SCe. In this embodiment, the first payment method selection screen SCe is a screen on which a cash button BTg, a credit button BTh, an electronic money button BTi, a charge button BTj, and a clerk call button BTk are arranged. The first payment method selection screen SCe also includes a display area ARd for total points and total amount. The cash button BTg is an operator input by the customer 221 to instruct to pay for the purchased product in cash. The credit button BTh is an operator input by the customer 221 to instruct payment of the purchased product by credit card. The electronic money button BTi is an operator input by the customer 221 to instruct payment of the purchased product with electronic money. The charge button BTj is an operator input by the customer 221 to instruct charging of electronic money. The clerk call button BTk is an operator input by the customer 221 to call a clerk. However, the charge button BTj is disabled by erasing or graying out, and is inoperable.

The cash button BTg, credit button BTh, and electronic money button BTi function as selection means for selecting each payment method. The payment method is not limited to the three types of cash payment, credit card payment, and electronic money payment. Any two types may be used, or another payment method may be selectable.

After confirming the first payment method selection screen SCe, the customer 221 inputs a button corresponding to the desired payment method. That is, the customer 221 desiring cash payment inputs the cash button BTg. A customer 221 who wishes to pay by credit card inputs a credit button BTh. A customer 221 who wishes to pay electronic money inputs an electronic money button BTi.

The processor 61 having the screen of the touch panel 68 as the first payment method selection screen SCe waits for selection of one payment method from among a plurality of payment methods as ACT44. When the cash button BTg, credit button BTh, or electronic money button BTi is pressed to select one of the payment methods, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT45. The processor 61 executes settlement processing by the payment method selected as ACT45.

For example, when the cash button BTg is pressed, that is, when cash payment is selected, the processor 61 executes cash settlement processing. The cash settlement process is a process of subtracting the total amount from the payment amount, which is the total amount of cash put into the automatic change machine. For example, when the credit button BTh is pressed, that is, when credit card payment is selected, the processor 61 executes credit card payment processing. The credit card settlement process is a process of authenticating the credit card read by the reader/writer 70 and deducting the total amount from the amount paid by the credit card on condition that the credit card is approved. For example, when the electronic money button BTi is pressed, that is, when electronic money payment is selected, the processor 61 executes electronic money settlement processing. The electronic money settlement process is a process of subtracting the total amount from the payment amount, which is the balance of the electronic money medium read by the reader/writer 70 .

After finishing the settlement process in ACT45, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT46. In ACT 46, the processor 61 confirms whether or not there is a balance remaining in the total amount due to the insufficient payment amount. If so, processor 61 returns to ACT43. That is, the processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display the first payment method selection screen SCe again and waits for the payment method to be selected. At this time, the total amount in the display area ARd becomes the remaining amount.

If there is no balance in the total amount in ACT 46 , processor 61 proceeds to ACT 47 . Processor 61 controls the printing and issuing of transaction receipts by printer 69 as ACT 47 . On the transaction receipt, the transaction number, transaction date and time, registration machine ID, merchandise sales data, total points, total amount, etc. described in the transaction file are printed. Once the transaction receipt has been issued, processor 61 advances to ACT 48 . The processor 61 uses the screen of the touch panel 68 as the transaction end screen as ACT 48 . The transaction end screen is not particularly limited, but is preferably a screen that displays necessary guidance at the end of the transaction, such as "Be careful not to forget to take the receipt." With this, the processor 61 ends the second information processing for the customer 221 who pays for the purchased product.

Thus, when the customer 221 who pays for the purchased product moves to the accounting machine 12, the first payment method selection screen SCe is displayed on the touch panel 68 as the top screen. Therefore, the customer 22 can smoothly select a desired payment method. The customer 221 can settle the sales transaction by himself by paying the price of the purchased product according to the payment method.

In the standby state of ACT41 and ACT42, if a charge command is received via the communication unit 65, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT49. The processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display the second payment method selection screen SCf (see FIG. 13) as ACT49. That is, the second payment method selection screen SCf is the top screen displayed on the checkout machine 12 to which the customer 221 or 222 who charges the electronic money moves.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the second payment method selection screen SCf. In the present embodiment, the second payment method selection screen SCf includes a cash button BTg, a credit button BTh, an electronic money button BTi, a charge button BTj, and a clerk call button BTk, similarly to the first payment method selection screen SCe. to place. The second payment method selection screen SCf also includes display areas ARd for total points and total amount. However, the cash button BTg, the credit button BTh, and the electronic money button BTi for selecting the payment method are invalidated by erasing or graying out, and cannot be selected by the customer 221 or 222 . Also, the total score displayed in the display area ARd is 0 points, and the total amount is 0 yen.

After controlling the display of the second payment method selection screen SCf, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT50. The processor 61 waits for input of the charge button BTj as ACT50. When confirming that the charge button BTj has been input by a signal from the touch panel 68, the processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display a charge amount designation screen SCg (see FIG. 14) as ACT51.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the charging amount designation screen SCg. As shown, the charge amount specifying screen SCg has a charge amount specifying button BTm, an enter button BTn, and a call-clerk button BTk. The charge amount designation button BTm is used to select "1,000 yen", "2,000 yen", "3,000 yen", "4,000 yen", "5,000 yen", or "10,000 yen". This is an operator for the customer 221 or 222 to specify the charge amount. Note that the charge amount is not limited to the amount described above. Also, for example, an arbitrary charge amount may be specified by operating a numeric keypad.

The confirmation button BTn is an operator for the customer 221 or 222 to instruct the confirmation of the charge amount designated by the charge amount designation button BTm. The customer 221 or 222 who confirms the charge amount designation screen SCg inputs a desired charge amount button from among the charge amount designation buttons BTm, and then inputs the confirmation button BTn.

The processor 61 that controls the display of the charge amount designation screen SCg proceeds to ACT52. The processor 61 waits for the charge amount to be designated as ACT52. As described above, when the confirm button BTn is input after the charge amount designation button BTm, the processor 61 detects the amount assigned to the charge amount designation button BTm as the amount designated as the charge amount. Processor 61 proceeds to ACT53. The processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display a charge amount acceptance screen SCh (see FIG. 15) as ACT53.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the charge amount acceptance screen SCh. As shown, the charge amount acceptance screen SCh is a screen for instructing the insertion of cash equivalent to the charge amount into the automatic change dispenser, and includes a display area ARe for the total amount, the amount inserted, and the remaining amount, a cancel button BTo, and a clerk call. Button BTk is arranged. In the display area ARe, the charge amount specified by the customer 221 or 222 is displayed as the total amount. The inserted amount is the amount of cash inserted into the automatic change dispenser, and the remaining amount is the charged amount minus the inserted amount. The stop button BTo is an operator for the customer 221 or 222 to instruct to stop charging the electronic money.

The customer 221 or 222 confirming the charge amount acceptance screen SCh inserts cash corresponding to the charge amount into the automatic change dispenser. A customer 221 or 222 who wants to stop charging electronic money presses a stop button BTo.

After controlling the display of the charge amount acceptance screen SCh, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT54. In ACT 54, the processor 61 waits for the cash equivalent to the charge amount to be thrown into the automatic change machine. When it is detected by the data signal input to the change dispenser interface 66 that the amount of cash corresponding to the charged amount has been inserted into the automatic change dispenser, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT55. The processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display an input completion screen SCi (see FIG. 16) as ACT55.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the input completion screen SCi. As illustrated, the insertion completion screen SCi has a display area ARe equivalent to the charge amount acceptance screen SCh, a checkout button BTp, and a cancel button BTq. At this time, since cash corresponding to the charge amount has been put into the automatic change dispenser, the amount put in the display area ARe is equal to the charge amount displayed as the total amount, and the balance is 0 yen. The settlement button BTp is an operator for the customer 221 or the customer 222 to instruct the charging execution of the specified charging amount, and the cancel button BTq is an operator for the customer 221 or the customer 222 to instruct the cancellation of charging. be.

The processor 61 that has controlled the display of the input completion screen SCi proceeds to ACT56. The processor 61 executes charge processing as ACT56. That is, the processor 61 transmits charge data including the user ID included in the charge command and the charge amount designated from the charge amount designation screen SCg to the server 13 . The server 13 that has received the charge data executes a process of adding the charge amount included in the charge data to the balance of the electronic money record including the user ID included in the charge data. When this process is completed, charging end data including the balance after charging is transmitted from the server 13 to the accounting machine 12, so the processor 61 proceeds to ACT 58 upon receiving the charging end data. The processor 61 outputs the print data of the charge receipt RE (see FIG. 17) to the printer 69 as ACT58. The printer 69 prints and issues the charge receipt RE.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of issuance of the charge receipt RE. As illustrated, the charge receipt RE is printed with the date when the charge was executed, the balance before charge, the charge amount, and the balance after charge. Also printed on the charge receipt RE are the registration machine number, which is the identification information of the registration machine 11 that has output the charge command, and the accounting machine number, which is the identification information of the accounting machine 12 that has issued the charge receipt RE. Therefore, from the charge receipt RE, it is possible to obtain not only the amount of electronic money charge, but also information for specifying the registration machine 11 that requested the charge and the checkout machine 12 that specified the charge amount and executed the charge.

The processor 61 that has controlled the issuance of the charge receipt RE proceeds to ACT59. The processor 61 causes the touch panel 68 to display a charging end screen as ACT 59 . The charging end screen is not particularly limited, but is preferably a screen that displays necessary guidance at the end of charging, such as "Be careful not to forget to take the receipt." With this, the processor 61 ends the second information processing.

When the cancel button BTo of the charge amount acceptance screen SCh is input in ACT54, or when the cancel button BTq of the input completion screen SCi is input in ACT56, the processor 61 proceeds to ACT59 to touch the touch panel. The charging end screen is displayed on 68, and the second information processing ends. Guidance on the charging end screen at this time is assumed to be, for example, content such as "Charging has been stopped."

[Effect of checkout system]
As described in detail above, according to the semi-self checkout system 10 of the present embodiment, only when the information on the electronic money medium is read by the registration machine 11, the electronic money on the electronic money medium is read by the accounting machine 12. can be charged. Therefore, a customer who has not read the information on the electronic money medium with the registration machine 11 will not occupy the accounting machine 12 and charge the electronic money. The inconvenience of not being able to migrate cannot occur. In addition, since the customer 221 or the customer 222 operates the checkout machine 12 to specify the charge amount of the electronic money, it does not become a burden on the store clerk and does not affect the handling of customers by the registration machine 11. - 特許庁Thus, in the semi-self checkout system 10, it is possible to provide a mechanism for efficiently charging electronic money. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the need for a dedicated charging machine, thereby saving equipment costs.

In this embodiment, the first payment method selection screen SCe displayed as the top screen on the checkout machine 12 to which the customer 221 who accounts for the purchased product moves, and the checkout to which the customer 221 or 222 who charges the electronic money moves. The layout of the second payment method selection screen SCf displayed as the top screen on the machine 12 is common. Therefore, when the customer 22 operates the accounting machine 12 to pay for the purchased product or charges electronic money, the key buttons displayed on the top screen of the accounting machine 12 are arranged in common. Customers are not confused because they are there.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the server 13 connected to the network 14 is provided with the electronic money file 15 . The electronic money file 15 may be provided in a cloud server that can be used via the Internet, and the registration machine 11 or accounting machine 12 may access the cloud server and use the electronic money file 15 .

In the above embodiment, the specifying means 611 has been described as a function of inputting the identification information output from the registration device 11 and specifying the charge amount. The designation means 611 may have a function of inputting the identification information output from the registration machine 11 and designating the charge amount when the identification information matches the identification information input from the accounting machine 12 . That is, a customer who moves from the registration machine 11 to the checkout machine 12 to charge electronic money causes the reader/writer 70 to read the information on the electronic money medium. In this case, the identification information output from the registration machine 11 matches the identification information linked to the information of the electronic money medium input by the accounting machine 12, so the processor 61 of the accounting machine 12 displays the charge amount specification screen. SCg is displayed on the touch panel 68 . On the other hand, when a third party who is not the customer whose information on the electronic money medium is read by the registration machine 11 causes the reader/writer 70 of the accounting machine 12 to read the information on the electronic money medium, the identification information matches. Therefore, the charging amount specification screen SCg is not displayed. As a result, third parties cannot charge electronic money. In other words, only customers who move from the registration machine 11 to the checkout machine 12 can use the checkout machine 12 to charge electronic money.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of instructing the registration machine 11 whether to continue or stop charging the electronic money at the stage when the checkout transmission screen SCc displayed after the balance inquiry screen SCb is displayed has been exemplified. As another embodiment, an affirmative key and a negative key are arranged on the balance inquiry screen SCb. Then, if the affirmative key is entered, processor 31 proceeds to ACT 28 . If the negative key has been entered, processor 31 advances to ACT 30; With such a configuration, it is possible to instruct the registration machine 11 whether to continue or stop charging the electronic money at the stage of confirming the balance on the balance inquiry screen SCb. Of course, in this case as well, at the stage when the accounting machine transmission screen SCc is displayed, it is also possible to instruct the registration machine 11 again whether to continue or stop charging the electronic money.

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.

10 Checkout system 11 Registration machine 12 Accounting machine 13 Server 14 Network 15 Electronic money file 21 Clerk 22 Customer 31, 61 Processor 32, 62 Main memory , 33, 63 Auxiliary storage device 34, 64 Clock 35, 65 Communication unit 36 Keyboard 37, 67 Scanner 38, 68 Touch panel 39 Customer display 40, 69 Printer 41... reader, 42, 71... system transmission path, 66... change machine interface, 70... reader/writer, 311... declaration receiving means, 312... reading means, 313... output means, 314... inquiry means, 315... waiting means, 316... Notifying means 611... Designating means 612... Detecting means 613... Control means 614... Issuing means SCa... Registration screen SCb... Balance inquiry screen SCc... Accounting machine transmission screen SCd... Destination notification screen SCe... first payment method selection screen, SCf... second payment method selection screen, SCg... charge amount specification screen, SCh... charge amount acceptance screen, SCi... insertion completion screen, RE... charge receipt.

Claims (8)

In a checkout system in which the registration machine and accounting machine are separated,
The registration machine
a declaration receiving means for receiving a charge declaration of electronic money;
reading means for reading identification information of an electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration;
output means for outputting the identification information of the electronic money medium to the accounting machine;
and
The accounting machine
Designating means for inputting the identification information output from the registration machine and designating the charge amount;
detection means for detecting receipt of cash equivalent to the charge amount;
control means for controlling so that the charge amount is added to the balance of electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information in response to payment of cash equivalent to the charge amount; ,
A checkout system with The registration machine
inquiry means for inquiring the balance of the electronic money medium identified by the identification information read by the reading means;
standby means for waiting for input of selection as to whether or not to charge after displaying the balance;
further comprising
2. The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein said output means outputs identification information of said electronic money medium to said accounting machine in response to receiving a selection input indicating that said charging is to be performed. The accounting machine
Issuing means for issuing a receipt indicating that the charge amount has been added to the balance of the electronic money;
The checkout system of Claim 1, further comprising: Multiple registration machines are linked to one registration machine,
The registration device has a notification means for notifying the accounting machine that has output the identification information of the electronic money medium by the output means;
4. The checkout system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A registration machine that constitutes a separate accounting machine and checkout system,
a declaration receiving means for receiving a charge declaration of electronic money;
reading means for reading identification information of an electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration;
A charge amount is specified, and when cash corresponding to the charge amount is deposited, the charge amount is added to the balance of the electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information. output means for outputting the identification information of the electronic money medium to the accounting machine controlled by
A registration machine comprising: An accounting machine that constitutes a separate registration machine and checkout system,
Designating means for inputting the identification information of the electronic money read by the registration machine from the registration machine and designating the charge amount;
detection means for detecting receipt of cash equivalent to the charge amount;
control means for controlling so that the charge amount is added to the balance of electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information in response to the payment of cash equivalent to the charge amount;
accounting machine. The computer of the separate accounting machine and the registration machine that constitutes the checkout system,
a declaration reception means for receiving a declaration of charge of electronic money;
reading means for reading identification information of an electronic money medium in response to receiving the charge declaration;
A charge amount is specified, and when cash corresponding to the charge amount is deposited, the charge amount is added to the balance of the electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information. output means for outputting identification information of the electronic money medium to the accounting machine controlled by
A program to function as The computer of the accounting machine that constitutes the separated registration machine and checkout system,
Designating means for inputting the identification information of the electronic money read by the registration machine from the registration machine and designating the charge amount;
detection means for detecting receipt of cash equivalent to the charge amount; and
Control means for controlling so that the charge amount is added to the balance of electronic money managed by the electronic money medium identified by the identification information in response to payment of cash equivalent to the charge amount;
A program to function as