JP3236730B2 - POS system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to various point-of-sale (POS) systems. In recent years, coupons (designated merchandise discount coupons) have attracted attention as a sales promotion measure for manufacturers and retailers. Generally, coupons are imprinted on newspaper advertisements and leaflet advertisements and distributed to consumers. By providing a coupon when purchasing the designated product, the customer can receive a privilege of reducing the payment amount (a certain amount of discount or discount).

Coupon codes for identifying coupons have already been standardized in the distribution industry, and coupon codes such as barcodes and OCR character strings have been printed on coupons as well as the provision of product codes to products. It is getting.

[0003] Under such circumstances, the importance of a coupon handling function in a POS system has been increasing.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coupon management table for associating a coupon validity period (usually on a daily basis) with a coupon code is provided, and a coupon management table is searched using a coupon code as a key during a transaction, and a coupon presented by a customer is provided. There is known a POS system that determines whether or not a satisfies an application period condition. The coupon code is input by a bar code reader, a numeric keypad, or the like.

[0005] When the coupon satisfies the application period condition, that is, when the transaction date is included in the validity period, a reduction calculation according to the coupon is performed in calculating the transaction amount. If the application period condition is not satisfied, an indication that the coupon is invalid is displayed, and the same transaction amount as when no coupon is presented is calculated.

[0006]

By the way, in particular, in the case of a coupon having an indefinite period or a long validity period, a temporary exemption period is set, and the validity period (application period) may be substantially divided into a plurality of periods. is there. In other words, when the coupon is issued, the seller determines, for example, the days and hours of good customer traffic (Sunday and public holidays, every evening, etc.), or the period for implementing other sales promotion measures (such as the New Year's holiday discount sale period). May define a period during which a coupon cannot be used.
In this case, the coupon contains, for example, "Valid until the end of March,
Excluded on Sundays, "the exclusion period is specified together with the validity period.

However, in the conventional POS system, it is necessary for the clerk to determine whether or not the coupon can be applied (permitted or unapproved) for the coupon having the application exclusion period. The clerk inputs a coupon code using a numeric keypad or the like when the application is permitted, and returns the coupon to the customer when the application is not permitted. For this reason, there is a problem that the work load on the clerk is large, and errors in applying the coupon are likely to occur.

[0008] When registering the period of the coupon management table, if the last day (expiration date) of the registered validity period is the day before the application exclusion period, the applicability determination can be automated. For example, for an indefinite coupon whose application exclusion period is Sunday, the date of Saturday of that week may be registered as an expiration date every Monday. However, according to this, when the number of coupons increases, the work load on the table administrator increases, and when a registration error occurs,
Coupons are incorrectly applied at all sales floors.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and is intended to be applied to a case where a coupon having an exemption period is applied.
An object of the present invention is to reduce the workload of an operator and a system administrator and prevent application errors. Another object of the present invention is to enable the optional setting of a product to which a coupon is applied.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for solving the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIGS. Input means 21 for inputting an identification coupon code D1 assigned to the coupon, and an application exclusion period T which is a part of the validity period T1 of the coupon.
2 with the validity period T1 and the coupon code D
1 and the validity period T1 and the application exclusion period T corresponding to the input coupon code D1 when at least one of the coupon codes D1 is input by the input means 21.
2 based on the application period data D4 read by the file management unit 33 and the file management unit 33 that reads the application period data D4 indicating “2” from the coupon management file F2. Coupon discriminating means 32 for discriminating whether or not the coupon corresponding to the coupon code D1 can be applied, and an amount by which the transaction amount is reduced in accordance with the coupon for the target product of the coupon determined to be applicable by the coupon discriminating means 32. Calculation means 31.

[0011] In the system according to the second aspect of the present invention, the management device 10 of each of the cash registering devices 20 edits the coupon management file F2, and the coupon edited by the file editing device 11. A file transfer unit 12 for downloading the management file F2 to each of the cash registering devices 20 is provided.

[0012] In the system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the coupon management file F2 includes the coupon code D1 serving as a search key and the application period data D4.
And the link data D3 for specifying the target product of each coupon, wherein the management device 10 associates the link data D3 with the product price with the product code D0, a price management file F1, and the cash registering device 20. And a data management means 13 for reading out the link data D3 from the price management file F1 and transferring it to the cash registering apparatus 20 in response to the price inquiry by The link data D3 is read out together with the application period data D4, and the amount calculating means 31 of each cash registering device 20 is read out.
However, for a product in which the link data D3 read by the file management means 33 and the link data D3 transferred from the management device 10 match, the transaction amount according to the coupon corresponding to the link data D3 Reduce.

[0013]

When a customer presents a coupon to a clerk during a transaction, a coupon code D1 of the coupon is input, and application period data D4 indicating an effective period T1 and an application exclusion period T2 corresponding to the coupon code D1, It is read from the coupon management file F2.

Whether or not the coupon can be applied is determined based on the application period data D4, and if applicable, an operation is performed to reduce the transaction amount for the product to be couponed. The coupon management file F2 is edited on the management device 10 side and downloaded to each cash registering device 20 at an appropriate time.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a POS system 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a cash registering device 20.

The POS system 1 is a network system in which a management device 10 as a data processing system for collecting sales information and a plurality of cash register devices (caching registers) 20 controlled by a microcomputer are connected by a communication line.

The management device 10 includes a price management file F1 for cash registration in the PLU system, a coupon management file F2 for the coupon service, an editing unit 11 for editing each of the files F1 and F2, and data corresponding to the transaction product. A data management unit 13 that reads from the price management file F1 and sends it to the cash registering device 20, and a data transfer unit 1 that downloads the coupon management file F2 to each cash registering device 20
2 is provided.

On the other hand, each cash registering device 20 has a bar code reading section 2 for reading a product code and a coupon code.
1, a key input unit 22 having various function keys, a display unit 23 for displaying a transaction amount, a printer unit 24 for issuing a receipt, a memory unit 25 for storing a coupon management file F2 and a transaction file F3, It comprises a cash registering unit 31 for calculating, a coupon discriminating unit 32 for discriminating whether or not the coupon can be applied, and a file managing unit 33 for managing the files F2 and F3. Note that the transaction file F3 is a data set indicating the details of the transaction (such as the product name and the number thereof, and the type of coupon).

FIG. 3 is a view showing a data structure of the price management file F1, FIG. 4 is a view showing a data structure of the coupon management file F2, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a structure of the coupon code D1.

The price management file F1 includes a product code D0 of a file search key, product price data D2 indicating a single product price of each product, and coupon group data as link data for associating the product code D0 with a coupon code D1 described later. It is a set of records composed of D3. The product code D0 is product identification information represented by a JAN code.

The coupon management file F2 includes a coupon code D1 of a file search key, coupon group data D3,
And a set of records including application period data D4 indicating the valid period T1 and the application exclusion period T2 of each coupon.

In this embodiment, as the application exclusion period T2,
It is possible to register a day-by-day period specified by a date, a day-by-day period specified by a day of the week, for example, a time zone of 30 minutes, and a combination of these. Also, two or more coupon groups can be associated with one coupon code D1 (that is, one type of coupon). In the example of FIG. 4, coupon group “A” and coupon group “B” are associated with coupon 1. In this case, coupon 1
Are products whose coupon group data D3 is “A” or “B” in the price management file F1 (product 1 in the example of FIG. 3).
And product 3).

Here, the coupon code D1 is a 13-digit number string like the standard product code D0, and is usually printed on the coupon in the form of a barcode. Both the coupon code D1m of the manufacturer coupon issued by the manufacturer and the coupon code D1s of the store coupon issued independently by the retailer include privilege information (a discount or discount rate in units of 10 yen).

Next, the operation of the POS system 1 will be described. At the start of business, the latest coupon management file F2 has been downloaded from the management device 10 to the cash registering device 20.

When the customer brings the goods he / she wants to purchase to the checkout counter, the operator (casher) of the cash register 20
Enter the product code D0 by bar code reading operation,
Perform sales registration work to input the number as necessary.
Also, when the customer gives the coupon, the coupon code D1 is also input by the barcode reading operation.

When the commodity code D0 is inputted, the cash registering section 31 immediately inquires the management apparatus 10 about the commodity price. The data management unit 13 of the management device 10 searches the price management file F1 in response to the inquiry, reads out the record (product price data D2 and coupon group data D3) corresponding to the product code D0 to be queried, and registers the money in the money registration unit. Send to 31. The cash registering unit 31 stores the record sent from the management device 10 via the file management unit 33 in the memory unit 2.
5 and update the transaction file F3. As a result, transaction products are sequentially registered.

When the coupon code D1 is input, the cash registering unit 31 requests the file management unit 33 to search the coupon management file F2. The file management unit 33 extracts a record corresponding to the coupon code D1 to be searched, and stores the record in the transaction file F3 separately from the transaction product information.

When the sales registration operation is completed and the subtotal key is pressed, the record extracted from the coupon management file F2 is transferred from the transaction file F3 to the coupon discriminator 32. The coupon discriminating unit 32 calculates the application period data D4
First, it is determined whether or not the transaction date and time is within the validity period T1. If it is within the validity period, subsequently, it is determined whether or not the transaction date and time is within the application exclusion period T2. If it is not within the application exclusion period T2, the coupon brought by the customer satisfies the application period condition. That is, the coupon is applicable.

The cash registering section 31 determines, based on the privilege information included in the coupon code D0, the target product of the coupon determined to be applicable by the coupon determining section 32, that is, the product associated with the coupon by the coupon group data D3. Discount or discount, and calculate the transaction amount (total amount). If the coupon does not satisfy the application period condition, a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 23.

In a general transaction, the customer gives out cash, and when the cashier who receives the cash presses the total key, the transaction amount is determined. When the transaction amount is determined, the cash registering device 20 sends the transaction contents to be printed on the receipt to the printer unit 24, sends predetermined data for sales management to the management device 10, and waits for the next sales registration work.

According to the above-described embodiment, the product code D0 and the coupon code D1 are associated with each other by the coupon group data D3. Therefore, when issuing a unique coupon according to the circumstances of the store, one coupon is issued. It is possible to arbitrarily set the application target of the coupon, such as making the product an application product of a plurality of types of coupons.

In the above embodiment, coupon identification information such as coupon code D1 is associated with product code D0 instead of coupon group D3 in price management file F1, and coupon group D3 in coupon management file F2 may be omitted. Good. In that case, one coupon is applied to one product. Also, if a coupon code D1 corresponding to each product is given, and the product price and the coupon code D1 (whole or necessary part) are stored in the transaction file F3 at the time of product registration, the coupon identification is stored in the price management file F1. No information needs to be provided.

[0033]

According to the present invention, when applying a coupon having an application exclusion period, the work load on the operator and the system administrator can be reduced, and application errors can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is easy to arbitrarily set a product to which a coupon is applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a POS system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the cash registering device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a price management file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a coupon management file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a coupon code.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 POS system 10 management device 11 editing unit (file editing unit) 12 data transfer unit (file transfer unit) 13 data management unit (data management unit) 20 cash registering device 21 barcode reading unit (input unit) 31 cash registration unit ( Amount calculation means) 32 Coupon discrimination unit (Coupon discrimination means) 33 File management unit (File management means) D0 Product code D1 Coupon code D3 Coupon group data (link data) D4 Application period data F1 Price management file F2 Coupon management file T1 Valid Period T2 Exemption period

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A POS system (1) composed of a plurality of money registration devices (20) and their management devices (10).
In the above, each of the cash registering devices (20) includes: input means (21) for inputting a coupon code (D1) for identification given to various coupons presented by a customer; and a validity period of the coupon ( A coupon management file (F2) for associating an exemption period (T2), which is a part of the period within T1), with the coupon code (D1) together with the validity period (T1), and at least the input means (21) When one coupon code (D1) is input, application period data (D4) indicating the valid period (T1) and the application exclusion period (T2) corresponding to the input coupon code (D1) File management means (33) read from the coupon management file (F2); and the application read by the file management means (33) During Based on the data (D4), said input means (21) entered by the said coupon code (D
(1) a coupon discriminating means (32) for discriminating whether or not the coupon can be applied; and a transaction amount according to the coupon for the target product of the coupon judged to be applicable by the coupon discriminating means (32). A POS system comprising: an amount calculating means (31) for reducing the following. 2. The POS system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the management device (10) edits the coupon management file (F2), and the file editing device (11). File transfer means (12) for downloading the coupon management file (F2) edited by the computer to each of the cash registering devices (20)
A POS system comprising: 3. The POS system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the coupon management file (F2) includes the coupon code (D1) serving as a search key and the application period data (D4). And a link data (D3) for specifying a target product of each coupon. The management device (10) is a price management file that associates the link data (D3) with a product code together with a product code (D0). (F1), in response to the price inquiry by the cash registering device (20),
The link data (D3) is stored in the price management file (F
A data management means (13) for reading out from 1) and transferring the data to the cash registering apparatus (20), wherein the file management means (33) of each cash registering apparatus (20) includes the application period data (D4) And the link data (D3) is read out, and the money amount calculating means (3
1) The link data (D3) read by the file management means (33) and the management device (1).
A POS system, wherein a transaction amount is reduced for a product that matches the link data (D3) transferred from (0) according to a coupon corresponding to the link data (D3).