JP6742495B2 - Payment device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a payment device .

In supermarkets and the like, shoppers may wish to check out multiple commercial transactions at once. For example, the shopper may bring two shopping carts each containing a product to the checkout corner and request that a separate receipt be issued for each shopping cart.

In such a case, in the conventional checkout system, it is common to process each of a plurality of transactions individually and continuously. Hereinafter, such a checkout processing form is referred to as a "continuous transaction".

On the other hand, in the checkout system, a service associated with a user code for identifying a service user, such as a point service, may be applied to a transaction. In order to apply such a service, the checkout system acquires the user code for each transaction.

Therefore, when checking out in the above-described form, the operator has to repeat the operation for acquiring the user code in the checkout system a plurality of times, which is troublesome.

Under such circumstances, it has been desired that the operator's time and effort can be reduced when both the continuous transaction and the service application associated with the user code are carried out.

JP, 2011-65240, A

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a settlement device for constructing a checkout system that can reduce the trouble of an operator when carrying out both a continuous transaction and a service application associated with a user code. Is.

The payment device of the embodiment uses a generation unit that generates a plurality of pieces of payment information to settle a plurality of commercial transactions, and a use for identifying a user of a service while the generation unit generates a plurality of pieces of payment information. A checkout system is configured with a registration device that includes an acquisition unit that acquires an operator code and a determination unit that determines, in accordance with an instruction from an operator, to perform a continuous transaction in which a plurality of commercial transactions for the same customer are continuously performed. , Payment means and processing means. The settlement means individually performs settlement processing based on each of the plurality of pieces of settlement information generated by the generation means . If the determining means determines that the continuous transaction is to be performed, the processing means uses one obtained by the obtaining means for each of the payment processes individually performed by the payment means based on each of the plurality of payment information. performs processing for apply the service using the user code.

1 is a perspective view of a checkout system according to one embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of essential parts of a product registration device and a payment device in FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a control process of a CPU included in the product registration device in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of a control process of a CPU included in the product registration device in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of a control process of a CPU included in the product registration device in FIG. 2. The figure which shows a standby screen as an example. The figure which shows the registration screen as an example. The figure which shows the 1st selection screen as an example. The figure which shows the 2nd selection screen as an example. The figure which shows the alerting|reporting screen as an example. The flowchart of the control process of CPU with which the payment apparatus in FIG. 2 is equipped. The flowchart of the control process of CPU with which the payment apparatus in FIG. 2 is equipped.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a checkout system 10 according to this embodiment.

The checkout system 10 includes at least one product registration device 11 and at least one payment device 12. FIG. 1 shows a checkout system 10 including two product registration devices 11 and four payment devices 12. The checkout system 10 includes any number of the product registration devices 11 and the payment devices 12, and the ratio of the number of the product registration devices 11 to the payment devices 12 is also arbitrary. The product registration device 11 is an example of a registration device.

The product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are installed in a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket.

The product registration device 11 is operated by the employee 21 of the store, which plays a role called a checker. The operator of the settlement apparatus 12 is the shopper 22 who purchases the product sold at the store. However, some operations of the product registration device 11 may be performed by the shopper 22. The payment device 12 may also be operated by an employee.

The product registration device 11 is attached to the work table 31 in FIG. 1. The work table 31 has a rectangular top plate. A plurality of work tables 31 are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of the tops thereof are substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a passage for the shopper 22.

The merchandise registration device 11 has functions of purchase registration, payment information generation, payment processing, and notification of payment information to the payment device 12. The purchase registration is a process of registering a product brought by the shopper 22 who has entered the aisle as a purchase product. The payment processing is processing for payment of purchased products. The payment information is information necessary for payment processing.

When the payment information is notified from the product registration device 11, the payment device 12 performs a payment process based on the payment information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of essential parts of the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12.

The product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are both connected to a LAN (local area network) 13. Instead of the LAN 13, another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN can be used. Alternatively, the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 may be configured to exchange information via a server.

The product registration device 11 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11a, a ROM (read-only memory) 11b, a RAM (random-access memory) 11c, an auxiliary storage unit 11d, a drawer opening unit 11e, a scanner 11f, a touch panel 11g, and a printer 11h. , A card reader/writer 11i, a communication unit 11j, and a transmission system 11k.

The CPU 11a, the ROM 11b, the RAM 11c, and the auxiliary storage unit 11d are connected by the transmission system 11k to form a computer.

The CPU 11a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 11a controls each unit to realize various operations as the product registration device 11 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 11b and the RAM 11c.

The ROM 11b corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The ROM 11b stores the above operating system. The ROM 11b may store the above middleware or application program. The ROM 11b may also store data that the CPU 11a refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 11c corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The RAM 11c stores data that the CPU 11a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 11c is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 11a for performing various processes is stored.

The auxiliary storage unit 11d corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 11d stores data used by the CPU 11a for performing various processes, or data generated by the process of the CPU 11a. As the auxiliary storage unit 11d, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or the like can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d includes a control program described regarding control processing described later. Transfer of the merchandise registration device 11 to the user is generally performed with the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. However, the merchandise registration device 11 may be transferred to the user in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. The control program may be recorded in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, or may be transferred to the user via a network. Then, the control program may be written in the auxiliary storage unit 11d of the separately registered commodity registration device 11 under the operation of the user.

The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens a drawer for storing money.

The scanner 11f reads the product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the scanner 11f, various well-known types can be used as they are. The scanner 11f may correspond to only one of various known types, or may correspond to a plurality of types. That is, the scanner 11f may include a fixed type or a handy type two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the scanner 11f may include a type that identifies the product from the image of the product by using the image recognition technology.

The touch panel 11g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device has its display screen as an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen. A well-known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display device. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU 11a. A known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 11h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a receipt by printing various character strings and images on a receipt paper.

The card reader/writer 11i reads the data recorded on the card and writes the data to the card. The card may include a payment card such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, and a prepaid card, as well as various cards such as a members card and a point card that record information related to payment processing. The card reader/writer 11i may be a magnetic type device, a contact type device, or a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

The communication unit 11j performs communication via the LAN 13.

The transmission system 11k transmits data exchanged among the CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, auxiliary storage unit 11d, drawer opening unit 11e, scanner 11f, touch panel 11g, printer 11h, card reader/writer 11i, and communication unit 11j. As the transmission system 11k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits for connecting these buses and each unit can be used.

As the hardware of the product registration device 11, for example, an existing POS terminal can be used.

The payment device 12 includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, an auxiliary storage unit 12d, an automatic change dispenser 12e, a scanner 12f, a touch panel 12g, a printer 12h, a card reader/writer 12i, a communication unit 12j, and a transmission system 12k.

The CPU 12a, the ROM 12b, the RAM 12c, and the auxiliary storage unit 12d are connected by the transmission system 12k to form a computer.

The CPU 12a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 12a controls each unit to realize various operations as the payment apparatus 12 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 12b and the RAM 12c.

The ROM 12b corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The ROM 12b stores the above operating system. The ROM 12b may store the above middleware or application program. The ROM 12b may also store data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 12c corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The RAM 12c stores data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 12c is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 12a for performing various processes is stored.

The auxiliary storage unit 12d corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 12d stores data used by the CPU 12a in performing various processes, or data generated by the process in the CPU 12a. As the auxiliary storage unit 12d, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD or the like can be used.

The application program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d includes a control program described regarding control processing described later. Transfer of the payment device 12 to the user is generally performed while the control program is stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. However, the settlement apparatus 12 may be transferred to the user in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. The control program may be recorded in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like, or may be transferred to the user via a network.
Then, the control program may be written in the auxiliary storage unit 12d of the separately transferred settlement device 12 under the operation of the user.

The automatic change dispenser 12e receives coins and banknotes to be inserted. Further, the automatic change dispenser 12e discharges coins and bills as change.

The scanner 12f reads the product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the scanner 12f, various well-known types can be used as they are. The scanner 12f may correspond to only one of various known types, or may correspond to a plurality of types. That is, the scanner 12f may include a fixed type or a handy type two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the scanner 12f may include a type of identifying a product from an image of the product by using an image recognition technique.

The touch panel 12g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device sets its screen to an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen. A well-known device such as a color LCD can be used as the display device. The touch sensor is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the CPU 12a. A known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 12h is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer, and issues a receipt by printing various character strings and images on the receipt paper.

The card reader/writer 12i reads the data recorded on the card and writes the data to the card. The card may include a payment card such as a credit card, a debit card, an electronic money card, and a prepaid card, as well as various cards such as a members card and a point card that record information related to payment processing. The card reader/writer 12i may be a magnetic type, a contact type, or a non-contact type device, and may include a plurality of types of devices.

The communication unit 12j performs communication via the LAN 13.

The transmission system 12k transmits data exchanged among the CPU 12a, the ROM 12b, the RAM 12c, the auxiliary storage unit 12d, the automatic change dispenser 12e, the scanner 12f, the touch panel 12g, the printer 12h, the card reader/writer 12i, and the communication unit 12j.
As the transmission system 12k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses and each unit can be used.

As the hardware of the payment device 12, for example, an existing self-POS terminal can be used.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 10 configured as above will be described.
Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be appropriately used.

(Operation of the product registration device 11)
When the merchandise registration device 11 is activated in the mode for performing the registration process of the purchased merchandise, the CPU 11a starts the control process according to the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d.
3, 4, and 5 are flowcharts of the control process of the CPU 11a.

In Act 1, the CPU 11a resets the continuous flag and the point flag. The continuous flag indicates that the continuous transaction is set in the set state. The point flag indicates that the point service is set when the set state is set. Both the continuous flag and the point flag are realized, for example, as 1-bit data in the RAM 11c.

In Act 2, the CPU 11a clears the registered product table and the user code area set in the RAM 11c or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. The registered merchandise table is a data table for describing information about merchandise that has been registered for purchase. The user code area stores a user code.

In Act 3, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as a standby screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standby screen SC1 as an example.
The standby screen SC1 includes texts T1, T2, T3 and a button B21.
The text T1 indicates that the employee 21 should start the operation for registering the purchased product. The text T2 indicates that the employee 21 should touch the button B21 before starting the operation for registering the purchased merchandise when performing continuous transactions. The text T3 indicates that the employee 21 should cause the card reader/writer 11i to read the point card when applying the point service to the commercial transaction related to the registration of the purchased merchandise to be started.

In Act 4, the CPU 11a confirms whether the user code has been acquired. The user code is a unique code for identifying the user of the point service. When the CPU 11a determines No because the user code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act5.

In Act 5, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the execution of the continuous transaction is instructed. When the CPU 11a determines No because the operation for the corresponding instruction has not been performed, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act6.

In ACT6, the CPU 11a confirms whether the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired. If the product code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a returns to Act 4 if it determines “No”.

Thus, in ACT4 to ACT6, the CPU 11a waits for the user code to be acquired, the execution of the continuous transaction to be instructed, or the product code to be acquired. It should be noted that the CPU 11a may confirm the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed in the standby mode, and may shift to a process corresponding to the event.

When the shopper 22 offers to apply the point service, the employee 21 deposits the point card owned by the shopper 22 and causes the card reader/writer 11i to read the point card. Alternatively, the shopper 22 causes the card reader/writer 11i to read the point card. The point card is carried by the user of the point service, and the user code assigned to the user is recorded therein. Upon reading the user code from the point card, the card reader/writer 11i notifies the CPU 11a of the user code. Thus, the card reader/writer 11i is an example of an acquisition unit. Upon receiving this notification, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act4, and proceeds to Act7. The user code may be acquired by the touch panel 11g in response to a character input operation on the touch panel 11g, for example. In this case, the touch panel 11g is an example of an acquisition unit.

In Act 7, the CPU 11a saves the user code notified from the card reader/writer 11i in the user code area of the RAM 11c or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. If the user code area has already been saved, the user code area is overwritten with the new user code notified this time.
In Act 8, the CPU 11a sets a point flag. Then, the CPU 11a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act4 to Act6.

When the shopper 22 requests the continuous transaction, the employee 21 instructs the execution of the continuous transaction by touching the button B21 or the like. If such an operation is detected by, for example, the touch panel 11g, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 5, and proceeds to Act 9.
In Act 9, the CPU 11a sets the continuous flag.
Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the above control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 11a as a central portion functions as a determining unit in cooperation with the touch panel 11g.

In Act 10, the CPU 11a sets “1” as the value of the variable m. The variable m is a variable for counting the number of commercial transactions in a continuous transaction. Then, the CPU 11a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act4 to Act6.

Now, the CPU 11a acquires the product code based on the operation by the employee 21 by a well-known process different from the control process shown in FIGS. Then, when the product code is acquired, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 6, and proceeds to Act 11.
In Act 11, the CPU 11a updates the registered product table to include the acquired product code. After that, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act12 in FIG. Thus, the CPU 11a keeps the continuous flag in the reset state if an operation for purchase registration is performed without being instructed to execute the continuous transaction.

In Act 12, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as a registration screen. The registration screen shows the contents of the registered product table, etc., and allows the employee 21 to confirm the implementation status of the registration process.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a registration screen SC2 as an example.
The registration screen SC2 includes areas R1 and R2.
The region R1 is a region for displaying the product name, the number of products, and the unit price of the product most recently registered for purchase, and the total number and total price of the purchased products after registration of the product.
The area R2 is an area for displaying a list of product names, quantity, unit price, and price related to the products registered for purchase before the products shown on the registration screen SC2.

Note that the registration screen SC2 shows a state in which various types of information regarding products for which purchase registration has been performed are displayed. However, when the CPU 11a proceeds from Act8 to Act12, the registered product table does not include information regarding purchased products. Therefore, the registration screen does not show various kinds of information about the product, but only a predetermined basic form. Further, when the CPU 11a proceeds from Act11 to Act12, the registered product table includes only information about one product. Therefore, the registration screen shows information about the product in the area R2, but does not show information about the product in the area R1.

Further, the CPU 11a displays various function buttons such as a product button for the employee 21 to specify a product or a subtotal button, in addition to the area used as the registration screen in the screen of the touch panel 11g. Is omitted.

In Act 13 in FIG. 3, the CPU 11a confirms whether the user code has been acquired. If the CPU 11a determines No because the user code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act14.
In Act 14, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the subtotal button displayed on the screen of the touch panel 11g has been touched. If the touch panel 11g does not detect that the subtotal button has been touched, the CPU 11a determines No, and thus proceeds to ACT15.
In Act 15, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired. If the product code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a returns to Act 13 if it determines No.
Thus, in Act13 to Act15, the CPU 11a waits for the user code to be acquired, the subtotal button to be touched, or the product code to be acquired. It should be noted that the CPU 11a may confirm the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed in the standby mode, and may shift to a process corresponding to the event.

When the card reader/writer 11i reads the user code from the point card and notifies the CPU 11a of the user code, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 13 and proceeds to Act 16.
In Act 17, the CPU 11a saves the user code notified from the card reader/writer 11i in the user code area of the RAM 11c or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. If the user code area has already been saved, the user code area is overwritten with the new user code notified this time.
In Act 18, the CPU 11a sets a point flag. Then, the CPU 11a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act13 to Act1.

If the product code is acquired, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 15, and proceeds to Act 18.
In ACT 18, the CPU 11a updates the registered product table so as to include the acquired product code. In response to this, the CPU 11a updates the registration screen so as to conform to the contents of the updated registered product table. Then, the CPU 11a thereafter returns to the standby state of Act13 to Act15.

When the touch panel 11g detects that the subtotal button is touched, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 14, and proceeds to Act 19 in FIG.
In Act 19, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the continuous flag is set. When the CPU 11a determines Yes because the continuous flag is set, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act20.

In Act 20, the CPU 11a generates, as the m-th payment information, information for payment related to the registered product described in the registered product table, based on the contents of the registered product table at this time. The payment information includes at least a list of registered products. The payment information may include information such as the total number of purchased products and the total price. Thus, when the CPU 11a executes the control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 11a as a central part functions as a generation unit.

In Act 21, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as the first selection screen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first selection screen SC3 as an example.
The first selection screen SC3 includes display areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR5 and buttons B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8.

The CPU 11a displays the total number of purchased commodities and the total price in the display area AR1. The CPU 11a indicates in the display areas AR2 to AR5 whether or not the payment information can be transferred to each of the four payment devices 12. Note that the payment device 12 does not accept the transfer of the payment information during the execution of the payment process, and the CPU 11a indicates “untransferable” in the display area associated with the payment device 12 in such a state. That is, when a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g is set as the first selection screen SC3, only the payment device 12 named “device A” is executing the payment process. The buttons B4 to B7 have different display forms depending on whether or not the associated payment apparatus 12 accepts the transfer of payment information, or the associated payment apparatus 12 accepts the transfer of payment information. If not, it may be hidden.

Buttons B1 and B2 are for the employee 21 to specify that the discount for the total amount of money included in the payment information is applied. The button B3 is for the employee 21 to specify that the purchase registration for the next accounting in the continuous transaction is started. Buttons B4 to B7 are for the employee 21 to specify the transfer of the payment information to each of the four payment devices 12. The button B8 is used by the employee 21 to specify that a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g is returned to the registration screen.

When the CPU 11a determines No in Act 19 because the continuous flag is not set, the process proceeds to Act 22.
In Act 22, the CPU 11a generates payment information for payment related to the registered product described in the registered product table based on the contents of the registered product table at this point.

In Act 23, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as the second selection screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second selection screen SC4 as an example. In FIG. 9, the same elements as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The second selection screen SC4 includes display areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR5 and buttons B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8.
That is, the second selection screen SC4 is a screen in which the button B3 is omitted from the first selection screen SC3 . As a result, the second selection screen SC4 is a screen in which it is not possible to input the designation by the employee 21 to start the purchase registration for continuous transactions.

After the partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g is set as the first or second selection screen in Act21 or Act23, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act24. The payment information generated in Act 20 or Act 22 is stored in the RAM 11c or the auxiliary storage unit 11d until it is notified to one of the payment devices 12 as described later.

In Act 24, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired. If the product code has not been acquired, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act 25 if it determines “No”.
In Act 25, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the payment device 12 as the transfer destination of the payment information is designated. If the payment device 12 is not designated, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act 26 if it determines “No”.
In Act 26, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the button B3 is touched. If the CPU 11a determines No because the button B3 is not touched, the CPU 11a returns to Act24.
Thus, in Act24 to Act26, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be acquired, one of the payment devices 12 to be designated, or the button B3 to be touched. However, when the partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g is the second selection screen, the button B3 does not exist and the button B3 is not touched. Therefore, the CPU 11a always determines No in Act 26. It will be. That is, in the standby state of Act24 to Act26, the CPU 11a waits until the product code is acquired or one of the payment devices 12 is designated if the continuous flag is not set.

Although not shown, the CPU 11a also waits for touching the buttons B1 and B2 in this standby state. Then, if one of the buttons B1 and B2 is touched by the employee 21 and detected by the touch panel 11g, the CPU 11a sends the total amount of money included in the payment information according to the instruction from the employee 21 thereafter. To change. Further, the CPU 11a may confirm the occurrence of another event such as another operation in the standby state, and may shift to a process according to the event. For example, the CPU 11a may check whether or not the user code has been acquired in this standby state. Then, in this case, if the user code is acquired, the CPU 11a returns to the standby state of Act24 to Act26 after performing the same processing as Act7 and Act8.

If the product code is acquired, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act 24, and proceeds to Act 27.
In Act 27, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as a registration screen, then proceeds to Act 18 in FIG. 4, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

When the touch panel 11g detects that the button B3 is touched in the standby state of Act24 to Act26, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act26, and proceeds to Act28.
In Act 28, the CPU 11a increments the value of the variable m by one.
In Act 29, the CPU 11a clears the registered product table.
After that, the CPU 11a returns to Act12 in FIG. 4 and repeats the processing after Act12. As a result, the CPU 11a sequentially generates a plurality of payment information.

Thus, only when the continuous flag is set, a new creation of a list of purchased products in the registered product table is started even if the payment information described below is not transferred. That is, the CPU 11a prohibits the start of creating a new list until the settlement information is notified when the continuous transaction is not decided, and the settlement information when the continuous transaction is decided. Allows the creation of a new list even if is not notified.

When the settlement apparatus 12 is designated in the standby state of Act24 to Act26, the CPU 11a determines Yes in Act25, and proceeds to Act30. The payment device is designated by the employee 21 touching any of the buttons B4 to B7 on the first or second selection screen SC3 or SC4, for example. Note that the CPU 11a does not determine Yes in Act 25 even if one of the buttons B4 to B7 associated with the payment device 12 that has not accepted the transfer of the payment information is touched. Thus, the CPU 11a does not accept the designation of the payment device 12 that does not accept the transfer of payment information. Note that the CPU 11a designates the payment device 12 in the standby state of Act24 to Act26 if all of the payment devices 12 are in the operation stopped state or in the operation state in which the transfer of the payment information is not accepted. I will not wait.

In ACT30, the CPU 11a confirms whether or not the point flag is set. When the CPU 11a determines Yes because the point flag is set, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act31.

In Act 31, the CPU 11a adds the user code stored in the user code area to the payment information. The user code stored in the user code area at this time is the one newly acquired by the card reader/writer 11i. When a plurality of pieces of payment information have been generated, the CPU 11a adds the one user code to each of the plurality of pieces of payment information. After this, the CPU 11a proceeds to Act32. If the Act 11 determines No because the point flag is not set, the CPU 11a passes Act 31 and proceeds to Act 32.

In Act 32, the CPU 11a transfers the payment information to the specified payment device 12. Note that the payment information to be transferred here is the payment information generated in Act22 when the continuous flag is not set, and the one piece of payment information generated in Act20 when the continuous flag is set. Alternatively, it is all of the plurality of payment information. By the way, the employee 21 can instruct to transfer the settlement information at the stage when the product registration for one transaction is completed, even if the instruction to execute the continuous transaction is given. Therefore, even if the continuous flag is set, it is possible that only one piece of payment information is generated in Act 20. Specifically, the CPU 11a controls the communication unit 11j to send the payment information to be transferred to the LAN 13 with the designated payment device 12 as the destination. Thereby, the payment information is notified to the payment device 12. In this way, the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, whereby the function as the first notification unit is realized by the cooperation of the computer having the CPU 11a as the central part and the communication unit 11j. If the user code is added to the payment information, the CPU 11a will notify the payment device 12 of this user code. Thus, the CPU 11a executes the control process based on the control program, and the function as the second notification unit is realized by the cooperation of the computer having the CPU 11a as the central part and the communication unit 11j.

In Act 33, the CPU 11a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as a notification screen.
The notification screen is a screen for causing the employee 21 to recognize that the payment information has been transferred to the payment device 12 for payment by semi-self. The payment by semi-self is a payment mode in which payment processing is executed in the payment device 12 according to an operation by the shopper 22.
The notification screen may have the same content regardless of the state of the continuous flag, or may have different content depending on the state of the continuous flag.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a notification screen SC5 as an example.
The notification screen SC5 includes display areas AR11 and AR12 and a button B11.
The display area AR11 represents an image for making the employee 21 recognize that the payment by semi-self is selected. The display area AR12 represents an image for making the employee 21 recognize which of the four payment devices 12 has transferred the payment information for two transactions for continuous transactions. That is, the notification screen SC5 is a case where the content is different depending on the state of the continuous flag, and is when the continuous flag is set.
The button B11 is for the employee 21 to instruct to close the notification screen SC5.

Then, the CPU 11a returns to Act1 in FIG. 3 in response to the touch of the button B11, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above. That is, the CPU 11a ends the purchase registration for the commercial transaction for one customer in response to the touch of the button B11, and shifts to the process of the purchase registration for the commercial transaction of another shopper 22.

(Operation of payment device 12)
On the other hand, when the payment apparatus 12 is activated, the CPU 12a starts control processing according to the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d.
11 and 12 are flowcharts of the control process of the CPU 12a.

In Act 41, the CPU 12a sets the screen of the touch panel 12g as a standby screen. The standby screen represents that the payment process is not being performed, and what kind of information may be displayed may be arbitrary. For example, it is assumed that the standby screen displays a message indicating that payment processing cannot be performed, or displays an arbitrary image representing an advertisement or the like as a screen saver.

In Act 42, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the payment information is received. Then, the CPU 12a determines No if the payment information is not received, and repeats Act 42. Thus, in Act 42, the CPU 12a waits for the payment information to be received.

Now, as described above, the communication unit 12j provided in the settlement apparatus 12 which is the destination of the settlement information sent from the communication unit 11j of the commodity registration apparatus 11 to the LAN 13 receives the settlement information, and then the RAM 12c or The data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 12d. When a plurality of pieces of payment information are sent, the communication unit 12j receives all the pieces of payment information and stores them in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. In response to this, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act 42, and proceeds to Act 43.

In Act 43, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the received payment information is plural. Then, the CPU 12a determines No when only one piece of payment information is received, and proceeds to Act 44.

In Act 44, the CPU 12a changes the screen of the touch panel 12g to the payment screen.
The payment screen is for accepting an operation by the shopper 22 to perform payment based on the received one piece of payment information. The payment screen represents, for example, at least the total amount shown in the payment information. In addition, the payment screen may include a total number of items or a list of purchased items. In addition, if payment by a plurality of payment methods is permitted, the payment screen includes a button for the shopper 22 to select a payment method.

In Act 45, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the shopper 22 performs an operation for settlement. If the CPU 12a determines No because the corresponding operation has not been performed, the CPU 12a repeats Act 45. Thus, the CPU 12a waits for an operation for settlement in Act 45.

By the way, the employee 21 who operates the merchandise registration device 11 notifies the shopper 22 that when the payment is transferred to any one of the payment devices 12, the payment device 12 of the transfer destination should perform the payment. The shopper 22 who has received this notification moves to the designated settlement apparatus 12 and performs a settlement operation on the aforementioned settlement screen. Then, the CPU 12a performs an operation for settlement in this way, and if this is detected by the touch panel 12g, it is determined Yes in Act 45, and the process proceeds to Act 46.

In Act 46, the CPU 12a executes a payment process. Specifically, the CPU 12a calculates the total amount of the respective amounts of the purchased products shown in the product list included in the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d, and determines this as the payment amount. Alternatively, if the payment information includes the total amount, the CPU 12a may determine the total amount as the payment amount as it is. If the CPU 12a calculates the total amount of money here, the settlement apparatus 12 is also called an accounting apparatus. Then, the CPU 12a settles the determined settlement amount by the settlement method designated by the shopper 22. The settlement method is a well-known method such as cash, credit card, or electronic money. For the settlement processing here, for example, the processing performed in the existing self-POS terminal or the like can be applied as it is. Thus, when the CPU 12a executes the control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as a central portion functions as a settlement means.

In Act 47, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the payment information includes the user code. Then, if the CPU 12a determines Yes because the user code is included in the payment information, the process proceeds to Act 48.

In Act 48, the CPU 12a gives the shopper 22 points according to the content of the commercial transaction. Specifically, for example, the CPU 12a determines the acquisition points for the current commercial transaction according to the result of the settlement process in Act46. Then, the CPU 12a performs a process for adding the acquired points to the amount of money of the point account associated with the user code included in the payment information. This process may be a well-known process performed to provide an existing point service. As an example, the CPU 12a notifies the point server (not shown) of the user code and the acquired points.
After this, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act49. If the CPU 12a determines No in Act 47 because the user code is not included in the payment information, it passes Act 48 and proceeds to Act 49.
In Act 49, the CPU 12a controls the printer 12h and issues a receipt showing the information shown in the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d and the result of the above-described payment processing. Then, the CPU 12a thereafter returns to Act 41 and performs the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, if the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act 43 because a plurality of pieces of payment information have been received, the process proceeds to Act 50 in FIG.
In Act 50, the CPU 12a sets "1" as the value of the variable n.
In Act 51, the CPU 12a sets a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g as a selection screen. The selection screen is a screen for allowing the shopper 22 to select individual payment or collective payment. In addition, the individual payment represents a payment mode in which payment is individually performed according to each of a plurality of pieces of payment information subject to continuous transaction. In addition, the collective payment represents a payment form in which payments according to a plurality of payment information are collectively executed.

In Act 52, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not collective settlement is selected. If the collective settlement is not selected, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act 53 if it determines “No”.
In Act 53, the CPU 12a confirms whether the split payment is selected. Then, the CPU 12a returns to Act 52 if the determination is No because the divided payment is not selected.
Thus, the CPU 12a waits for the collective settlement or the divided settlement to be selected in Act52 and Act53. It should be noted that the CPU 11a may confirm the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed in the standby mode, and may shift to a process corresponding to the event.

If the operation of selecting the individual settlement is detected by the touch panel 11g, for example, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act 53, and proceeds to Act 54.
In Act 54, the CPU 12a executes a payment process based on the nth payment information.

In Act 55, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the user code is included in the nth payment information. If the CPU 12a determines Yes because the user code is included in the nth payment information, the process proceeds to Act 56.
In Act 56, the CPU 12a gives points to the shopper 22 according to the content of the commercial transaction, as in Act 48.
After this, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act 57. If the CPU 12a determines No in Act 55 because the payment information does not include the user code, the CPU 12a passes Act 56 and proceeds to Act 57.

In Act 57, the CPU 12a controls the printer 12h and issues a receipt showing the information shown in the n-th payment information and the result of the above-described payment processing.
In Act 58, the CPU 12a increments the value of the variable n by one.
In Act 59, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the nth payment information exists in the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. Then, the CPU 12a returns to Act 54 if the n-th payment information exists, and performs the processing of Act 54 to Act 57 for the payment information. Thus, the CPU 12a sequentially performs the processing of Act54 to Act57 for each of the plurality of pieces of received payment information. If the user code is acquired during the registration process in the product registration device 11 relating to the generation of the plurality of payment information, the same user code is included in each of the plurality of payment information. Therefore, when the CPU 12a sequentially performs the processing of Act54 to Act57 for each of the plurality of pieces of payment information, points are given to the same point account.

After finishing executing Act54 to Act57 for all the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act59. Then, in this case, the CPU 12a returns to Act41 in FIG. That is, the CPU 12a returns to the state of waiting for new payment information to be received.
As described above, when the individual payment is selected by the shopper 22, the CPU 12a sequentially performs the payment processing based on each of the plurality of payment information, and issues a receipt each time.

On the other hand, when the operation of selecting the collective settlement is detected by, for example, the touch panel 11g in the standby state of Act52 and Act53, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act52 and proceeds to Act60.
In Act 60, the CPU 12a calculates the total amount of money as the sum of the respective amounts of all purchased commodities shown in the commodity list included in each of the plurality of payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. Alternatively, if the payment information includes the total amount of money, the CPU 12a may calculate the total amount of money as the sum of the total amounts of money shown in each of the plurality of pieces of payment information.
In Act 61, the CPU 12a executes a settlement process for settlement of the above-mentioned total amount.

In Act 62, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the user code is included in the nth payment information. When the CPU 12a determines Yes because the user code is included in the nth payment information, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act63.
In Act 63, the CPU 12a gives the shopper 22 points according to the content of the commercial transaction. Specifically, for example, the CPU 12a determines the points to be acquired for the entire current series of transactions in accordance with the result of the settlement process in Act 61. Then, the CPU 12a performs a process for adding the acquired points to the amount of money of the point account associated with the user code included in one of the payment information.
After this, the CPU 12a proceeds to Act64. If the payment information does not include the user code, and the CPU 12a determines No in Act 62, the CPU 12a passes Act 63 and proceeds to Act 64.

In Act 64, the CPU 12a controls the printer 12h and issues a receipt showing the information shown in the n-th payment information and the result of the payment processing.
In Act 65, the CPU 12a increments the value of the variable n by one.
In Act 66, the CPU 12a confirms whether or not the nth payment information is included in the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. Then, the CPU 12a returns to Act64 if the n-th payment information exists, and performs Act64 on the payment information.

When the collective settlement is selected in this way, the CPU 12a makes a settlement at one time based on a plurality of settlement information. However, the CPU 12a sequentially issues the receipt in accordance with each of the plurality of payment information. Further, if the user code is acquired during the registration processing in the product registration device 11 relating to the generation of the plurality of payment information, points will be given to the same point account for each of the plurality of payment information. Become.

After completing the execution of Act64 for all the payment information stored in the RAM 12c or the auxiliary storage unit 12d, the CPU 12a determines Yes in Act66. Then, in this case, the CPU 12a returns to Act41 in FIG. That is, the CPU 12a returns to the state of waiting for new payment information to be received.

As described above, in the merchandise registration device 11, when the shopper 22 wants to apply the point service during the continuous transaction, the card reader/writer 11i is added to each of the plurality of payment information generated in the continuous transaction. Each one acquired user code is included. Then, the settlement device 12 receives a plurality of pieces of settlement information for continuous transactions, and when the plurality of pieces of settlement information include user codes, the point accounts associated with the respective user codes, that is, the same point account. Points are awarded to Therefore, when the CPU 12a executes the control processing based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 12a as a central portion functions as a processing unit. Note that here, the processes of Act 56 and Act 63 correspond to the process for applying the service using the user code to the commercial transaction.
Thus, according to the checkout system 100, the employee 21 or the shopper 22 causes the commodity registration device 11 to acquire the user code even when the point service is applied to each of a plurality of continuous transactions. You only have to perform the operation once. That is, according to the checkout system 100, it is possible to reduce the labor of the operator when carrying out both the continuous transaction and the application of the point service which is one of the services associated with the user code.

Further, according to the checkout system 100, the same user code is used to apply the point service to each of a plurality of commercial transactions that are targets of continuous transactions. However, according to the checkout system 100, the user code to be used is the user code acquired last in the period until the subtotal button is touched. Therefore, the employee 21 or the shopper 22 can appropriately change the user code used for applying the point service before touching the subtotal button.

This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

The user code may be notified from the product registration device 11 to the payment device 12 without being included in the plurality of payment information. Alternatively, the payment information including the plurality of product lists and one user code may be notified from the product registration device 11 to the payment device 12.

The service associated with the user code may be various services such as an electronic receipt service, a discount service when a shopping bag is unnecessary, a shareholder benefit service, or an elderly discount service.

Commercial transactions are not limited to buying and selling merchandise. Therefore, the product is not limited to the product and may be a service. Therefore, the “purchased product” may refer to a service provided by the provider to the beneficiary for a fee.

In another form of system such as a POS terminal or cash register in which operations for product registration and payment are performed by the employee 21, or a self-POS terminal in which operations for product registration and payment are performed by the shopper 22 The present application can also be applied.
Therefore, the check-out system is not limited to the form realized by combining a plurality of devices as in the above-described embodiment, but may be realized as a single independent device.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples 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 changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.
The inventions described in the initial claims of the present application will be additionally described below.
[Supplementary Note 1] Acquiring means for acquiring a user code for identifying the user of the service related to the payment processing,
Determining means for deciding, in accordance with an instruction from an operator, to carry out a continuous transaction in which a plurality of commercial transactions for the same customer are continuously performed,
A payment method that performs payment processing related to commercial transactions,
If the execution of the continuous transaction is determined by the determining unit and the user code is acquired by the acquiring unit, a plurality of services using the user code are included in the continuous transaction. And a processing unit that performs processing for applying to each of the above-mentioned commercial transactions.
[Supplementary Note 2] includes a registration device including the acquisition unit and the determination unit, and a payment device including the payment unit and the processing unit,
The registration device further comprises
Generating means for generating payment information for payment processing by the payment means for each commercial transaction;
First notifying means for notifying the payment device of the plurality of pieces of payment information generated by the generation means for each of the plurality of commercial transactions included in the continuous transaction,
Second notifying means for notifying the settlement apparatus of the user code acquired by the acquiring means,
The settlement means sequentially performs settlement processing according to each of the plurality of pieces of settlement information notified by the first notifying means,
The processing means performs processing for applying the service using one of the user codes notified by the second notification means to each of a plurality of payment processings by the payment processing. The checkout system according to appendix 1, characterized in that
[Supplementary Note 3] The processing means is any one of a discount service in the settlement, a point service according to a result of the settlement processing, and an electronic receipt service that enables browsing of the content of the commercial transaction via a network. The checkout system according to supplementary note 1 or supplementary note 2, wherein processing for applying as a service is performed.
[Supplementary Note 4] The processing means provides a plurality of points, each of which is determined in accordance with a result of settlement by a plurality of settlement processes by the settlement process, to one point account specified by one user code. The checkout system according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein processing is performed.
[Supplementary Note 5] When the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of the user codes, the processing unit applies the service using the user code acquired most recently by the acquisition unit to each of a plurality of commercial transactions. The checkout system according to any one of appendices 1-4, wherein the checkout system performs a process for

10... Checkout system, 11... Commodity registration device, 11a... CPU, 11b... ROM, 11c... RAM, 11d... Auxiliary storage unit, 11e... Drawer opening unit, 11f... Scanner, 11g... Touch panel, 11h... Printer, 11i... Card reader/writer, 11j... Communication unit, 11k... Transmission system, 12... Payment device, 12a... CPU, 12b... ROM, 12c... RAM, 12d... Auxiliary storage unit, 12e... Automatic change machine, 12f... Scanner, 12g... Touch panel , 12h... Printer, 12i... Card reader/writer, 12j... Communication unit, 12k... Transmission system.

Claims (5)

A generating unit that generates a plurality of payment information for settingtle a plurality of commercial transactions, and a user code for identifying a user of the service while the generating unit generates a plurality of the payment information. A checkout system is configured with a registration device that includes an acquisition unit and a determination unit that determines, in accordance with an instruction from an operator, to perform a continuous transaction in which a plurality of commercial transactions for the same customer are continuously performed ,
Payment means for individually performing payment processing based on each of the plurality of payment information generated by the generation means ,
If execution of the continuous transaction has been decided by the deciding means , one of the settlement processes individually performed by the settlement means based on each of the plurality of pieces of settlement information is obtained by the obtaining means. and processing means for performing processing to apply the service using the user code,
A payment device comprising: The registration device further notifies the payment device of the plurality of pieces of payment information generated by the generation device, and the user code acquired by the acquisition device to the payment device. A second notification means,
The settlement means sequentially performs settlement processing according to each of the plurality of pieces of settlement information notified by the first notifying means,
Processing for applying the service using the one user code notified by the second notification means to each of a plurality of payment processing sequentially performed by the payment means I do,
The payment device according to claim 1. The processing means applies any one of a discount service in the settlement, a point service according to the result of the settlement processing, and an electronic receipt service that allows the contents of the commercial transaction to be browsed via a network as the service. Process for
The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2. The processing means is for assigning a plurality of points, which are respectively determined according to the settlement results of a plurality of settlement processes sequentially performed by the settlement means, to one point account specified by one user code. Do the processing,
The settlement device according to claim 1 or 2. An acquisition means for acquiring a user code for identifying the user of the service related to payment, and a determination means for determining the execution of continuous transactions for successively performing a plurality of commercial transactions for the same customer in response to an instruction from the operator. Configure a checkout system with a registration device equipped with
Payment means for performing payment processing for payment related to commercial transactions,
If the execution of the continuous transaction is determined by the determining unit and the user code is acquired by the acquiring unit, a plurality of services using the user code are included in the continuous transaction. Processing means for performing processing for applying to each of the payment processing individually performed by the payment means for each of the commercial transactions of
Equipped with,
The processing means, when the acquisition means acquires a plurality of the user codes, a processing for applying the service using the user code acquired most recently by the acquisition means to each of a plurality of commercial transactions. I do,
Payment device.