JP6764199B2 - POS system, registration device, program, and registration data transmission method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a POS (Point Of Sales) system, a registration device, a program, and a method of transmitting registration data, which are suitable for use when a customer performs an operation at the time of settlement.

The POS system, in which the customer performs the operation at the time of payment when the customer purchases the product, has a registration device that registers data related to the transaction of the product that the customer intends to purchase, and the customer himself / herself based on the registered data. Some are composed of a settlement device that operates and performs settlement processing. Patent Document 1 describes a POS system including such a registration device and a settlement device.

In the POS system described in Patent Document 1, first, a payment receipt is issued by the registration device and handed to the customer. Information necessary for settlement (for example, information representing the total purchase price) regarding the purchase target product is printed on the settlement receipt with, for example, a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code. Next, the customer operates the settlement device by himself / herself using the settlement receipt to perform the settlement process. For example, the customer reads a two-dimensional code, a one-dimensional code, or the like by a reader of a payment device, and then performs a payment operation such as cash insertion or credit card insertion. The settlement device executes the settlement process according to the read two-dimensional code or one-dimensional code and the customer's payment operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-158993

In the POS system described in Patent Document 1, the settlement device can perform the settlement process using the data registered in the registration device, such as having the reader of the settlement device read the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional code. Therefore, there is a problem that the customer needs to perform a predetermined operation, and the customer may take time to decide which payment device to perform the operation. In some cases, the checkout device that the customer went to was in use. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to settle.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a POS system, a registration device, a program, and a method of transmitting registration data, which can shorten a customer's settlement time.

One aspect of the present invention is a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product to perform payment processing. In the POS system having the POS system, the registration device prohibits the selection of the payment device in use from the plurality of payment devices, and the customer's payment device is one free payment device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data. It is a POS system including a transmission means for transmitting registration data of the registered product so that a payment process can be performed.

According to the above aspect, the registration data is transmitted to the settlement device selected in the registration device so that the customer can perform the payment processing. Therefore, when the customer tries to operate the settlement device, the registration already required for the settlement device is performed. The data has arrived. Further, when the registration device selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted, it is possible not to select the settlement device in use. Therefore, the customer's operation in the settlement process can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the POS system, the registration device includes a display means for guiding a payment device selected as the transmission destination.

According to the above aspect, the registration device can display to which the settlement device the registration data is transmitted so that the clerk or the customer can know.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the POS system, the registration device is in a near-full or near-end state depending on any of the currency types stored in the change ticket machine connected to the settlement device. It is characterized in that it is displayed on the display unit.

According to the above aspect, when the clerk selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted in the registration device, the settlement device in the near-full or near-end state is selected for the currency type stored in the change ticket machine. Since you can select another payment device while avoiding the above, you may run out of change during cash settlement, or the change ticket machine may not be able to operate due to the denomination deposited at the time of settlement. It is possible to avoid troubles such as accidents in advance.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the POS system, the registration device includes a recall means for holding registration data received by the settlement device and recalling the registration data to the registration device.

According to the above aspect, the registration data of the customer waiting for accounting can be recalled to the registration device by the clearing device regardless of the order of accounting, and additional registration of the product that the customer has forgotten to buy can be performed quickly.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the POS system, the registration device includes a display means for displaying that the payment device is in an empty state when the payment device is not in use. ..

According to the above aspect, the registration device can be displayed so that the clerk or the customer can see the vacant settlement device.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the POS system, the registration device includes a holding means for holding a settlement process based on the registration data or holding unsettled registration data, and the payment device is provided with a holding means. When the settlement processing or unsettled registration data in the settlement device is put on hold, it is characterized by providing a transmission means for returning the registration data to the transmission registration device.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to suspend the settlement processing of the already registered registration data, smoothly additionally register the forgotten product in the registration device, and perform the settlement together.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, in the POS system, the settlement device is a receiving means for receiving the registration data transmitted by the transmission means, and at least payment amount information used in a payment process based on the registration data. It is characterized by including a display means for displaying.

According to the above aspect, the settlement device can display the payment amount information used in the payment process.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product to perform payment processing. The registration device in the POS system having the above, which prohibits the selection of the payment device in use from the plurality of payment devices, and is one of the free payment devices selected as the transmission destination of the registration data. The registration device includes a transmission means for transmitting registration data of the registered product so that the customer's payment process can be performed.
According to the above aspect, the registration data is transmitted to the settlement device selected in the registration device so that the customer can perform the payment processing. Therefore, when the customer tries to operate the settlement device, the registration already required for the settlement device is performed. The data has arrived. Further, when the registration device selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted, it is possible not to select the settlement device in use. Therefore, the customer's operation in the settlement process can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.
Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the first computer functions as a registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product to perform payment processing. This is a POS system program that causes the second computer to function as a plurality of settlement devices for performing the above, and prohibits the first computer from selecting an in-use settlement device among the plurality of settlement devices, and the registration data. It is a program for functioning as a transmission means for transmitting the registration data of the registered product so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as the transmission destination of the product.

According to the above aspect, the registration data is transmitted to the settlement device selected in the registration device so that the customer can perform the payment processing. Therefore, when the customer tries to operate the settlement device, the registration already required for the settlement device is performed. The data has arrived. Further, when the registration device selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted, it is possible not to select the settlement device in use. Therefore, the customer's operation in the settlement process can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product to perform payment processing. The computer as the registration device in the POS system having the above prohibits the selection of the payment device in use from the plurality of payment devices, and one free payment device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data. It is a program for functioning as a transmission means for transmitting the registration data of the registered product so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed.
According to the above aspect, the registration data is transmitted to the settlement device selected in the registration device so that the customer can perform the payment processing. Therefore, when the customer tries to operate the settlement device, the registration already required for the settlement device is performed. The data has arrived. Further, when the registration device selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted, it is possible not to select the settlement device in use. Therefore, the customer's operation in the settlement process can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.
Further, one aspect of the present invention is a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product to perform payment processing. A method of transmitting registration data in a POS system having the above, which prohibits selection of a payment device in use from the plurality of payment devices in the registration device, and is selected as a transmission destination of the registration data. It is a method of transmitting registration data, which comprises a transmission step of transmitting registration data of the registered product so that payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device.

According to the above aspect, the registration data is transmitted to the settlement device selected in the registration device so that the customer can perform the payment processing. Therefore, when the customer tries to operate the settlement device, the registration already required for the settlement device is performed. The data has arrived. Further, when the registration device selects the settlement device to which the registration data is transmitted, it is possible not to select the settlement device in use. Therefore, the customer's operation in the settlement process can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.

According to the present invention, the settlement time of the customer can be shortened.

It is a block diagram of the POS system as one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the registration POS register 20 of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the POS register 30 for settlement of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the appearance composition example of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the processing flow in the POS system 1 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the selection process of the destination settlement POS register in step S22 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display example of the POS register for the destination settlement in step S25 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt which printed the guide which shows the POS register for settlement. It is a figure which shows the display example of the POS register for settlement which changed to the standby state in step S26 of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows another example of the process flow in the POS system 1 of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of the process which puts the settlement process on hold in the process in the POS system 1 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display example of the button which holds the settlement process, which is displayed in the POS register for settlement. It is a figure which shows an example of the hold receipt issued in step S29c of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of the POS system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the POS system 1 includes a store controller 10, a registration POS register 20, and three settlement POS registers 30. The store controller 10, the registration POS register 20, and the three settlement POS registers 30 are connected to each other by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, a plurality of registration POS registers 20 are provided, the number of settlement POS registers 30 is further increased, or the number of settlement POS registers 30 is increased. Can be reduced to two. Further, the store controller 10 and the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 do not necessarily have to be connected by LAN 11. In that case, data can be exchanged by using power line communication or the like that realizes high-speed communication by utilizing electrical wiring. It is also possible to omit the store controller 10 by allowing the registration POS register 20 to have the function of the store controller 10.

The store controller 10 is a computer that controls the POS system 1 and manages various information such as a product master. The store controller 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the registration POS register 20 and each settlement POS register 30. Here, the product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information, product name, and selling price of each product, and is updated as appropriate.

The registration POS register 20 performs a process of registering data of a product that the customer intends to purchase. The data is registered, for example, by reading the barcode attached to the product. Therefore, the registration POS register 20 is provided with, for example, a scanner that reads the bar code (product code) attached to the product purchased by the customer by the operation of a clerk. In the present application, the data related to the product registered by the registration POS register 20 and used in the settlement process is referred to as registration data. The registration data includes information on the total price of all the products to be purchased, that is, the unit price and the number of individual products. The registration data may be the amount of all the products to be purchased, that is, the total amount, or identification information (code information, etc.) that calls information on the unit price and the number of individual products. In this case, the settlement POS register 30 makes a request to the store controller 10 or the registration POS register 20 having the function of the store controller 10 based on the above-mentioned identification information (code information or the like), and receives the registration data. It may be.
Further, the registration POS register 20 receives and manages status information from each settlement POS register 30.

Further, the registration POS register 20 selects the settlement POS register 30 to be the transmission destination of the registration data according to the status information. At that time, the registration POS register 20 determines which settlement POS register 30 should be used by the customer who is currently in the process of registering the product so that the waiting time can be reduced as much as possible based on the status information. That is, the registration POS register 20 selects the optimum one from the plurality of settlement POS registers 30. The registration POS register 20 selects, for example, a vacant settlement POS register 30. Alternatively, when all the settlement POS registers 30 are filled with customers, the registration POS register 20 selects the settlement device that seems to be the earliest available. Then, the registration POS register 20 transmits the registration data to the selected settlement POS register 30. A customer who intends to purchase a product indicated by the registration data can operate the settlement POS register 30 to which the registration data is transmitted to perform the settlement process by himself / herself. The settlement process is a process of selectively paying and settling the price of a product to be purchased by using cash, electronic money, a credit card, or the like.

The above-mentioned status information is information indicating the progress of the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30. The progress status is divided into standby status, settlement status, receipt issuance status, vacancy status, accounting hold, and trouble occurrence. Based on this progress, the registration POS register 20 performs a determination process of which settlement POS register 30 is to be selected. For example, the registration POS register 20 preferentially selects the free settlement POS register 30. If there is no empty POS register 30 for settlement, the one whose receipt is being issued is selected. The above three progress statuses of standby state, settlement in progress, and receipt issuance indicate the stage of settlement processing, and the progress status shifts from the standby state to settlement and from settlement to receipt issuance. Therefore, the progress is progressing when the receipt is being issued rather than when the payment is being made, and if there is no vacant one, by selecting the one whose receipt is being issued, the POS register for settlement that seems to be vacant earliest. 30 can be selected.

Further, the registration POS register 20 performs the following display processing when transmitting the registration data currently being registered for the product to the settlement POS register 30 selected as described above. For example, the registration POS register 20 displays the status information received from each settlement POS register 30 on a display screen such as a touch panel of the registration POS register 20. This display is not limited to the time when the registration data is transmitted, and may be updated at all times or at any time during the registration process or in the free time. Further, when the registration data is transmitted, the registration POS register 20 displays to which the settlement POS register 30 the registration data is transmitted so that the clerk or the customer can know. For example, when it is displayed to a clerk, the clerk can verbally inform the customer. The display method in this case is arbitrary. For example, the status information of each settlement POS register 30 is displayed on the touch panel installed toward the clerk in the registration POS register 20, and the status information corresponding to the transmitted settlement POS register 30 is highlighted. You can do it by doing. Further, a guide indicating the destination settlement POS register 30 may be displayed on the display unit of the registration POS register 20 toward the customer side. Further, a receipt (for example, a number tag receipt on which the number of the settlement POS register 30 is printed) for guiding the corresponding settlement POS register 30 may be issued and handed to the customer.

The clerk may manually select the POS register 30 for settlement. For example, the clerk may judge by looking at the status information and select the settlement POS register 30 by pressing the settlement POS register 30 button selected on the touch panel. Further, in order to assist the judgment of the clerk, the vacant (or likely to be vacant) settlement POS register 30 may be emphasized and displayed in the status information display.

Further, the registration POS register 20 may print all the purchase contents of the product purchased by the customer. In this case, the customer can confirm the registered contents using the registration POS register 20 by looking at the print result before operating the settlement POS register 30 to perform the settlement process.

On the other hand, the POS register 30 for settlement is a device for a customer to operate and perform settlement processing by himself / herself, and is an automatic change machine, a card reader (for example, for a credit card or a point card), or an RF (Radio Frequency) reader (for example). It is equipped with payment equipment such as (for electronic money). The settlement POS register 30 also transmits status information to the registration POS register 20 at any time.

Further, the settlement POS register 30 notifies (that is, guides the customer) so that when the above registration data is received from the registration POS register 20, the customer should come to the settlement POS register 30. ). As an example of the notification, for example, character information such as a predetermined number is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit of the settlement POS register 30. The character information such as this number is information separately notified to the customer by the registration POS register 20 (or by the clerk operating the registration POS register 20). The customer may go to, for example, the checkout POS register 30 displaying his or her number informed. Further, as another example of notification, there is a case where guidance is provided by turning on a predetermined lamp included in the settlement POS register 30. For example, it lights up in a specific color and causes the customer to go to the checkout POS register 30 of the specified color. It may also be blinking. Further, as another example of notification, the membership card No. may be displayed on the screen of the settlement POS register 30. This membership card No. is read by, for example, the registration POS register 20. The customer goes to the settlement POS register 30 that notifies the member card No. of the customer.

Further, the settlement POS register 30 goes into a standby state after being notified. That is, the settlement POS register 30 is in a state of waiting for an instruction to start the settlement process corresponding to the received registration data after the notification is given. As an example of canceling the standby state, for example, when the customer touches the display screen of the settlement POS register 30 (or presses any button), the settlement process may be automatically started. Nothing is displayed on the screen until it is touched, or only the number is displayed, for example, as in the above notification example. Alternatively, the settlement POS register 30 may detect whether or not a customer has approached using a human detection sensor and start the settlement process. In this case as well, the screen can be hidden or the number can be displayed until it is detected. The settlement POS register 30 starts the settlement process when the human detection sensor detects the approach of a person. Alternatively, a camera can be used instead of the human sensor. For example, a camera may be installed in the settlement POS register 30 and the registration POS register 20, and the settlement process may be started only when the same person approaches by face recognition.

Further, the flow of the settlement process for the settlement POS register 30 in the standby state can be performed as follows, for example. (1) First, select a payment method. Select either cash, credit card, electronic money, etc., or use them together according to the customer's operation. (2) Next, the settlement is executed. Settlement is executed by inserting cash into the insertion / discharge port of banknotes and coins held by the POS register 30 for settlement, paying change, reading a card with a card reader, and the like. (3) Next, a receipt is issued using the printing unit of the settlement POS register 30. For example, a list of purchased products, a total purchase price, a receipt price, a fishing price, and the like are printed on the receipt. (4) Then, the settlement POS register 30 ends the settlement process and becomes empty.

The settlement method in the settlement POS register 30 may be declared in the registration POS register 20. In this case, the information of the settlement method is sent from the registration POS register 20 to the settlement POS register 30, and the settlement POS register 30 starts the process from the operation (2) above.

Next, a configuration example of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the registration POS register 20. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the settlement POS register 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance configuration of the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration POS register 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, and a display unit (clerk). (For) 205, display unit (for customers) 205a, operation unit 206, communication unit 207, buzzer 208, and printing unit 209. These can communicate with each other via the bus.

The ROM 202 is a read-only memory and stores a program in advance.
The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the registration POS register 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202.

The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.
The RAM 203 is a read / write memory at any time, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores product information based on the barcode read by the scanner unit 204, status information received from the settlement POS register 30, and the like. Further, for example, the RAM 203 may store the history of operations of the operation buttons.

The display unit (for clerk) 205 and the display unit (for customers) 205a display various information. For example, the display unit (for clerk) 205 and the display unit (for customers) 205a display information (for example, product name, price, etc.) acquired from the product master. Further, the display unit (for the clerk) 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for the clerk. Further, the display unit (for clerk) 205 accepts operation input for pre-set and registered product information (product code, etc.) by operating the operation buttons (preset buttons) displayed in the area on the screen. ..

The operation unit 206 includes various operation buttons (subtotal key, current total key, number key, correction key, preset key, etc.) for operating the registration POS register 20. For example, the operation unit 206 receives an operation input for product information (product code, etc.) preset and registered in the preset key by operating the operation button (preset key).

The communication unit 207 communicates with another device via the LAN 11.
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a clerk to confirm the operation.

The printing unit 209 prints information indicating registration data and the like as needed. However, in this embodiment, printing of the registered data can be omitted. As described above, the printing unit 209 may print on the receipt (printing medium) the information that guides the settlement POS register 30 that is the transmission destination of the registration data (accounting data) selected according to the status information. Good.

FIG. 4 shows the appearance configurations of the scanner unit 204, the display unit (for clerk) 205, the operation unit 206, and the printing unit 209.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the settlement POS register 30 prints the CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the scanner unit 304, the display unit 305, the operation unit 306, the communication unit 307, the buzzer 308, and the like. It includes a unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a barber's pole 311 and a human detection sensor 312. These can communicate with each other via the bus.

The ROM 302 is a read-only memory that stores a program.
The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement POS register 30 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 302.

The RAM 303 is an occasional read / write memory that stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores the product master acquired from the store controller 10 and the purchase contents of the product indicated by the two-dimensional code or bar code read by the scanner unit 304. As an example of reading a two-dimensional code or a barcode by the scanner unit 304, for example, in the registration POS register 20, the status information of the settlement POS register 30 cannot be acquired for some reason (for example, a trouble is occurring). It is conceivable that the registration POS register 20 prints the two-dimensional code or barcode used for accounting on the accounting slip because of (in the situation).

The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a barcode (membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

The display unit 305 displays various information on the screen according to the control from the CPU 301. Further, the display unit 305 stores the history of operations (for example, the number of operations, the order of operations, etc.) displayed on the screen in the RAM 303 for each operation button.

The operation unit 306 includes various operation buttons (correction keys, preset keys, etc.) for operating the settlement POS register 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts the correction of the operation input by operating the operation button (correction key).

The communication unit 307 communicates with another device via the LAN 11. For example, it connects to the store controller 10 and acquires the latest product master from the store controller 10.

When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound for notifying the error.
When the settlement process (that is, the settlement of the purchase price of the product) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues the settlement receipt that the customer brings back.

The payment unit 310 includes a change ticket machine, a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, and a control unit thereof, and the payment unit 310 can be used to perform payment processing using cash, credit, and electronic money. Will be done. The settlement unit 310 executes the settlement with cash by the change ticket machine, and outputs the result of executing the settlement (for example, information indicating whether or not the settlement is successful) to the CPU 301 via the bus. The change billing machine is provided with a bill insertion slot for inserting and discharging bills, a coin insertion slot for inserting coins, and a change ejection port for discharging change. Further, the settlement unit 310 executes the settlement by credit and outputs the result of the execution of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the port and the bus. Further, the settlement unit 310 executes the settlement with electronic money and outputs the result of the execution of the settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus.

The barber's pole 311 has indicators of a plurality of colors, and by turning on or blinking these indicators, it is possible to notify or operate information indicating that the POS register 30 for settlement is the selected device. Notify that there is.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects that a person (customer) is within a predetermined range in front of the settlement POS register 30.

FIG. 4 shows the external configurations of the scanner unit 304, the display unit 305, the operation unit 306, the printing unit 309, the settlement unit 310, and the barber's pole 311.

Next, an operation example of the POS system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In the operation example shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the transmission / reception of predetermined data has been completed between the store controller 10, the registration POS register 20, and each settlement POS register 30. Therefore, only the processing in the registration POS register 20 and each settlement POS register 30 and the exchange of data between them are shown. Further, in FIG. 5, the three settlement POS registers 30 shown in FIG. 1 are shown as settlement POS registers 30a to 30c. Further, in the operation example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that all three POS registers 30a to 30c for settlement are in an empty state at the start.

Now, assuming that in steps S11, S14, and S17, status information indicating that the three settlement POS registers 30a to 30c are free is transmitted to the registration POS register 20, the registration POS register 20 Receives status information, respectively (steps S12, S15 and S18). Then, the registration POS register 20 stores the status information of each of the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 203 (steps S13, S16 and S19).

Next, in step S20, it is assumed that the customer visits the registration POS register 20 and the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 206 to start the product registration process. After that, the scanner unit 204, the display unit 205, and the operation unit 206 are used to perform registration processing of product data to be purchased by the customer. Then, in step S21, it is assumed that the product registration process is completed and the product registration process is completed when the clerk performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 206. In step S21, registration data (accounting data) to be transmitted to any of the settlement POS registers 30 is generated.

Here, the registration POS register 20 performs a selection process of the settlement POS register 30 that is the transmission destination of the registration data (step S22). In step S22, the registration POS register 20 refers to each status information of each settlement POS register 30a to 30c stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 203, and the progress of the settlement process is the highest based on each status information. Select the advanced (ie, free or most likely to be free) checkout POS register. In this example, it is assumed that the settlement POS register 30a is selected in step S22.

Next, the registration POS register 20 transmits the registration data to the settlement POS register 30a, which is the transmission destination of the registration data set in step S22 (step S23). On the other hand, the settlement POS register 30a receives the registration data (step S24). The registration POS register 20 for which the registration data has been transmitted in step S23 displays that the settlement POS register for which the registration data has been transmitted is the settlement POS register 30a (step S25). On the other hand, the settlement POS register 30a, which has received the registration data in step S24, notifies that the registration data has been received and shifts to the standby state of the settlement process (step S26).

Next, the settlement POS register 30a transmits status information indicating that it is in the standby state (step S27). The registration POS register 20 receives status information from the settlement POS register 30a (step S28). The status information of the settlement POS register 30a stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 203 is updated from the free state to the standby state (step S29).

Here, when the customer arrives at the POS register 30a for settlement and a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 306 or the like, or the approach of a person is detected by the person detection sensor 312, the payment process is started ( Step S30). In the payment process started in step S30, the display unit 305 shows an operation method and the like, and the payment method is selected and the payment is made by the selected payment method according to the customer's operation. When the settlement process is started in step S30, the settlement POS register 30a transmits status information indicating that settlement is in progress (step S31). The registration POS register 20 receives status information from the settlement POS register 30a (step S32). The status information of the settlement POS register 30a stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 203 is updated from the standby state to the settlement during settlement (step S33).

Next, when the settlement process by the predetermined settlement method is completed in the settlement POS register 30a (step S34), the settlement POS register 30a starts the receipt issuance process (step S35). When the settlement POS register 30a starts the receipt issuing process in step S35, the settlement POS register 30a transmits status information indicating that the receipt is being issued (step S36). The registration POS register 20 receives status information from the settlement POS register 30a (step S37). The status information of the settlement POS register 30a stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 203 is updated during the settlement and the receipt issuance (step S38).

Next, when the settlement POS register 30a finishes issuing the receipt (step S39), the checkout POS register 30a shifts to the free state and transmits status information indicating that the free state is available (step S40). The registration POS register 20 receives status information from the settlement POS register 30a (step S41). The status information of the settlement POS register 30a stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 203 is updated from the receipt issuance to the empty state (step S42).

As described above, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, any one of the settlement POS registers 30 is automatically selected by the registration POS register 20, and the customer operates using the settlement POS register 30. Settlement processing is performed.

Next, an example of the selection process of the destination settlement POS register in step S22 of FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the progress status represented by the status information is five situations: a standby state, a settlement, a receipt issuance, a vacant state, and a trouble is occurring. As shown in FIG. 6, the registration POS register 20 first refers to the status information of the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 203, so that the registration POS register 20 is a free settlement POS register. It is determined whether or not 30 is present (step S101). If there is a free POS register 30 for settlement (in the case of Yes in step S101), one of the POS registers 30 for settlement in the free state is selected (step S102). Then, in step S103, the selected settlement POS register 30 is set as the transmission destination, and the selection process ends.

On the other hand, if there is no POS register 30 for settlement in the empty state (No in step S101), it is determined whether or not the POS register 30 for settlement during receipt printing exists (step S104). If there is a settlement POS register 30 during receipt printing (yes in step S104), one of the settlement POS registers 30 during receipt printing is selected (step S105). Then, in step S103, the selected settlement POS register 30 is set as the transmission destination, and the selection process ends.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S104, if there is no settlement POS register 30 during receipt printing (if No in step S104), it is determined whether or not there is a settlement POS register 30 during settlement. Determine (step S106). If there is a settlement POS register 30 during settlement (yes in step S106), one of the settlement POS registers 30 during settlement is selected (step S107). Then, in step S103, the selected settlement POS register 30 is set as the transmission destination, and the selection process ends.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S106, if there is no settlement POS register 30 during settlement (if No in step S106), it is determined whether or not there is a settlement POS register 30 in the standby state. (Step S108). If there is a POS register 30 for settlement in the standby state (Yes in step S108), one of the POS registers 30 for settlement in the standby state is selected (step S109). Then, in step S103, the selected settlement POS register 30 is set as the transmission destination, and the selection process ends.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S108, if there is no settlement POS register 30 in the standby state (when No in step S108), in this example, all the settlement POS registers 30 are in trouble. Since it is in a situation, the fact that the settlement POS register of the transmission destination could not be determined is set as information indicating the selection result (step S110).

When two or more settlement POS registers 30 are selected in steps S102, S105, S107 or S109, one of them is selected by an arbitrary method. For example, when the distance between the registration POS register 20 and the settlement POS register 30 is large or small, the settlement POS register 30 having a small distance can be selected. In addition, if one of the multiple customers in the settlement process is a customer who has a membership card or the like and one of them is a customer who does not have a membership card, for example, he or she has a membership card or the like. The customer can select the device in use. This is because if you have a membership card, it is highly likely that you are familiar with the operation. In addition, when the registration POS register 20 can register information about age, depending on the age, when only children are using it, other devices (that is, avoiding those devices) are used. It is possible to make a selection.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a display example in the display processing of the destination settlement POS register in step S25 of FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a display example of the display unit (for the clerk) 205 of the registration POS register 20. In the display example of FIG. 7, buttons 2051 to 2053 indicating the status information of the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c are displayed together with the icon for product selection (vegetable in this example) and information indicating the amount and quantity. There is. However, the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c are displayed as devices 1 to 3, respectively. Further, the settlement POS register 30a in which the status information selected in the process of step S22 is empty is shaded and shown in a form different from that of other buttons (for example, if it is in a blinking state or the display color is different). It is displaying (by registering). In the example of FIG. 7, it is shown that the settlement POS register 30a is selected as the transmission destination by changing this form.

As described above, the registration POS register 20 may display a guide indicating the settlement destination POS register 30 on the display unit (customer) 205a. For example, the registration POS register 20 may display the buttons 2051 to 2053 representing the status information of the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit (customer) 205a.

Further, as described above, the guide indicating the settlement POS register 30 of the transmission destination may be printed on the receipt handed to the customer. FIG. 8 shows an example of a receipt on which a guide indicating the destination settlement POS register 30 is printed (a number tag receipt, a checkout ticket, and a POS cash register guide receipt on which the number of the settlement POS register 30 is printed). There is. In FIG. 8, the characters "Please pay at the first cash register" (see reference numeral 3051) are printed on the receipt as a guide indicating the destination settlement POS register 30. Here, the "first cash register" corresponds to, for example, the device 1 (payment POS register 30a) of the display example of FIG. 7.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a display example of the display unit 305 of the settlement POS register 30 that has shifted to the standby state of the settlement process in step S26 of FIG. 5 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a display example of the display unit 305 of the settlement POS register 30. In the display example of FIG. 9, the settlement is performed based on the registration data received by the settlement POS register 30 together with the information indicating the "payment machine" and the information indicating the standby state ("waiting"). Information that can identify the customer (for example, a number, "accounting waiting number") is displayed in the accounting order (the order in which the registration data is received). Information that can identify the customer (for example, a number) may be notified to the customer by being displayed on the display unit (for the customer) 205a of the registration POS register 20, or is printed on a receipt handed to the customer. The customer may be notified by this.

Next, another operation example of the POS system 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In the operation example shown in FIG. 10, the status information of each settlement POS register 30 is different from that of the operation example described with reference to FIG. That is, in the operation example of FIG. 10, it is assumed that the settlement POS register 30a is being settled, the settlement POS register 30b is issuing a receipt, and the settlement POS register 30c is being settled.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, in steps S51 to S59, the status information of the POS registers 30a to 30c for settlement is updated in the same manner as in steps S11 to S19 of FIG. Then, in steps S60 to S61, after the product registration process is performed in the same manner as in steps S20 to S21 of FIG. 5, in step S62, the settlement POS register 30b during receipt is selected as the transmission destination device. In this example, since the settlement POS registers 30a and 30c are being settled, it is determined that the settlement POS register 30b during receipt issuance is the most advanced in processing. After that, in steps S63 to S82, registration data transmission processing and settlement processing are performed using the settlement POS register 30b in the same manner as in steps S23 to S42 of FIG. However, the notification and the transition process to the standby state in step S66 are executed after the issuance of the receipt that was being issued when the status information was transmitted in step S54 is completed.

The registration data transmission process in step S63 may be temporarily waited according to the status information of the settlement POS register 30. For example, the registration data is transmitted only to the settlement POS register 30 in the vacant state or the receipt issuance, and the status information is being issued to the settlement POS register 30 in the settlement or standby state. You may wait until the transmission of the registration data. In this case, the customer temporarily waits in the vicinity of the registration POS register 20, for example. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the customer from being guided toward the settlement POS register 30 without notifying that the settlement POS register 30 is a non-selection device. In this case, the registration POS register 20 may issue a number tag receipt to a customer who temporarily waits at the standby position and hand it to the customer. Then, the customer's registration data is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 in which the status information is empty or the receipt is being issued, and the number printed on the number tag receipt is displayed on the display of the received settlement POS register 30. May be displayed to guide the customer.

By the way, as described above, the registration POS register 20 for registering the product to be purchased by the customer and the settlement POS register 30 for which the customer himself operates the payment for the product registered in the registration POS register 20. In the POS system 1 consisting of the above, when the customer remembers (when he / she notices) a product that he / she forgot to buy at the time of accounting (at the time of settlement), he / she is in the settlement POS register 30 in a state where the registration at the registration POS register 20 is completed. .. Therefore, the customer must once settle in the settlement POS register 30 and then line up in the registration queue of the registration POS register 20 again to purchase the product that he / she forgot to buy. Sometimes.
In this case, since the same procedure is repeated until the product that has been forgotten to be purchased is purchased, the repeated procedure is troublesome and troublesome for the customer who has forgotten to purchase. In addition, since the customer may give up the purchase of the product that he / she has forgotten to buy, the sales of the store may be adversely affected or the impression of the store may be deteriorated.

Therefore, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suspend the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30, and it is possible to additionally register the product registration data with respect to the reserved registration data. is there.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, in the settlement POS register 30 that has received the registration data and is in the standby state, the settlement process based on the registration data is put on hold, and the product registration data is added to the held registration data. An operation example of the process of additional registration will be described. When the customer puts the settlement process on hold, for example, the registration data of the product to be purchased registered in the registration POS register 20 is transmitted to the settlement POS register 30 to be in a standby state, as described above. For example, when you notice that there is a product you have forgotten to buy and you want to suspend the settlement process. By suspending the settlement process, the customer can add (register) the product as a product to be purchased before performing the settlement process.

For example, a button such as "payment hold" is provided on the screen display of the display unit 305 of the settlement POS register 30. When this "payment hold" button is pressed, the checkout POS register 30 puts the customer's registration data (payment process based on the registration data) on hold.

In the operation example shown in FIG. 11, in step S26 of FIG. 5, a process of putting the settlement process on hold after the settlement POS register 30a shifts to the standby state is added, which is an operation example shown in FIG. Is different. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are given to the processes corresponding to the processes of FIG. 5, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the operations after the "settlement processing start" in step S30 are the same as the operations described with reference to FIG. 5, and are not shown.

The settlement POS register 30a shifts to the standby state of the settlement process (step S26), transmits the status information (step S27), and then, for example, in response to the customer's operation, the settlement including the payment amount information on the display unit 305. In addition to displaying payment information for processing, a button that allows you to enter "payment hold" to hold payment processing is displayed. Then, the settlement POS register 30a determines whether or not the settlement process has been started (step S29a). When it is determined in step S29a that the settlement process has been started, the settlement POS register 30a proceeds to step S30 and starts the settlement process as described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S29a that the settlement process has not been started, the settlement POS register 30a determines whether or not the "payment hold" button has been pressed (step S29b).

If it is determined in step S29b that the "payment hold" button has not been pressed, the settlement POS register 30a returns the process to step S29a and determines that the settlement process has started, or the "payment hold" button. The process of step S29a and step S29b is repeated until it is determined that is pressed.

When it is determined in step S29b that the "payment hold" button is pressed, the settlement POS register 30a issues a hold receipt including information (identifiable information) that can identify the registered data for which the settlement process has been held (identifiable information). Step S29c). For example, a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code for recalling the registration data for which the settlement process has been suspended is printed on this hold receipt.
If the accounting receipt has already been issued in a state where the registration POS register 20 or the settlement POS register 30 cannot communicate due to some trouble, it is not necessary to issue it.

Further, the settlement POS register 30a performs a process of returning the registration data for which the settlement process is held to the registration POS register 20 in which the registration data is registered (transmitted). For example, the settlement POS register 30a transmits the registration data (hold registration data) treated as hold to the registration POS register 20 in which the registration data is registered (transmitted) (step S29d). The registration POS register 20 receives the pending registration data transmitted from the settlement POS register 30a (step S29e).

Registration data that has been put on hold will be put on hold until it is called. For example, a customer who has forgotten to buy goes to the registration POS register 20 with the forgotten product after depositing the shopping cart with a clerk, and has the customer additionally register the forgotten product. In response to the customer requesting additional registration of the product (step S29j), the registration POS register 20 returns the process to step S12 and recalls the registration data (hold registration data) for which the settlement process has been suspended. , Add the registration data of the product to be registered (the product you forgot to buy) to the registration data. As a result, the "forgotten product" additionally registered in the registration POS register 20 is additionally registered in the hold registration data which is treated as hold.

Then, the registration POS register 20 transmits the additionally registered registration data to the settlement POS register selected based on each status information. The customer calls the registration data using the hold receipt, or goes to the settlement POS register 30 indicated by the registration POS register 20 again and makes the settlement by himself / herself.

In this way, the settlement POS register 30 executes the processing (holding means) of steps S29c and S29d for suspending the settlement processing based on the registered data that has been received and is in the standby state. Further, the registration POS register 20 executes the process of step S29e for receiving the hold registration data for which the settlement process is held, and receives the data in response to the customer requesting additional registration of the product (step S29j). The process of additionally registering the registration data of the "forgotten product" is executed for the pending registration data. As a result, in the POS system 1 using the settlement POS register 30 operated by the customer himself / herself, even if there is a product that the customer has forgotten to buy, the registration data for executing the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30 On the other hand, it is possible to add products that the customer has forgotten to buy.

When the registration data is stored in the registration POS register 20, the registration data is held from the settlement POS register 30 to the registration POS register 20 instead of the above-mentioned process of transmitting the hold registration data (registration data). It may be a process of notifying that the process based on is pending). For example, the settlement POS register 30a displays a display indicating that the hold registration data exists in the registration POS register 20 on the display unit 305, and displays status information indicating that the hold registration data is in the hold state in the registration POS register 20. You may send it. Further, the registration POS register 20 may update the status information from the standby state to the holding state in response to receiving the status information indicating that the holding state is received.

As a method of storing the hold registration data, a method of storing the hold registration data in the settlement POS register 30 and a method of transmitting the hold registration data to the registration POS register 20 in which the registration data is registered (or identification that can identify the hold registration data). A method of transmitting information and status information indicating that the data is on hold (a method of storing in the registration POS register 20), a method of transmitting to the store controller 10 (a method of storing in the store controller 10), etc. Various cases are assumed.

In the case of the method of storing the hold registration data in the settlement POS register 30, the registration POS register 20 transmits only the additionally registered "forgotten product" to the settlement POS register 30 that stores the hold registration data. You may do the processing. As a result, the settlement POS register 30 that stores the hold registration data may additionally register the received "forgotten product" in the hold registration data that is treated as hold.

Further, in the case of the method of storing the hold registration data in the store controller 10, the registration POS register 20 may perform a process of transmitting the additionally registered "forgotten product" to the store controller 10. As a result, the store controller 10 may additionally register the received "forgotten product" in the stored hold registration data.

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a display example of a button for holding the settlement process displayed on the display unit 305 of the settlement POS register 30 will be described. In FIG. 12, the settlement POS register 30 displays payment information such as a receipt number and payment amount information for performing settlement processing, and a “forgot-to-buy button” for holding settlement processing (see reference numeral 3061). Is displayed on the display unit 305. For example, the settlement POS register 30a that has transitioned to the standby state in step S26 of FIG. 11 displays information including the “forgot to buy button” on the display unit 305 as shown in FIG. Then, the POS register 30a for settlement in step S29b of FIG. 11 determines whether or not the "forgot to buy button" is pressed as whether or not the "payment hold" button is pressed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the hold receipt issued in step S29c of FIG. 11 will be described. The hold receipt shown in FIG. 13 includes a guide (see reference numeral 3051) indicating the issuer's settlement POS register 30 and a two-dimensional code (see reference numeral 3052) for recalling the registration data for which the settlement process has been held. It is printed. In addition, instead of the two-dimensional code by the QR code (registered trademark) shown in this figure, a one-dimensional code such as a bar code may be used. Further, instead of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional code, the information may be indicated by numbers, characters, symbols, pictures, etc. associated with each registered data.

As described above, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the registration POS register 20 (registration device) for registering the product to be purchased and the plurality of settlement POS registers 30 (registration device) for performing settlement based on the product registration data ( It is configured to have a settlement device). Then, in the registration POS register 20, the processing (acquisition means) of steps S12, S15, S18, etc. for acquiring the status information related to the settlement processing from each settlement POS register 30, and the settlement POS for which the registered product should be settled. The process of step S22 (selection means) for selecting the register 30 based on the status information and the process (transmission means) of step S23 for transmitting the registration data of the registered product to the selected settlement POS register 30 are executed. .. In this way, since the registration data is transmitted from the registration POS register 20 to the settlement POS register 30 according to the status of the settlement POS register 30, the necessary registration data has already arrived at the settlement POS register 30. , The operation of the customer can be reduced, and the settlement time can be shortened accordingly.

Further, since the processing (control means) of step S26 for controlling the settlement POS register 30 to be in the standby state of the settlement processing when the registration data is received from the registration POS register 20, the settlement POS register 30 is executed. It is possible to put 30 into a standby state in which payment can be started immediately, and the operation of the customer can be reduced as much as possible.

Further, the process (notification means) of step S26 for notifying the customer that the settlement POS register 30 is the settlement POS register 30 for which the registration product should be settled when the registration data is received from the registration POS register 20. ) Is executed, so that the customer can immediately identify which checkout device to go to.

Further, since the registration POS register 20 executes the process (display means) of step S25 for displaying the status information, the state of the settlement POS register 30 can be grasped on the side of the registration POS register 20.

Further, the status information is information indicating the progress of the settlement process, and in the process (selection means) of step S22, the settlement process progresses most as the settlement POS register 30 for which the registered product should be settled. POS register 30 is selected. According to this configuration, the optimum settlement POS register 30 is selected according to the status information indicating the progress of the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30, so that, for example, the customer concentrates on one settlement POS register 30. Efficient settlement is possible without any problems.

If the status information is the same when the registration POS register 20 transmits the registration data to the settlement POS register 30, the transmission destination is determined according to the age of the customer and the distance to the settlement POS register 30. May be decided. For example, in the case of an elderly person, if the nearest settlement POS register 30 is selected from the registration POS register 20, it is easy to support and customer satisfaction can be further improved.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the registration data of the customer's purchase target product registered in the settlement device selected during the registration process by the registration device is transmitted, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example. The settlement device identification information and the like of the settlement POS register 30 selected during the registration process in the registration POS register 20 and the product registration data are linked and transmitted to the store controller 10, and the settlement targeted by the store controller 10 is performed. The registration data of the customer's purchase target product registered by the registration device may be transmitted according to the settlement processing status of the POS register 30. Alternatively, the settlement POS register 30 itself requests the registration data of the customer's purchase target product registered in the store controller 10 by the registration device based on the settlement device identification information of the own device according to the settlement processing status of the settlement POS register 30. May be performed and received.

The registration POS register 20 may execute a process (printing means) of printing information for guiding the settlement POS register 30 selected in the process (selection means) of step S22 on a print medium. As a result, the customer can immediately identify which payment device to go to by checking the printed contents.

Further, the registration POS register 20 controls the selection prohibition as the settlement POS register 30 for which the registration product should be settled so that the settlement POS register 30 whose status information is "in use" cannot be selected. Do. Here, the case where the status information is "in use" means that the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30 is, for example, "standby state", "settlement in progress", or "receipt issuance". (That is, when it is not "free"). It should be noted that the case where "trouble is occurring" may be included when the status information is "in use".

For example, as described above, the clerk sees the status information of each settlement POS register 30 displayed on the touch panel of the registration POS register 20, and transmits the registration data registered in the registration POS register 20. The POS register 30 may be selected. As a specific example, on the touch panel of the registration POS register 20, a button corresponding to each settlement POS register 30 is displayed so that the settlement POS register 30 for transmitting registration data can be selected, and a clerk May select the settlement POS register 30 for transmitting registration data by selecting and pressing one of the buttons corresponding to each settlement POS register 30. In such a case, the registration POS register 20 may be controlled so that the settlement POS register 30 whose status information is "in use" cannot be selected. For example, the registration POS register 20 displays the button corresponding to the settlement POS register 30 whose status information is "in use" among the buttons corresponding to each settlement POS register 30 so as not to be selectable. May be good. In addition, when the registered customer is a customer who has put the registration data (accounting data) on hold in the settlement POS register 30, the button corresponding to the settlement POS register 30 put on hold by the customer is displayed as "hold". Therefore, when the clerk presses the button displaying the "hold", the registration data (accounting data) put on hold by the customer is called. After that, when the additional registration of the product that the customer has forgotten to buy is completed and the button displaying the "hold" corresponding to the settlement POS register 30 is pressed, the "hold" button and the corresponding settlement POS register 30 are pressed. Registration data (accounting data) may be transmitted to.

As a result, the registration data registered in the registration POS register 20 is not biased to be transmitted only to the specific settlement POS register 30 among the plurality of settlement POS registers 30, so that the registration data is not transmitted. Customers can be assigned to each of the POS registers 20 on average.

Further, the settlement POS register 30 executes the processing (holding means) of steps S29c and S29d for suspending the settlement processing based on the registered data that has been received and is in the standby state. Further, the registration POS register 20 executes the process of step S29e for receiving the hold registration data for which the settlement process is held, and receives the data in response to the customer requesting additional registration of the product (step S29j). The process of additionally registering the registration data of the "forgotten product" is executed for the pending registration data. As a result, the settlement process of the already registered registration data can be suspended, and the forgotten product can be smoothly additionally registered in the registration POS register 20 and settled together. For example, in the POS system 1 using the POS register 30 for settlement, which is operated by the customer himself / herself, even if there is a product that the customer has forgotten to buy, the settlement process based on the registered data in the standby state is put on hold. Therefore, it is possible to additionally register the product that the customer has forgotten to buy with respect to the reserved registration data in the registration POS register 20. Therefore, the customer can have the registered POS register 20 additionally register the forgotten product and settle the payment without going through a troublesome and troublesome procedure.

Further, when the registration data that has been received by the settlement POS register 30 and is in the standby state is put on hold, the registration data is transmitted (returned) to the registration POS register 20 that has transmitted the registration data. Step S29d Since the process of is executed, the hold registration data can be updated on the registration POS register 20 side.

In addition, the settlement POS register 30 indicates that the registration data has been put on hold when the settlement process based on the registered data in the received and waiting state is put on hold, and the registration POS that transmits the registration data. The process of notifying the register 20 may be executed. As a result, it is possible to grasp at any time that the registration data has been put on hold on the registration POS register 20 side, and it is possible to always grasp that the hold registration data exists on the display screen. It is also possible to call the pending registration data (accounting data) by touching the display on the display screen where the pending registration data exists. Therefore, support for customers and additional registration processing of forgotten products can be smoothly performed.

In addition, when the above-mentioned holding means puts the settlement process based on the registration data in the waiting state on hold, the customer forgets to buy because the holding receipt on which the information associated with the registration data is printed is issued. By handing the printed product and the hold receipt to the clerk of the registration POS register 20, the product forgotten to be purchased can be smoothly registered.

Further, when the above-mentioned holding means puts the settlement process based on the registered data in the waiting state on hold, a holding receipt on which a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code that can call the registered data is printed is issued. The clerk of the registration POS register 20 can easily call up the accounting data of the customer who has forgotten to buy by the code information of the hold receipt, and can smoothly additionally register the product which the customer has forgotten to buy.

Further, when the registration data is put on hold by the holding means, the settlement POS register 30 executes a process (notifying means) of notifying the holding of the registered data by the buzzer 308, so that the registration data is treated as holding. The clerk can quickly recognize that, and can support the customer and prevent fraud.

In the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the settlement process can be suspended by pressing the "payment hold" button of the settlement POS register 30, and the reserved registration data can be used for registration POS. The data is transmitted to the register 20, but the data is not limited to this. For example, in the POS system 1, the registration POS register 20 is provided with a "recall unsettled registration data" button, and when this button is pressed, the unsettled customer registration data (based on the registration data) of the settlement POS register 30 is provided. The settlement process) is displayed as an unsettled list on the screen of the registration POS register 20, and the registered data of the target customer is touched (for example, a touch operation by a clerk) from the unsettled list to register the customer. The data may be put on hold and recalled to the registration POS register 20.
As a result, the POS system 1 can recall the registration data of the customer waiting for accounting to the registration POS register 20 regardless of the order of accounting, and can quickly perform additional registration of the product that the customer has forgotten to buy.

Further, in the present embodiment, the settlement means (payment method) in the settlement process (settlement process) for settlement based on the registered data put on hold may be changed. As a change of the above payment method, in the settlement process based on the registration data of the customer who is going to settle in the settlement POS register 30, the button such as "payment hold" on the screen display of the display unit 305 of the settlement POS register 30 is used. The settlement means in the settlement process for settlement based on the registered data placed on hold may be changed. Alternatively, the unsettled registration data (unsettled registration data stored in the settlement POS register 30) of the customer waiting for settlement in the settlement POS register 30 is provided in the registration POS register 20 "not yet". The settlement method in the settlement process for settlement based on the registration data put on hold in the unsettled list displayed by pressing the "Recall settlement registration data" button may be changed.
The change of the payment method is not limited to the payment method of selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, etc., and for example, a part or all of the settlement price is a gift certificate or the like (for example, a predetermined face value). The payment method may be changed to a payment method using a cash voucher, a shopping voucher, etc. that can be used as the payment amount. For example, in the settlement process, if the face value paid using the gift certificate or the like is a part of the settlement price, the remaining face value of the gift certificate or the like is subtracted from the settlement price based on the registered data held on hold. The amount may be the settlement amount of the registered data that has been put on hold. In addition, in the settlement process, if the face value paid using the gift certificate, etc. exceeds the amount of the settlement price, the settlement price based on the registered data put on hold is subtracted from the face value paid using the gift certificate, etc. The amount of money may be used as the amount of money to be withdrawn from the settlement POS register 30 as the remaining amount of money for which the gift certificate could not be used up.
In addition, the registration POS register 20 may transmit the registration data in which the settlement process is changed and is treated as a hold by designating the settlement POS register 30 as shown in the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the status information which is the information indicating the progress of the settlement process in the settlement POS register 30, the standby state, the settlement, the receipt issuance, the vacancy state, the accounting hold, the trouble occurrence, and the like are illustrated. However, for example, in the case of a change fishing ticket machine that deposits and withdraws cash in the settlement unit 310, the status of the change fishing ticket machine may be used as status information, and the state of this change fishing ticket machine is transmitted as status information. You may try to do it.
In this case, the currency types stored in the change ticket machine are near full (a state in which a certain currency type stored in the change ticket machine is almost full) or near end (the change ticket machine is about to fill up). The information of the state (state in which the specific currency type to be stored) is lost) may be transmitted to the registration POS register 20 as status information. Based on this status information, the registration POS register 20 may perform a determination process of which settlement POS register 30 is to be selected. For example, the registration POS register 20 selects another settlement POS register 30 while avoiding selecting the settlement POS register 30 which is in the near-full or near-end state in the currency type stored in the change ticket machine. You may. As a result, it is possible to avoid troubles such as running out of change during cash settlement, or the change ticket machine becoming full deposit due to the denomination deposited at the time of settlement and becoming inoperable. It has the effect of being able to do it.
In the display example of FIG. 7, the buttons 2051 to 2053 indicating the status information of the settlement POS registers 30a to 30c are displayed together with the icon for selecting the product (vegetable in this example) and the information indicating the amount and quantity. However, the display such as "vacant state" is not limited to this, and for example, the state of the change ticket machine provided in the POS registers 30a to 30c for settlement (for example, the state of near full, near end, or coin jam). May be displayed.
If the status information is displayed on the POS register 30 for settlement equipped with a change ticket machine in the near-full or near-end state, there is a high possibility that problems such as troubles will occur at the time of payment, so other buttons are used. A display color of a color that is not normally used to call attention (for example, to make the blinking state faster than normal blinking to call attention to the operator, or to indicate that attention must be paid). If red is a color that is not normally used, it may be displayed differently from red, etc.). In the case of this form, it is indicated that the settlement POS register 30 that displays the status information in a form different from that of other buttons should not be selected as the transmission destination, which causes problems such as troubles. This has the effect of reducing the transmission of registered data to the settlement POS register 30, which is highly likely to cause the problem.

The POS register (registration POS register or settlement POS register) and the program for realizing the POS system described above are recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program is read into the computer system and executed. You may try to do it. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Furthermore, a "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, it shall include those that hold the program for a certain period of time. Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer system in which this program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

10 ... Store controller, 11 ... LAN, 20 ... POS register for registration, 30 ... POS register for settlement, 201 ... CPU, 202 ... ROM, 203 ... RAM, 204 ... Scanner unit, 205 ... Display unit (for clerk), 205a ... Display unit (for customers), 206 ... Operation unit, 207 ... Communication unit, 208 ... Buzzer, 209 ... Printing unit, 301 ... CPU, 302 ... ROM, 303 ... RAM, 304 ... Scanner unit, 305 ... Display unit, 306 ... Operation unit, 307 ... Communication unit, 308 ... Buzzer, 309 ... Printing unit, 310 ... Payment unit, 311 ... Sign pole, 312 ... Human detection sensor

Claims (10)

In a POS system having a registration device for registering a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices for which the customer operates and performs payment processing by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product.
The registration device includes a transmission means for transmitting registration data of the registered product so that payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as a destination of the registration data.
The POS system is characterized in that the transmission means temporarily waits for transmission according to the status information of the settlement device . The claim is characterized in that, when there is no vacant settlement device, the transmission means temporarily waits for the transmission and then transmits the registration data of the product to the vacant settlement device. Item 1. The POS system according to item 1. The registration device in a POS system having a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself to perform payment processing based on the registration data of the product. And
A transmission means for transmitting the registration data of the registered product is provided so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data.
The transmission means is a registration device , which temporarily waits for transmission according to the status information of the settlement device. When there is no vacant settlement device, the transmission means temporarily waits for the transmission and then transmits the registration data of the product to the vacant settlement device.
The registration device according to claim 3, wherein the registration device is characterized by the above. The first computer functions as a registration device that registers the product to be purchased by the customer based on the operation of the clerk, and the second computer operates as a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself based on the registration data of the product. A POS system program that makes a computer work
The first computer is made to function as a transmission means for transmitting the registration data of the registered product so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data. ,
The transmission means is a program characterized in that transmission is temporarily waited according to the status information of the settlement device . When there is no vacant settlement device, the transmission means temporarily waits for the transmission and then transmits the registration data of the product to the vacant settlement device.
The program according to claim 5, wherein the program is characterized by the above. The registration device in a POS system having a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself to perform payment processing based on the registration data of the product. As a computer,
It functions as a transmission means for transmitting the registration data of the registered product so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data.
The transmission means is a program characterized in that transmission is temporarily waited according to the status information of the settlement device . When there is no vacant settlement device, the transmission means temporarily waits for the transmission and then transmits the registration data of the product to the vacant settlement device.
7. The program according to claim 7. Registration data in a POS system that has a registration device that registers a product to be purchased by a customer based on the operation of a clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that the customer operates by himself / herself to perform payment processing based on the registration data of the product. It ’s a transmission method,
The registration device has a transmission step of transmitting the registration data of the registered product so that the payment processing of the customer can be performed by one vacant settlement device selected as the transmission destination of the registration data.
The transmission step is a method of transmitting registration data, characterized in that transmission is temporarily waited according to the status information of the settlement device . In the transmission step, when there is no vacant settlement device, after temporarily waiting for the transmission, the registration data of the product is transmitted to the vacant settlement device.
The method for transmitting registration data according to claim 9, wherein the registration data is transmitted.

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