JP6843205B2 - Automatic change machine and payment processing device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to automatic change machines and payment processing devices.

The automatic change machine discharges change according to the amount of change. A payment processing device to which an automatic change machine is connected and a payment processing device having an automatic change function are known. In such a payment processing device, the operator may forget to receive the discharged change. In addition, self- and semi-self check-out devices are known as payment processing devices having an automatic change function. In the self- or semi-self-type checkout device, the shopper acts as an operator, and the shopper himself pays for the goods and receives the discharged change. Therefore, there is a problem that the change is often forgotten to be received as compared with the payment processing device in which the clerk intervenes.
In view of such circumstances, it is desired to make the operator aware that there is a change discharge.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-013488

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic change machine and a payment processing device that can make an operator aware that there is change discharge.

The automatic change machine of the embodiment includes a determination means, a coin discharging means, a bill discharging means, a first detecting means, a second residual notification means, a first residual notification means, and a second residual notification means. The determination means determines the amount of change. The coin discharging means discharges coins to the coin receiving portion according to the amount of change determined by the determining means. The bill discharging means discharges the bills to the bill receiving portion according to the amount of change determined by the determining means. The first detecting means detects the coins remaining in the coin receiving portion. The second detecting means detects the bills remaining in the bill receiving portion. If the detection result by the first detection means changes from the state where the coin is detected to the state where the coin is not detected, the first residual notification means detects the banknote by the second detection means. , Generates voice data of the content notifying that the bill remains in the bill receiving part and outputs it to the speaker. The second residual notification means is that when the detection result by the second detection means changes from the state where the bill is detected to the state where the bill is not detected, if the first detection means detects coins. , Generates voice data of the content notifying that coins remain in the coin receiving part and outputs it to the speaker.

The perspective view of the appearance of the self-checkout apparatus which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the self-checkout device shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the main circuit structure of the self-checkout apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart of the CPU which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of the CPU which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows a part of the self-checkout apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the main part circuit composition of the self-checkout apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart of the CPU which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a self-checkout device will be described as an example of the payment processing device.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the self-checkout device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the self-checkout device 100. The self-checkout device 100 of the present embodiment is also called a self-checkout type POS terminal or a self-checkout device. The self-checkout device 100 is operated by a shopper. Therefore, the shopper is the operator of the self-checkout device 100.

The self-checkout device 100 includes a main body 1 and measuring units 2 and 3.

The main body 1 includes a touch panel 10, a scanner window 11, a handy scanner 12, a receipt issuing port 13, a card insertion port 14, a coin slot 15, a change dish 16, a reject dish 17, a bill insertion slot 18, and a bill ejection port 19.

The touch panel 10 displays various screens for notifying shoppers of various information. This screen is, for example, as follows. (1) Guidance screen to inform shoppers of the operation method. (2) Information input screen for inputting product information without a barcode. (3) Reading information display screen that displays information based on barcode reading. (4) Payment of purchase price A settlement screen that displays the total amount of purchased products, the amount of input, the amount of change, etc. at the time of payment work. A part of these screens constitutes a GUI (graphical user interface), and the touch panel 10 accepts a touch operation for operating the GUI.

The scanner window 11 is formed by covering the opening formed in the main body 1 with a transparent resin, glass, or the like. The scanner window 11 enables a fixed scanner arranged inside the main body 1 to scan a product held by a shopper in front of the scanner window 11. The fixed scanner will be described later.

The handy scanner 12 reads the barcode displayed on the product and outputs the information represented by the barcode.

The receipt issuing port 13 is a slit-shaped opening for discharging the receipt to the outside of the main body 1.

The card insertion slot 14 is a slit-shaped opening for inserting a card into the main body 1 and discharging the card to the outside of the main body 1.

The coin insertion plate 15 receives coins inserted by shoppers for settlement. An opening 15a is formed on the bottom surface of the coin insertion plate 15, and the coins received by the coin insertion plate 15 are taken into the main body 1 through the opening 15a.

The change plate 16 receives coins discharged as change from the main body 1. The change plate 16 is a coin receiving portion that can receive coins.

The reject dish 17 receives coins discharged from the main body 1 as being unusable. A well-known device and method may be used to determine whether a coin is unusable.

The bill insertion slot 18 is a slit-shaped opening for taking in bills inserted by shoppers for settlement into the inside of the main body 1.

The bill discharge port 19 is a slit-shaped opening for discharging bills as change from the main body 1. The bill discharge port 19 is a bill receiving unit that can receive bills.

The weighing unit 2 includes a stand 2a for placing an unregistered product and a weight sensor (not shown). The weighing unit 2 measures the total weight of the products placed on the table 2a with a weight sensor.

The weighing unit 3 includes tables 3a and 3b for placing registered products, an arm 3c for hanging a bag for storing registered products, and a weight sensor (not shown). The weighing unit 3 measures the total weight of the product placed on the bases 3a and 3b and the product placed in the bag hung on the arm 3c by a weight sensor.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the self-checkout device 100. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the self-checkout device 100 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 20, a ROM 21 (read-only memory), and a RAM (random) in addition to the measurement units 2 and 3, the touch panel 10 and the handy scanner 12 described above. -access memory) 22, fixed scanner 23, printer 24, card reader / writer 25, change unit 26, speaker 27, coin counter 28 and bill counter 29. The CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, fixed scanner 23, printer 24, card reader / writer 25, change unit 26, speaker 27, coin counter 28, and bill counter 29 are housed in the main body 1. Further, the weighing units 2 and 3, the touch panel 10, the handy scanner 12, the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the fixed scanner 23, the printer 24, the card reader / writer 25, the change unit 26, the speaker 27, the coin counter 28, and the bill counter 29 , Is connected via a communication system 30 including a system bus.

The CPU 20 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 20 controls each part in order to realize various functions of the self-checkout device 100 based on a program such as an operating system and application software stored in the ROM 21.

The ROM 21 includes a circuit corresponding to the main storage portion of the computer. The ROM 21 stores programs such as an operating system and application software. The program stored in the ROM 21 includes a control program that controls the self-checkout device 100. The ROM 21 may also store data that the CPU 20 refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 22 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The RAM 22 stores data that the CPU 20 refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 22 is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used by the CPU 20 for performing various processes.

The fixed scanner 23 takes an image of the product held in front of the scanner window 11 and then identifies the barcode displayed on the product by image processing. Then, the fixed scanner 23 outputs the information represented by the identified barcode to the CPU 20. The fixed scanner 23 can also use other types of well-known devices that identify barcodes by utilizing the reflection of laser light.

The printer 24 prints the receipt. The receipt printed by the printer 24 is discharged from the receipt issuing port 13 to the outside of the main body 1.

The card reader / writer 25 reads the data recorded on the card inserted by the shopper into the card insertion slot 14, and writes the data to the above card. The card is a point card, an IC card for payment, or the like. The card reader / writer 25 ejects the card after the necessary processing from the card insertion slot 14 to the outside of the main body 1.

The change unit 26 discharges money according to the amount of change. That is, the coins and banknotes stored inside the main body 1 are discharged as change. The coins are discharged to the change plate 16, and the bills are discharged to the bill discharge port 19. When ejecting coins, the change unit 26 operates as a coin ejecting means. When ejecting banknotes, the change unit 26 operates as a banknote ejection means.

The speaker 27 outputs the input voice data as sound. As the speaker 27, a speaker having a well-known configuration may be used.

The coin counter 28 identifies which of a plurality of predetermined types of coins the coins taken into the main body 1 from the opening 15a of the coin insertion dish 15 are, and counts each type. As the coin counter 28, one having a well-known configuration may be used.

The bill counter 29 identifies which of a plurality of predetermined types of bills is the bill taken into the main body 1 from the bill insertion slot 18, and counts each type. As the bill counter 29, a well-known configuration may be used.

Next, the operation of the self-checkout device 100 configured as described above will be described.

When the mode for making payment of the purchased product is set as the operation mode of the self-checkout device 100, the CPU 20 starts the process shown in FIG. 4 according to the control program stored in the ROM 21. .. 4 to 5 are flowcharts of control processing by the CPU 20 according to the first embodiment. The content of the process described below is an example, and various processes capable of obtaining similar results can be appropriately used.

In Act 1, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not a registration operation for registering the purchased product has been performed. The registration operation is performed by holding the purchased product in front of the scanner window 11, bringing the handy scanner 12 close to the barcode displayed on the purchased product, or touching the touch panel 10 to specify the purchased product. It is said. When the purchased product is held in front of the scanner window 11, the fixed scanner 23 recognizes the barcode displayed on the purchased product by image processing and sends the information represented by the barcode to the CPU 20. When the handy scanner 12 is brought close to the bar code, the handy scanner 12 identifies the bar code and sends the information represented by the bar code to the CPU 20. When the operation of touching the touch panel 10 is performed to specify the purchased product, the touch panel 10 sends the position information regarding the touch position to the CPU 20. If the information for identifying the purchased product is not sent as described above, the CPU 20 determines No in Act1 and repeats the determination in Act1. That is, in Act 1, the CPU 20 waits for the information for identifying the purchased product to be sent. Then, when the information for identifying the purchased product is sent, the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act1 and proceeds to Act2.

In Act2, the CPU 20 performs a registration process. Specifically, the CPU 20 determines the product code included in the information sent from the fixed scanner 23 or the handy scanner 12 or the product code associated with the touch position sent from the touch panel 10 as the product code of the purchased product. Then, the CPU 20 updates the information in the product list area set in the RAM 22 in order to add the product identified by this product code to the list of purchased products. Further, the CPU 20 updates the total amount of the registered purchased products.

In Act3, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not a new registration operation has been performed. Then, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act4 if the registration operation has not been performed.

In Act4, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the payment method of the price is specified. The payment method is specified, for example, by the shopper touching the touch panel 10. For example, the CPU 20 receives position information from the touch panel 10 and confirms whether or not the position represented by the position information is within the area for designating the payment method, thereby checking whether or not the payment method of the price is specified. Check if. Then, the CPU 20 returns to Act3 if the payment method is not specified.

Thus, in Act3 and Act4, the CPU 20 waits for a new registration operation to be performed or a payment method to be specified. The shopper repeats the registration operation for each product until all the purchased products have been registered. Therefore, if the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act3 because the new registration operation has been performed, the CPU 20 returns to Act2 and performs the registration process based on the new registration operation in the same manner as described above. When the shopper has registered all of the purchased products, he / she performs an operation of specifying a payment method. Therefore, if the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act4 because the payment method is specified, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act5.

In Act5, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not cash payment is specified as the payment method. Then, if the CPU 20 determines No because a payment method other than cash payment is specified, the CPU 20 proceeds to the process according to the specified payment method. Note that the process when a payment method other than cash payment is specified is not a characteristic process in the present embodiment, and therefore the illustration and description will be omitted. If the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act 5 because cash payment is specified, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 6.

In Act 6, the CPU 20 notifies the shopper of the total amount of the registered purchased products. That is, the CPU 20 first calculates the total amount of the registered purchased products. As a result, the price is determined. The CPU 20 generates guidance voice data representing the guidance voice of the content for guiding the total amount of money. Then, the CPU 20 inputs the generated guidance voice data to the speaker 27. The speaker 27 outputs the guidance voice represented by the input guidance voice data. The content of the guidance voice is, for example, a voice message that guides the total amount of money, such as "The total amount of money is 2,725 yen." Further, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display the total amount. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 displays the total amount of the registered purchased products.

In Act 7 shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not cash has been inserted by the shopper. That is, it is confirmed whether or not a coin or a bill has been inserted into the coin insertion plate 15 or the bill insertion slot 18. If no cash is inserted, the CPU 20 determines No in Act7, and repeats the process of Act7 until cash is inserted. When the cash is inserted, the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act7 and proceeds to Act8.

In Act8, the CPU 20 calculates the amount of cash inserted. That is, the CPU 20 calculates the total amount of cash inserted (hereinafter referred to as “insertion amount”) from the number of coins and banknotes counted by the coin counter 28 and the bill counter 29, and stores it in the main memory portion.
Here, although not shown, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display the current input amount. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 starts displaying the current input amount.

In Act9, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the input amount is equal to or greater than the total amount of the purchased products. If the input amount is less than the total amount of the purchased products, the CPU 20 returns to Act7. Then, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 8 when new cash is inserted, and adds the newly inserted amount to the previously input amount. When the input amount is equal to or more than the total amount of the purchased products, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act10. Thus, the CPU 20 repeats Acts 8 to 9 each time cash is inserted until the input amount becomes equal to or more than the total amount of the purchased products.

Even if the input amount exceeds the total amount, some shoppers may want to input additional cash. This is for the purpose of reducing the number of changes, for example. If the shopper determines that no additional cash input is required, he / she performs an operation instructing the completion of the input.

In Act 10, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the operation for instructing the completion of cash insertion (hereinafter, referred to as “input completion”) has been performed by the shopper. The operation of instructing the completion of charging is performed, for example, by the shopper touching the touch panel 10. For example, the CPU 20 receives position information from the touch panel 10 and confirms whether or not the position represented by the position information is within the area for instructing the completion of charging to determine whether or not the completion of charging is instructed. Check. Then, the CPU 20 proceeds to Act 11 if the input completion is not instructed.

In Act 11, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not new cash has been inserted in the same manner as in Act 7. Then, the CPU 20 returns to Act 10 when no new cash is inserted.

Thus, in Act10 and Act11, the CPU 20 waits for the shopper to perform an operation instructing the completion of the input or for a new cash to be input.
If cash is newly inserted here, the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act 11 and proceeds to Act 12.

In Act12, the CPU 20 calculates the amount of cash inserted in the same manner as in Act8, and adds it to the amount of cash input so far. Then, the CPU 20 returns to Act10. When the operation for instructing the completion of the closing is performed, the CPU 20 determines Yes in Act10 and proceeds to Act13.

In Act 13, the CPU 20 notifies the shopper of the input amount. That is, the CPU 20 generates guidance voice data representing the guidance voice of the content for guiding the input amount. Then, the CPU 20 inputs the generated guidance voice data to the speaker 27. The speaker 27 outputs the guidance voice represented by the input guidance voice data. The content of the guidance voice is, for example, a voice message that guides the input amount, such as "The input amount is 5,005 yen." Further, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display the input amount. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 starts displaying the input amount.

In Act 14, the CPU 20 determines the amount of change. That is, the change amount is calculated from the total amount and the input amount. In this process, the CPU 20 operates as a determination means.

In Act 15, the CPU 20 notifies the shopper that the change will be discharged. That is, the CPU 20 operates as a generation means and generates guidance voice data representing the guidance voice of the content for guiding the change to be discharged. Then, the CPU 20 inputs the generated guidance voice data to the speaker 27. The speaker 27 outputs the guidance voice represented by the input guidance voice data. In this process, the CPU 20 operates as an output control means, and the CPU 20 and the speaker 27 operate as an output means. The content of the guidance voice is a message that guides the amount of change, for example, "Change is 2,280 yen." Or it is a message that guides the change to be discharged, such as "I will change." Further, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display the change amount. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 displays the change amount.

In Act 16, the CPU 20 instructs the change unit 26 to discharge the calculated change amount of money. That is, the CPU 20 calculates the required types and number of coins and banknotes according to the amount of change. Then, the CPU 20 instructs the change unit 26 to eject the coins and banknotes. In response to this instruction, the change unit 26 discharges coins and bills according to the designated type and number of coins to the change plate 16 and the bill discharge port 19. When the change amount is 0 yen, the CPU 20 does not instruct the change unit 26 to discharge the money. Therefore, when the change amount is 0 yen, the change unit 26 does not discharge the money. In such processing of Act 16, the CPU 20 operates as the discharge control means, and the CPU 20 and the change unit 26 operate as the discharge means.
Further, although not shown, the CPU 20 instructs the printer 24 to print the receipt. In response to this instruction, the printer 24 prints a receipt or the like. The printed receipt is discharged from the receipt issuing port 13. Then, the CPU 20 returns to Act1.

Thus, the CPU 20 setstles the price from the first cash is inserted in Act 7 until the processing of Act 16 is completed. That is, the CPU 20 operates as a payment means.

In the self-checkout device of the first embodiment, since the shopper is notified by the guidance voice that the change is discharged, the shopper can easily be aware of the change. This prevents shoppers from forgetting to receive change. In addition, by notifying the change amount, it is possible to prevent forgetting to receive the change, and the shopper can know the change amount without reading the change amount from the touch panel or the receipt, which improves convenience.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the main body 4 of the self-checkout device 200 according to the second embodiment. A portion of the self-checkout device 200 that is not shown in FIG. 6 is similar to, for example, the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the self-checkout device 200 according to the second embodiment. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The self-checkout device 200 further includes a coin sensor 31, a bill sensor 32, a speaker 33, and a speaker 34, in addition to the elements included in the self-checkout device 100. Further, instead of the bill insertion port 18 and the bill discharge port 19, the bill insertion port 38 and the bill discharge port 39 are provided.

The coin sensor 31 detects that there are coins in the change tray 16. As the coin sensor 31, various well-known devices can be used, for example, one that detects a change in a magnetic field due to the proximity of a coin, one that detects the presence or absence of an optical path blocked by a coin, and one that detects the weight of a coin. The coin sensor 31 is an example of the first detecting means.

The bill sensor 32 detects that there is a bill in the bill ejection port 39. The bill sensor 32 includes various well-known devices such as one that detects a change in a magnetic field due to the proximity of a bill, one that detects the presence or absence of an optical path blocked by a bill, and one that detects expansion and contraction of a spring that changes depending on the presence or absence of a bill. Can be used. The bill sensor 32 is an example of the second detection means.

The speaker 33 outputs the sound represented by the input voice data. The speaker 33 is provided inside the main body 4 so that the front surface is exposed to the outside of the main body 4. As the speaker 33, a speaker having a well-known configuration may be used. The speaker 33 allows a shopper facing the self-checkout device 200 for operation to hear the sound output from the speaker 33 as a sound output from a position closer to the change tray 16 than the bill ejection port 39. Provided in. That is, the angle formed by the straight line connecting the shopper and the change tray 16 and the straight line connecting the shopper and the speaker 33 is the straight line connecting the shopper and the bill discharge port 39 and the shopper. The angle should be smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the speaker 33 and the speaker 33. Preferably, it is provided so that the shopper feels that the sound can be heard from the direction of the change plate 16. That is, the speaker 33 is provided so that the direction of the speaker 33 and the direction of the change tray 16 as seen from the shopper are substantially the same. More preferably, the speaker 33 is provided in the vicinity of the change tray 16. The state in which the speaker 33 is outputting sound is the first state.

The speaker 34 outputs the sound represented by the input voice data. The speaker 34 is provided inside the main body 4 so that the front surface is exposed to the outside of the main body 4. As the speaker 34, a speaker having a well-known configuration may be used. The speaker 34 allows a shopper facing the self-checkout device 200 for operation to hear the sound output from the speaker 34 as a sound output from a position closer to the bill ejection port 39 than the change tray 16. Provided in. That is, the angle formed by the straight line connecting the shopper and the bill discharge port 39 and the straight line connecting the shopper and the speaker 34 is the straight line connecting the shopper and the change tray 16 and the shopper. The angle should be smaller than the angle formed by the straight line connecting the speaker 34 and the speaker 34. Preferably, it is provided so that the shopper feels that the sound can be heard from the direction of the bill ejection port 39. That is, the speaker 34 is provided so that the direction of the speaker 34 and the direction of the bill ejection port 39 as seen from the shopper are substantially the same. More preferably, the speaker 34 is provided in the vicinity of the bill ejection port 39. The state in which the speaker 34 is outputting sound is the second state.

The bill insertion slot 38 and the bill discharge port 39 are the same as the bill insertion slot 18 and the bill discharge port 19 in the first embodiment, and the positions are moved to the left when viewed from the shopper side as compared with the first embodiment. It was done. By moving the position, the distance between the bill ejection port 39 and the change tray 16 is increased.

Hereinafter, the operation of the self-checkout device according to the second embodiment will be described.
In the self-checkout device according to the second embodiment, the CPU 20 executes the processes of Act1 to Act16 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The CPU 20 starts the processing after Act 21 shown in FIG. 7 after the processing of Act 16 according to the control program stored in ROM 21. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the control process after Act 16 by the CPU 20 according to the second embodiment.

In Act21, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the change is discharged as a mixture of coins and banknotes. If the change is only coins, only banknotes, or no change, the CPU 20 determines No and returns to Act1. If the change includes both coins and banknotes, the CPU 20 determines Yes and proceeds to Act22. Whether or not coins are discharged in a mixed manner is determined by storing information that indicates whether or not coins and banknotes are mixed when deciding which type of money is to be discharged as change. It can be confirmed by using the information. Alternatively, after the change is ejected, the coin sensor 31 and the bill sensor 32 may be used to check whether both the coin and the bill have been ejected.

In Act 22, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the coins discharged as change remain in the change plate 16. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the coin sensor 31 detects the coin. When the coin sensor 31 detects the coin, that is, when the coin remains in the change plate 16, the CPU 20 determines Yes and proceeds to Act23. When the coin sensor 31 does not detect the coin, that is, when the coin is removed from the change tray 16, the CPU 20 determines No and proceeds to Act26.

In Act23, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the bills discharged as change remain in the bill discharge port 39. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the bill sensor 32 has detected the bill. When the bill sensor 32 detects the bill, that is, when the bill remains in the bill ejection port 39, the CPU 20 determines Yes and returns to Act22. When the bill sensor 32 does not detect the bill, that is, when the bill is removed from the bill ejection port 39, the CPU 20 determines No and proceeds to Act24.

Thus, in Act 22 and Act 23, the CPU 20 confirms whether either the coin or the bill has been removed from the change tray 16 or the bill outlet 39.

In Act 24, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not coins remain in the change plate 16. That is, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not the coin sensor 31 has detected a coin in the change plate 16. When the coin sensor 31 detects the coin, that is, when the coin remains, the CPU 20 determines Yes and proceeds to Act25. If no coins remain, the CPU 20 determines No and returns to Act1.

In Act 25, the CPU 20 notifies the shopper that coins remain in the change plate 16. That is, the CPU 20 operates as the first generation means, and generates guidance voice data representing the guidance voice of the content for guiding that coins remain in the change plate 16. Then, the CPU 20 inputs the generated guidance voice data to the speaker 33. The speaker 33 outputs the guidance voice represented by the input guidance voice data. The content of the guidance voice is a message that guides the amount of the remaining coins, for example, "There are 280 yen remaining coins." Or, it is a message that informs that coins are left, such as "Coins are left." The amount of money shown here is not the amount of coins remaining at that time, but the amount of coins first discharged as change. This is because the coin sensor 31 detects that there are coins in the change plate 16 and does not detect the amount of coins. Further, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display that coins remain on the change plate 16. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 displays that coins remain on the change plate 16.
Then, the CPU 20 returns to the Act 24 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the processing of the Act 25 is completed. Thus, the CPU 20 repeats Act 24 and Act 25 at regular time intervals while the coins remain in the change plate 16. That is, the CPU 20 repeatedly outputs a guidance voice informing that the coins remain in the change plate 16 until the shopper receives the coins. While repeating Act 24 and Act 25, the CPU 20 keeps the touch panel 10 in a state of continuously displaying that coins remain on the change plate 16. That is, after instructing the touch panel 10 to perform the display, the CPU 20 does not instruct the end of the display until it is determined as No in Act24.

In Act 26, the CPU 20 confirms whether or not banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39. That is, it is confirmed whether or not the bill sensor 32 detects the bill in the bill discharge port 39. When the bill sensor 32 detects the bill, that is, when the bill remains, it is determined as Yes and the process proceeds to Act27. If no banknotes remain, it is determined as No and the process returns to Act1.

In Act 27, the CPU 20 notifies the shopper that the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39. That is, the CPU 20 operates as a second generation means, and generates guidance voice data representing the guidance voice of the content for guiding that the bill remains in the bill discharge port 39. Then, the CPU 20 inputs the generated guidance voice data to the speaker 34. The speaker 34 outputs the guidance voice represented by the input guidance voice data. The content of the voice guidance is, for example, a message that guides the amount of the remaining bills, such as "There are 2,000 yen remaining bills." Alternatively, it is a message indicating that there are banknotes remaining, such as "Banknotes remain." The amount read here is not the amount of banknotes remaining at that time, but the amount of banknotes first discharged as change. This is because the bill sensor 32 is a sensor that detects that there is a bill in the bill ejection port 39, and does not detect the amount of the bill.
Further, in Act 27, the CPU 20 instructs the touch panel 10 to display that the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39. In response to this instruction, the touch panel 10 displays that the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39.
Then, the CPU 20 returns to the Act 26 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the processing of the Act 27 is completed. Thus, the CPU 20 repeats Act 26 and Act 27 at regular time intervals while the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39. That is, the CPU 20 repeatedly outputs a guidance voice informing that the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39 until the shopper receives the banknotes. While repeating Act 26 and Act 27, the CPU 20 keeps the touch panel 10 in a state of continuously displaying that the banknotes remain in the banknote ejection port 39. That is, after instructing the touch panel 10 to perform the display, the CPU 20 does not instruct the end of the display until it is determined as No in Act26.

Thus, in Act 25 and Act 27, the CPU 20 operates as a control means for controlling the speaker 33 to output the guidance voice generated by the first generation means and the speaker 34 to output the guidance voice generated by the second generation means. To do.

In the case of change with a mixture of coins and banknotes, the shopper may receive only one of the coins or banknotes and forget to receive the other, so compared to the case where the change is only one of coins or banknotes. It can be said that it is easy to forget to receive it. In the second embodiment, after receiving the change of coins or banknotes, the guidance voice notifies that there is another change that has not yet been received. This prevents shoppers from forgetting to receive change.

Further, since the notification that the coins remain can be heard from the direction of the change plate 16 and the notification that the bills remain can be heard from the direction of the bill outlet 39, the shopper can hear the coins remaining. It becomes easier to pay attention to the change tray 16 or the bill outlet 39. This prevents shoppers from forgetting to receive change. Further, since the distance between the bill discharge port 39 and the change tray 16 is long, particularly in the horizontal direction, it is easy for the shopper to determine the direction in which the sound can be heard.

Although some embodiments have been described above, the following modifications are also possible.

The payment processing device may be a semi-self checkout device. In the semi-self-type check-out device, the clerk or the like performs the product registration operation, and the shopper specifies the payment method and pays the product price. In addition, it can be implemented as another type of payment processing device such as a POS terminal with a built-in automatic change machine, or as an independent automatic change machine. Depending on the realized form, the operator may be a clerk instead of a shopper.

When implemented as an independent automatic change machine, for example, it is implemented as a peripheral device connected to a payment processing device or the like. In an independent automatic change machine, the change amount is determined by the CPU provided in the automatic change machine operating as a determination means. The CPU determines the change amount as follows, for example. That is, the CPU receives a notification of the change amount from a payment processing device or the like connected to the automatic change machine, and determines the change amount as the change amount to be paid out. Alternatively, the CPU receives a notification of the total amount and the input amount from a payment processing device or the like connected to the automatic change machine, and determines the change amount to be paid out by calculating the change amount from the total amount and the input amount. Further, the CPU may determine the change amount by calculating the total amount and the input amount in cooperation with the counter provided in the automatic change machine and further calculating the change amount from the total amount and the input amount. ..

An auxiliary storage device corresponding to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer in the embodiment may be provided, and the auxiliary storage device may have a part of the functions of the ROM 21 and the RAM 22. For example, the operating system, application software, control programs or other programs may be stored in the auxiliary storage device. As the auxiliary storage device, 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 shape of the coin receiving portion is not limited to the dish shape, as long as it can receive the discharged coins.
The shape of the bill receiving portion is not limited to the slit-shaped opening, as long as it can receive the discharged bills.

In the above embodiment, the speaker 27, the speaker 33, and the speaker 34 are provided inside the main body 1 or the main body 4, but one or more of these speakers may be provided outside the main body 1 or the main body 4.

In the second embodiment, two or more speakers may be provided in place of the speaker 33 and the speaker 34, and stereophonic technology may be used to control how the shopper hears the guidance voice. That is, the CPU 20 appropriately adjusts the phase, volume, and the like of sounds output from two or more speakers at the same time. As a result, as a result of these multiple sounds being combined in space, a guidance voice can be heard from a position closer to the change plate 16 than the bill discharge port 39, or a guidance voice is heard from a position closer to the bill discharge port 39 than the change plate 16. The shopper can feel when the voice is heard.
The sound output from the speakers 33 and 34 arranged inside the main body 1 or the main body 4 is output to the outside of the main body 1 or the main body 4 from different openings through ducts separately provided inside the main body 1 or the main body 4. You may. In this case, the speakers 33 and 34 can be provided at positions irrelevant to the positions of the change tray 16 and the bill ejection port 39.

The timing of outputting the guidance voice of the content for guiding the change to be discharged is not limited to before the change is discharged, and may be at the same time as or after the change is discharged. In any case, the timing is determined with respect to the timing at which change is discharged.

In addition to the processing in each of the above-described embodiments for outputting the guidance voice of the content indicating that the change is discharged, the CPU 20 also returns the coins and banknotes because the payment is stopped in the middle. You may perform the process for outputting the guidance voice of the content to guide.

The two types of guidance voices in the second embodiment may be output from a single speaker. That is, the speaker 27 in the self-checkout device 100 outputs a guidance voice informing that coins remain in the change tray 16 and a guidance voice informing that bills remain in the bill ejection port 39. You may.

The coin sensor 31 may be a sensor capable of detecting the amount or number of coins left on the change plate 16. In that case, the CPU 20 may notify the Act 25 of the amount or number of coins remaining at that time instead of the amount of coins initially discharged as change. The bill sensor 32 may be a sensor capable of detecting the amount or number of bills left in the bill ejection port 19. In that case, the CPU 20 may notify the Act 27 of the amount or number of banknotes remaining at that time instead of the amount of banknotes initially discharged as change.

The entity that executes the above operation is an entity related to a computer, such as hardware, a complex of hardware and software, software, and software being executed. The entity that executes an operation is, for example, a process, a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread, a program, and a computer executed on a processor, but is not limited thereto. For example, the payment processing device or the application executed therein may be the entity that executes the operation. A process or thread may have multiple actors performing the action. The entity that executes the operation may be in one payment processing device, or may be distributed to a plurality of payment processing devices.

The transfer of the self-checkout devices 100 and 200 to the user is generally performed in a state where the control program is stored in the ROM 21. However, the self-checkout devices 100 and 200 may be transferred to the user in a state where the control program is not stored in the ROM 21. The control program may be recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or transferred to a user via a network. Then, the control program may be built in the separately transferred self-checkout devices 100, 200 described above, or may be written in an external auxiliary storage unit under the operation of the user.
Although 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 embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The inventions described in the claims of the original application of the present application are described below.
[1]
The means of determining the amount of change and
A discharge means for discharging money according to the amount of change determined by the determination means, and an discharge means.
A generation means for generating voice data representing a guidance voice for guiding the amount of change determined by the determination means, and a generation means for generating voice data.
An output means that outputs the guidance voice based on the voice data generated by the generation means at a timing determined in relation to the timing at which the discharge means discharges the money.
An automatic change machine characterized by being equipped with.
[2]
The discharging means is
A coin ejection means for ejecting coins to the coin receiving part,
With a bill discharging means for discharging bills to a bill receiving part
Equipped with
The automatic change machine
A first detecting means for detecting the coins discharged by the coin discharging means and remaining in the coin receiving portion, and a first detecting means.
A second detecting means for detecting the bills discharged by the bill discharging means and remaining in the bill receiving portion.
Further equipped,
The generation means
If the second detecting means detects the banknote when the first detecting means changes from the state in which the coin is detected to the state in which the coin is not detected, the bill receiving portion is used. A first generation means for generating the voice data representing the guidance voice having the content of notifying that the banknotes remain, and
If the first detecting means detects the coin when the second detecting means changes from the state in which the bill is detected to the state in which the bill is not detected, the coin receiving portion is subjected to the above. A second generation means for generating the voice data representing the guidance voice having the content of notifying that coins remain.
Further equipped
The automatic change machine described in Appendix [1].
[3]
If the first detecting means changes from the state where the coin is detected to the state where the coin is not detected, the second detecting means detects the banknote. , The voice data representing the guidance voice having the content of guiding the amount of the bill discharged by the discharging means is generated.
If the first detecting means detects the coin when the second detecting means changes from the state where the bill is detected to the state where the bill is not detected, the second generating means , Generates the voice data representing the guidance voice having the content of guiding the amount of the coin discharged by the discharging means.
The automatic change machine described in Appendix [2].
[4]
The output means outputs from a first state in which the operator hears the sound as a sound output from a position closer to the coin receiving portion than the bill receiving portion, and from a position closer to the bill receiving portion than the coin receiving portion. The sound is output in any of the second states that the operator hears as the sound.
The output means is provided so that the guidance voice generated by the first generation means is output in the first state and the guidance voice generated by the second generation means is output in the second state. Control means to control
Further prepare
The automatic change machine according to the appendix [2] or the appendix [3].
[5]
The automatic change machine according to any one of the appendices [1] to [4] and
With a payment method to settle the price related to commercial transactions
Equipped with
The determination means determines the amount of change as being caused by the settlement.
A payment processing device characterized by the fact that.

1,4 ... Main body, 2,3 ... Weighing unit, 10 ... Touch panel, 11 ... Scanner window, 12 ... Handy scanner, 13 ... Receipt issuing port, 14 ... Card insertion slot, 15 ... Coin slot, 16 ... Change dish, 17 ... Reject plate, 18, 38 ... Banknote insertion slot, 19, 39 ... Banknote outlet, 20 ... CPU, 21 ... ROM, 22 ... RAM, 23 ... Fixed scanner, 24 ... Printer, 25 ... Card reader / Writer, 26 ... Change unit, 27 ... speaker, 28 ... coin counter, 29 ... bill counter, 31 ... coin sensor, 32 ... bill sensor, 33 ... speaker, 34 ... speaker, 100, 200 ... self-checkout device

Claims (5)

The means of determining the amount of change and
A coin discharging means for discharging coins to a coin receiving portion according to the amount of change determined by the determining means, and a coin discharging means.
A bill discharging means for discharging bills to a bill receiving portion according to the amount of change determined by the determining means, and a bill discharging means.
A first detecting means for detecting the coin remaining in the coin receiving portion, and
A second detecting means for detecting the bills remaining in the bill receiving portion, and
If the detection result by the first detecting means changes from the state in which the coin is detected to the state in which the coin is not detected, and the second detecting means detects the bill, the bill receiver A first residual notification means that generates voice data of the content for notifying that the bill remains in the unit and outputs it to the speaker.
If the detection result by the second detecting means changes from the state in which the bill is detected to the state in which the bill is not detected, and the first detecting means detects the coin, the coin receiver A second residual notification means that generates voice data of the content for notifying that the coins remain in the unit and outputs the voice data to the speaker.
An automatic change machine characterized by being equipped with. The first residual notification means generates voice data of the content notifying that the bill remains in the bill receiving unit and outputs the voice data to the speaker, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the second remaining notification means. If the detection means of the above detects the banknote, voice data of the content notifying that the banknote remains in the banknote receiving unit is generated and output to the speaker.
The second residual notification means generates audio data of the content for notifying that the coin remains in the coin receiving portion and outputs the voice data to the speaker, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the first residual notification means. If the detecting means of the above detects the coin, the voice data of the content notifying that the coin remains in the coin receiving portion is generated and output to the speaker.
The automatic change machine according to claim 1. In the first residual notification means, when the detection result by the first detection means changes from the state in which the coin is detected to the state in which the coin is not detected, the second detection means detects the bill. If so, the voice data of the content that guides the amount of the bill discharged by the bill discharging means is generated and output to the speaker.
In the second residual notification means, when the detection result by the second detection means changes from the state in which the bill is detected to the state in which the bill is not detected, the first detection means detects the coin. If so, the automatic change machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein voice data of the content guiding the amount of the coins discharged by the coin discharging means is generated and output to a speaker. The first residual notification means generates the voice data so that the operator can hear it as a sound output from a position closer to the bill receiving portion than the coin receiving portion, and outputs the voice data to the speaker.
The second residual notification means generates the voice data and outputs it to the speaker so that the operator can hear it as a sound output from a position closer to the coin receiving portion than the bill receiving portion.
The automatic change machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the automatic change machine is characterized. The automatic change machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Equipped with a payment method to settle the price related to commercial transactions
The determination means is a settlement processing device characterized in that the amount of change is determined as being generated by the settlement.