JP6927718B2 - Checkout system - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system.

Conventionally, there is a checkout system in which a registration device for registering a product and a payment device for payment of a product are separated. In such a checkout system, for example, when a registration device registers data related to product sales for each product purchased by a customer, it generates transaction data for settlement based on the registered transaction data. Send transaction data to the settlement unit. On the other hand, the settlement device receives the transaction data transmitted from the registration device and executes the settlement processing of the transaction based on the transaction data. In addition, there is a semi-self-type checkout system in which a clerk operates a registration device and a customer operates a payment device. Recently, in addition to the cash payment method, the payment device can perform payment (electronic payment) using an electronic money card in which electronic money information such as an electronic money balance is stored.

By the way, in the above-mentioned checkout system, it is common that a plurality of payment devices are provided for one registration device. Therefore, for example, in the semi-self-type checkout system, the clerk of the registration device guides the customer to the payment device to which the transaction data is transmitted, that is, the payment device of the payment destination.

However, the work of guiding the payment device of the payment destination is troublesome, and the burden on the clerk may increase. Also, on the customer side, if the payment device of the payment destination is in use, the payment device of the payment destination cannot be used even if there is a vacancy in the other payment device. Will wait until it becomes available. Therefore, there is a demand for a technology that enables more efficient checkout (registration, settlement) of products.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system capable of efficiently checking out products.

The checkout system of the embodiment is a checkout system including a registration device for registering a product purchased by a customer and a payment device for making a payment for the product registered by the registration device. A first reading means for reading identification information that can identify the customer from a storage medium possessed by the customer at the time of registration of the product, payment information including a breakdown of each product registered in one transaction, and the first reading means. The payment device includes a second reading means for reading the identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer, and a second reading means for associating the identification information with the identification information read by the customer. Executes the acquisition means for acquiring the settlement information associated with the identification information read by, and the settlement process for each product registered in the one transaction based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition means. Purchasing a product based on a storage means that includes a payment means and stores the payment information and the identification information of each transaction for which payment has been completed by the payment device, and the payment information stored in the storage means. The providing means includes an analysis means for analyzing a tendency and a providing means for providing additional information according to the analysis result of the analysis means to the customer by a providing method according to the type of the additional information. Additional information applicable at the timing of the transaction is provided via the registration device or the payment device, and additional information applicable to the next and subsequent transactions is contacted with the customer. The additional information is transmitted first.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the checkout system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the registration device and the payment device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the payment device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the transaction management file according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout process performed by the registration device, the payment device, and the server device of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of the registration device, the payment device, and the server device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout process performed by the payment device and the server device of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the checkout system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment shown below, an example applied to a semi-self-type checkout system introduced in a store such as a supermarket will be described, but the present embodiment is not limited to this embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the checkout system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the checkout system 1 includes a registration device 10, a payment device 20, and a server device 30. The registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 are communicably connected via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The number of registration devices 10 and payment devices 20 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of processing efficiency, it is preferable to provide a plurality of payment devices 20 for one registration device 10.

The registration device 10 and the payment device 20 are provided in a predetermined area in the store, for example, near the exit of the store. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the registration device 10 and the payment device 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 are arranged in a separated (separated) state in the area A1 in the store. The registration device 10 is installed on, for example, a table-shaped work table 40. The registration device 10 is operated by the operator O who is a clerk, and executes the registration process of the product purchased by the customer C.

In the layout of FIG. 2, customer C puts the product to be purchased in a basket or the like and carries it to the workbench 40. The operator O of the registration device 10 causes the scanner 101 to read each product brought in by the customer C, so that the product identification information described later that can identify the product is input to the registration device 10. At this time, the operator O operates the registration device 10 in a state of facing the customer C with the work table 40 in between. Then, when the registration of the product for one transaction is completed, the operator O terminates the transaction by operating the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (see FIG. 3). After that, the customer C puts the registered product in a basket or the like, carries it to any one of the payment devices 20, and operates the payment device 20 to settle the product by the customer C himself.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration device 10, and shows the state of the registration device 10 as seen from the side operated by the operator O. As shown in FIG. 3, the registration device 10 installed on the upper surface of the work table 40 is configured based on a vertical scanner 101 having a reading window 102. The scanner 101 has an imaging unit (not shown) arranged behind the reading window 102.

Further, the registration device 10 includes a display 104 with a touch panel 103 and a keyboard 105 on the upper part of the scanner 101. The display 104 displays the product name, price, and the like of the product imaged by the imaging unit of the scanner 101. The touch panel 103 and the keyboard 105 are for assisting the input of product data.

The printer 106 is provided on the left side of the registration device 10 when viewed from the operator O side. The printer 106 can, for example, issue a receipt on which the breakdown of the products registered in one transaction, the total price of the products, and the like are printed.

Further, on the left side of the registration device 10 when viewed from the operator O side, a customer side display 107 for the customer C is provided.

Further, the registration device 10 has a short-range wireless communication unit 108. The short-range wireless communication unit 108 is a communication device compliant with a short-range wireless communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Communication). The short-range wireless communication unit 108 performs short-range wireless communication with the storage medium possessed by the customer C. Here, the type of the storage medium possessed by the customer C is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the short-range wireless communication unit 108. For example, the storage medium may be a card medium such as an electronic money card equipped with a non-contact IC chip. Further, the storage medium may be an electronic device such as a smartphone equipped with a communication function capable of communicating with the short-range wireless communication unit 108.

Note that FIG. 3 shows an example in which the short-range wireless communication unit 108 is externally attached to the registration device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the short-range wireless communication unit 108 may be provided integrally with the registration device 10. For example, the short-range wireless communication unit 108 may be arranged toward the customer C side in the same manner as the customer side display 107.

The registration device 10 identifies a product included in an image captured by the imaging unit by reading a code symbol such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) attached to the product or recognizing a general object. Specifically, the registration device 10 refers to the PLU file F1 (see FIG. 5) in which the product code that identifies each product sold in the store is stored in association with the product name, price, etc. of the product. Identify the product corresponding to the product code included in the read code symbol.

Regarding generic object recognition for recognizing an object contained in an image, a recognition technique is described in the following documents.
Keiji Yanai, "Current Status and Future of General Object Recognition", IPSJ Journal, Vol. 48, No. SIG16 [Searched on January 6, 2014], Internet <URL: http://mm.cs.uec.ac.jp/IPSJ-TCVIM-Yanai.pdf>

Further, the registration device 10 uses the short-range wireless communication unit 108 to read the customer identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer C. Here, the customer identification information is unique information held by the storage medium and is used to identify the customer C who owns the storage medium. For example, when the storage medium is a card medium such as an electronic money card, the registration device 10 reads customer identification information such as a card ID from the card medium. When the storage medium is an electronic device such as a smartphone, the registration device 10 reads customer identification information such as a device ID, MAC address, and telephone number from the electronic device.

Further, the registration device 10 displays a screen on the display 104 for confirming the specified product and receiving input of the number of products and the like. Then, the registration device 10 registers the specified product. The registration means that the product information of the product read from the PLU file F1 is stored in the RAM in association with the number of the products (the number of purchases) and the like.

On the other hand, the payment device 20 is a payment device that executes payment processing based on the sales data registered by the registration device 10. In the present embodiment, the payment device 20 is operated by the customer C as described above. That is, the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 form a semi-self-type checkout system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the payment device 20. The payment device 20 includes a deposit / withdrawal unit 204, a stationary scanner 205, a display operation panel 206, a hand scanner 207, a short-range wireless communication unit 208, a printer 209, a first housing 210, and a second. It is provided with a housing 211. The first housing 210 is formed in a substantially box shape and incorporates an information processing device 202 (see FIG. 5), a deposit / withdrawal unit 204, and the like. The second housing 211 is the outer shell of the stationary scanner 205 and the printer 209, and is mounted on the upper surface 210a of the first housing 210.

The stationary scanner 205 has an image pickup window 205a provided on the upper part of the first housing 210, and an image pickup unit (not shown) built in the first housing 210. The imaging unit captures a code symbol image such as a bar code held in front of the imaging window 205a and decodes the captured code symbol image. Then, the imaging unit outputs the decoded code information to the information processing device 202.

The display operation panel 206 includes a display 2061 and a touch panel 2062, and is mounted on the second housing 211. The display 2061 displays an image under the control of the information processing device 202. The touch panel 2062 is provided on the display surface of the display 2061, and outputs information based on the touched position to the information processing device 202.

The hand scanner 207 is arranged on the upper part of the front surface 210b of the first housing 210. A holding portion 210c for holding the tip portion 207a of the hand scanner 207 in a hooked state is provided on the upper right portion of the front surface 210b of the first housing 210.

The short-range wireless communication unit 208 is provided on the upper surface 210a of the first housing 210. The short-range wireless communication unit 208 is a communication device similar to the short-range wireless communication unit 108, and performs short-range wireless communication with the storage medium possessed by the customer C. It is assumed that the payment device 20 can perform payment processing (electronic payment) using the electronic money information read from the electronic money card or the like via the short-range wireless communication unit 208.

The printer 209 has a printing unit (not shown) built in the second housing 211, and a receipt issuing port 2091 provided on the front surface 211a of the second housing 211. The printer 209 issues a receipt printed by the printing unit from the receipt issuing port 2091.

The deposit / withdrawal section 204 includes a currency insertion slot 2041, a bill withdrawal port 2042, and a coin withdrawal section 2043. The coin withdrawal unit 2043 includes a payout port 2043a and a saucer 2043b. The deposit / withdrawal unit 204 receives the banknotes and coins inserted into the currency slot 2041 and separates and stores them for each denomination. Then, the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 pays out the change from the payout port 2043a in response to the request of the information processing device 202. The payout change is received by the saucer 2043b.

The information processing device 202 is built in the first housing 210, and controls each part of the payment device 20 in an integrated manner. The information processing device 202 outputs information to be displayed on the display 2061 of the display operation panel 206, and acquires information on the operation performed by the customer C from the touch panel 2062. Further, the information processing device 202 grasps the deposit to the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 and instructs the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 to withdraw money.

Further, the payment device 20 is provided with a basket stand 221 on one side of the first housing 210. The basket stand 221 is a storage stand that serves as a storage place for baskets when customer C performs payment processing.

Further, the payment device 20 has a display pole 222 that displays the current state of the payment device 20 on the upper surface 210a of the first housing 210. The display pole 222 has a light emitting unit 222a at its tip that selectively emits blue and red light.

Returning to FIG. 1, the server device 30 is a server device such as a database server, and stores and manages various data. The installation position of the server device 30 is not particularly limited, and the server device 30 may be installed outside the area A1 shown in FIG. 2, for example, in the backyard of a store.

Next, the hardware configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the registration device 10 includes a control unit 150 having a computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). .. The ROM stores various programs and various data executed by the CPU. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

The control unit 150 is the scanner 101, the touch panel 103, the display 104, the keyboard 105, the printer 106, the customer side display 107, and the short distance via the bus 151 and the I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 152. In addition to the wireless communication unit 108, it is connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 153, communication I / F 154, and the like.

The HDD 153 stores a program P1 that can be executed by the control unit 150 (CPU) and various setting information. The HDD 153 also stores the PLU file F1. The PLU file F1 stores a uniquely assigned product code for each product sold in a store and information (product information) related to the product such as the name, price, and product classification of the product. When the product is specified by general object recognition, the PLU file F1 stores a feature amount indicating appearance features such as a color tone read from the product image and a state of unevenness on the surface.

The communication I / F 154 is a communication device capable of connecting to the network N. The control unit 150 communicates with the payment device 20 and the server device 30 via the communication I / F 154.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the payment device 20 includes a computer-configured control unit 250 including a CPU and a storage medium such as a ROM and a RAM in the information processing device 202. The ROM stores various programs and various data executed by the CPU. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

The control unit 250 is the display 2061, the touch panel 2062, the stationary scanner 205, the hand scanner 207, the short-range wireless communication unit 208, the printer 209, and the deposit / withdrawal unit 204 via the bus 251 and the I / O device control unit 252. In addition to the display pole 222, it is connected to the HDD 253, the communication I / F 254, and the like.

The HDD 253 stores a program P2 that can be executed by the control unit 250 (CPU) and various setting information. Further, the HDD 253 stores the same PLU file F1 as the registration device 10.

The communication I / F 254 is a communication device capable of connecting to the network N. The control unit 250 communicates with the registration device 10 and the server device 30 via the communication I / F 254.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the server device 30 includes a control unit 350 having a computer configuration including a CPU and a ROM, a RAM, and the like which are storage media. The ROM stores various programs and various data executed by the CPU. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

The control unit 350 is connected to the display 353, the operation unit 354, the HDD 355, the communication I / F 356, and the like via the bus 351 and the I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 352.

The display 353 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 350. The operation unit 354 has an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and accepts operations by the operator.

The HDD 355 stores a program P3 that can be executed by the control unit 350 (CPU) and various setting information. Further, the HDD 355 stores the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the transaction management file F2 related to data linkage.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the transaction management file F2. As shown in FIG. 6, the transaction management file F2 stores the registration information, which will be described later, the customer identification information, and the payment information in association with each other. Here, the set of sales information, customer identification information, and settlement information corresponds to a transaction (transaction history) for one transaction.

Returning to FIG. 5, the communication I / F 356 is a communication device capable of connecting to the network N. The control unit 350 communicates with the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 via the communication I / F 356.

Next, the functional configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 150 of the registration device 10 executes the program P1 to execute the communication control unit 1501, the information input unit 1502, the specific unit 1503, the registration unit 1504, and the calculation unit 1505. The reading unit 1506, the display control unit 1507, and the corresponding unit 1508 are realized as functional units.

The communication control unit 1501 controls communication with external devices (payment device 20, server device 30) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 154.

The information input unit 1502 inputs product identification information for identifying various products. Specifically, the information input unit 1502 inputs the product code and the product image output from the scanner 101 as the product identification information.

The identification unit 1503 identifies the product based on the product identification information. Specifically, when the product code is input from the scanner 101, the identification unit 1503 identifies the product corresponding to the product code with reference to the PLU file F1. Further, when the product image is input from the scanner 101, the identification unit 1503 identifies the product by general object recognition that recognizes an object included in the image.

The registration unit 1504 registers sales data showing the contents related to commercial transactions for the specified product. Specifically, the registration unit 1504 acquires the product information of the specified product from the PLU file F1. In addition, the registration unit 1504 generates sales data in which the acquired product information is associated with the number of products (purchased number) separately input. Then, the registration unit 1504 registers the product by holding the generated sales data in the RAM.

The calculation unit 1505 calculates the amount of goods included in the sales data for each of the registered sales data. Specifically, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the amount of money related to the commercial transaction of the product by multiplying the unit price of the product included in the sales data and the number of products. In addition, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the total amount of sales data registered in one transaction. Specifically, the calculation unit 1505 calculates the total amount for one transaction by adding up the amounts calculated for each sales data.

The reading unit 1506 is an example of the first reading means. The reading unit 1506 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 108. Specifically, the reading unit 1506 reads customer identification information such as a card ID and a device ID that identify the customer C from the storage medium of the customer C whose communication has been established with the short-range wireless communication unit 108.

The display control unit 1507 controls the display of the display 104 and the customer side display 107. For example, the display control unit 1507 displays the breakdown of each product registered by the registration unit 1504, the total amount calculated by the calculation unit 1505, and the like on the display 104 and the customer side display 107.

The corresponding portion 1508 is an example of the corresponding means. The corresponding unit 1508 generates and reads registration information including a breakdown of each product registered in the transaction on condition that the end of the transaction (tightening operation, etc.) is instructed via the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105. Correspondence with the identification information read by unit 1506 is performed. Specifically, the corresponding unit 1508 includes registration information including sales data registered in one transaction, a total amount calculated from the sales data, a transaction number for identifying the transaction, date and time information indicating the transaction date and time, and the like. To generate. Here, the registration information corresponds to the payment information and is used for the payment processing in the payment device 20. Further, the corresponding unit 1508 generates transaction information for one transaction by associating the generated registration information with the identification information read by the reading unit 1506 in the transaction. Then, the corresponding unit 1508 transmits the generated transaction information to the server device 30 in cooperation with the communication control unit 1501.

Further, the control unit 250 of the payment device 20 executes the program P2 to execute the communication control unit 2501, the reading unit 2502, the acquisition unit 2503, the payment processing unit 2504, and the notification unit, as shown in FIG. 2505 is realized as a functional unit.

The communication control unit 2501 controls communication with external devices (registration device 10, server device 30) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 254.

The reading unit 2502 is an example of the second reading means. The reading unit 2502 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. Specifically, the reading unit 2502 reads customer identification information such as a card ID and a device ID that identify the customer C from the storage medium of the customer C whose communication has been established with the short-range wireless communication unit 208.

The acquisition unit 2503 is an example of acquisition means. The acquisition unit 2503 acquires the registration information associated with the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502. Specifically, the acquisition unit 2503 cooperates with the communication control unit 1501 to transmit an acquisition request including the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 to the server device 30. Then, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) the registration information transmitted from the server device 30 as a response to the acquisition request.

The payment processing unit 2504 is an example of a payment means. The settlement processing unit 2504 executes the settlement processing of each product registered in the transaction related to the registration information based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503. For example, the settlement processing unit 2504 executes a cash settlement process (cash settlement) based on the total amount included in the registration information and the amount of cash (banknotes, coins) inserted into the currency slot 2041. Further, the payment processing unit 2504 executes payment processing (electronic payment) based on the total amount of money included in the registration information and the electronic money information read by the short-range wireless communication unit 208 from the storage medium (electronic money card, etc.). do.

The notification unit 2505 notifies the server device 30 that the settlement of the transaction has been completed by cooperating with the communication control unit 1501 on the condition that the settlement processing of the settlement processing unit 2504 is completed. Specifically, when the payment processing of the payment processing unit 2504 is completed, the notification unit 2505 completes the transaction including the payment information indicating the breakdown of the payment processing and the instruction information for instructing the transaction subject to the payment processing. Generate information. Then, the notification unit 2505 transmits the generated transaction completion information to the server device 30. Here, the payment information includes an amount paid by the customer C, an amount of change, information indicating a payment method (cash payment, electronic payment), date and time information indicating the date and time when the payment process is completed, and the like. Further, as the instruction information, the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 or the transaction number included in the registration information can be used.

Further, the control unit 350 of the server device 30 realizes the communication control unit 3501 and the transaction management unit 3502 as functional units by executing the program P3, as shown in FIG. 7.

The communication control unit 3501 controls communication with external devices (registration device 10, payment device 20) connected to the network N by cooperating with the communication I / F 356.

The transaction management unit 3502 manages the data linkage between the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 by using the transaction management file F2. Further, the transaction management unit 3502 functions as an example of the storage means together with the HDD 355 (transaction management file F2).

For example, when the transaction management unit 3502 receives the transaction start information from the registration device 10, the transaction management unit 3502 registers the registration information and the customer identification information included in the transaction start information in the transaction management file F2 in association with each other.

Further, when the transaction management unit 3502 receives the acquisition request from the payment device 20, the transaction management unit 3502 transmits the registration information requested by the acquisition request to the payment device 20. Specifically, the transaction management unit 3502 uses the customer identification information included in the acquisition request as a search key, and searches the transaction management file F2 for transactions including the customer identification information corresponding to the search key. Then, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out the registration information in which the settlement information column is empty in the searched transactions, that is, the registration information in which the settlement process is not completed, and transmits it to the settlement device 20 that has transmitted the acquisition request.

Further, when the transaction management unit 3502 receives the transaction completion information from the settlement device 20, it is included in the transaction completion information in association with the transaction registration information and the customer identification number instructed by the instruction information of the transaction completion information. Register the payment information.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout process performed by the registration device 10, the payment device 20, and the server device 30. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that the customer C possesses the storage medium and the customer identification information is read from the storage medium when the product is registered.

First, when the product to be purchased is depressed by the customer C, the operator of the registration device 10 instructs the start of the transaction by operating the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (step S11). Next, the information input unit 1502 of the registration device 10 determines whether or not the product identification information for identifying the product purchased by the customer C has been input (step S12). If the product identification information is not input (step S12; No), the process proceeds to step S15.

When the product identification information is input in step S12 (step S12; Yes), the identification unit 1503 of the registration device 10 identifies the product of the input product identification information based on the PLU file F1 (step S13). Next, the registration unit 1504 of the registration device 10 registers the sales data including the product name, unit price, quantity, etc. of the specified product in the RAM (step S14), and proceeds to step S15.

Subsequently, the reading unit 1506 of the registration device 10 determines whether or not communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium of the customer C has been established (step S15). Here, if communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium is not established (step S15; No), the process proceeds to step S17.

When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the storage medium is established in step S15 (step S15; Yes), the reading unit 1506 of the registration device 10 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S16), and steps S17. Move to.

Subsequently, the control unit 150 of the registration device 10 determines whether or not the end of the transaction is instructed via the touch panel 103 or the keyboard 105 (step S17). Here, if the end of the transaction is not instructed (step S17; No), the control unit 150 returns the process to step S12.

When the end of the transaction is instructed in step S17 (step S17; Yes), the corresponding attachment unit 1508 of the registration device 10 has registered information (sales data, total amount, transaction number) of each product registered in this transaction. Etc.) are associated with the customer identification information and transmitted to the server device 30 as transaction information (step S18).

When the server device 30 receives the transaction information from the registration device 10 (step S31; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 registers the registration information and the customer identification information included in the transaction information in the transaction management file F2 (step S31; Yes). S32), the process proceeds to step S33. Even if the transaction information is not received (step S31; No), the process proceeds to step S33.

On the other hand, the customer C who has completed the registration of the product in the registration device 10 carries the product to the desired payment device 20. In the payment device 20, the reading unit 2502 waits until communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium of the customer C is established (step S21; No). When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium is established (step S21; Yes), the reading unit 2502 of the payment device 20 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S22). Next, the acquisition unit 2503 of the payment device 20 transmits an acquisition request including the identification information read in step S22 to the server device 30 (step S23).

When the server device 30 receives the acquisition request from the payment device 20 (step S33; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 searches the transaction management file F2 for the transaction including the identification information included in the acquisition request (step S34). ). Next, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out the registration information of the transaction for which the settlement process has not been completed from the searched transactions and transmits it to the settlement device 20 (step S35), and proceeds to step S36. Even if the acquisition request is not received (step S33; No), the process proceeds to step S36.

In the payment device 20, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) the registration information transmitted from the server device 30 (step S24). Next, the payment processing unit 2504 of the payment device 20 executes the payment processing based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503 (step S25).

When the payment process in step S25 is completed, the notification unit 2505 of the payment device 20 transmits the transaction completion information including the payment information indicating the breakdown of the payment process and the instruction information for instructing the transaction to the server device 30 (step S26). ). Then, the control unit 150 of the payment device 20 issues a receipt printed with the registration information and the breakdown of the payment information from the printer 209 (step S27), and ends the process.

When the server device 30 receives the transaction completion information from the payment device 20 (step S36; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 associates the payment information included in the transaction completion information with the transaction instructed by the instruction information. Register in the transaction management file F2 (step S37), and return to step S31. Even if the transaction completion information is not received (step S36; No), the process returns to step S31.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the registration information of each product for one transaction registered by the registration device 10 and the customer identification information read from the storage medium of the customer C at the time of the transaction are stored in association with each other. do. Further, the payment device 20 reads the customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C at the start of the payment processing, and executes the payment processing based on the registration information held in association with the customer identification information.

As a result, in the checkout system 1 of the first embodiment, the customer C can arbitrarily select the payment destination payment device 20 from the plurality of payment devices 20, so that the clerk selects the payment destination payment device. There is no need to select or guide. Therefore, for example, the customer C can settle the product by using the vacant payment device 20 from the plurality of payment devices 20. Therefore, in the checkout system 1 of the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently check out (register, settle) the product.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a configuration will be described in which service information such as a discount (or discount) and additional information such as an advertisement are provided to the customer C based on the transaction history stored in the transaction management file F2. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of the registration device 10, the payment device 20a, and the server device 30a according to the present embodiment. Here, the payment device 20a and the server device 30a correspond to the payment device 20 and the server device 30 described in the first embodiment.

By executing the program P3, the control unit 350 (see FIG. 5) of the server device 30a executes the communication control unit 3501, the transaction management unit 3502, the analysis unit 3503, and the additional information providing unit, as shown in FIG. 3504 is realized as a functional unit.

The analysis unit 3503 is an example of analysis means. The analysis unit 3503 analyzes the purchasing tendency of the product for each customer C based on the transaction history stored in the transaction management file F2. Specifically, the analysis unit 3503 extracts the registration information stored in the transaction management file F2 for each customer identification information (for each customer C). The analysis unit 3503 analyzes the tendency of the purchased products for each customer C based on the name, product classification, quantity, transaction date and time, etc. of each product included in the extracted registration information. The analysis result of the analysis unit 3503 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 355 in association with the corresponding customer identification information, for example.

Further, the analysis method is not particularly limited, and a known analysis method can be used. Further, when characteristic information such as age and gender of the corresponding customer C is stored in association with the customer identification information, the analysis unit 3503 is purchased among customers C of the same age based on the characteristic information. You may analyze the tendency of the products.

Further, the timing at which the analysis unit 3503 starts the analysis of the purchasing tendency does not matter. For example, the analysis unit 3503 may individually start the analysis of the customer C related to the transaction history each time a new transaction history is registered. Further, the analysis unit 3503 may start the analysis of each customer C according to a predetermined schedule.

The additional information providing unit 3504 is an example of the providing means. The additional information providing unit 3504 provides the customer C with service information such as a discount and additional information such as an advertisement based on the analysis result of the analysis unit 3503. Specifically, the additional information providing unit 3504 uses a storage device (not shown) that stores service information for instructing a discount on the product, advertising information for advertising (promoting) the product, and the like, and the purchasing tendency of each customer C. Extract additional information on products that match. Here, the additional information extracted by the additional information providing unit 3504 is not limited to the one according to the analysis result, for example, additional information (service information such as discount) related to the product included in the registration information for which the settlement process has not been completed. It may be. Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 provides the extracted additional information to the corresponding customer C.

The method of providing the additional information is not particularly limited, and various forms can be adopted. For example, when the contact information of the corresponding customer C (for example, the e-mail address of the recording medium (electronic device)) is stored in association with the customer identification information, the additional information providing unit 3504 will contact the customer. Additional information may be provided (transmitted) first.

Further, when the customer identification information is notified from the registration device 10 or the payment device 20a, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information to these devices to add the customer identification information via the registration device 10 or the payment device 20a. Information may be provided to customer C. For example, when the transaction information is transmitted from the registration device 10, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the transaction information to the registration device 10. Additional information may be displayed on the customer side display 107 of 10. Further, for example, when the acquisition request is transmitted from the payment device 20a, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the additional information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request to the payment device 20a. Additional information may be displayed on the display 2061 of the payment device 20a. Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 may transmit the additional information provided to the registration device 10 and the payment device 20a to the storage medium of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 108 and the short-range wireless communication unit 208. ..

Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 may change the providing method according to the type of the additional information. For example, for service information such as discounts that can be applied at the timing of a transaction, the additional information providing unit 3504 provides additional information via the registration device 10 and the payment device 20a. Further, for example, since the service information and advertisement information applicable to transactions after this time are not particularly limited at the timing of application and browsing, the additional information providing unit 3504 adds additional information to the contact information such as an e-mail address. Send. In this way, by changing the provision method according to the type of additional information, the customer C can apply the coupon information at the time of payment processing and can confirm the advertisement information after the payment processing, so that the customer C can be notified. Promotion can be done efficiently.

On the other hand, the control unit 250 of the payment device 20a executes the program P2 to execute the communication control unit 2501, the reading unit 2502, the acquisition unit 2503, the payment processing unit 2504, and the notification unit 2505, as shown in FIG. And the additional information providing unit 2506 are realized as functional units.

The additional information providing unit 2506 is an example of the providing means. The additional information providing unit 2506 acquires the additional information from the server device 30a and provides it to the customer C via the display 2061 and the short-range wireless communication unit 208. Specifically, the additional information providing unit 2506 receives the additional information provided from the additional information providing unit 3504 in cooperation with the communication control unit 2501. Then, the additional information providing unit 2506 displays the received additional information on the display 2061, or outputs or displays it on the storage medium (electronic device) of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. , Provide additional information to customer C.

The additional information providing unit 2506 may change the providing method according to the type of the additional information, similarly to the additional information providing unit 3504. For example, regarding service information such as a discount that can be applied at the timing when a transaction is being performed, the additional information providing unit 2506 displays the additional information on the display 2061 and provides it to the customer C. Further, for example, since the service information and advertisement information applicable to the transactions after this time are not particularly limited at the timing of application and browsing, the additional information providing unit 2506 provides additional information via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. I will provide a. In this way, by changing the provision method according to the type of additional information, the customer C can apply the coupon information at the time of payment processing and can confirm the advertisement information after the payment processing, so that the customer C can be notified. Promotion can be done efficiently.

Further, the additional information providing unit 2506 may change the method of providing the additional information according to the type of the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208. For example, when the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208 is a card medium that does not have a display device, the additional information providing unit 2506 provides additional information via the display 2061. When the storage medium connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 208 is an electronic device having a display device, the additional information providing unit 2506 transmits the additional information to the electronic device of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208. offer. In this way, by changing the provision method according to the type of the storage medium, the customer C can easily confirm the content of the additional information, so that the promotion can be performed efficiently. The method of determining the type of the storage medium is not particularly limited, and for example, the determination can be made based on the card ID, device ID, or the like included in the customer identification information.

Next, the operation of the payment device 20a and the server device 30a of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout process performed by the payment device 20a and the server device 30a. The process shown in FIG. 10 corresponds to the process of the payment device 20 and the server device 30 described in FIG.

First, when the server device 30a receives the transaction information from the registration device 10 (step S41; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 registers the registration information and the customer identification information included in the transaction information in the transaction management file F2. (Step S42). Next, the analysis unit 3503 analyzes the purchasing tendency of the customer identification information (customer C) based on each of the registration information corresponding to the customer identification information registered in step S42 (step S43), and proceeds to step S44. do. Even if the transaction information is not received (step S41; No), the process proceeds to step S44.

On the other hand, in the payment device 20a, the reading unit 2502 waits for the establishment of communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium of the customer C (step S61; No). When communication between the short-range wireless communication unit 208 and the storage medium is established (step S61; Yes), the reading unit 2502 of the payment device 20a reads the customer identification information from the storage medium (step S62). Next, the acquisition unit 2503 of the payment device 20a transmits an acquisition request including the customer identification information read in step S62 to the server device 30a (step S63).

When the server device 30a receives the acquisition request from the payment device 20a (step S44; Yes), the transaction management unit 3502 searches the transaction management file F2 for the transaction including the identification information included in the acquisition request (step S45). ). Next, the transaction management unit 3502 reads out the registration information of the transaction for which the settlement process has not been completed from the searched transactions and transmits it to the settlement device 20a (step S46).

Further, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the server device 30a extracts additional information such as service information and advertisement information based on the analysis result and the like related to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request (step S47). Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 transmits the extracted additional information to the payment device 20a (step S48), and proceeds to step S49. Even if the acquisition request is not received (step S44; No), the process proceeds to step S49.

In the payment device 20a, the acquisition unit 2503 receives (acquires) the registration information transmitted from the server device 30a (step S64). Further, the additional information providing unit 2506 of the payment device 20a receives the additional information transmitted from the server device 30a (step S65). The additional information providing unit 2506 displays the received additional information on the display 2061 or displays the additional information on the storage medium (electronic device) of the customer C via the short-range wireless communication unit 208, thereby displaying the additional information on the customer. Provided to C (step S66).

Subsequently, the payment processing unit 2504 of the payment device 20a executes the payment processing based on the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit 2503 (step S67). When a discount (discount) is applied based on the additional information (service information) displayed on the display 2061 or the like, the settlement processing unit 2504 subtracts the discount amount from the total amount of the products. Execute payment processing based on the amount. Subsequent processes of steps S68, S69, S49, and S50 executed by the payment device 20a and the server device 30a are the same as those of S26, S27, S36, and S37 described with reference to FIG. 8, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the registration information of each product for one transaction registered by the registration device 10 is associated with the customer identification information read from the storage medium of the customer C at the time of the transaction. Hold. Further, the payment device 20a reads the customer identification information from the storage medium of the customer C at the start of the payment processing, and executes the payment processing based on the registration information held in association with the customer identification information. Further, the payment device 20a provides the customer C with additional information such as a discount or an advertisement according to the purchase tendency of the customer C in the customer identification information.

As a result, the checkout system 1 of the second embodiment can provide the customer C with additional information according to the purchasing tendency of each customer C. Therefore, the checkout system 1 of the second embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment, and can efficiently promote the product or the store to the customer C.

In the above embodiment, the mode in which the payment device 20a provides the additional information has been described, but the same configuration can be made when the registration device 10 provides the additional information. Specifically, when the registration device 10 includes the functional unit of the additional information providing unit 3504 described above, it is possible to provide the customer C with the same additional information as the payment device 20a. In this case, for example, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the registration device 10 notifies the server device 30a of the customer identification information at the timing when the reading unit 1506 reads the customer identification information (step S16 in FIG. 8). Then, the additional information providing unit 3504 of the registration device 10 receives the additional information related to the notified customer identification information from the server device 30a, and supplies the additional information to the customer C via the customer side display 107 or the short-range wireless communication unit 108. To provide.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, 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, combinations, 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.

For example, in the above embodiment, the corresponding portion 1508 of the registration device 10 is configured to deliver the registration information to the payment device 20 (20a) via the server device 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the payment device 20 (20a) is not limited to this. It may be configured to be delivered directly to. When this configuration is adopted, for example, the corresponding unit 1508 of the registration device 10 stores (holds) the set of the registration information acquired for each transaction by the self-registration device 10 and the customer identification information in the HDD 153 in association with each other. do. On the other hand, the acquisition unit 2503 of the payment device 20 (20a) transmits an acquisition request including the customer identification information read by the reading unit 2502 to each of the registration devices 10. Then, the corresponding unit 1508 of the registration device 10 transmits the registration information corresponding to the customer identification information included in the acquisition request to the payment device 20 (20a). When adopting this configuration, the transaction history (registration information, customer identification information, payment information) of the transaction for which the payment processing has been completed shall be separately stored in the server device 30 (30a) or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the server device 30 (30a) is configured to hold the transaction management file F2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one of the representative registration devices 10 and one of the settlement devices 20 make transactions. It may be configured to hold the management file F2. In this case, the device (registration device 10, settlement device 20, 20a) that holds the transaction management file F2 is any or all of the transaction management unit 3502, the analysis unit 3503, and the additional information providing unit 3504 of the server device 30 (30a). It may have the function of.

Further, in the above embodiment, the checkout system of the semi-self method is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to the checkout system of the method in which the operator O who is a clerk operates the payment device 20 (20a).

Further, the program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment is provided by incorporating it into a storage medium (ROM or HDD) included in the device in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in an installable or executable format. It may be configured to provide. Further, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted by a LAN, the Internet, or the like is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored.

Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the Internet. It may be configured to be distributed.

1 Checkout system 10 Registration device 150 Control unit 1501 Communication control unit 1502 Information input unit 1503 Specific unit 1504 Registration unit 1505 Calculation unit 1506 Reading unit 1507 Display control unit 1508 Corresponding unit 20, 20a Payment device 250 Control unit 2501 Communication control unit 2502 Reading unit 2503 Acquisition unit 2504 Payment processing unit 2505 Notification unit 2506 Additional information providing unit 30, 30a Server device 350 Control unit 3501 Communication control unit 3502 Transaction management unit 3503 Analysis unit 3504 Additional information providing unit F1 PLU file F2 Transaction management file

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-9561

Claims (3)

A checkout system having a registration device for registering products purchased by a customer and a payment device for making payments for products registered by the registration device.
The registration device includes a first reading means for reading identification information that can identify the customer from a storage medium possessed by the customer at the time of registration of the product, and payment information including a breakdown of each product registered in one transaction. Corresponding means for associating with the identification information read by the first reading means, and
With
The payment device is a second reading means for reading the identification information from the storage medium possessed by the customer, and an acquisition means for acquiring the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading means. And the payment means that executes the payment processing of each product registered in the one transaction based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition means.
Equipped with a,
A storage means for storing the payment information and the identification information of each transaction for which payment has been completed by the payment device.
An analysis means for analyzing the purchasing tendency of a product based on the payment information stored in the storage means, and an analysis means.
The providing means for providing the additional information according to the analysis result of the analysis means to the customer by the providing method according to the type of the additional information, and the providing means.
With
The providing means provides additional information applicable at the timing of the transaction via the registration device or the payment device, and provides the customer with additional information applicable in the next and subsequent transactions. A checkout system that sends the additional information to the associated contact. The corresponding means stores the payment information and the identification information in an external device in association with each other.
The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading means from the external device. The corresponding means associates the payment information with the identification information and stores the identification information in the storage device of the own device.
The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the payment information associated with the identification information read by the second reading means from the storage device of the payment device.

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