JP6946874B2 - Settlement system, settlement device, tightening method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a settlement system, a settlement device, a tightening method and a program.

At a register terminal (hereinafter referred to as a register terminal) in a store such as a supermarket, (1) a process of registering a product to be settled (reading a barcode, etc.) and (2) a process of settling the registered product (price). (Receipt of money, return of change, etc.) are performed.

There is an operation method in which the functions of such a cash register terminal are distributed to two devices. Specifically, the function of performing the process of (1) is assigned to the product registration device, and the function of performing the process of (2) is assigned to the settlement device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a product registration device receives information on the amount of money held by the payment device in a system in which the product registration device and the payment device are separated.

According to Patent Document 2, in a POS system including an automatic change machine and a POS terminal device, the POS terminal device can output deposit / withdrawal history information showing a deposit denomination breakdown and a withdrawal denomination breakdown for each transaction in the automatic change device. The technology to do so is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-146066 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-218374

An object of the present invention is to efficiently perform a closing process in a settlement system having a plurality of product registration devices and a plurality of settlement devices.

According to the present invention
Includes a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of payment devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received payment information.
The product registration device is
A first acquisition means for acquiring the theoretical value of the amount of money to be settled by the plurality of settlement devices and the amount of money of the plurality of settlement devices, and
A second acquisition method for acquiring the amount of money in your ship,
A third acquisition means for acquiring the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, and
Based on the theoretical value, the amount of money, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, the tightening process is executed in the plurality of the product registration devices and the plurality of payment devices as a whole. Closing process execution means and
Have,
As the first acquisition means, a settlement system for acquiring the theoretical value and the amount of money is provided from the settlement device satisfying a predetermined condition.

Further, according to the present invention.
The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information. ,
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
If the own device does not meet the predetermined conditions, a payment device that does not respond to the request is provided.

Further, according to the present invention.
The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
If the own device does not meet the predetermined conditions, a tightening method that does not respond to the request is provided.

Further, according to the present invention.
The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
When the own device does not satisfy the predetermined condition, a program for executing a process that does not respond to the request is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently perform the closing process in a settlement system having a plurality of product registration devices and a plurality of settlement devices.

This is an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the product registration apparatus 10 and the settlement apparatus 20 of this embodiment. This is an example of a functional block diagram of the product registration device 10 of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow of the product registration apparatus 10 of this embodiment. This is an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow of the settlement apparatus 20 of this embodiment. This is an example of a functional block diagram of the product registration device 10 of the present embodiment. This is an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow of the product registration apparatus 10 of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing flow of the settlement apparatus 20 of this embodiment. This is an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
First, the overall picture and outline of the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the settlement system 1 has a plurality of product registration devices 10 and a plurality of settlement devices 20. The plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 are configured to be able to communicate with each other by wire and / or wirelessly.

The product registration device 10 accepts the registration of the product to be settled (reading a barcode, etc.). The settlement device 20 performs a settlement process based on the settlement information indicating the product registered in the product registration device 10 (receipt of price, return of change, etc.). For example, in the case of payment by a method that cannot be accepted by the settlement device 20 (eg, a predetermined cash voucher or the like), the product registration device 10 accepts the payment.

Then, in the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, one of the plurality of product registration devices 10 executes the closing process for the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 as a whole. Hereinafter, the tightening process of the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 as a whole is simply referred to as “tightening process”. Further, the product registration device 10 that executes the tightening process is referred to as a master unit, and the other product registration device 10 is referred to as a slave unit.

The closing process is, for example, a process of totaling the amounts of cash, cash vouchers, and credit payment information handled by the settlement system 1 and checking whether there is any miscalculation. For example, the master unit (product registration device 10) aggregates the amounts of cash, cash vouchers, credit payment information, etc. handled by the settlement system 1, and there is a difference between the aggregated result and the theoretical value of payment received by the settlement system 1. Check for any. The theoretical value is calculated based on the settlement information, that is, the registered contents in the product registration device 10.

The master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the theoretical value of the amount of money settled by each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 and the amount of money of each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 from each of the plurality of settlement devices 20. The amount of money in the settlement device 20 is the total amount of banknotes, coins (hereinafter, collectively referred to as cash) and cash vouchers stored in each settlement device 20. The amount of money in the payment device 20 may include information on the amount paid by a credit card or the like. Hereinafter, the theoretical value and the amount of money may be collectively referred to as "closing information".

The master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the closing information from the settlement device 20 that satisfies the predetermined condition, and does not acquire the closing information from the settlement device 20 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is that "the settlement process was performed at least once on the day".

Further, the master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the amount of money in each of the own unit and the other product registration device 10. The amount of money settled by each of the product registration devices 10 is the total value of at least one of cash, cash vouchers, and credit payment information settled by each product registration device 10. For example, the clerk may accept these by inputting the amount of money settled by each product registration device 10 into the master unit. Further, the clerk inputs the amount of money settled by each product registration device 10 into each product registration device 10, and the master unit acquires the amount of money of the other product registration device 10 from the other product registration device 10. May be good. In addition, each product registration device 10 may automatically total the amount of the own machine, and the master unit may acquire the amount of the other product registration device 10 from the other product registration device 10.

Then, the master unit (product registration device 10) executes the tightening process based on the tightening information and the amount of money in each of the own machine and the other product registration devices 10.

According to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment as described above, information necessary for the closing process can be collected in one product registration device 10 (master unit), and the closing process can be performed by the master unit (product registration device 10). can. Therefore, as compared with the case where the closing process is performed by each of the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 and the results are integrated, the labor of the operator and the processing load of the computer can be reduced.

Further, according to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, the master unit (product registration device 10) does not acquire closing information from the settlement device 20 which has not performed the settlement process even once on the day. In such a case, the settlement device 20 that has not performed the settlement process even once on the day does not have to execute the process of generating the closing information or the process of transmitting the closing information to the master unit (product registration device 10). Therefore, the settlement device 20 that has not performed the settlement process even once on the day can avoid unnecessary processes and reduce the processing load. Further, since the master unit (product registration device 10) can acquire from the settlement device 20 and reduce the amount of information, the processing load can be reduced accordingly.

Hereinafter, the configurations of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 will be described in detail. First, an example of the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 will be described. Each functional unit included in the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment is a storage unit (Central Processing Unit) of an arbitrary computer, a memory, a program loaded into the memory, a hard disk for storing the program, or the like. In addition to programs stored from the stage of shipping the device in advance, it can also store programs downloaded from storage media such as CDs (Compact Discs) and servers on the Internet), and hardware centered on network connection interfaces. And any combination of software. And, it is understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications of the realization method and the device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configurations of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the product registration device 10 and the checkout device 20 has a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 may each be composed of a plurality of physically and / or logically separated devices. In this case, each of the plurality of devices may have a processor 1A, a memory 2A, an input / output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A.

The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, the memory 2A, the peripheral circuit 4A, and the input / output interface 3A to transmit and receive data to and from each other. The processor 1A is, for example, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 2A is, for example, a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The input / output interface 3A is an interface for acquiring information from an input device (eg, keyboard, mouse, microphone, physical key, touch panel display, code reader, etc.), an external device, an external server, an external sensor, etc., and an output device (example: keyboard, mouse, microphone, physical key, touch panel display, code reader, etc.) Example: Display, speaker, printer, mailer, etc.), including an interface for outputting information to an external device, external server, etc. The processor 1A can issue commands to each module and perform calculations based on the calculation results thereof.

Next, the functional configurations of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 that realize each of the "registration acceptance / settlement process of the product to be settled" and the "closing process" will be described.

First, an example of the functional configuration of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 that realizes registration acceptance / settlement processing of the product to be settled will be described.

The product registration device 10 is operated by a clerk and has a means for accepting an input for registering a product to be settled. For example, the product registration device 10 includes an input device such as a reader (eg, bar code reader), a touch panel display, and physical buttons, and receives an input for registering a product to be settled through these input devices. The information to be registered (hereinafter, "registration information") includes the product code, selling price information, sales quantity, etc. of the product to be settled. The product code is an identifier consisting of predetermined characters, numbers, symbols, etc. for identifying each product. The product registration device 10 may calculate the settlement amount of each customer based on the registration information. The settlement amount is the total of the tax-included prices of each registered product.

At least a part of the registration information received by each product registration device 10 is input to one of the plurality of payment devices 20. Further, the settlement amount calculated by each product registration device 10 may be input to one of the plurality of settlement devices 20. It should be noted that each product registration device 10 may not calculate the settlement amount, and the settlement amount may not be input from each product registration device 10 to the settlement device 20. In this case, the registration information received by each product registration device 10 is input to the settlement device 20. Then, each settlement device 20 calculates the settlement amount based on the input registration information. Hereinafter, these pieces of information input to the settlement device 20 are referred to as settlement information.

For example, the product registration device 10 may output a sheet on which information indicating settlement information (eg, bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) is printed. Further, the settlement device 20 may include a means (eg, a reader) for reading the information. Then, the settlement information may be input to the settlement device 20 by having an operator (eg, a clerk, a customer) read the information printed on the paper by any of the settlement devices 20. In addition, the settlement information may be transmitted from the product registration device 10 to the settlement device 20 via a wired and / or wireless communication network.

The settlement device 20 is operated by the customer and performs settlement processing based on the input settlement information. That is, the settlement device 20 accepts the insertion of cash, cash vouchers, credit cards, and the like. When cash and cash voucher insertions are accepted, the total amount of insertions is calculated, and if necessary, change is output. On the other hand, when the credit card insertion is accepted, it communicates with the credit card company and processes the payment.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the product registration device 10 that realizes the tightening process will be described.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the product registration device 10. As shown in the figure, the product registration device 10 includes a first acquisition unit 11, a second acquisition unit 12, a tightening process execution unit 13, a third acquisition unit 14, and a monitoring unit 15.

The first acquisition unit 11 acquires the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 and the amount of money in each of the plurality of settlement devices 20. The theoretical value is calculated based on the settlement information acquired by each settlement device 20. The theoretical value is the total amount of payment for each customer who has paid with each payment device 20. The settlement amount is the total of the tax-included prices of each product registered in the product registration device 10. The current amount is the total amount of cash, cash vouchers, credit payment information, etc. handled by each settlement device 20. In other words, the amount of money is calculated from the sum of the total amount of banknotes, coins (cash) and cash vouchers stored in each settlement device 20 and the amount paid by credit card (credit payment information). It is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of money stored in each settlement device 20 for change in advance.

The first acquisition unit 11 acquires closing information (theoretical value and current amount) of each settlement device 20 from each of the plurality of settlement devices 20. The first acquisition unit 11 acquires the closing information from the settlement device 20 that satisfies the predetermined condition, and does not acquire the closing information from the settlement device 20 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is that "the settlement process was performed at least once on the day".

In the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 15 described below monitors the operation of each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 and determines whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies the above-mentioned predetermined condition. Then, the first acquisition unit 11 transmits a request for closing information to the settlement device 20 determined to satisfy the predetermined condition, and requests the closing information to the settlement device 20 determined not to satisfy the predetermined condition. Do not send. Upon receiving the request, the settlement device 20 returns the closing information to the product registration device 10 in response to the request. Then, the first acquisition unit 11 acquires the closing information returned from each settlement device 20 in response to the request.

The monitoring unit 15 monitors the operation of each of the plurality of settlement devices 20. Then, the monitoring unit 15 determines whether or not each settlement device 20 has performed the settlement process at least once on the day.

For example, the settlement device 20 may have a lock mode that prohibits execution of the settlement process. Execution and release of the lock mode are set, for example, by input of an operator. Then, the settlement device 20 transmits information indicating that the lock mode is being executed to the product registration device 10. Further, when the lock mode is released, the settlement device 20 transmits information indicating that the lock mode has been released to the product registration device 10. The monitoring unit 15 determines that the settlement device 20 that has not received the information indicating that the lock mode has been released all day, that is, the settlement device 20 that has been in the lock mode all day is the settlement device 20 that does not satisfy the predetermined conditions. Further, the monitoring unit 15 determines that the other settlement device 20 is a settlement device 20 that satisfies a predetermined condition. In addition, the settlement device 20 transmits information indicating whether the lock mode is in or the lock mode is released to the product registration device 10 at predetermined time intervals, and the product registration device 10 receives information acquired from each settlement device 20. Based on the above, it is also possible to monitor whether or not each settlement device 20 is in the lock mode at predetermined time intervals.

In addition, each settlement device 20 may transmit information indicating that the settlement process has been executed to the product registration device 10 in response to the completion of the first settlement process on the day. Then, the product registration device 10 may store the information in the non-volatile storage device, and may determine whether or not each settlement device 20 has performed the settlement process at least once on the day based on the information.

The second acquisition unit 12 acquires the current amount in the own machine (product registration device 10). The third acquisition unit 14 acquires the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10.

For example, the clerk may input the amount of money settled by each product registration device 10 into the master unit (product registration device 10). Then, the second acquisition unit 12 may acquire the current amount of the own machine input to the own machine (master unit) by the clerk. In addition, the third acquisition unit 14 may acquire the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10 input to the own machine (master unit) by the clerk.

In addition, the clerk may input the amount of money settled by each product registration device 10 into each product registration device 10. Then, the second acquisition unit 12 may acquire the current amount in the own machine input to the own machine by the clerk. In addition, the third acquisition unit 14 may acquire the amount of money input to each of the other product registration devices 10 by the clerk from each of the other product registration devices 10.

In addition, each product registration device 10 may automatically total the amount of money of its own machine. Then, the second acquisition unit 12 may acquire the amount of money in the own machine automatically calculated by the own machine. In addition, the third acquisition unit 14 may acquire the amount of money automatically calculated by each of the other product registration devices 10 from each of the other product registration devices 10.

In the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, payment is basically accepted by the settlement device 20. However, payment can also be accepted by the product registration device 10. For example, the product registration device 10 may accept payment by a method that cannot be accepted by the settlement device 20 (eg, payment by a type of cash voucher that cannot be inserted into the settlement device 20). When the product registration device 10 accepts a part of the payment amount calculated based on the registration information, the settlement information input to the settlement device 20 includes information indicating the received amount. May be good. Then, the settlement device 20 may calculate the balance that has not yet received payment based on the settlement information and accept the payment of the balance.

For example, the operator (clerk) totals the total amount of cash and cash vouchers stored in each product registration device 10 (the amount of money in each product registration device 10) and inputs it to each product registration device 10. The second acquisition unit 12 acquires the current amount input to the own machine. The third acquisition unit 14 communicates with the other product registration device 10 and acquires the current amount input to the other product registration device 10 from the other product registration device 10.

The tightening process execution unit 13 has the tightening information (theoretical value and current amount) acquired by the first acquisition unit 11, the existing amount in the own machine (product registration device 10) acquired by the second acquisition unit 12, and the current amount. Based on the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10 acquired by the third acquisition unit 14, the tightening process of the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 as a whole is executed. That is, the closing process execution unit 13 totals the amounts of cash, cash vouchers, and credit payment information handled by the entire settlement system 1 and checks whether there is any miscalculation. For example, the closing process execution unit 13 aggregates the amounts of cash, cash vouchers, credit payment information, etc. handled by the entire settlement system 1, and there is a difference between the aggregated result and the theoretical value of payment received by the entire settlement system 1. Check for any. If there is a difference between the aggregated result and the theoretical value, it is judged that there is a miscalculation.

Although not shown, the product registration device 10 may have an output unit that executes output according to a determination result by the tightening process execution unit 13. For example, the output unit may output the determination result by the tightening process execution unit 13 via an output device such as a display, a printer, or a mailer. Further, when the determination result by the tightening process execution unit 13 is "miscalculation", the output unit may output a warning via an output device such as a display, a printer, a mailer, a warning lamp, or a speaker. The output unit may output the above-mentioned aggregation result and the theoretical value of payment received by the settlement system 1. The output unit may further output these differences.

The first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening process execution unit 13, the third acquisition unit 14, and the monitoring unit 15 function in the product registration device 10 which is the master unit. That is, when the product registration device 10 is not the master unit, the first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening processing execution unit 13, the third acquisition unit 14, and the monitoring unit 15 do not function. "Working" means executing the above-mentioned processing, and "not functioning" means not executing the above-mentioned processing.

For example, each product registration device 10 may be able to accept an instruction input for executing the "tightening process". The product registration device 10 that receives the instruction input to execute the "tightening process" serves as the master unit, and the first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening process execution unit 13, the third acquisition unit 14, and the monitoring unit. 15 executes the above-mentioned process.

In addition, as described above, even if each product registration device 10 can accept an operation of inputting the total amount of cash and cash vouchers stored in each product registration device 10 (the amount of money in each product registration device 10). good. Then, the product registration device 10 that last received the operation on the day serves as the master unit, and the first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening processing execution unit 13, the third acquisition unit 14, and the monitoring unit 15 May execute the above-mentioned processing.

The determination as to whether or not the own device (product registration device 10) last received the above operation on the day may be realized based on the information from the server. For example, when each product registration device 10 accepts the above operation, it notifies the server accordingly. Based on the notification, the server grasps the product registration device 10 that has received the above operation on the day and the product registration device 10 that has not yet received the operation. Then, as a reply to the above notification, the server returns information indicating whether or not the product registration device 10 that has notified has finally received the above operation on the day. By performing the above notification between the plurality of product registration devices 10 without going through the server, the product registration device 10 that each product registration device 10 has received the above operation on the day and the product registration device 10 that has not yet received the operation. You may grasp.

Next, an example of the functional configuration of the settlement device 20 that realizes the tightening process will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement device 20. As shown in the figure, the settlement device 20 includes a receiving unit 21 and a reply unit 22.

The receiving unit 21 receives from the product registration device 10 the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by each settlement device 20 and the request for the amount of money of each settlement device 20. The reply unit 22 returns the theoretical value and the amount of money to the product registration device 10 in response to the request.

Next, an example of the processing flow of the product registration device 10 serving as the master unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The product registration device 10 that satisfies the condition of becoming a master unit executes the following processes S10 to S14. The condition of the master unit is, for example, "accepted the instruction input to execute the closing process" described above, or "cash or cash voucher stored in each product registration device 10 at the end among the plurality of product registration devices 10". The operation of inputting the total amount (the amount of money in each product registration device 10) has been accepted. "

The monitoring unit 15 of the master unit (product registration device 10) determines whether or not each of the plurality of payment devices 20 satisfies a predetermined condition (S10). The predetermined condition is that "the settlement process was performed at least once on the day".

After that, the first acquisition unit 11 of the master unit (product registration device 10) transmits a request for closing information (theoretical value and current amount) to the settlement device 20 satisfying a predetermined condition (S11), and in response to the request. The closing information returned from the settlement device 20 is acquired (S12).

Further, the second acquisition unit 12 of the master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the amount of money in the own machine (product registration device 10), and the third acquisition unit 14 acquires the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. (S13). The processing order of S10 to S12 and S13 is not limited to that shown in FIG.

After that, the tightening process execution unit 13 of the master unit (product registration device 10) has a plurality of product registration devices 10 and a plurality of product registration devices 10 based on the tightening information, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. The tightening process for the entire settlement device 20 is executed (S14). Then, the master unit (product registration device 10) outputs the result of the tightening process (S15).

Next, an example of the flow of the settlement device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the receiving unit 21 of the settlement device 20 receives the closing information request from the product registration device 10 (S20), the reply unit 22 returns the closing information accordingly (S21).

According to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment described above, the information required for the closing process can be collected in one product registration device 10 (master unit), and the closing process can be performed by the master unit (product registration device 10). can. Therefore, as compared with the case where the tightening process is performed by each of the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20 and the results are integrated to perform the tightening process, the labor of the operator and the processing load of the computer can be reduced.

Further, according to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, the master unit (product registration device 10) does not acquire closing information from the settlement device 20 which has not performed the settlement process even once on the day. In such a case, the settlement device 20 that has not performed the settlement process even once on the day does not have to execute the process of generating the closing information or the process of transmitting the closing information to the master unit (product registration device 10). Therefore, the settlement device 20 that has not performed the settlement process even once on the day can avoid unnecessary processes and reduce the processing load. Further, since the master unit (product registration device 10) can reduce the amount of information acquired from the settlement device 20 and processed, the processing load can be reduced accordingly.

Further, according to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, the master unit (product registration device 10) can determine whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies a predetermined condition. In such a case, the processing load of the settlement device 20 can be reduced.

<Second embodiment>
The settlement system 1 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that "each settlement device 20 determines whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies a predetermined condition". Other configurations are the same as those of the settlement system 1 of the first embodiment.

The functional block diagram of the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 as in the first embodiment. Further, an example of the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the product registration device 10 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the product registration device 10 includes a first acquisition unit 11, a second acquisition unit 12, a tightening process execution unit 13, and a third acquisition unit 14. That is, the product registration device 10 of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it does not have the monitoring unit 15. The configuration of the first acquisition unit 11, the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening process execution unit 13, and the third acquisition unit 14 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the settlement device 20 includes a receiving unit 21, a reply unit 22, and a monitoring unit 23. The configuration of the receiving unit 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The monitoring unit 23 monitors the operation of its own device (payment device 20). Then, the monitoring unit 23 determines whether or not the own device (settlement device 20) has performed the settlement process at least once on the day.

For example, the settlement device 20 may have a lock mode that prohibits execution of the settlement process. Execution and release of the lock mode are set, for example, by input of an operator. Then, the settlement device 20 stores information indicating the lock mode state (execution or release) in the storage unit. The monitoring unit 23 monitors whether or not its own device (payment device 20) is in the lock mode based on the lock mode state stored in the storage unit. Then, the monitoring unit 23 determines that the own device (settlement device 20) does not satisfy the predetermined condition when the own device (settlement device 20) is in the lock mode all day, and in other cases, the own device (settlement device 20). The device 20) determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In addition, the settlement device 20 may store a history indicating the contents of the settlement process on the day in the non-volatile storage device of its own device (settlement device 20). Then, the monitoring unit 23 may determine whether or not its own device (payment device 20) satisfies a predetermined condition based on the history. The settlement processing history may include the time of each transaction, the traded product, the settlement amount, the customer base, and the like.

When the own device (settlement device 20) satisfies a predetermined condition, the reply unit 22 returns the closing information to the product registration device 10 in response to the request for the closing information, and the own device (settlement device 20) satisfies the predetermined condition. If it is not satisfied, the closing information is not returned to the product registration device 10 in response to the closing information request. If the own device (payment device 20) does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the reply unit 22 may return information indicating that fact to the product registration device 10.

Next, an example of the processing flow of the product registration device 10 serving as the master unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The first acquisition unit 11 of the master unit (product registration device 10) transmits a request for closing information (theoretical value and the amount of money) to all the settlement devices 20 (S30), and returns from the settlement device 20 in response to the request. The tightening information that has been received is acquired (S31). The first acquisition unit 11 may acquire information indicating that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, instead of the closing information, from the settlement device 20 that did not respond to the request.

Further, the second acquisition unit 12 of the master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the amount of money in the own machine (product registration device 10), and the third acquisition unit 14 acquires the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. (S32). The processing order of S30, S31, and S32 is not limited to that shown in FIG.

After that, the tightening process execution unit 13 of the master unit (product registration device 10) has a plurality of product registration devices 10 and a plurality of product registration devices 10 based on the tightening information, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. The tightening process for the entire settlement device 20 is executed (S33). Then, the master unit (product registration device 10) outputs the result of the tightening process (S34).

Next, an example of the flow of the settlement device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the receiving unit 21 of the settlement device 20 receives the request for closing information from the product registration device 10 (S40), the monitoring unit 23 determines whether or not the own device (settlement device 20) satisfies a predetermined condition (S41). .. The predetermined condition is that "the settlement process was performed at least once on the day".

Then, when the own device (settlement device 20) satisfies the predetermined condition, the reply unit 22 of the settlement device 20 returns the closing information in response to the request for the closing information, and the own device (settlement device 20) satisfies the predetermined condition. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the closing information is not returned without responding to the closing information request (S42). If the own device (payment device 20) does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the reply unit 22 may return information indicating that fact.

According to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment described above, the same operation and effect as the settlement system 1 of the first embodiment can be realized. Further, according to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, each settlement device 20 can determine whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies a predetermined condition. Therefore, the processing load of the master unit (product registration device 10) can be reduced.

<Third embodiment>
The settlement system 1 of the present embodiment is described in that "a point that a determination of whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies a predetermined condition is performed by a product registration device 10 and another device (monitoring device) different from the settlement device 20". It differs from the first and second embodiments. Other configurations are the same as those of the settlement system 1 of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the settlement system 1 includes a plurality of product registration devices 10, a plurality of settlement devices 20, and a monitoring device 30. The monitoring device 30 is configured to be able to communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices 10 and the plurality of settlement devices 20. An example of the hardware configuration of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 as in the first and second embodiments. Further, an example of the hardware configuration of the monitoring device 30 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 as in the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20.

The monitoring device 30 monitors the operation of each of the plurality of settlement devices 20. Then, the monitoring device 30 determines whether or not each settlement device 20 has performed the settlement process at least once on the day.

For example, the settlement device 20 may have a lock mode that prohibits execution of the settlement process. Execution and release of the lock mode are set, for example, by input of an operator. Then, the settlement device 20 transmits information indicating the lock mode state (execution or release) to the monitoring device 30. The monitoring device 30 monitors whether or not each settlement device 20 is in the lock mode based on the information acquired from each settlement device 20. Then, the monitoring device 30 determines that the settlement device 20 that has been in the lock mode all day is the settlement device 20 that does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, and determines that the other settlement devices 20 are the settlement devices 20 that satisfy the predetermined conditions.

In addition, each settlement device 20 may transmit the history of settlement processing to the monitoring device 30. Then, the monitoring device 30 may store the received settlement processing history in the non-volatile storage device. The monitoring device 30 may determine whether or not each settlement device 20 has performed the settlement process at least once on the day based on the history of the settlement process.

In addition, each settlement device 20 may transmit information indicating that the settlement process has been executed to the monitoring device 30 in response to the completion of the first settlement process on the day. Then, the monitoring device 30 may store the information in the non-volatile storage device, and may determine whether or not each settlement device 20 has performed the settlement process at least once on the day based on the information.

The monitoring device 30 transmits information indicating whether or not each of the plurality of payment devices 20 satisfies a predetermined condition to the product registration device 10.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the product registration device 10 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the product registration device 10 includes a first acquisition unit 11, a second acquisition unit 12, a tightening process execution unit 13, and a third acquisition unit 14. The configuration of the second acquisition unit 12, the tightening process execution unit 13, and the third acquisition unit 14 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The first acquisition unit 11 grasps whether or not each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information received from the monitoring device 30. Then, the first acquisition unit 11 transmits a request for closing information to the settlement device 20 that satisfies a predetermined condition, and acquires the closing information returned from each settlement device 20 in response to the request.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the settlement device 20 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the settlement device 20 includes a receiving unit 21 and a reply unit 22. The configuration of the receiving unit 21 and the reply unit 22 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, an example of the processing flow of the product registration device 10 serving as the master unit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The first acquisition unit 11 of the master unit (product registration device 10) determines whether or not each of the plurality of settlement devices 20 satisfies a predetermined condition based on the information acquired from the monitoring device 30 (S10). The predetermined condition is that "the settlement process was performed at least once on the day".

After that, the first acquisition unit 11 of the master unit (product registration device 10) transmits a request for closing information (theoretical value and current amount) to the settlement device 20 satisfying a predetermined condition (S11), and in response to the request. The closing information returned from the settlement device 20 is acquired (S12).

Further, the second acquisition unit 12 of the master unit (product registration device 10) acquires the amount of money in the own machine (product registration device 10), and the third acquisition unit 14 acquires the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. (S13). The processing order of S10 to S12 and S13 is not limited to that shown in FIG.

After that, the tightening process execution unit 13 of the master unit (product registration device 10) has a plurality of product registration devices 10 and a plurality of product registration devices 10 based on the tightening information, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices 10. The tightening process for the entire settlement device 20 is executed (S14). Then, the master unit (product registration device 10) outputs the result of the tightening process (S15).

Next, an example of the flow of the settlement device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the receiving unit 21 of the settlement device 20 receives the closing information request from the product registration device 10 (S20), the reply unit 22 returns the closing information accordingly (S21).

According to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment described above, the same operation and effect as the settlement system 1 of the first embodiment can be realized. Further, according to the settlement system 1 of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not each settlement device 20 satisfies a predetermined condition by a product registration device 10 and another device (monitoring device 30) different from the settlement device 20. Can be made. Therefore, the processing load of the product registration device 10 and the settlement device 20 can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an example of the reference form will be added.
1. 1. Includes a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of payment devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received payment information.
The product registration device is
A first acquisition means for acquiring the theoretical value of the amount of money to be settled by the plurality of settlement devices and the amount of money of the plurality of settlement devices, and
A second acquisition method for acquiring the amount of money in your ship,
A third acquisition means for acquiring the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, and
Based on the theoretical value, the amount of money, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, the tightening process is executed in the plurality of the product registration devices and the plurality of payment devices as a whole. Closing process execution means and
Have,
The first acquisition means is a settlement system that acquires the theoretical value and the amount of money from the settlement device that satisfies a predetermined condition.
2. In the settlement system described in 1.
The first acquisition means is a settlement system that does not acquire the theoretical value and the amount of money from the settlement device that does not satisfy the predetermined condition.
3. 3. In the settlement system described in 1 or 2,
The predetermined condition is a settlement system in which the settlement process is performed at least once on the day.
4. In the settlement system according to any one of 1 to 3,
Each of the plurality of the settlement devices determines whether or not the own device satisfies the predetermined condition, and determines whether or not the own device satisfies the predetermined condition.
The product registration device transmits the theoretical value and the request for the amount of money to all the settlement devices.
The settlement device satisfying the predetermined condition returns the theoretical value and the amount of money in response to the request.
The settlement device that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is a settlement system that does not respond to the request.
5. In the settlement system according to any one of 1 to 3,
The product registration device is
Information indicating whether or not each of the plurality of payment devices satisfies the predetermined condition is acquired from the monitoring device that monitors the operation of the plurality of payment devices.
A settlement system that transmits the theoretical value and the request for the amount of money to the settlement device that satisfies the predetermined condition.
6. In the settlement system according to any one of 1 to 3,
The product registration device is a payment system that monitors the operation of a plurality of the payment devices and transmits the theoretical value and the request for the amount of money to the payment device that satisfies the predetermined condition.
7. The product registration device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information. hand,
A first acquisition means for acquiring the theoretical value of the amount of money to be settled by the plurality of settlement devices and the amount of money of the plurality of settlement devices, and
A second acquisition method for acquiring the amount of money in your ship,
A third acquisition means for acquiring the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, and
Based on the theoretical value, the amount of money, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, the tightening process is executed in the plurality of the product registration devices and the plurality of payment devices as a whole. Closing process execution means and
Have,
The first acquisition means is a product registration device that acquires the theoretical value and the amount of money from the settlement device that satisfies a predetermined condition.
8. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information. ,
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device, the receiving means and
When the own device satisfies the predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the current amount are returned in response to the request, and when the own device does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the reply means which does not respond to the request and the reply means.
Settlement device with.
9. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
A tightening method that does not respond to the request when the own device does not meet the predetermined conditions.
10. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
A program that executes a process that does not respond to the request when the own device does not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

1A processor 2A memory 3A I / O I / F
4A Peripheral circuit 5A Bus 1 Settlement system 10 Product registration device 11 First acquisition unit 12 Second acquisition unit 13 Tightening processing execution unit 14 Third acquisition unit 15 Monitoring unit 20 Payment device 21 Reception unit 22 Reply unit 23 Monitoring unit 30 Monitoring device

Claims (6)

Includes a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of payment devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received payment information.
The product registration device is
A first acquisition means for acquiring the theoretical value of the amount of money to be settled by the plurality of settlement devices and the amount of money of the plurality of settlement devices, and
A second acquisition method for acquiring the amount of money in your ship,
A third acquisition means for acquiring the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, and
Based on the theoretical value, the amount of money, the amount of money in the own machine, and the amount of money in each of the other product registration devices, the tightening process is executed in the plurality of the product registration devices and the plurality of payment devices as a whole. Closing process execution means and
Have,
The first acquisition means acquires the theoretical value and the amount of money from the settlement device satisfying a predetermined condition, and obtains the theoretical value and the amount of money .
The predetermined condition is a settlement system in which the settlement process is performed at least once on the day. In the settlement system according to claim 1,
The first acquisition means is a settlement system that does not acquire the theoretical value and the amount of money from the settlement device that does not satisfy the predetermined conditions. In the settlement system according to claim 1 or 2.
Each of the plurality of the settlement devices determines whether or not the own device satisfies the predetermined condition, and determines whether or not the own device satisfies the predetermined condition.
The product registration device transmits the theoretical value and the request for the amount of money to all the settlement devices.
The settlement device satisfying the predetermined condition returns the theoretical value and the amount of money in response to the request.
The settlement device that does not satisfy the predetermined condition is a settlement system that does not respond to the request. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration, and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information. ,
And the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement apparatus, a receiving unit that will receive the request inventory amount of the settlement device from said goods registration device,
When the own device satisfies the predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the current amount are returned in response to the request, and when the own device does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the reply means which does not respond to the request and the reply means.
Have a,
The predetermined condition is a settlement device in which the settlement process is performed at least once on the day. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
If the own device does not meet the predetermined conditions, it does not respond to the request and does not respond to the request.
The predetermined condition is a tightening method in which the settlement process is performed at least once on the day. The settlement device of the settlement system including a plurality of product registration devices that accept product registration and a plurality of settlement devices that communicate with each of the plurality of product registration devices and settle based on the received settlement information.
When the theoretical value of the amount to be settled by the settlement device and the request for the amount of money of the settlement device are received from the product registration device,
When the own device satisfies a predetermined condition, the theoretical value and the amount of money are returned in response to the request.
If the own device does not meet the predetermined conditions, the process that does not respond to the request is executed .
The predetermined condition is a program in which the settlement process is performed at least once on the day.

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