JP7166787B2 - Checkout system, registration device and registration program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a checkout system, a registration device and an accounting device included in this system, and a registration program and an accounting program for causing a computer to function as the registration device or the accounting device.

A semi-self system is known as a checkout system for mass retailers. A semi-self checkout system includes a registration device that registers sales data of products purchased by customers and generates accounting data, and receives the accounting data generated by this registration device, and based on the accounting data, cash, and an accounting device that settles transactions by means of payment media such as electronic money and credit cards. The registration device and the checkout device are installed separately, and the salesclerk operates the registration device and the customer operates the checkout device.

In the conventional semi-self checkout system, the customer who moves to the place where the accounting device is installed cannot make a payment unless he/she selects the payment medium by himself/herself. For this reason, many customers were dissatisfied with the troublesome operation of selecting a payment medium.

Therefore, it is conceivable that the registration device receives the selection of the payment medium, and the accounting device receives the payment medium information together with the accounting data from the registration device, thereby eliminating the need for the payment medium selection operation at the accounting device. However, in order to do so, the clerk who operates the registration device has to ask the customer about the payment medium and wait until the customer answers, as in a face-to-face checkout system, which increases the processing time per customer at the registration device. There is a concern that If the processing time per customer becomes longer, the number of customers waiting to pay will increase during busy times. Therefore, it has been desired that the operation of selecting a payment medium in the registration device and the operation of selecting the payment medium in the accounting device can be easily differentiated.

JP 2017-004244 A

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a checkout system that can easily distinguish between the operation of selecting a payment medium in a registration device and the operation of selecting a payment medium in an accounting device.

In one embodiment, the checkout system includes a registration device and a checkout device.
The registration device includes generation means, first acceptance means, second acceptance means, and output means. The generation means generates accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction. The first accepting means accepts selection of any one of a plurality of payment media for settlement of transactions. The second accepting means accepts an instruction to transmit accounting data. When the selection of any one payment medium is accepted by the first accepting means, the output means outputs the accounting data generated by the generating means together with the payment medium identification information for identifying the selected payment medium to the accounting device. output to The output means outputs the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information when the second accepting means accepts the transmission instruction of the accounting data without accepting the selection of the payment medium.
The accounting device comprises receiving means, first payment means, and second payment means. The receiving means receives accounting data transmitted from the registration device. When the first payment means does not receive the accounting data together with the payment medium identification information, the first payment means accepts the selection of one payment medium from among the plurality of payment mediums, and the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted is used for the accounting data. Process settlement of transactions. The second settlement means settles the transaction of the accounting data with the payment medium identified by the payment medium identification information when the accounting data is received together with the payment medium identification information.

1 is a schematic diagram of a checkout system in one embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a registration device shown in the checkout system of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the accounting device shown in the checkout system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main memory areas configured in the main memory of the registration device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of mode setting processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program; FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program; FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program; FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program; FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor of the accounting device shown in FIG. 3 according to the accounting program; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor of the accounting device shown in FIG. 3 according to the accounting program; FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on an operator touch panel of the registration device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an accounting confirmation screen displayed on the operator touch panel of the registration device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment medium selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the accounting device shown in FIG. 3; 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment medium selection screen displayed on the customer touch panel of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 in the second embodiment; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program in the second embodiment; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the procedure of normal registration work processing executed by the processor of the registration device shown in FIG. 2 according to the registration program in the second embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a checkout system that can easily distinguish between the operation of selecting a payment medium in the registration device and the operation of selecting the payment medium in the checkout device will be described with reference to the drawings. The payment medium indicates cash, electronic money, credit cards, cash vouchers, etc. used for payment. Cash vouchers include gift certificates, coupons, and the like.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a checkout system 10 according to the first embodiment. The checkout system 10 includes a plurality of registration devices 11 and more checkout devices 12 than the registration devices 11 . The registration device 11 and checkout device 12 are arranged for each checkout lane of the store.

FIG. 1 shows a case where two registration devices 11 and six checkout devices 12 are arranged in two checkout lanes. In FIG. 1, one registration device 11 and three checkout devices 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3) are arranged for one checkout lane. The number of registration devices 11 and accounting devices 12 included in the checkout system 10 is arbitrary. Also, the ratio of the number of registration devices 11 and accounting devices 12 arranged in the checkout lane is arbitrary.

The registration device 11 is operated by a store clerk 21 who plays a role called a checker. The operator of the checkout device 12 is a customer 22 who purchases a product sold at the store. That is, the checkout system 10 is a semi-self system.

The registration device 11 is attached to the work table 23 in FIG. The work table 23 has a rectangular top plate. A passage for customers 22, a so-called checkout lane, is formed by arranging a plurality of work tables 23 such that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel.

The registration device 11 has functions of registering products for sale, generating accounting data, transmitting the accounting data to the accounting device 12, and performing settlement processing. The registration of the merchandise for sale means registering the merchandise to be purchased by the customer 22 in the registration device 11 as the merchandise for sale. For example, by reading a barcode attached to a product with a scanner, the product is registered in the registration device 11 as a product for sale. Accounting data is data relating to accounting for sales products registered as one transaction. Accounting data includes a product code, which is an identification code of the product to be sold, product name, unit price, number of products, amount of money, and the like. Settlement processing is to process the settlement of transactions, which are commodity trading actions, based on accounting data. For settlement, cash, credit cards, electronic money, cash vouchers, etc. are used as payment media.

The accounting device 12 has a function of transferring accounting data to another accounting device 12 and performing settlement processing. That is, when accounting device 12 receives accounting data from registration device 11 or another accounting device 12, accounting device 12 processes transaction settlement based on the accounting data.

Both the registration device 11 and the accounting device 12 are connected to a LAN (local area network), which is a network. A server is connected to the LAN. The server is provided with a product database in which product information such as product names and unit prices are set in association with the product code of each product. Registration device 11 and accounting device 12, or accounting device 12 and another accounting device 12 exchange information via a LAN. Information may be exchanged between the registration device and the accounting device via a server. The network may use another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN instead of the LAN.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration device 11. As shown in FIG. The registration device 11 includes a processor 11a, a main memory 11b, an auxiliary storage device 11c, a communication unit 11d, a scanner 11e, an operator touch panel 11f, a customer touch panel 11g, a printer 11h, a card reader/writer 11i, a drawer opening mechanism 11j, and a system transmission line. 11k. The system transmission line 11k includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. A system transmission line 11k connects a processor 11a, a main memory 11b, an auxiliary storage device 11c, a communication unit 11d, a scanner 11e, an operator touch panel 11f, a customer touch panel 11g, a printer 11h, a card reader/writer 11i, and a drawer opening mechanism 11j. Connect with each other. A computer of the registration device 11 is configured by connecting the processor 11a, the main memory 11b, and the auxiliary storage device 11c via a system transmission line 11k.

The processor 11a corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 11a controls each part to implement various functions of the registration device 11 according to an operating system or application program. The processor 11a is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 11b corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory 11b includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 11b stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 11b may store, in a non-volatile or volatile memory area, data necessary for the processor 11a to execute processing for controlling each unit. The main memory 11b uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11a. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 11c corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 11c. The auxiliary storage device 11c stores data used when the processor 11a performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 11a, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 11c may store the above application programs.

The application programs stored in the main memory 11 b or the auxiliary storage device 11 c include a registration program describing information processing executed by the registration device 11 . The registration device 11 is generally transferred with the registration program stored in the main memory 11b or the auxiliary storage device 11c. However, the registration device 11 may be transferred without the registration program being stored in the main memory 11b or the auxiliary storage device 11c. In this case, the registration program is transferred after being recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the registration program may be transferred via a network, and this control program may be written in the auxiliary storage device 11c of the separately transferred registration device 11 described above.

The communication unit 11d performs data communication with the accounting device 12 connected via LAN. The communication unit 11d can also perform data communication with another registration device 11 connected via a LAN.

The scanner 11e reads code symbols such as bar codes and two-dimensional data codes attached to products. The scanner 11e may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

The operator touch panel 11f and the customer touch panel 11g are devices that serve as both an input device and a display device. The operator touch panel 11f displays information to a store clerk who is an operator of the registration device 11, and receives an operation input by the store clerk. The customer touch panel 11g displays information to customers whose products to be purchased are registered in the registration device 11, and accepts operation input by the customers.

The printer 11h issues receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper. As this type of printer 11h, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer can be used.

The card reader/writer 11i has a function of reading data recorded on a card and a function of writing data to the card. Cards may include membership cards called membership cards, point cards, etc., in addition to settlement cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The card reader/writer 11i may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, and may include multiple types of devices.

The drawer opening mechanism 11j opens a drawer for storing cash or cash vouchers such as gift certificates and coupons.

As the hardware of such a registration device 11, for example, an existing POS (Point Of Sales) terminal can be used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the essential circuitry of the accounting device 12. As shown in FIG. The accounting device 12 includes a processor 12a, a main memory 12b, an auxiliary storage device 12c, a communication unit 12d, a scanner 12e, a touch panel 12f, a printer 12g, a card reader/writer 12h, a change machine 12i and a system transmission line 12j. The system transmission line 12j includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines and the like. The system transmission line 12j interconnects the processor 12a, main memory 12b, auxiliary storage device 12c, communication unit 12d, scanner 12e, touch panel 12f, printer 12g, card reader/writer 12h and change dispenser 12i. A computer of the accounting apparatus 12 is configured by connecting the processor 12a, the main memory 12b and the auxiliary storage device 12c through a system transmission line 12j.

The processor 12a corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The processor 12a controls each part to implement various functions of the accounting device 12 according to an operating system or application program. The processor 12a is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 12b corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory 12b includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12b stores an operating system or application programs in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12b may store data necessary for the processor 12a to control each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12b uses a volatile memory area as a work area in which data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 12a. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM. A volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 12c corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be the auxiliary storage device 12c. The auxiliary storage device 12c stores data used when the processor 12a performs various types of processing, data created by processing in the processor 12a, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 12c may store the above application programs.

The application programs stored in the main memory 12b or the auxiliary storage device 12c include an accounting program describing information processing executed by the accounting device 12. FIG. The transfer of accounting device 12 is generally done with the accounting program stored in main memory 12b or secondary storage device 12c. However, accounting device 12 may be transferred without the accounting program stored in main memory 12b or auxiliary storage device 12c. In this case, the accounting program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, or the like and transferred. Alternatively, the accounting program may be transferred via a network, and this control program may be written in the auxiliary storage device 12c of the separately transferred accounting device 12 described above.

The communication unit 12d performs data communication with the registration device 11 connected via LAN. The communication unit 12d can also perform data communication between other accounting devices 12 connected via LAN.

The scanner 12e reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional data codes attached to products. The scanner 12e may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning laser light, or may be of a type that reads code symbols from an image captured by an imaging device.

The touch panel 12f is a device having both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 12f displays information to the customer, who is the operator of the accounting device 12, and accepts operation input by the customer.

The printer 12g issues receipts by printing various character strings or images on receipt paper. A thermal printer, a dot impact printer, or the like, for example, can be used as this type of printer 12g.

The card reader/writer 12h has a function of reading data recorded on a card and a function of writing data to the card. Cards may include membership cards called membership cards, point cards, etc., in addition to settlement cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards. The card reader/writer 12h may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, and may include multiple types of devices.

The change dispenser 12i receives inserted coins and bills. The change machine 12i also discharges coins and banknotes as change.

As the hardware of such accounting device 12, for example, an existing POS terminal compatible with the self-service system can be used.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing main memory areas configured in the main memory 11b of the registration device 11. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, areas for a transaction memory 31, total memory 32, payment medium table 33 and flag memory 34 are reserved in the main memory 11b.

The transaction memory 31 is an area for writing the data of the merchandise sold in one transaction. The data includes items such as product code, product name, unit price, quantity, and price. A product code is a unique code for individually identifying each product. Each product has a product code represented by a barcode, for example, and the registration device 11 can acquire the product code by scanning the barcode with the scanner 11e. The product name and unit price are the name of the product identified by the corresponding product code and the price per item. The number is the number of sales of the same product, and the amount is the amount (sales amount) for the number of sales.

The total memory 32 is an area for storing the total number of items and the total amount of money. The total quantity is the total number of sales stored in transaction memory 31 . The total amount is the sum of the sales amounts stored in the transaction memory 31 .

The payment medium table 33 is an area for storing a medium code and an execution flag for each payment medium. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the payment media are assumed to be of four types: cash, electronic money, credit card, and cash voucher. A medium code is a unique code assigned to each item to uniquely identify the corresponding payment medium. A medium code is an example of payment medium identification information. In this embodiment, a medium code "100" is assigned to cash, a medium code "200" is assigned to credit cards, a medium code "300" is assigned to electronic money, and a cash voucher is assigned A medium code of "400" is assigned.

The execution flag is 1-bit information for identifying whether or not the registration device 11 performs payment using the corresponding payment medium. In this embodiment, the execution flag is set to "1" when the registration device 11 performs the processing, and the execution flag is set to "0" when the registration device 11 does not perform the processing.

As described above, the registration device 11 has a settlement processing function. Therefore, in the checkout system 10 , settlement processing can be performed either by the accounting device 12 or by the registration device 11 . Therefore, in this embodiment, the operation modes of the registration device 11 are a semi-self mode and a face-to-face mode. The semi-self mode is a mode in which a product to be purchased is registered by the registration device 11 and a transaction for the registered product is settled by the checkout device 12 . The face-to-face mode is a mode in which registration and settlement of products to be purchased are performed by the registration device 11 . However, if the payment medium is a cash voucher, confirmation of the cash voucher by the store clerk is required, so the payment must be made with the registration device 11 even in the semi-self mode.

As described above, the execution flags for cash, electronic money, and credit card are set to "1" when the operation mode is the semi-self mode, and are set to "0" when the operation mode is the face-to-face mode. However, the execution flag for the cash note is "1" regardless of the operation mode.

The flag memory 34 is an area for storing mode flags. The mode flag is 1-bit information that identifies the operation mode of the registration device 11 . As described above, the registration device 11 has a semi-self mode and a face-to-face mode as operation modes. In this embodiment, the mode flag is set to "0" when the operation mode is the semi-self mode, and is set to "1" when the operation mode is the face-to-face mode.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of mode setting processing, which is one of business processes executed by the processor 11a of the registration device 11 according to the registration program. When the registration program is activated, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display the work menu screen. The job menu screen has button images that allow selection of job menu items such as mode setting job and normal registration job. When the processor 11a detects that the button image of the mode setting work has been touched, the processor 11a starts the process of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIG. 5 and described below are examples. As long as similar results can be obtained, the procedure and content of the treatment are not particularly limited.

When the processing of the procedure shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5 is started, the processor 11a displays a mode selection screen on the screen of the operator touch panel 11f as Act1. A button image for commanding the setting of the semi-self mode as an operation mode and a button image for commanding the setting of the face-to-face mode are arranged on the mode selection screen. In Act 2, the processor 11a waits for touch input of a button image for commanding setting of the semi-self mode or touch input of a button image for commanding setting of the face-to-face mode.

If the processor 11a detects in Act2 that the button image for instructing the setting of the semi-self mode has been touched, the processor 11a proceeds to Act3. The processor 11a sets the mode flag of the flag memory 34 to "0" as Act3. In Act 4, the processor 11a sets the execution flag corresponding to the cash voucher to "1" among the execution flags corresponding to each payment medium in the payment medium table 33, and sets the execution flag corresponding to the payment medium other than the cash voucher to "0". set.

When the processor 11a detects in Act2 that the button image for instructing the setting of the face-to-face mode has been touched, the processor 11a proceeds to Act5. The processor 11a sets the mode flag of the flag memory 34 to "1" as Act5. In Act 6, the processor 11a sets the execution flag corresponding to each payment medium in the payment medium table 33 to "1". With this, the processor 11a ends the processing of the mode setting work.

6 to 9 are flowcharts showing procedures of normal registration work processing executed by the processor 11a of the registration device 11 according to the registration program. As described above, when the registration program is activated, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display the work menu screen. When the processor 11a detects that the button image of the normal registration task has been touched on the task menu screen, the processor 11a starts the processing of the procedures shown in the flow charts of FIGS. Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 and described below are examples. As long as similar results can be obtained, the procedure and content of the treatment are not particularly limited.

6 to 9, the processor 11a initializes the transaction memory 31 and total memory 32 as Act 11 in FIG. The data described in the transaction memory 31 and total memory 32 are deleted by the initialization.

In Act 12, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display the registration screen SC1 having the layout shown in FIG. 12, for example. The registration screen SC1 displays the contents of the transaction memory 31 and total memory 32, and allows the store clerk 21 to confirm the implementation status of the registration process. As shown in FIG. 12, the registration screen SC1 includes display areas R1 and R2. The display area R1 is an area for displaying data in the transaction memory 31, that is, a list of product names, quantities, unit prices, and amounts of products registered for sale. The display area R2 is an area for displaying the data in the total memory 32, that is, the total number and total price of each product registered for sale as one transaction.

Although illustration is omitted, the processor 11a instructs the sales clerk 21 to output a product button for the sales clerk 21 to designate a product and the sales clerk 21 to output a subtotal outside the area serving as the registration screen SC1 on the screen of the operator touch panel 11f. Various function buttons such as a subtotal button are also displayed.

When the store clerk 21 confirms that the registration screen SC1 is displayed on the operator touch panel 11f, he/she recognizes that the product to be purchased by the customer 22 can be registered. Then, when the customer 22 comes to the work table 23 with the purchased product, the store clerk 21 operates the scanner 11e or the product button, for example, and sequentially inputs the product code of the product. When the product codes of all the products have been entered, the store clerk 21 touches the subtotal button. By the above operations, the registration of the products purchased by one customer, the so-called sales registration of one transaction, is completed.

In response to such a registration operation, the processor 11a executes the following information processing. The processor 11a waits for the input of the product code in Act13. When the product code is input via the scanner 11e or the product button, the processor 11a determines YES in Act13 and proceeds to Act14.

The processor 11a registers the product sales data as Act14. That is, the processor 11a acquires product information such as the product name and unit price associated with the input product code and set in the product database. The processor 11a multiplies the unit price by the number of items to calculate the amount of money for the number of items. The number is the numerical value when the number is entered with the numeric keypad or the like before the product code is entered, and is "1" when the number is not entered. The processor 11a generates product sales data from the product code, product name, unit price, quantity and price. The processor 11a writes the product sales data in the transaction memory 31 in order of generation. The processor 11a also adds the number and amount of merchandise sales data to the total memory 32. FIG.

In Act 15, the processor 11a updates the registration screen SC1 so that the contents of the transaction memory 31 are displayed in the display area R1 and the contents of the total memory 32 are displayed in the display area R2.

After updating the registration screen SC1, the processor 11a confirms in Act16 whether or not the next product code has been input. If the product code is not input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act16, and proceeds to Act17. In Act17, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the subtotal button has been touch-inputted. If the subtotal button has not been touch-input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act17 and returns to Act16. Thus, in Act16 and Act17, the processor 11a waits for the input of the commodity code or the touch input of the subtotal button. Note that when the processor 11a confirms the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed in this waiting state, the processor 11a shifts to processing corresponding to the occurrence event. Such an operation is the same in other waiting states.

In the standby state of Act16 and Act17, upon detecting that the product code has been input, the processor 11a determines YES in Act16, and proceeds to Act14. The processor 11a executes the processing of Act14 and Act15 in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state of Act16 and Act17, when detecting touch input of the subtotal button, the processor 11a determines YES in Act17 and proceeds to Act18. The processor 11a generates accounting data as Act18. Accounting data includes transaction memory 31 data and sum memory 32 data.

Here, the computer of the registration device 11 mainly composed of the processor 11a functions as a generating means by executing the process of Act18.

As Act19, the processor 11a causes the screen of the operator touch panel 11f to display, for example, the payment confirmation screen SC2 having the layout shown in FIG. The checkout confirmation screen SC2 includes a display area R3, button images of a subtotal discount button B1, a subtotal discount button B2, a return button B3, a checkout button B4, a cash button B5, a credit button B6, an electronic money button B7, and a cash voucher button B8. including.

The display area R3 is an area for displaying the total number of items in the total memory 32 and the total amount. A subtotal discount button B1 and a subtotal discount button B2 are arranged in the display area R3. The subtotal discount button B1 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when applying a discount to the total amount. The subtotal discount button B2 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when applying a discount to the total amount.

A return button B3 and a checkout button B4 are arranged below the display area R3. The return button B3 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when returning a partial area of the screen of the operator touch panel 11f to the registration screen SC1. The checkout button B4 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when the product registration for one transaction is completed and a shift to checkout is instructed.

A cash button B5, a credit button B6, an electronic money button B7, and a cash voucher button B8 are arranged on the right side of the display area R3 facing the screen SC2. The cash button B5 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when the customer 22 who shifts to checkout designates cash as a payment medium. The credit button B6 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when the customer 22 designates a credit card as a payment medium. The electronic money button B7 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when the customer 22 designates electronic money as a payment medium. The cash voucher button B8 is a button image touched by the store clerk 21 when the customer 22 designates a cash voucher as a payment medium.

The processor 11a displaying the accounting confirmation screen SC2 checks the mode flag described in the flag memory 34 as Act21 in FIG. If the mode flag is "0", the processor 11a determines YES in Act21 and proceeds to Act22. In Act22, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the checkout button B4 has been touch-inputted. If the checkout button B4 has not been touch-input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act22 and proceeds to Act23. On the other hand, if the mode flag is "1", the processor 11a determines NO in Act21, skips the processing of Act22, and proceeds to Act23.

In Act23, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the cash button B5 has been touch-inputted. If the cash button B5 has not been touch-input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act23 and proceeds to Act24. In Act24, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the credit button B6 has been touch-inputted. If the credit button B6 has not been touch-input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act24 and proceeds to Act25. In Act25, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the electronic money button B7 has been touch-inputted. If the electronic money button B7 is not touch-inputted, the processor 11a determines NO in Act25 and proceeds to Act26. In Act 26, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the cash note button B8 has been touch-inputted. If the cash note button B8 has not been touch-input, the processor 11a determines NO in Act26, and proceeds to Act27. As Act27, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the return button B3 is touch-inputted. If the return button B3 is not touch-inputted, the processor 11a determines NO in Act27 and returns to Act21.

Thus, when the mode flag is set to "0", that is, when the semi-self mode is set, the processor 11a operates the return button B3, checkout button B4, cash button B5, and credit button B6 in Acts 22 to 27. , electronic money button B7 and cash note button B8. When the mode flag is set to "1", that is, when the face-to-face mode is set, the processor 11a, in Act23 to Act27, presses the return button B3, the cash button B5, the credit button B6, and the electronic money button B7. and a cash note button B8 to wait for touch input.

In this way, when the face-to-face mode is set, the processor 11a does not wait for touch input on the checkout button B4. Therefore, even if the clerk 21 touches the checkout button B4, the input is ignored. Therefore, when the face-to-face mode is set, the image of the checkout button B4 may be hidden on the checkout confirmation screen SC2.

After confirming the accounting confirmation screen SC2, the store clerk 21 confirms whether or not the merchandise purchased by the customer 22 remains registered. If it remains, the store clerk 21 touches the return button B3. If not, the store clerk 21 determines whether or not to confirm the payment method with the customer 22 . For example, when the store is relatively vacant and there is no concern that the number of customers 22 waiting for checkout will increase even if the payment method is confirmed, the clerk 21 confirms the payment method with the customer 22 . Conversely, when the store is crowded and there is a concern that the number of customers 22 waiting for checkout may increase by confirming the payment method, the clerk 21 does not confirm the payment method with the customers 22.例文帳に追加

If the payment medium is not confirmed, the store clerk 21 touches the checkout button B4. When confirming the payment medium, the store clerk 21 touches the button corresponding to the payment medium heard from the customer 22 . That is, the store clerk 21 touches the cash button B5 for the customer 22 who pays in cash. The store clerk 21 touches the credit button B6 for the customer 22 who pays with a credit card. The store clerk 21 touches the electronic money button B7 for the customer 22 who pays with electronic money. The store clerk 21 touches the cash voucher button B8 for the customer 22 who pays with cash vouchers. If the customer cannot decide the payment medium at this stage, the store clerk 21 touches the checkout button B4.

In the standby state of Act22 to Act27 or Act23 to Act27, when the processor 11a detects touch input of the return button B3, it determines YES in Act27 and proceeds to Act28. As Act28, the processor 11a returns a partial area of the screen of the operator touch panel 11f to the registration screen SC1. Thereafter, the processor 11a returns to the process of Act16, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

Here, the computer of the registration device 11 mainly composed of the processor 11a cooperates with the operator touch panel 11f and functions as a first receiving means by executing the processes of Act19 and Act23 to Act26. The same computer functions as a second receiving unit by cooperating with the operator touch panel 11f and executing the processes of Act19 and Act22.

In the standby state of Act22 to Act27, when the processor 11a detects touch input on the checkout button B4, it determines YES in Act22, and proceeds to Act31 in FIG. The processor 11a controls the communication unit 11d to transmit accounting data to the accounting device 12 as Act31. By this control, the communication unit 11d transmits the accounting data generated by the processing of Act18 to the accounting device 12 connected via the LAN.

Three checkout devices 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3) located in the same checkout lane are connected to the registration device 11 via a LAN. The communication unit 11d transmits accounting data to any one accounting device 12 out of the three accounting devices 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3). Information as to which accounting device 12 the accounting data is to be sent to is preset in the auxiliary storage device 11 c of the registration device 11 .

The processor 11a that has controlled transmission of accounting data determines whether or not there is a response from the accounting device 12 in Act32. If there is a response from the checkout device 12 within the fixed time, the processor 11a determines YES in Act32 and proceeds to Act33. The processor 11a determines in Act 33 whether the response is a response that can be accounted for or a response that cannot be accounted for. Accountable responses and accountable responses will be described later.

When the processor 11a receives the accountable response, it determines YES in Act33 and proceeds to Act34. In Act 34, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display information specifying the accounting device 12 that has transmitted the transaction-enabled response as accounting destination information.

If there is no response from the accounting device 12 within a certain period of time after controlling the transmission of accounting data, the processor 11a determines NO in Act32 and proceeds to Act35. If the response from the accounting device 12 is a non-accounting response, the processor 11a determines NO in Act33 and proceeds to Act35. In Act 35, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display information indicating that the accounting data cannot be transmitted. With this, the processor 11a ends the processing of the normal registration work when the checkout button B4 is touched.

When the processor 11a detects touch input on the cash button B5 in the standby state of Act22 to Act27 or Act23 to Act27, it determines YES in Act23 and proceeds to Act41 in FIG. In the standby state, when the processor 11a detects that the credit button B6 has been touch-input, it determines YES in Act24, and proceeds to Act41 in FIG. In the standby state, when the processor 11a detects that the electronic money button B7 has been touch-input, it determines YES in Act25, and proceeds to Act41 in FIG. In the standby state, when the processor 11a detects that the cash note button B8 has been touch-input, it determines YES in Act26, and proceeds to Act41 in FIG.

In Act 41, the processor 11a refers to the payment medium table 33 and acquires the medium code of the payment medium associated with the touched button. That is, the processor 11a acquires the medium code "100" when the cash button B5 is touched. The processor 11a acquires the medium code "200" when the credit button B6 is touched. The processor 11a acquires the medium code "300" when the electronic money button B7 is touched. The processor 11a acquires the medium code "400" when the cash note button B8 is touched.

The processor 11a refers to the payment medium table 33 as Act 42 to check the execution flag of the payment medium associated with the touched button. If the execution flag is set to "1", the processor 11a determines NO in Act42 and proceeds to Act43. The processor 11a executes the payment processing for each payment medium as Act43. That is, when the medium code acquired in the process of Act41 is "100", the processor 11a executes the settlement process using cash as the payment medium. Similarly, if the medium code is "200", the processor 11a executes payment processing using a credit card as the payment medium. If the medium code is "300", the processor 11a executes settlement processing using electronic money as the payment medium. If the medium code is "400", the processor 11a executes settlement processing using cash vouchers as the payment medium. Note that settlement processing using cash, credit cards, electronic money, and cash vouchers as payment media is well-known processing that is executed by existing POS terminals, so descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

If the execution flag is set to "0", the processor 11a determines YES in Act42 and proceeds to Act44. The processor 11a controls the communication unit 11d to transmit the medium code to the accounting device 12 together with the accounting data as Act44. By this control, the communication unit 11d transmits the accounting data generated by the processing of Act18 and the medium code acquired by the processing of Act41 to the accounting device 12 connected via the LAN. In this case as well, the communication unit 11d connects any one of the three checkout devices 12 (12-1, 12-2, 12-3) arranged in the same checkout lane. Send data.

Here, the computer of the registration device 11 mainly composed of the processor 11a functions as output means by executing the processes of Act31 and Act44 in cooperation with the communication unit 11d. Also, the same computer functions as a third settlement means by executing the processes of Act41 to Act43.

The processor 11a that has controlled transmission of the accounting data and media code determines whether or not there is a response from the accounting device 12 in Act45. If there is a response from the accounting device 12 within the fixed time, the processor 11a determines YES in Act45 and proceeds to Act46. In Act 46, the processor 11a determines whether the response is an accountable response or an accountable response. When the processor 11a receives the accountable response, it determines YES in Act46 and proceeds to Act47. In Act 47, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display information specifying the accounting device 12 that has transmitted the transaction-enabled response as accounting destination information.

If there is no response from the accounting device 12 within a certain period of time after controlling the transmission of accounting data and media code, the processor 11a determines NO in Act 45 and proceeds to Act 48. If the response from the accounting device 12 is a non-accounting response, the processor 11a determines NO in Act 46 and proceeds to Act 48 . In Act 48, the processor 11a causes the operator touch panel 11f to display information indicating that accounting data cannot be transmitted. With this, the processor 11a ends the processing of the normal registration work when the cash button B5, credit button B6, electronic money button B7 or cash note button B8 is touched.

As described above, in the registration device 11 in which the face-to-face mode is set, when the cash button B5 is touched while the checkout confirmation screen SC2 is displayed, the registration device 11 executes cash settlement processing. Similarly, when the credit button B6 is touched, the registration device 11 executes settlement processing by credit card. When the electronic money button B7 is touched, the registration device 11 executes payment processing using electronic money. When the cash voucher button B8 is touched, the registration device 11 executes settlement processing using the cash voucher. Therefore, by setting the operation mode of the registration device 11 to the face-to-face mode, the payment can be made with the registration device 11 .

On the other hand, in the registration device 11 in which the semi-self mode is set, the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 when the accounting button B4 is touched while the accounting confirmation screen SC2 is displayed. Also, when the cash button B5 is touched, the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 together with the medium code "100". Similarly, when the credit button B6 is touched, the accounting data is sent to the accounting device 12 together with the medium code "200". When the electronic money button B7 is touched, the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 together with the medium code "300". On the other hand, when the cash voucher button B8 is touched, the registration device 11 executes settlement processing using cash vouchers. Therefore, even if the operation mode of the registration device 11 is set to the semi-self mode, the registration device 11 settles the transactions in which the payment medium is cash vouchers.

Next, a main part of information processing executed by the processor 12a of the accounting device 12 will be described.
10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the procedure of information processing executed by the processor 12a of the accounting device 12 according to the accounting program. The processor 12a starts processing the procedures shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 10 and 11 when the accounting program is activated. Note that the contents of the processing shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and described below are examples. As long as similar results can be obtained, the procedure and content of the treatment are not particularly limited.

10 and 11 is started, the processor 12a waits for accounting data in Act 51. FIG. Upon detecting that the accounting data has been received via the LAN via the communication unit 12d, the processor 12a determines YES in Act51, and proceeds to Act52.

The processor 12a determines whether or not it is in a state that can be accounted for as Act52. For example, the processor 12a determines that accounting is impossible when the settlement process is being executed and the transaction is in a busy state. The processor 12a also determines that accounting is impossible when an error such as a paper outage or a paper jam occurs in the printer 12g, or an error such as a coin jam or out of change occurs in the change dispenser 12i. If it is not busy or no error has occurred, the processor 12a determines that accounting is possible. When the processor 12a determines that accounting is not possible, the processor 12a determines NO in Act53, and proceeds to Act53. The processor 12a determines whether or not the transfer destination of the accounting data is specified in Act53.

Of the three checkout devices 12 arranged in the same checkout lane, the checkout device 12 to which checkout data is sent from the registration device 11 is assumed to be the first checkout device 12-1. The accounting device 12 to which accounting data is transferred from the first accounting device 12-1 is referred to as a second accounting device 12-2. The accounting device 12 to which accounting data is transferred from the second accounting device 12-2 is referred to as a third accounting device 12-3. In this case, the first accounting device 12-1 is set with information indicating that the transfer destination is the second accounting device 12-2, and the second accounting device 12-2 is set to the third accounting device 12-. Information with 3 as the forwarding destination is set. In the third checkout device 12-3, no information is set to specify another checkout device as the transfer destination.

When the processor 12a determines that the transfer destination of the accounting data is specified, it determines YES in Act53, and proceeds to Act54. In Act 54, the processor 12a controls the communication unit 12d to transmit the accounting data received by the communication unit 12d to another accounting device 12 designated as the transfer destination. By this control, the communication unit 12d transmits the received accounting data to the transfer destination accounting device 12 connected via the LAN.

When the processor 12a determines that the transfer destination of the accounting data is not specified, it determines NO in Act53, and proceeds to Act55. In Act 55, the processor 12a controls the communication unit 12d so as to transmit a transaction impossible response to the registration device 11, which is the transaction data transmission source. By this control, the communication unit 12d transmits a data signal indicating a non-accounting response to the registration device 11 connected via the LAN.

When the processor 12a determines that accounting is possible, it determines YES in Act53, and proceeds to Act61 in FIG. In Act 61, the processor 12a controls the communication unit 12d to transmit a transaction-enabled response to the registration device 11, which is the source of the transaction data. By this control, the communication unit 12d transmits a data signal indicating a transaction-enabled response to the registration device 11 connected via the LAN.

Here, the computer of the checkout device 12 mainly composed of the processor 12a functions as receiving means by executing the processes of Act51, Act52 and Act61 in cooperation with the communication unit 12d.

The processor 12a that has controlled the transmission of the accountable response confirms in Act 62 whether or not the medium code has been received together with the account data. If the media code has not been received, the processor 12a determines NO in Act62 and proceeds to Act63. As Act63, the processor 12a causes the screen of the touch panel 12f to display the payment medium selection screen SC3 having the layout shown in FIG. 14, for example. The payment medium selection screen SC3 includes display areas R11 and R12, a cash button B11, a credit button B12, an electronic money button B13, and a clerk call button B14. The display area R11 displays operation guidance for the customer 22 who operates the checkout device 12. FIG. The operation guidance may include, for example, the content prompting the customer 22 to select a payment medium, such as "Please select a payment method." The display area R12 displays the total number and total amount of money included in the accounting data.

The customer 22 confirming the payment medium selection screen SC3 touches the cash button B11 when paying in cash. The customer 22 touches the credit button B12 when paying with a credit card. The customer 22 touches the electronic money button B13 when paying with electronic money. When the customer 22 calls the clerk 21, the customer 22 touches the clerk call button B14.

The processor 12a that displays the payment medium selection screen SC3 waits for touch input of the button image of the payment medium selection screen SC3 in Act64. When the processor 12a detects that the button image has been touch-input, the processor 12a determines YES in Act64, and proceeds to Act65. The processor 12a determines whether or not the button image touch-inputted in Act65 is the cash button B11. If it is not the cash button B11, the processor 12a determines NO in Act65 and proceeds to Act66. The processor 12a determines whether or not the button image touch-inputted in Act66 is the credit button B12. If it is not the credit button B12, the processor 12a determines NO in Act66 and proceeds to Act67. The processor 12a determines whether or not the button image touch-inputted in Act67 is the electronic money button B13. If it is not the electronic money button B13, the processor 12a determines NO in Act67, and executes the processing according to the operation of another button. For example, when detecting touch input on the clerk call button B14, the processor 12a controls the communication unit 12d to transmit a clerk call signal to the registration device 11 installed in the same checkout lane. . By this control, a clerk calling signal is transmitted from the communication unit 12d to the registration device 11 via the LAN. In the registration device 11 that has received the clerk call signal, for example, a display for notifying the clerk 21 that the customer 22 has called is displayed on the operator touch panel 11f.

When the touch-inputted button image is the cash button B11, the processor 12a determines YES in Act65, and proceeds to Act68. The processor 12a executes a cash settlement process as Act68. Similarly, when the touch-inputted button image is the credit button B12, the processor 12a determines YES in Act66 and proceeds to Act69. The processor 12a executes settlement processing by credit card as Act69. If the touch-inputted button image is the electronic money button B13, the processor 12a determines YES in Act67, and proceeds to Act70. The processor 12a executes settlement processing using electronic money as Act70. Note that settlement processing using cash, credit cards, and electronic money as payment media is a well-known processing that is executed by existing self-service POS terminals, so descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

On the other hand, when the processor 12a receives the medium code together with the accounting data, it determines YES in Act62 and proceeds to Act71. The processor 12a recognizes the media code as Act71. The processor 12a then proceeds to Act 65 described above. Therefore, when the medium code recognized in Act71 is "100" representing cash, the processor 12a determines YES in Act65, proceeds to Act68, and executes cash settlement processing. If the medium code recognized in Act71 is "200" representing a credit card, the processor 12a determines YES in Act66, proceeds to Act69, and executes settlement processing by credit card. If the medium code recognized in Act71 is "300" representing electronic money, the processor 12a determines YES in Act67, proceeds to Act70, and executes settlement processing with electronic money. With this, the processor 12a ends the processing for receiving the accounting data.

Here, the computer of the checkout device 12 mainly composed of the processor 12a functions as the first settlement means by executing the processes of Act62 to Act70. The same computer also functions as a second settlement means by executing the processes of Act62, Act71, and Act65 to Act70.

In the checkout system 10 of the present embodiment, when the subtotal button is touched after the product to be purchased by the customer 22 is registered in the registration device 11, the payment confirmation screen SC2 is displayed on the operator touch panel 11f. In addition to the checkout button B4, a cash button B5, a credit button B6, an electronic money button B7, and a cash coupon button B8 are displayed on the checkout confirmation screen SC2.

In this state, the clerk 21 touches the checkout button B4. Then, the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 in the registration device 11 in which the semi-self mode is set. The payment medium selection screen SC3 is displayed on the touch panel 12f of the accounting device 12 that has received the accounting data. Therefore, the customer 22 who has completed the registration of the merchandise to be purchased and has moved to the place where the checkout device 12 is installed selects the desired payment medium on the payment medium selection screen SC3, and then performs the payment operation. becomes.

On the other hand, after confirming the payment medium desired by the customer 22, the store clerk 21 touches the cash button B5, credit button B6 or electronic money button B7 corresponding to the payment medium. Then, in the registration device 11 in which the semi-self mode is set, the accounting data is transmitted from the registration device 11 to the accounting device 12 together with the medium code. The medium code is a code that identifies the payment medium corresponding to the touched button. The payment medium selection screen SC3 is not displayed on the touch panel 12f of the accounting device 12 that has received the accounting data together with the medium code. Therefore, the customer 22 pays the price using the payment medium corresponding to the button touched on the registration device 11 .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the customer 22 selects the payment medium on the checkout apparatus 12 by performing an operation for selecting the payment medium desired by the customer 22 by the store clerk 21 who operates the registration device 11 . operation is unnecessary. Therefore, the customer 22 who moves to the installation place of the checkout device 12 does not have to select a payment medium by himself or herself before proceeding with the payment operation, so that the customer's 22 trouble can be eliminated. Also, the processing time per customer at the checkout device 12 can be shortened.

In this embodiment, when the store clerk 21 touches the checkout button B4, the customer 22 selects and operates the payment medium on the checkout device 12 as before. When the store clerk 21 inquires of the customer 22 about the payment medium and waits for an answer, the processing time per customer in the registration device 11 becomes longer. For this reason, there is a concern that the number of customers waiting to pay will increase, for example, during times when the store is crowded. Such concerns can be resolved by having the store clerk 21 operate the checkout button B4 instead of selecting the button corresponding to the payment medium. As described above, according to the present embodiment, depending on which button displayed on the accounting confirmation screen SC2 is touched, the operation of selecting and operating the payment medium on the registration device 11 and the operation of selecting and operating the payment medium on the accounting device 12 are performed. can be easily used.

In this embodiment, the operation mode of the registration device 11 is a face-to-face mode in addition to the semi-self mode. In the registration device 11 in which the face-to-face mode is set, the operation input of the transaction button B4 displayed on the transaction confirmation screen SC2 is disabled. Alternatively, the checkout button B4 is not displayed on the checkout confirmation screen SC2. The store clerk 21 touches the cash button B5, the credit button B6, the electronic money button B7, or the cash coupon button B8 corresponding to the payment medium desired by the customer 22. - 特許庁Then, in the registration device 11 in which the face-to-face mode is set, payment processing is executed using the payment medium corresponding to the touched button. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is also possible to collectively perform from registration of products purchased by the customer 22 to payment using only the registration device 11 . For example, if the customer 22 is a child, an elderly person, a handicapped person, or the like, and it is difficult for the customer to operate the checkout device 12 to make a payment, the clerk 21 switches the operation mode from the semi-self mode to the face-to-face mode. By doing so, the payment can be made with the registration device 11 regardless of the payment medium, so serviceability can be improved.

In this embodiment, a cash voucher button B8 is arranged on the accounting confirmation screen SC2. The store clerk 21 touches the cash coupon button B8 when the customer wishes to pay with a cash coupon such as a gift certificate. As already explained, the execution flag corresponding to the payment medium "cash note" in the payment medium table 33 is fixed at "1" regardless of the operation mode. Therefore, even if the operation mode of the registration device 11 is the semi-self mode, transactions that are paid in cash are settled by the registration device 11 . Conventionally, when a customer who moves to the installation place of the checkout device 12 wants to pay with a cash coupon, the customer has to touch the clerk call button B14 to call the clerk. According to this embodiment, the clerk 21 confirms the payment medium with the customer 22 at the place where the registration device 11 is installed, and in the case of cash vouchers, it can be processed on the spot, which is very efficient.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the button for selecting the payment medium is displayed on the operator touch panel 11f of the registration device 11, and the clerk 21 selects the payment medium desired by the customer 22, as an example. In the second embodiment, a button for selecting a payment medium is displayed on the customer touch panel 11g of the registration device 11, and the customer 22 himself/herself selects a desired payment medium. Also in the second embodiment, the configuration of the checkout system 10 and the hardware configuration of the registration device 11 and accounting device 12 are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the payment medium selection screen SC4 displayed on the customer touch panel 11g. The customer touch panel 11g is an example of a display unit that displays information to a transaction target person who performs accounting. The payment medium selection screen SC4 includes display areas R21, R22, R23, a cash button B21, a credit button B22, an electronic money button B23, and a cash voucher button B24. The display area R11 displays operation guidance for the customer 22. FIG. The operation guidance may include, for example, content prompting the customer to select a payment medium, such as "Please select a payment method." The display area R22 displays the product name and price of the product registered immediately before. The display area R23 displays the total number and the total amount described in the total memory 32. FIG. The functions of the cash button B21, the credit button B22, the electronic money button B23, and the cash voucher button B24 are the same as the cash button B5, the credit button B6, the electronic money button B7, and the cash voucher button B8 of the accounting confirmation screen SC2 of the first embodiment. be.

16 and 17 are flow charts showing procedures of normal registration task processing executed by the processor 11a of the registration device 11 according to the registration program in the second embodiment. It should be noted that procedures having the same content as the normal registration business processing in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

16 and 17 is started, the processor 11a performs initialization as Act11 of FIG. 16, and displays the registration screen SC1 on the screen of the operator touch panel 11f as Act12. In Act81, the processor 11a causes the customer touch panel 11g to display a payment medium selection screen SC4 having a layout shown in FIG. 15, for example. After that, the processor 11a executes the processing of Act13 to Act19 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and after displaying the payment confirmation screen SC2 on the operator touch panel 11f, proceeds to Act82 in FIG.

Here, the computer of the registration device 11 mainly composed of the processor 11a functions as a first receiving means by executing the processing of Act81 in cooperation with the customer touch panel 11g.

Therefore, the customer 22 who confirmed the payment medium selection screen SC4 can touch the button corresponding to the desired payment medium while the sales data of the product to be purchased is being registered in the registration device 11.例文帳に追加Generally, the customer only looks at the screen of the touch panel 11f for the operator during product registration, so the operation of selecting the payment medium is rarely bothersome.

Since the customer selects the payment medium in the second embodiment, the cash button B5, the credit button B6, the electronic money button B7, and the cash voucher button B8 may be omitted from the checkout screen SC2.

In Act82, the processor 11a confirms whether or not the checkout button B4 has been touched. If the checkout button B4 has not been touched, the processor 11a checks whether the return button B3 has been touched in Act83. If the return button B3 is not touched, the processor 11a returns to Act82. Therefore, in Act82 and Act83, the processor 11a waits for the accounting button B4 to be touched or the return button B3 to be touched.

In the standby state of Act82 and Act83, when the processor 11a detects that the return button B3 has been touched, it determines YES in Act83 and proceeds to Act28. As Act28, the processor 11a returns a partial area of the screen of the operator touch panel 11f to the registration screen SC1. Thereafter, the processor 11a returns to the process of Act16, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

In the standby state of Act82 and Act83, when the processor 11a detects that the checkout button B4 has been touched, it determines YES in Act82 and proceeds to Act84. In Act84, the processor 11a checks whether any one payment medium is selected on the payment medium selection screen SC4 displayed on the customer touch panel 11g. When the customer 22 selects any one payment medium on the payment medium selection screen SC4, the processor 11a stores information on the selected payment medium in the main memory 11b. Processor 11a determines whether information regarding any payment medium is stored.

If the information about the payment medium is not stored, the processor 11a determines NO in Act84 and proceeds to Act31 of FIG. After that, the processor 11a executes the same processing as the processing of Act31 to Act35 in FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment.

Therefore, the accounting data is transmitted from the registration device 11 . In response to this data transmission, the processor 12a of the accounting device 12 executes the same processing as the processing described using FIGS. 10 and 11 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the processor 12a determines NO in Act62 and proceeds to the process of Act63, so that the customer 22 selects a payment medium in the checkout device 12. FIG.

On the other hand, if the information about the payment medium is stored, the processor 11a determines YES in Act84 and proceeds to Act41. After that, the processor 11a executes the same processing as the processing of Act41 to Act48 in FIG. 9 described in the first embodiment.

Accordingly, the registration device 11 transmits to the accounting device 12 a medium identification code for identifying the payment medium selected on the payment medium selection screen SC4 together with the accounting data. In response to this data transmission, the processor 12a of the accounting device 12 executes the same processing as the processing described using FIGS. 10 and 11 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the processor 12a determines YES in Act62 and proceeds to the process of Act71, so that the operation for the customer 22 to select the payment medium on the checkout device 12 becomes unnecessary.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the customer 22 can select and operate the payment medium by himself/herself while the store clerk 21 is registering the sales data of the product to be purchased by the customer 22 in the registration device 11 . Therefore, in the first embodiment, the clerk 21 wasted time checking the payment medium of the customer 22, but according to the second embodiment, the occurrence of such wasted time is suppressed. be able to.

Further, the clerk 21 can touch the checkout button B4 on the checkout confirmation screen SC2 when sending checkout data to the checkout device 12, as in the conventional semi-self checkout system. Therefore, there is an effect that the burden on the store clerk 21 can be reduced.

[Modification]
In the first embodiment, the computer of the registration device 11 cooperates with the operator touch panel 11f to perform the processes of Act19 and Act23 to Act26, thereby functioning as the first receiving means. The first receiving means is not limited to this. For example, some existing POS terminals have a keyboard with a plurality of closing keys corresponding to payment media, such as a cash key, a credit key, an electronic money key, and the like. When such a POS terminal is used as the registration device 11, if any closing key is operated in place of the accounting button B4, the processor 11a registers the accounting data together with the medium code of the payment medium corresponding to the closing key. Configure to send to accounting device 12 . Even when such a configuration is employed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In this example, the computer of the registration device 11 functions as the first receiving means in cooperation with the keyboard.

In the first embodiment, the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 by touching the accounting button B4, or the accounting data is transmitted to the accounting device 12 by touching the cash button B5, the credit button B6, or the electronic money button B7. It is up to the store clerk 21 to determine whether the As another embodiment, for example, the operation of touching the checkout button B4 and the operation of touching the cash button B5, the credit button B6, or the electronic money button B7 are switched depending on the time period. That is, the processor 11a controls the operator touch panel 11f so that the checkout button B4 is enabled and the cash button B5, credit button B6 or electronic money button B7 is disabled in the first time period. In the second time period, the processor 11a controls the operator touch panel 11f so that the accounting button B4 is disabled and the cash button B5, credit button B6 or electronic money button B7 is enabled. By doing so, the operation of touching the accounting button B4 and the operation of touching the cash button B5, the credit button B6 or the electronic money button B7 can be switched, for example, depending on the time period without the clerk 21 being conscious of it. In this case, the requirements for switching operations are not limited to time zones. For example, it is possible to switch the operation depending on the date, or switch the operation depending on the day of the week.

In the second embodiment, the cash button B5, the credit button B6, the electronic money button B7, and the coupon button B8 are omitted from the checkout screen SC2. In this regard, it is not necessary to omit these buttons. For example, the processes of Act23, Act24, Act25 and Act26 of FIG. 7 are inserted between the processes of Act82 and Act83 of FIG. By doing so, when the customer 22 cannot perform the selection operation of the payment medium, the clerk can perform the selection operation of the payment medium on behalf of the customer 22 from the checkout confirmation screen SC2.

In the above embodiment, the registration device 11 transmits the accounting data to any one of the accounting devices 12, and if the accounting device 12 is incapable of accounting, the accounting device 12 transfers the accounting data to another accounting device 12. I illustrated the case. The accounting data transmission method is not limited to this. For example, a system in which the registration device 11 transmits accounting data to a plurality of accounting devices 12 all at once may be used. Alternatively, the registration device 11 may transmit accounting data to the accounting device 12 selected on the accounting confirmation screen SC2. Further, data may be sent to the accounting device 12 via a server instead of the registration device 11 sending the data directly to the accounting device 12 .

Additionally, while several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the original claims of the present application is appended below.
[1] A checkout system including a registration device and an accounting device, wherein the registration device includes generation means for generating accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction, and a plurality of generation means for settlement of the transaction. a first receiving means for receiving a selection of any one payment medium from among the payment media, a second receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit the accounting data, and any one payment by the first receiving means When the selection of the medium is accepted, the accounting data generated by the generating means is transmitted to the accounting device together with the payment medium identification information for identifying the payment medium for which the selection is accepted, and the selection of the payment medium is accepted. an output means for outputting the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information when the second accepting means accepts the instruction to transmit the accounting data without accepting the instruction; The accounting device includes receiving means for receiving the accounting data transmitted from the registration device, and any one of the plurality of payment media if the accounting data is not received together with the payment medium identification information. a first payment means for receiving a selection of one payment medium and processing settlement of a transaction of the accounting data with the selected payment medium; and a second settlement means for settlement of transactions of the accounting data with a payment medium identified by medium identification information.
[2] When the payment medium selected by the first receiving means is a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device, the registration device uses the payment medium to settle the transaction of the accounting data. and third payment means for processing, wherein the output means is generated by the generation means when the payment medium selected by the first reception means is not a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device. The checkout system according to appendix [1], wherein the received accounting data is output to the accounting device together with payment medium identification information for identifying the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted.
[3] The registration device includes a display section for displaying to a transaction target person who performs accounting, and the first receiving means displays a screen for receiving selection of the payment medium on the display section. , the checkout system according to appendix [1] or [2], which accepts selection of any one payment medium from among a plurality of payment mediums.
[4] A registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with an accounting device, and includes generating means for generating accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction for each transaction, and among a plurality of payment media for settlement of the transaction. a first accepting means for accepting selection of any one payment medium from; a second accepting means for accepting an instruction to transmit the accounting data; and a selection of any one payment medium by said first accepting means. In this case, the accounting data generated by the generating means is transmitted to the accounting device together with the payment medium identification information for identifying the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted, and the payment medium is not accepted for selection. and output means for outputting the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information when the receiving means of 2 receives the instruction to transmit the accounting data.
[5] A checkout device constituting a checkout system together with a registration device, the receiving means receiving accounting data necessary for settlement of transactions transmitted from the registration device; If the payment medium identification information that identifies one of the plurality of payment media is not received, the selection of any one payment medium from the plurality of payment media is accepted, and the payment for which the selection is accepted a first payment means for processing settlement of transactions of said accounting data on a medium; and a second payment means for settling a transaction of .
[6] A computer that controls a registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with an accounting device has a function of generating accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction and a plurality of payment media for settlement of the transaction. a function of accepting selection of any one payment medium from among them; a function of accepting a transmission instruction for said accounting data; The payment medium identification information is transmitted to the accounting device together with the payment medium identification information identifying the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted, and when the instruction to send the accounting data is accepted without accepting the selection of the payment medium, the payment medium identification information and a function of outputting the accounting data to the accounting device.
[7] The accounting data necessary for settlement of transactions transmitted from the registration device is sent to a computer that controls the accounting device that constitutes the checkout system together with the registration device, among a plurality of payment media for settlement of the transaction. If the payment medium identification information for identifying one of the payment medium is not received, the selection of any one payment medium from the plurality of payment mediums is accepted, and the payment medium for which the selection is accepted is used for the transaction of the accounting data and a function of settling the transaction of the accounting data with the payment medium identified by the payment medium identification information when the accounting data is received together with the payment medium identification information. Accounting program for.

10 Checkout system 11 Registration device 12 Accounting device 11a, 12a Processor 11b, 12b Main memory 11c, 12c Auxiliary storage device 11d, 12d Communication unit 11f Operator touch panel 11g...Customer touch panel 12f...Touch panel 21...Clerk 22...Customer 31...Transaction memory 32...Total memory 33...Payment medium table 34...Flag memory SC1...Registration screen SC2...Account confirmation screen SC3, SC4... Payment medium selection screen.

Claims (5)

A checkout system including a registration device and an accounting device,
The registration device
generating means for generating accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction;
a first acceptance means for accepting selection of any one payment medium from among a plurality of payment mediums for settling the transaction;
a second receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit the accounting data;
When the selection of any one payment medium is accepted by the first accepting means, the accounting data generated by the generating means without accepting the transmission instruction of the accounting data by the second accepting means is sent to the accounting device together with payment medium identification information identifying the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted, and the second acceptance means accepts the instruction to transmit the accounting data without accepting the selection of the payment medium. comprises output means for outputting the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information,
The accounting device
receiving means for receiving the accounting data transmitted from the registration device;
when the accounting data is not received together with the payment medium identification information, the selection of any one payment medium from among the plurality of payment media is accepted, and the payment medium for which the selection is accepted is used to perform the transaction of the accounting data. a first payment instrument for processing payments;
a second payment means for settling a transaction of the accounting data with the payment medium identified by the payment medium identification information when the accounting data is received together with the payment medium identification information. The registration device
third payment means for processing settlement of the transaction of the accounting data with the payment medium when the payment medium whose selection is accepted by the first reception means is a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device; and
The output means outputs the accounting data generated by the generation means to the selected payment medium when the payment medium selected by the first receiving means is not a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device. 2. The checkout system according to claim 1, wherein the payment medium identification information for identifying the medium is output to the checkout device. A registration device that constitutes a checkout system together with an accounting device,
generating means for generating accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction;
a first acceptance means for accepting selection of any one payment medium from among a plurality of payment mediums for settling the transaction;
a second receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit the accounting data;
When the selection of any one payment medium is accepted by the first accepting means, the accounting data generated by the generating means without accepting the transmission instruction of the accounting data by the second accepting means is sent to the accounting device together with payment medium identification information identifying the payment medium for which the selection has been accepted, and the second acceptance means accepts the instruction to transmit the accounting data without accepting the selection of the payment medium. and output means for outputting the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information. third payment means for processing settlement of the transaction of the accounting data with the payment medium when the payment medium whose selection is accepted by the first reception means is a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device; further comprising
The output means outputs the accounting data generated by the generation means to the selected payment medium when the payment medium selected by the first receiving means is not a payment medium that requires payment by the registration device. 4. The registration device according to claim 3 , which is output to said accounting device together with payment medium identification information that identifies the medium. to the computer controlling the registration device that constitutes the checkout system together with the accounting device;
A function to generate accounting data necessary for settlement of each transaction,
Ability to accept selection of any one of a plurality of payment media for settling the transaction;
a function of receiving an instruction to transmit the accounting data;
When the selection of any one of the payment media is accepted, the generated accounting data is sent together with the payment medium identification information for identifying the payment medium for which the selection is accepted, without accepting the transmission instruction of the accounting data. a function of transmitting to the accounting device, and outputting the accounting data to the accounting device without the payment medium identification information when an instruction to transmit the accounting data is accepted without accepting the selection of the payment medium; , registration program to realize.

Images