JP7318067B2 - Checkout system, payment device and its control program - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a checkout system, a settlement device, and a control program therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art A payment device for making a payment under the operation of a payer sometimes ejects change or an article such as a credit card after the payment is completed. And the goods thus discharged should be taken away by the payer.
However, if the payer forgets to pick up the ejected item, there is no way to notify the payer of that fact, and the item cannot be returned unless the payer himself/herself notices it and makes a request.

Under these circumstances, it has been desired to be able to make the payer aware of the fact that an item has been forgotten to be picked up.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-237910

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a checkout system, a payment device, and a control program thereof that enable a payment person to recognize that an article has been left behind.

A checkout system according to an embodiment includes a payment device having acquisition means, payment means, generation means, first transmission means, ejection means, determination means , second transmission means, and receipt printing means, storage means, and output means. and a server comprising The obtaining means obtains the membership code of the operator. The settlement means performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions. The generation means generates transaction data representing the content of the transaction that is the target of the payment process after the payment process is completed. The first transmission means transmits the transaction data generated by the generation means to the server if the membership code is acquired by the acquisition means . The discharging means discharges a predetermined article to the receiving section in connection with payment processing by the payment means. The determining means determines whether the article remains in the receiving portion. The second transmitting means transmits a message indicating that the article has been forgotten to the server when the member code is acquired by the acquiring means and the determining means determines that the article remains . If the member code is not acquired by the acquiring means, the receipt printing means prints a receipt showing the details of the transaction for which the settlement process is completed after the settlement process is completed. The storage means stores the transaction data transmitted by the first transmission means and the message transmitted by the second transmission means in association with each other. The output means, in response to access from the information terminal, outputs, through the information terminal, a screen for allowing the payer to view the message and the transaction data stored in the storage means in association with each other.

1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the checkout device according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the checkout device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configurations of the checkout device and receipt server according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flow chart of control processing in the first embodiment by the CPU provided in the checkout device in FIG. 3; 4 is a flow chart of control processing in the first embodiment by the CPU provided in the checkout device in FIG. 3; The figure which shows an example of the electronic receipt screen regarding the commercial transaction which did not forget to take change. The figure which shows an example of the electronic receipt screen regarding the commercial transaction which forgot to take change. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of control processing in the second embodiment by the CPU provided in the checkout device in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flow chart of control processing in the second embodiment by the CPU provided in the checkout device in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of control processing by a CPU included in the receipt server in FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a pop-up screen superimposed on the electronic receipt screen shown in FIG. 6;

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, a checkout system including a self-service checkout device functioning as a settlement device and a receipt server will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the checkout device 110. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the checkout device 110. As shown in FIG. The checkout device 110 of the first embodiment is also called a self-checkout POS terminal or a self-checkout device. The checkout device 110 is operated by the shopper. The shopper is thus the operator of the checkout device 110 .

The checkout device 110 includes a main body 1 and weighing units 2,3.
The main body 1 includes a touch panel 10, a scanner window 11, a handy scanner 12, a receipt issue port 13, a card insertion port 14, a coin insertion tray 15, a change tray 16, a rejection tray 17, a bill insertion port 18, a bill discharge port 19, and a patrol lamp 20. including.

The touch panel 10 displays various screens for informing shoppers of various information. For example, this screen is as follows. (1) Guidance screen for informing shoppers how to operate. (2) Information input screen for inputting information on products without barcodes. (3) Reading information display screen that displays information based on bar code reading. (4) Settlement screen that displays the total purchase amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc. when paying the purchase price. Some of these screens constitute a GUI (graphical user interface), and the touch panel 10 receives touch operations for operating the GUI.

The scanner window 11 is formed by covering an opening formed in the main body 1 with transparent resin or glass. The scanner window 11 makes it possible to scan the product held up by the shopper in front of the scanner window 11 with a fixed scanner arranged inside the main body 1. - 特許庁Fixed scanners will be discussed later.
The handy scanner 12 reads the bar code displayed on the product and outputs the information indicated by the bar code.

The receipt issuing port 13 is a slit-shaped opening for ejecting the receipt to the outside of the main body 1 .
The card insertion slot 14 is a slit-like opening for inserting a card into the main body 1 and ejecting the card to the outside of the main body 1 .

A coin insertion tray 15 receives coins inserted by the shopper for checkout. An opening 15a is formed in the bottom surface of the coin insertion tray 15, and coins received by the coin insertion tray 15 are taken into the main body 1 through the opening 15a.
The change tray 16 receives coins discharged from the main body 1 as change. A coin ejected as change is an example of an article ejected after the settlement process is completed. The change tray 16 is an example of a receiving portion.
A reject tray 17 receives coins discharged from the main body 1 as unusable.

The banknote insertion slot 18 is a slit-like opening for taking into the main body 1 banknotes inserted by shoppers for checkout.
The banknote discharge port 19 is a slit-like opening for discharging banknotes as change from the main body 1 . The banknote discharge port 19 holds banknotes in a state in which a portion of the banknotes protrudes to the outside of the main body 1 . Banknotes that are discharged as change are an example of articles that are discharged after settlement processing is completed. The banknote discharge port 19 is an example of a receiving portion.
The patrol lamp 20 performs a blinking operation for warning.

The weighing unit 2 includes a platform 2a for placing unregistered products. The weighing unit 2 measures the total weight of the products placed on the platform 2a.
The weighing unit 3 includes stands 3a and 3b for placing registered products, and an arm 3c for hanging a bag containing the registered products. The weighing unit 3 measures the total weight of the products placed on the stands 3a and 3b and the products placed in the bag hung on the arm 3c.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the essential circuit configurations of the checkout device 110 and the receipt server 120. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the same parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3, the checkout device 110 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21, a ROM (read-only memory) 22, a CPU (central processing unit) 21, a ROM (read-only memory) 22, RAM (random-access memory) 23, auxiliary storage unit 24, fixed scanner 25, printer 26, card reader/writer 27, motion sensor 28, coin receiving unit 29, coin sensor 30, bill receiving unit 31, bill sensor 32, communication It includes a unit 33 and a communication path 34 . These CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, auxiliary storage unit 24, fixed scanner 25, printer 26, card reader/writer 27, motion sensor 28, coin receiving unit 29, coin sensor 30, bill receiving unit 31 and bill sensor 32 are integrated into the main body. housed in 1. Weighing units 2 and 3, touch panel 10, handy scanner 12, CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, auxiliary storage unit 24, fixed scanner 25, printer 26, card reader/writer 27, coin receiving unit 29, coin sensor 30, bill receiving unit 31 and communication unit 33 are connected via a communication path 34 including a system bus.

The CPU 21 , ROM 22 , RAM 23 and auxiliary storage unit 24 are connected via a communication path 34 to form a computer for controlling the checkout device 110 .
The CPU 21 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The CPU 21 controls each part to realize various functions of the checkout device 110 based on the operating system and application programs stored in the ROM 22 and the auxiliary storage unit 24 .

The ROM 22 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. ROM 22 stores an operating system and application programs. One of the application programs may include a control program for control processing, which will be described later. The ROM 22 may also store data that the CPU 21 refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 23 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 23 stores data referred to when the CPU 21 performs various processes. Furthermore, the RAM 23 is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU 21 performs various processes.

The auxiliary storage unit 24 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 24, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disc drive), SSD (solid state drive), or the like can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 24 stores data used by the CPU 21 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the CPU 21 . Auxiliary storage unit 24 may also store application programs. The application programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 24 may include a control program for control processing, which will be described later. The control program is typically stored in the ROM 22 or the auxiliary storage unit 24 when the checkout device 110 is transferred. However, the control program may be written to auxiliary storage unit 24 in response to instructions by any operator after checkout device 110 is handed over. In this case, the control program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, etc., or transferred via a network.

The fixed scanner 25 captures an image of the product held in front of the scanner window 11 and identifies the bar code displayed on the product by image processing. The fixed scanner 25 then outputs information represented by the identified barcode to the CPU 21 . It should be noted that stationary scanner 25 may utilize other types of well-known devices such as those that use reflection of laser light to identify barcodes.

Printers 26 include receipt printers and journal printers. A receipt printer issues various certificates by printing various information on receipt paper. Various types of vouchers include receipts showing the details of commercial transactions (hereafter referred to as paper receipts) and forget-to-take slips, which will be described later. The voucher issued by the receipt printer is ejected from the receipt issuing port 13 to the outside of the main body 1 . The journal printer prints journal data containing information to be printed on receipt paper by the receipt printer on the journal paper. The journal paper is reserved inside the main body 1 unless it is taken out by maintenance personnel.

The card reader/writer 27 reads data recorded on a card inserted into the card slot 14 by the shopper. A card reader/writer 27 writes data to the card. The card is a point card, an IC card for settlement, or the like. The card reader/writer 27 ejects the card, for which necessary processing has been completed, from the card insertion slot 14 to the outside of the main body 1. - 特許庁The card insertion slot 14 holds a card to be ejected with a part of the card protruding outside the main body 1 .
The human sensor 28 detects the presence of a person positioned facing the checkout device 110 . As the human sensor 28, a well-known sensor such as an infrared type can be used.

The coin receiving unit 29 receives coins taken into the main body 1 from the opening 15 a of the coin insertion tray 15 . The coin receiving unit 29 comprises an ejection unit 29a. The discharge unit 29a discharges coins as change into the change tray 16. As shown in FIG. Thus, the ejection unit 29a is an example of an ejection mechanism.
The coin sensor 30 detects coins ejected onto the reject tray 17 . As the coin sensor 30, various well-known devices can be used, such as those that detect a magnetic field change due to the proximity of a coin, or those that detect whether or not an optical path is blocked by a coin. This coin sensor 30 is an example of article detection means.

The bill receiving unit 31 receives bills inserted from the bill insertion opening 18 . The bill receiving unit 31 includes a discharge unit 31a. The ejection unit 31a ejects banknotes as change from the banknote ejection port 19 . Thus, the ejection unit 31a is an example of an ejection mechanism.
The banknote sensor 32 detects banknotes held by the banknote discharge port 19 . As the banknote sensor 32, various well-known devices can be used, such as those that detect magnetic field changes due to proximity of banknotes, or those that detect whether or not the optical path is blocked by banknotes. This banknote sensor 32 is an example of article detection means.

A communication unit 33 performs data communication via the network 200 . As the communication unit 33, if the network 200 is the Internet, a well-known communication device adapted to the Internet can be used.

Receipt server 120 performs various types of information processing for providing an electronic receipt service via network 200 . The receipt server 120 includes a CPU 41 , a ROM 42 , a RAM 43 , an auxiliary storage unit 44 and a communication unit 45 . These CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, auxiliary storage unit 44 and communication unit 45 are connected via a communication path 46 including a system bus.

The CPU 41 , ROM 42 , RAM 43 and auxiliary storage unit 44 are connected via a communication path 46 to form a computer for controlling the receipt server 120 .
The CPU 41 corresponds to the central portion of the computer. The CPU 41 controls each part to realize various functions of the receipt server 120 based on the operating system and application programs stored in the ROM 42 .

The ROM 42 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. ROM 42 stores an operating system and application programs. The ROM 42 may also store data that the CPU 41 refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 43 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 43 stores data referred to when the CPU 41 performs various processes. Furthermore, the RAM 43 is used as a so-called work area for storing data temporarily used when the CPU 41 performs various processes.

The auxiliary storage unit 44 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 44, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or the like can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 44 stores data used by the CPU 21 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the CPU 41 . Auxiliary storage unit 44 may also store application programs. Note that the application program is typically stored in the ROM 42 or the auxiliary storage unit 44 when the receipt server 120 is transferred. However, the application program may be written to the auxiliary storage unit 44 according to an instruction from any operator after receipt server 120 is handed over. In this case, the application program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, semiconductor memory, etc., or transferred via a network.

A communication unit 45 performs data communication via the network 200 . As the communication unit 45, if the network 200 is the Internet, a well-known communication device adapted to the Internet can be used.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 100 configured as above will be described.
When the checkout device 110 is in operation, the CPU 21 waits for various instructions. Then, the CPU 21 starts control processing in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 22 in response to the touch panel 10 being operated, for example, to instruct the implementation of accounting for commercial transactions. Note that the contents of the processing described below are only examples, and various processing that can obtain similar results can be used as appropriate. In addition to commercial transactions such as buying and selling of goods, the following processing can be used when accounting for other types of transactions such as provision of services.

4 and 5 are flowcharts of control processing by the CPU 21. FIG. The CPU 21 executes the control process based on control programs stored in the ROM 22 or the auxiliary storage unit 24 . The contents of the control processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and described below are only examples, and the order of each processing may be appropriately changed as long as the same result can be obtained, or other processing may be performed. may be added.

In Act1, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the registration operation has been started by the operator. If the corresponding operation is not performed, the CPU 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act2.
In Act2, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the membership code has been scanned. If the membership code has not been scanned, the CPU 21 determines No, and returns to Act1.
Thus, in Act1 and Act2, the CPU 21 waits for registration to be initiated or for a membership code to be scanned.

The operator holds the barcode representing the membership code over the handy scanner 12 or fixed scanner 25 before performing the registration operation for the commercial transaction for which the electronic receipt service is desired. Then, the handy scanner 12 or fixed scanner 25 scans the barcode and extracts the membership code from the barcode. In response to this, the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act2, and proceeds to Act3.

In Act 3, the CPU 21 causes the RAM 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 24 to store the membership code extracted by the handy scanner 12 or fixed scanner 25 . After that, the CPU 21 returns to the standby state of Act1 and Act2. When the CPU 21 advances to Act 3 again in response to the rescanning of the membership code, the CPU 21 overwrites the membership code stored in the RAM 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 24 with the newly extracted membership code. .
As described above, in this embodiment, the member code is acquired before the start of product registration, but the member code is not acquired after the start of product registration. However, the CPU 21 may acquire the membership code even during product registration.

When the operator starts registration, the operator performs a registration operation regarding the purchased product to be the object of commercial transaction. The registration operation includes holding the purchased product in front of the scanner window 11, bringing the handy scanner 12 close to the bar code displayed on the purchased product, or touching the touch panel 10 to specify the purchased product. .
When a purchased product is held in front of the scanner window 11 , the stationary scanner 25 recognizes the bar code displayed on the purchased product by image processing, and sends information represented by the bar code to the CPU 21 . When the handy scanner 12 is brought close to the barcode, the handy scanner 12 identifies the barcode and sends the information represented by the barcode to the CPU 21 . When the touch panel 10 is touched to specify the purchased product, the touch panel 10 sends position information about the touch position to the CPU 21 .
If the above-described registration operation is performed while in the standby state of Act1 and Act2, the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act1 and proceeds to Act4.

In Act 4, the CPU 21 performs registration processing and accounting processing. Specifically, the CPU 21 determines the product code included in the information sent from the fixed scanner 25 or the handy scanner 12 or the product code associated with the touch position sent from the touch panel 10 as the product code of the purchased product. . Then, the CPU 21 updates the information in the product list area set in the RAM 23 so as to add the product identified by this product code to the list of purchased products.

Then, when all the purchased products have been registered and an operation instructing execution of accounting processing is performed, for example, on the touch panel 10, the CPU 21 determines the settlement amount to be settled for the trading of all the registered purchased products. Calculate Then, the CPU 21 settles the calculated settlement amount using a settlement method specified by the operator from among a plurality of settlement methods. Various settlement methods using cash, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, points, cash vouchers, etc. can be used as appropriate. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as settlement means.

In Act 5, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not change is generated as a result of the above settlement process. If no change is generated, the CPU 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act6.
In Act 6, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service. If the membership code is not stored in the RAM 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 24, the CPU 21 determines No, and proceeds to Act7.

In Act 7, the CPU 21 generates print data for printing a character string representing the details of the transaction on the receipt paper based on the list of products purchased and the result of the settlement process. Then, the CPU 21 sends the print data to the printer 26 and causes the printer 26 to print according to the print data, thereby issuing a paper receipt. After that, the CPU 21 terminates the control processing shown in FIGS.

On the other hand, if the membership code is stored in the RAM 23 or the auxiliary storage unit 24, the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act6, and proceeds to Act8.
In Act8, the CPU 21 generates electronic receipt data regarding the current commercial transaction. The CPU 21 stores, for example, store code, date and time, register number, store clerk code, store clerk name, user code, product code, product name, unit price, subtotal amount, tax amount, total amount, deposit amount, change amount, Include transaction numbers and receipt numbers as appropriate. That is, electronic receipt data is an example of transaction data. The CPU 21 does not include a forget-to-take message, which will be described later, in the electronic receipt data generated here. The relevant processing in the CPU 21 may be the same as the processing performed in existing POS terminals or checkout devices. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as a generating means.

In Act 9 , the CPU 21 transmits the electronic receipt data to the receipt server 120 . Specifically, the CPU 21 sends the electronic receipt data to the communication unit 33 and instructs the communication unit 33 to send it. Upon receiving this instruction, the communication unit 33 sends the corresponding electronic receipt data to the receipt server 120 to the network 200 . After that, the CPU 21 terminates the control processing shown in FIGS. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as first transmission control means. The function of the first transmission control means and the communication unit 33 cooperate to realize the function of the first transmission means.

By the way, when change is generated as a result of accounting processing in Act4, the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act5, and proceeds to Act10.
In Act 10, the CPU 21 determines the amount to be paid out for each denomination based on the amount of change obtained in the accounting process. is instructed to discharge. Receiving this instruction, the coin receiving unit 29 and the bill receiving unit 31 respectively drive the discharge unit 29a and the discharge unit 31a to discharge coins and bills as change. The discharged coins and banknotes are held by the change tray 16 and the banknote discharge port 19 . Thus, when the coin receiving unit 29 has discharged the coin, the coin sensor 30 is ready to detect the coin. When the banknote receiving unit 31 has discharged the banknote, the banknote sensor 32 will be in a state of detecting the banknote. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as a discharge control means. The CPU 21 cooperates with the ejection unit 29a and the ejection unit 31a to realize a function as ejection means.

In Act11, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service in the same manner as in Act6. If the CPU 21 determines No because the user is not a member, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act12.
In Act12, the CPU 21 issues a paper receipt in the same manner as in Act7. After that, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act13 in FIG. Note that if the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service and thus determines Yes in Act11, the CPU 21 skips Act12 and proceeds to Act13.

In Act 13 , the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the change discharged as described above remains in the change tray 16 or the banknote discharge port 19 . Then, if the coin sensor 30 or the banknote sensor 32 detects a coin or a banknote, the CPU 21 determines Yes, and proceeds to Act14.
In Act 14, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not a specified time has passed since the change was discharged. If the CPU 21 determines No because the specified time has not yet passed, the process returns to Act13. The specified time is assumed to be 60 seconds, for example. However, the prescribed time may be arbitrary. The specified time may be determined by, for example, the designer of the control program representing the control processing shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the administrator of the checkout device 110, or the like.
Thus, in Act 13 and Act 14, the CPU 21 waits for the specified time to pass with the change remaining. If the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act 14 because the specified time has passed, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act 15 .

In Act 15 , the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the operator is facing the checkout device 110 . Then, if the human sensor 28 is in the detection state, the CPU 21 determines Yes, and proceeds to Act16.
In Act 16 , the CPU 21 confirms whether or not change remains in the change tray 16 or the banknote discharge port 19 . Then, if the coin sensor 30 or the banknote sensor 32 detects a coin or a banknote, the CPU 21 determines Yes, and returns to Act15.
Thus, in Acts 15 and 16, the CPU 21 waits for the operator to leave the front of the checkout device 110 or for all of the change to be removed.

When the coin sensor 30 and bill sensor 32 stop detecting coins and bills, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 16 and proceeds to Act 17 . Thus, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act 17 if all of the change is removed before the operator leaves the front of the checkout device 110 . When the CPU 21 is in the waiting state of Act 13 and Act 14, if the coin sensor 30 and the banknote sensor 32 do not detect any coins or banknotes during the specified time after the change is discharged, If not, it is determined as No in Act13. In this case, the CPU 21 passes Act15 and Act16 and proceeds to Act17.

In Act17, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service in the same manner as in Act6. If the CPU 21 determines Yes because the user is a member, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act18.
In Act18, the CPU 21 generates electronic receipt data in the same manner as in Act8.
In Act19, the CPU 21 transmits electronic receipt data to the receipt server 120 in the same manner as in Act9. After that, the CPU 21 terminates the control processing shown in FIGS.
If the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 17, passes Act 18 and Act 19, and ends the control processing shown in FIGS.

On the other hand, if the human sensor 28 is in a non-detecting state while the coin sensor 30 or bill sensor 32 is detecting coins or bills, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 15 and proceeds to Act 20 . Thus, the CPU 21 advances to Act 20 when the operator leaves the front of the checkout device 110 with change remaining.
In Act20, the CPU 21 confirms whether or not the operator is a member of the electronic receipt service in the same manner as in Act6. If the CPU 21 determines Yes because the user is a member, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act 21 .

In Act21, the CPU 21 generates electronic receipt data in the same manner as in Act8. However, the CPU 21 includes the forgotten message in the electronic receipt data. The forgot-to-take message is information indicating that there is an item left to take, and in this embodiment, it is a text message notifying that change has been left behind. The forgot-to-take message may be an image or the like that allows a person to imagine that change has been left behind. As an example, when the coin sensor 30 and the banknote sensor 32 detect both coins and banknotes, the CPU 21 sets the content of the forget-to-take message as "Change has been left for this transaction." As an example, when only the coin sensor 30 detects a coin, the CPU 21 sets the contents of the message for forgetting to take out as ``For this transaction, the coin portion of the change has been forgotten.''. As an example, when only the banknote sensor 32 detects the banknote, the CPU 21 sets the content of the forget-to-take message to "For this transaction, the banknote portion of the change has been forgotten."

In Act22, the CPU 21 transmits the electronic receipt data to the receipt server 120 in the same manner as in Act9. After that, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act23. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as the second transmission control means. The function of the second transmission control means and the communication unit 33 cooperate to realize the function of the second transmission means.
If the operator is not a member of the electronic receipt service, the CPU 21 determines No in Act20, passes Act21 and Act22, and proceeds to Act23.

In Act 23, the CPU 21 instructs the printer 26 to print the left-to-be-taken slip. Specifically, the CPU 21 generates an image to be displayed on the forget-to-take slip and supplies this image to the printer 26 . The printer 26 prints the image given from the CPU 21 on receipt paper by a receipt printer, and discharges the receipt paper from the receipt issuing port 13 .
The forgot-to-take slip indicates, for example, a text message that informs about the change left-to-take, the details of the commercial transaction in which change was left to take, and the result of accounting.

In Act24, the CPU 21 starts an alarm operation. The alarm operation is an operation for notifying the store clerk that change has been forgotten. The alarm action is, for example, blinking of the patrol lamp 20 . The alarm action may be the output of an alarm sound or notification to another terminal. Also, the alarm action may include a plurality of actions. As a result of the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as notification means.
In Act 25 , the CPU 21 confirms whether or not change remains in the change tray 16 or the banknote discharge port 19 . If the coin sensor 30 or the banknote sensor 32 detects a coin or a banknote, the CPU 21 determines Yes, and repeats Act25. Thus, in Act 25, the CPU 21 waits for the forgotten change to be removed.

When the clerk who is in charge of monitoring the checkout device 110 recognizes that change has been left behind due to an alarm operation, for example, removes the left-over change and keeps it together with the left-over slip. However, at least one of the coin receiving unit 29 and the banknote receiving unit 31 has a recovery function, and the coins or banknotes remaining in the change tray 16 or the banknote discharge port 19 are automatically recovered using the recovery function. good too.

When the change is removed in this way, both the coin sensor 30 and bill sensor 32 are in a state where they do not detect coins or bills. With this, the CPU 21 determines No in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 26 .
In Act26, the CPU 21 stops the alarm operation started in Act24. With this, the CPU 21 terminates the control processing shown in FIGS.

The electronic receipt data sent from the communication unit 33 to the network 200 in accordance with the processing of Act 9 , Act 19 or Act 22 of the CPU 21 is transmitted to the receipt server 120 via the network 200 and received by the communication unit 45 . The electronic receipt data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 44 under the control of the CPU 41 . That is, the auxiliary storage unit 44 is an example of storage means for storing electronic receipt data as an example of transaction data and a forgotten message in association with each other. Then, the CPU 41 causes an arbitrary information terminal to display an electronic receipt screen by processing similar to that performed by an existing electronic receipt server. Thus, the computer having the CPU 41 as its central part functions as output means.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic receipt screen SC1 relating to commercial transactions in which no change was left behind.
The electronic receipt screen SC1 includes areas 51 and 52 .

An area 51 indicates the content of the transaction in which change was forgotten. It is arbitrary what kind of information is displayed in the area 51 out of the information representing the contents of the transaction. The information represented in area 51 may be defined by the designer of the application program for the processing in receipt server 120, for example. In the example of FIG. 6, an area 51 displays information specifying a transaction in which change has been left behind, such as a transaction number, a cash register number, transaction date and time, and a list of purchased products.

Area 52 represents the results of the accounting. It is arbitrary what kind of information out of the information representing the result of accounting is displayed in the area 52 . The information displayed in area 52 may be determined by, for example, the designer of the application program described above. In the example of FIG. 6, the area 52 shows the settlement amount, the consumption tax amount, the deposit amount, the amount of change, and the amount of bills and coins of the change.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic receipt screen SC2 regarding a commercial transaction in which change has been forgotten.
The electronic receipt screen SC2 includes an area 53 in addition to the areas 51 and 52 .
Area 53 represents the forgotten message. In the example of FIG. 7, an area 53 represents a message for forgetting to take change when only the coin portion of the change has been forgotten.

As described above, according to the checkout system 100, when the receipt server 120 is accessed from an arbitrary information terminal and an electronic receipt screen for a commercial transaction in which change has been forgotten is displayed, the area 53 in FIG. A forgotten message is displayed as follows. This forgotten message catches the eye of the person who made the payment for the commercial transaction who tried to confirm the content of the commercial transaction. Therefore, the person making the payment can recognize that he or she has forgotten to take the change.

Thus, the CPU 21 executes the generation and transmission of the electronic receipt data including the forgotten message in Acts 21 and 22, thereby notifying the payer of the forgotten message. Therefore, the operation caused by the processing of the CPU 21 in Act21 and Act22 outputs a message indicating that the object has been left out. By the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as notification means.

Further, according to the checkout system 100, when the payer requests the clerk to return the change that he/she forgot to take, by presenting the electronic receipt screen including the forgotten message to the clerk, it is possible to return the change for which commercial transaction. The store clerk can easily judge whether the Then, the clerk can easily determine whether or not to hand over the forgotten change by collating the forgotten slip with the electronic receipt screen. In addition, when the collected change for a plurality of commercial transactions is stored, the clerk can easily determine which of these changes to hand over.

It should be noted that the CPU 41 may add, under the request from the CPU 21, information indicating that the change has been returned to the electronic receipt data relating to the commercial transaction in which the change has been returned. Then, the CPU 41 does not display the forget-to-take message on the electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data to which the information is added. Alternatively, the CPU 41 may, under a request from the CPU 21, delete the forget-to-take message from the electronic receipt data relating to the transaction for which the change has been returned. As a result, the forget-to-take message is no longer displayed on the electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data. In this way, the electronic receipt screen containing the forgotten message can be used as a certificate of the person who forgot to take the change. Also, by using this fact, the printing of the forget-to-take slip in the checkout device 110 may be omitted.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the checkout system 100 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in part of the application programs stored in the ROMs 22 and 42 or the auxiliary storage units 24 and 44, and in the contents of processing by the CPUs 21 and 41 based on the application programs. be.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.
8 and 9 are flowcharts of control processing by the CPU 21. FIG. In FIGS. 8 and 9, processing similar to that in FIGS. 4 and 5 is denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The contents of the control processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and described below are merely examples, and the order of each processing may be appropriately changed as long as similar results can be obtained. may be added.

The CPU 21 executes Act1 to Act12 shown in FIG. 8 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, when the CPU 21 determines Yes in Act11, it proceeds to Act31.

In Act31, the CPU 21 generates electronic receipt data that does not include the message left behind in the same manner as in Act8.
In Act32, the CPU 21 transmits the electronic receipt data to the receipt server 120 in the same manner as in Act9. After that, the CPU 21 proceeds to Act13 in FIG.

The CPU 21 executes Act13 to Act16 shown in FIG. 9 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. If the CPU 21 determines No in Act 16 because neither the coin sensor 30 nor the banknote sensor 32 detects a coin or a banknote, the CPU 21 does not execute Act 17 to Act 19 in the first embodiment, and proceeds to FIG. 8 as it is. And the control process shown in FIG. 9 is terminated.

On the other hand, the CPU 21 advances from Act 15 to Act 20 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and if it determines Yes in Act 20, it executes Act 33 and Act 34 instead of Act 21 and Act 22 in the first embodiment. do.

In Act 33, the CPU 21 generates supplementary data indicating that the object has been left untaken. What kind of data is used as the supplementary data is arbitrary, and may be determined, for example, by the designer of the control program representing the control processing shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 . However, the incidental data includes the identification code of the electronic receipt data generated in Act31. Also, in this embodiment, the supplementary data includes the same forgotten message as in the first embodiment. The additional data may include the user code stored in Act3.

In Act 34 , the CPU 21 transmits the accompanying data to the receipt server 120 . Specifically, the CPU 21 sends the supplementary data to the communication unit 33 and instructs the communication unit 33 to send it. In response to this instruction, the communication unit 33 sends the relevant incidental data to the receipt server 120 to the network 200 . After that, the CPU 21 executes the processing after Act 23 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The incidental data sent from the communication unit 33 to the network 200 is transmitted to the receipt server 120 via the network 200 and received by the communication unit 45 . The accompanying data is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 44 under the control of the CPU 41 .

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing part of the processing for providing the electronic receipt service by the CPU 41. As shown in FIG.
When the receipt server 120 is accessed from an arbitrary information terminal and an electronic receipt screen is requested, the CPU 41 proceeds to Act 41 in FIG.

In Act 41, the CPU 41 generates an electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data. Since the electronic receipt data in the present embodiment does not include the message left behind, the electronic receipt screen generated here will be like the electronic receipt screen SC1 shown in FIG. 6, for example.
In Act 42, the CPU 41 transmits the electronic receipt screen to the information terminal of the access source. Specifically, the CPU 41 sends data representing the electronic receipt screen to the communication unit 45 and instructs the communication unit 45 to send the data. Upon receiving this instruction, the communication unit 45 sends the corresponding data to the information terminal to the network 200 . When receiving this data, the information terminal displays an electronic receipt screen as is well known.

In Act 43, the CPU 41 confirms whether or not there is additional data corresponding to the electronic receipt data used to generate the electronic receipt screen. Specifically, the CPU 41 confirms whether supplementary data including the identification code of the electronic receipt data used to generate the electronic receipt screen is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 44 . Then, if the corresponding incidental data is stored, the CPU 41 determines Yes, and proceeds to Act 44 .

In Act 44, the CPU 41 generates a pop-up screen based on the incidental data. The pop-up screen is a screen that indicates that change has been forgotten.
In Act 45, the CPU 41 transmits the above pop-up screen to the information terminal of the access source. Specifically, the CPU 41 sends data representing the pop-up screen to the communication unit 45 and instructs the communication unit 45 to send the data. Upon receiving this instruction, the communication unit 45 sends the corresponding data to the information terminal to the network 200 . When the information terminal receives this data, it pops up a pop-up screen as is well known.

The CPU 41 advances the above process so that Act 42 and Act 45 are performed at short time intervals. Thus, in the information terminal, after the electronic receipt screen is displayed, the pop-up screen is quickly displayed in a pop-up state superimposed on the electronic receipt screen.
Note that if the CPU 41 determines No in Act 43 because there is no relevant incidental data, the CPU 41 does not execute the processes of Act 44 and Act 45 .

FIG. 11 shows an example of a pop-up screen SC3 superimposed on the electronic receipt screen SC1 shown in FIG.
The popup screen SC3 includes an area 61 and a button B1.
Area 61 represents the forgotten message. In the example of FIG. 11, an area 61 represents a message for forgetting to take change when only the coin portion of the change has been forgotten.
The button B1 is used by the operator of the information terminal to instruct deletion of the pop-up screen SC3. The information terminal terminates the display of the pop-up screen SC3 by a well-known operation in response to the operation of the button B1 by the operator.

Thus, according to the checkout system 100 of the second embodiment, by displaying the pop-up screen, it is possible to make the payer of the commercial transaction who forgot to take the change aware of the fact that he/she forgot to take the change.

In this way, the CPU 21 executes the generation and transmission of the incidental data in Acts 33 and 34, so that the payer is notified that the payment has been forgotten. Therefore, the operation caused by the processing of the CPU 21 in Act 33 and Act 34 outputs a message indicating that the object has been left out. By the CPU 21 executing the control process based on the control program, the computer having the CPU 21 as its central part functions as notification means.

In addition, according to the checkout system 100, when the payer asks the clerk to return the change he forgot to take, the information terminal in the screen display state as shown in FIG. The store clerk can easily judge whether the change is requested to be returned. Then, the clerk can easily determine whether or not to hand over the forgotten change by collating the forgotten slip with the electronic receipt screen. In addition, when the collected change for a plurality of commercial transactions is stored, the clerk can easily determine which of these changes to hand over.

It should be noted that the CPU 41 may add, under the request from the CPU 21, information indicating that the change has been returned to the electronic receipt data relating to the commercial transaction in which the change has been returned. After the transmission of the electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data to which the information is added, the CPU 41 determines No in Act 43 . Alternatively, the CPU 41 may delete from the auxiliary storage unit 44, at the request of the CPU 21, the additional data containing the identification code of the electronic receipt data relating to the commercial transaction for which the change has been returned. As a result, when displaying the electronic receipt screen based on the electronic receipt data after that, the pop-up screen based on the incidental data is no longer displayed. In this way, the pop-up screen can be used as a certificate of the person who forgot to take the change. Also, by using this fact, the printing of the forget-to-take slip in the checkout device 110 may be omitted.

The CPU 41 may transmit the electronic receipt screen and the pop-up screen at the same time. Specifically, the CPU 41 executes Act 42 when Act 43 determines No. In Act 45, the CPU 41 may transmit the pop-up screen together with the electronic receipt screen generated in Act 41. FIG. However, in this case, when an application program for receiving an electronic receipt service simultaneously transmits an electronic receipt screen and a pop-up screen, the information terminal has a function of displaying them in the state shown in FIG. .

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.

In the first embodiment, when the received electronic receipt data includes a message that the CPU 41 has forgotten to take, the CPU 41 may send a push notification or an e-mail to notify that the message has been forgotten to take. . Specifically, the CPU 41 acquires the user code included in the electronic receipt data when it is possible to analyze the received electronic receipt data and confirm that the received message is included. Then, the CPU 41 requests, via the network 200, a predetermined notification server to send a push notification to the push notification destination associated in advance with the user code to the effect that the user forgot to take the item. Alternatively, the CPU 41 sends an e-mail containing a text indicating that the user forgot to take the item, to the network 200 with the e-mail address pre-associated with the user code acquired as the destination. By the operation of the CPU 41 for the above push notification or e-mail transmission, a message indicating that the item has been forgotten is output to the outside.

In the second embodiment, the CPU 41 may perform push notification or e-mail transmission in addition to or instead of displaying the pop-up screen on the information terminal as described above. Specifically, when the supplementary data is received, the CPU 41 acquires the user code included in the electronic receipt data identified by the identification code included in the supplementary data or the user code directly included in the supplementary data. do. Then, the CPU 41 performs push notification or e-mail transmission in the same manner as described above. By the operation of the CPU 41 for the above push notification or e-mail transmission, a message indicating that the item has been forgotten is output to the outside.

In each embodiment, for example, the following processing may be applied instead of printing the forget-to-take slip.

(1) Print only on journal paper the same information as shown on the forget-taken slip.
(2) Store the information shown in the forget-to-take slip in a storage medium without printing it on any paper. In this case, the storage medium may be provided in the self-checkout device, or may be provided in an external server or the like.
(3) In the case of a self-checkout device compatible with the well-known electronic receipt service, a notice of forgetting to take the item is sent to the pre-registered information terminal owned by the shopper via the electronic receipt server. good too.

In each embodiment, the present application can also be applied to other forms of payment devices, such as payment devices in semi-self-type checkout systems.

In each embodiment, the goods are not limited to money as change, but may be various cards such as credit cards or electronic money cards.

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 and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.
The following is a supplementary description of the inventions originally claimed in this application.
[Appendix 1] Equipped with a payment device and a server,
The payment device
a settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating transaction data representing the content of the transaction after the settlement process is completed;
a first transmitting means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the generating means to the server;
Discharging means for discharging a predetermined article to a receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
detection means for detecting the article in the receiving portion;
a second transmission for transmitting to the server a message indicating that the article has been left unpicked when the detecting means has detected the article after a predetermined time has passed since the article was discharged by the discharging means; means and
and
The server is
storage means for storing the transaction data transmitted by the first transmission means and the message transmitted by the second transmission means in association with each other;
output means for outputting the message in association with the transaction data via an information terminal of the settlement party of the transaction;
A checkout system with
[Appendix 2] The output means outputs information on a screen showing the transaction data and the message to an information terminal.
The checkout system of Appendix 1.
[Appendix 3] The output means transmits an e-mail containing the transaction data and the message to a predetermined address in association with the settlement party of the transaction represented by the transaction data.
The checkout system of Appendix 1.
[Appendix 4] The settlement device
notification means for notifying a store clerk that the article has been left unpicked when the detection means has detected the article after a predetermined time has elapsed since the article was discharged by the discharge means;
4. The checkout system of any one of Clauses 1-3, further comprising:
[Appendix 5] A settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating electronic receipt data representing the content of the transaction after the completion of the payment process;
Discharging means for discharging a predetermined article to a receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
detection means for detecting the article in the receiving portion;
When the detection means detects the article after a predetermined time has passed since the article was discharged by the discharge means, the message indicating that the article has been left out is displayed in the transaction in association with the electronic receipt data. an output means for outputting via the information terminal of the payer;
A payment device equipped with
[Appendix 6] Controlling a settlement apparatus comprising a discharge mechanism for discharging a predetermined article to a receiving section, detection means for detecting the article in the receiving section, and a communication device for performing data communication via a communication network. a computer that
a settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating transaction data representing the content of the transaction after the settlement process is completed;
first transmission control means for controlling the communication device to transmit the transaction data generated by the generation means to a server;
discharge control means for controlling the discharge mechanism so as to discharge the article to the receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
a message indicating that the article has been forgotten to be sent to the server when the detection means detects the article after a predetermined time has elapsed since the article was discharged by the ejection control means; a second transmission control means for controlling the communication device;
control program to function as

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Main body, 2... Weighing unit, 3... Weighing unit, 10... Touch panel, 11... Scanner window, 12... Handy scanner, 13... Receipt issuing port, 14... Card slot, 15... Coin insertion tray, 16... Change tray , 17... reject tray, 18... bill insertion port, 19... bill discharge port, 20... patrol lamp, 21... CPU, 22... ROM, 23... RAM, 24... auxiliary storage unit, 25... fixed scanner, 26... printer, 27 Card reader/writer 28 Human sensor 29 Coin receiving unit 29a Discharge unit 30 Coin sensor 31 Bill receiving unit 31a Discharge unit 32 Bill sensor 33 Communication unit 34 Communication path 41 CPU 42 ROM 43 RAM 44 auxiliary storage unit 45 communication unit 46 communication path 100 checkout system 110 checkout device 120 receipt server 200 network.

Claims (5)

comprising a payment device and a server,
The payment device
Acquisition means for acquiring the member code of the operator;
a settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating transaction data representing the content of the transaction subject to the settlement process after the settlement process is completed;
a first transmitting means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the generating means to the server if the member code has been acquired by the acquiring means;
Discharging means for discharging a predetermined article to a receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
determination means for determining whether the article remains in the receiving portion;
second transmission means for transmitting a message indicating that the article has been forgotten to be taken to the server when the determination means determines that the item remains if the member code has been acquired by the acquisition means ;
a receipt printing means for printing a receipt showing details of a transaction subject to the settlement process after the settlement process is completed if the member code has not been acquired by the acquisition means;
and
The server is
storage means for storing the transaction data transmitted by the first transmission means and the message transmitted by the second transmission means in association with each other;
output means for outputting, via the information terminal, a screen for allowing a settlement person to view the message and transaction data stored in the storage means in association with each other in response to access from the information terminal;
A checkout system with The payment device
means for printing a ticket indicating that the item has been left behind when the determination means determines that the item remains;
The checkout system of Claim 1 , further comprising : The payment device
detection means for detecting the article in the receiving portion;
further comprising
The determination means determines that the article remains when the detection means detects the article after a predetermined time has elapsed since the article was discharged by the discharge means.
3. The checkout system according to claim 1 or claim 2 . Acquisition means for acquiring the member code of the operator;
a settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating transaction data representing the content of the transaction subject to the settlement process after the settlement process is completed;
a first transmitting means for transmitting the transaction data generated by the generating means to a server if the member code has been acquired by the acquiring means;
Discharging means for discharging a predetermined article to a receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
determination means for determining whether the article remains in the receiving portion;
a second transmission means for transmitting a message indicating that the article has been forgotten to be taken to the server if the member code has been acquired by the acquisition means and the determination means determines that the item remains . ,
a receipt printing means for printing a receipt showing details of a transaction subject to the settlement process after the settlement process is completed if the member code has not been acquired by the acquisition means;
A payment device equipped with A computer that controls a settlement device that includes a discharge mechanism that discharges a predetermined article to a receiving section , a communication device that performs data communication via a communication network , and a printer ,
Acquisition means for acquiring the member code of the operator;
a settlement means that performs settlement processing for settlement of transactions;
generating means for generating transaction data representing the content of the transaction subject to the settlement process after the settlement process is completed;
first transmission control means for controlling the communication device to transmit the transaction data generated by the generating means to a server if the member code has been obtained by the obtaining means ;
discharge control means for controlling the discharge mechanism so as to discharge the article to the receiving section in relation to the payment processing by the payment means;
determination means for determining whether the article remains in the receiving portion;
Controlling the communication device so as to transmit a message indicating that the article has been forgotten to be taken to the server when the obtaining means has obtained a membership code and the determining means has determined that the article remains. a second transmission control means for
print control means for controlling the printer to print a receipt showing details of a transaction subject to the settlement process after the completion of the settlement process if the member code has not been acquired by the acquisition means; ,
control program to function as