JP7340712B2 - Payment device and its control program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a payment device and its control program.

Semi-self-type systems are known as checkout systems for mass retailers such as supermarkets. In this system, registration of purchased products and payment processing are performed using different product registration devices and payment devices, respectively. The product registration device is operated by the employee, and the payment device is operated by the shopper. In such a system, payment information for payment processing is transferred from a product registration device to a vacant payment device.

By the way, one of the sales promotion methods in stores is membership service. Membership services include services that give members bonus points based on the purchase amount, services that sell products to members at member prices that are lower than regular prices, and the like. In order for a member to enjoy such membership services, it is necessary to read the data of the membership card into the system before the payment information is transferred to the payment device. For this reason, members who have completed the registration of purchased products as non-members because they did not present their membership card to the employee operating the product registration device may be found to be in possession of the membership card when making a payment using the payment device. Even if you notice, you cannot receive member services.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-344123

The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to enable, in a semi-self-type checkout system, even a member who has finished registering a purchased product as a non-member in a product registration device to receive membership services in a payment device. It's about doing.

In one embodiment, the payment device constitutes a checkout system together with a product registration device connected via a network. The payment device includes a first member information acquisition means, a payment information acquisition means, a second member information acquisition means, a recalculation means, a first display means, a second display means, and a payment means. Be prepared. The first member information acquisition means acquires member information. The payment information acquisition means acquires payment information for the purchased product registered with the product registration device. The second member information acquisition means acquires the member information obtained by the product registration device from the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition means. If the member information is not acquired by the second member information acquisition means and the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means, the recalculation means calculates the number of members included in the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition means. Recalculate the amount of the purchased item based on the price. The first display means displays a plurality of selectable payment methods when the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means or the second member information acquisition means. If member information is not acquired by the first member information acquisition means and the second member information acquisition means, the second display means displays a number of selectable payments that are smaller than the number displayed on the first display means. Show me how. The payment means performs payment processing based on the payment information using a payment method selected from among the payment methods displayed on the first display means or the second display means.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the checkout system in this embodiment. 2 is a block diagram of a product registration device and a payment device of the checkout system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing main data tables formed in the RAMs of the product registration device and payment device shown in FIG. 2; 5 is a flowchart showing the main steps of control processing executed by the CPU of the product registration device according to a control program. 5 is a flowchart showing the main steps of control processing executed by the CPU of the product registration device according to a control program. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the card inquiry screen displayed on the touch panel of a product registration device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on a touch panel of a product registration device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transfer destination selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the product registration device. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the notification screen displayed on the touch panel of a product registration device. The flowchart which shows the main procedure of the control process which the CPU of a payment device performs according to a control program. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the 1st payment screen displayed on the touch panel of a payment device. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the 2nd payment screen displayed on the touch panel of a payment device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a semi-self-type checkout system that allows even members who have completed registration of purchased products as non-members on a product registration device to receive membership services on a payment device will be described using drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a checkout system 10 in this embodiment. The checkout system 10 includes at least one product registration device 11 and at least one payment device 12. In FIG. 1, a checkout system 10 including two product registration devices 11 and four payment devices 12 is shown. The number of product registration devices 11 and payment devices 12 included in the checkout system 10 is arbitrary, and the ratio of the number of product registration devices 11 to payment devices 12 is also arbitrary. The product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are installed at a checkout corner of a store such as a supermarket.

The product registration device 11 is operated by the store employee 21 who plays a role called a checker. The operator of the payment device 12 is a shopper 22 who purchases products sold at the store. However, the payment device 12 may also be operated by an employee.

The product registration device 11 is attached to the work table 23 in FIG. The work table 23 has a rectangular top plate. A passage for shoppers 22 is formed by arranging a plurality of work tables 23 so that the longitudinal directions of their top plates are substantially parallel.

The product registration device 11 has the functions of registering a purchased product, generating payment information, processing a payment, and notifying the payment device 12 of payment information. The registration process is a process of registering a product brought by a shopper who has entered the aisle as a purchased product. The payment process is a process for settling commercial transactions for purchased products. Payment information is information required for payment processing.

When the payment device 12 is notified of payment information from the product registration device 11, the payment device 12 performs payment processing based on the payment information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12. Both the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 are connected to a LAN (local area network) 13, which is a network. Instead of the LAN 13, another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN may be used as the network. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which information is exchanged between the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 via a server.

The product registration device 11 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 11a, a ROM (read-only memory) 11b, a RAM (random-access memory) 11c, an auxiliary storage unit 11d, a drawer opening unit 11e, a scanner 11f, a touch panel 11g, and a printer 11h. , a card reader/writer 11i, a communication unit 11j, and a transmission system 11k.

The CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, and auxiliary storage unit 11d are connected by a transmission system 11k to form a computer.
The CPU 11a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 11a controls each unit to realize various functions of the product registration device 11 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 11b and RAM 11c.

The ROM 11b corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The ROM 11b stores the above operating system. The ROM 11b may also store the above-mentioned middleware and application programs. The ROM 11b may also store data that the CPU 11a refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 11c corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 11c stores data that the CPU 11a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 11c is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 11a is stored when performing various processes.

The auxiliary storage unit 11d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 11d stores data used by the CPU 11a to perform various processes, or data generated by processing by the CPU 11a. As the auxiliary storage unit 11d, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used.

The application programs stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d include a control program that describes control processing to be described later. Generally, the product registration device 11 is transferred with the control program stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. However, the product registration device 11 may be transferred without the control program being stored in the ROM 11b or the auxiliary storage unit 11d. 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. and transferred. Alternatively, the control program may be transferred via a network, and this control program may be written into the auxiliary storage unit 11d of the separately transferred product registration device 11.

The drawer opening unit 11e automatically opens a drawer for storing coins. The scanner 11f reads product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the scanner 11f, various known types can be used as they are. The scanner 11f may be compatible with only one of various known types, or may be compatible with a plurality of types. That is, the scanner 11f may include a fixed or handheld two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the scanner 11f may include a type that identifies a product from an image of the product using image recognition technology.

The touch panel 11g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device uses an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen as its display screen. As the display device, for example, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device, and sends the position information to the CPU 11a. A well-known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 11h issues a receipt by printing various character strings, images, etc. 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 payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as membership cards called membership cards, point cards, and the like. A membership card records at least information for identifying the member who owns the card. The card reader/writer 11i may be a magnetic type, a contact type, or a non-contact type device, and may include multiple types of devices.

The communication unit 11j performs data communication with a plurality of payment devices 12 connected via the LAN 13. The communication unit 11j can also perform data communication with other product registration devices 11 via the LAN 13.

The transmission system 11k transmits data exchanged between the CPU 11a, ROM 11b, RAM 11c, auxiliary storage unit 11d, drawer opening unit 11e, scanner 11f, touch panel 11g, printer 11h, card reader/writer 11i, and communication unit 11j. As the transmission system 11k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses and various parts can be used.

As the hardware of such a product registration device 11, for example, an existing POS terminal can be used.

The payment device 12 includes a CPU 12a, a ROM 12b, a RAM 12c, an auxiliary storage unit 12d, an automatic change machine 12e, a scanner 12f, a touch panel 12g, a printer 12h, a card reader/writer 12i, a communication unit 12j, and a transmission system 12k.

The CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, and auxiliary storage unit 12d are connected by a transmission system 12k to form a computer.

The CPU 12a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The CPU 12a controls each part to implement various operations of the payment device 12 based on the operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the ROM 12b and RAM 12c.

The ROM 12b corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The ROM 12b stores the above operating system. The ROM 12b may also store the above-mentioned middleware and application programs. The ROM 12b may also store data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes.

The RAM 12c corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The RAM 12c stores data that the CPU 12a refers to when performing various processes. Further, the RAM 12c is used as a so-called work area in which data temporarily used by the CPU 12a is stored when performing various processes.

The auxiliary storage unit 12d corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 12d stores data used by the CPU 12a to perform various processes, or data generated by processing by the CPU 12a. As the auxiliary storage unit 12d, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be used.

The application programs stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d include a control program that describes control processing to be described later. Generally, the payment device 12 is transferred with the control program stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. However, the payment device 12 may be transferred without the control program being stored in the ROM 12b or the auxiliary storage unit 12d. 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. and transferred. Alternatively, the control program may be transferred via a network and written into the auxiliary storage unit 12d of the separately transferred payment device 12.

The automatic change machine 12e receives coins and banknotes that are inserted. The automatic change machine 12e also discharges coins and banknotes as change.

The scanner 12f reads product information and obtains the product code of the product. As the scanner 12f, various known types can be used as is. The scanner 12f may be compatible with only one of various known types, or may be compatible with multiple types. That is, the scanner 12f may include a fixed or handheld two-dimensional code scanner. Further, the scanner 12f may include a type that identifies a product from an image of the product using image recognition technology.

The touch panel 12g includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device uses an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen as its screen. As the display device, for example, a well-known device such as a color LCD can be used. The touch sensor is arranged to overlap the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device, and sends the position information to the CPU 12a. A well-known device can be used as the touch sensor.

The printer 12h issues a receipt by printing various character strings, images, etc. on receipt paper. As this type of printer, for example, a thermal printer or a dot impact printer can be used.

The card reader/writer 12i has a function of reading data recorded on a card and a function of writing data to the card. Cards may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as membership cards called membership cards, point cards, and the like. A membership card records at least information for identifying the member who owns the card. The card reader/writer 12i may be a magnetic type, contact type, or non-contact type device, and may include multiple types of devices.

The communication unit 12j performs data communication with a plurality of product registration devices 11 connected via the LAN 13. The communication unit 11j can also perform data communication with other payment devices 12 via the LAN 13.

The transmission system 12k transmits data exchanged between the CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, auxiliary storage unit 12d, automatic change machine 12e, scanner 12f, touch panel 12g, printer 12h, card reader/writer 12i, and communication unit 12j. As the transmission system 12k, a well-known system including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits that connect these buses and various parts can be used.

As the hardware of such payment device 12, it is possible to use, for example, an existing self-service POS terminal.

The checkout system 10 including the product registration device 11 and the payment device 12 configured as described above stores data tables 31, 32, 33, and 34 shown in FIG. form each.

The data table 31 is an area for storing member flags, member numbers, and accumulated points as information regarding members. The member flag has a default value of "0" and is set to "1" when a member conducts a commercial transaction. The member number is a unique number assigned to each member to identify each member individually. The membership number is written on the membership card owned by each member. The membership number read from the membership card by the card reader/writers 11i, 12i is stored in the data table 31.

The cumulative points are the cumulative value of privilege points given to the member identified by the member number. Although not shown, the checkout system 10 connects to a database server via a LAN 13. This database server has a member database for accumulating privilege points for each member number. When the membership number is read from the membership card by the card reader/writer 11i, 12i, the CPU 11a, 12a of the product registration device 11 or the payment device 12 uses the membership number to inquire of the database server about accumulated points. Upon receiving this inquiry, the database server accesses the member database, reads the cumulative value of reward points (cumulative points) associated with the member number from the member database, and sends the information to the product registration device 11 or the payment device 12 via the LAN 13. to notify. The CPUs 11a and 12a of the product registration device 11 or the payment device 12 store the accumulated points notified from the database server in the data table 31.

Such a data table 31 is called a member table. Hereinafter, the information in the product registration device 11 will be represented by the member table 31a, and the information in the payment device 12 will be represented by the member table 31b.

The data table 32 is an area that stores a plurality of records including data such as product code, product name, standard unit price, member unit price, quantity, and amount. The product code is a unique code for individually identifying each product. Each product has a product code represented by a barcode, for example. The product name, standard unit price, and member unit price are the product name and price per item specified by the product code of the same record. The standard unit price is the price at which the product is sold to non-members, and the member unit price is the price at which the product is sold to members. Membership prices are usually cheaper than standard prices. The quantity and price are sales data of the product specified by the product code of the same record, that is, the number of products sold and the sales amount for the number of products.

The database server described above has a product database for setting product information such as product name, regular unit price, member unit price, etc. in association with the product code of each product. When a product code is acquired in the product registration device 11 or payment device 12, the CPUs 11a, 12a use the product code to inquire of the database server for product information. Upon receiving this inquiry, the database server accesses the product database, reads product information associated with the product code from the product database, and notifies the product registration device 11 or payment device 12 via the LAN 13. The CPUs 11a and 12a of the product registration device 11 or the payment device 12 store the product information notified from the database server in the data table 32.

Such a data table 32 is called a registered product table. Hereinafter, the items in the item registration device 11 will be represented as a registered item table 32a, and the items in the payment device 12 will be represented as a registered item table 32b.

The data table 33 is an area for storing the total number and total amount. The total number is the total number of each record stored in the registered product table 32. The total amount is the total amount of each record stored in the registered product table 32.

Such a data table 33 is called a total table. Hereinafter, the data of the product registration device 11 will be represented by a total table 33a, and the data of the payment device 12 will be represented by a total table 33b.

The data table 34 is an area for storing payment amounts in association with payment types. The payment type is information that identifies the payment method used when settling commercial transactions for purchased products. Payment methods include cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, etc. Further, as a payment method only for members, so-called point payment, in which accumulated points are converted into monetary value and paid, is possible. The payment type is information for identifying the above-mentioned cash payment, credit card payment, gift certificate payment, electronic money payment, point payment, and the like. The payment amount is the amount paid by the payment method specified by the associated payment type.

Such a data table 34 is referred to as a payment table. Hereinafter, the information in the product registration device 11 will be represented by the payment table 34a, and the information in the payment device 12 will be represented by the payment table 34b.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the main steps of the control process executed by the CPU 11a of the product registration device 11 according to the control program. 6 to 9 are schematic diagrams showing various examples of screens displayed on the touch panel 11g of the product registration device 11 through the control processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the control process executed by the CPU 12a of the payment device 12 according to the control program. 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams showing various examples of screens displayed on the touch panel 12g of the payment device 12 by the control process. The operation of the checkout system 10 will be described below using these figures. Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain similar results can be used as appropriate.

First, the operation of the product registration device 11 will be explained.
When the product registration device 11 is activated in a mode for registering purchased products, the CPU 11a starts processing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 11a clears the data tables 31a to 34a (Act 1). Next, the CPU 11a displays a card inquiry screen SC1 (see FIG. 6) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g, and receives the input of the membership card (Act 2: card reception means).

As shown in FIG. 6, the card inquiry screen SC1 includes display areas R1 and R2 and buttons B1 and B2. Display area R1 displays a message inquiring about the presence or absence of a membership card. Display area R2 displays images of usable membership cards. The button B1 is used by the employee 21 to specify that the transaction is with a shopper 22 who has the membership card displayed in the display area R2. Button B1 is used to specify that the transaction is with a shopper 22 who does not possess the membership card displayed in display area R2.

In this embodiment, the member service that allows products to be purchased at a member price is applied only to members who have a member card. Therefore, even if you are a member, if you forget your membership card, you will not be able to receive membership services and will be forced to purchase products at the normal unit price.

After confirming the card inquiry screen SC1, the employee 21 inquires of the shopper 22, who has offered to register the purchased product, as to whether or not he has a membership card. When the shopper 22 presents the membership code, the employee 21 touches the button B1 and causes the card reader/writer 11i to read the data of the membership card. On the other hand, if the shopper 22 does not present the membership code, the employee 21 touches button B2.

After displaying the card inquiry screen SC1, the CPU 11a waits for either button B1 or B2 to be touched (Act3). If it is detected that the button B1 has been touched, the CPU 11a determines that the transaction is a transaction by a member (YES in Act 3). In this case, the CPU 11a sets the member flag of the member table 31a to "1" (Act 4). The CPU 11a also registers the membership number and accumulated points in the membership table 31a (Act 5). The membership number is information read from the membership card by the card reader/writer 11i. Accumulated points are information stored in the member database in association with the member number. Note that the processing procedures in Act 4 and Act 5 are not limited to those in the embodiment. The front and back may be reversed.

If it is detected that the button B2 is touched instead of the button B1, the CPU 11a determines that the transaction is by a non-member (NO in Act 3). In this case, the CPU 11a does not execute the processes in Act4 and Act5.

When the processing in Acts 4 and 5 is completed or it is determined that the transaction is a non-member transaction, the CPU 11a displays a registration screen SC2 (see FIG. 7) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act 6).

The registration screen SC2 shows the contents of the registered product table 32a and the total table 33a, and allows the employee 21 to check the implementation status of the registration process. An example of the registration screen SC2 is shown in FIG. Registration screen SC2 includes display areas R3 and R4. Display area R3 displays the product name, quantity, and unit price of the most recently registered product, and the total number and total price of the purchased products after the product is registered. Display area R4 displays a list of product names, quantities, unit prices, and amounts of products for which purchase registration was made before the product shown on registration screen SC2.

Although not shown, the CPU 11a provides various function buttons, such as a product button for the employee 21 to specify a product and a subtotal button, outside the region of the registration screen SC2 on the screen of the touch panel 11g. indicate.

After confirming that the card inquiry screen SC1 has been switched to the registration screen SC2, the employee 21 operates, for example, the scanner 11f or the product buttons to sequentially input the product codes of the products purchased by the shopper 22. After inputting the product codes of all purchased products, the employee 21 touches the subtotal button.

The CPU 11a that has displayed the registration screen SC2 waits for the product code of the product to be registered for purchase to be acquired (Act 7). When the product code input via the scanner 11f or the product button is obtained (YES in Act 7), the CPU 11a displays the product name, normal unit price, member unit price, etc. associated with the product code and set in the product database. Detect product information (Act 8). The CPU 11a also checks whether the member flag of the member table 31a is set to "1" (Act 9).

If the membership flag is not set to "1" (NO in Act 9), the CPU 11a selects the normal unit price from the product information (Act 10). If the member flag is set to "1" (YES in Act 9), the CPU 11a selects the member unit price from the product information (Act 11).

When the normal unit price or the member unit price is selected, the CPU 11a calculates the sales amount by multiplying the normal unit price or the member unit price by the number of items sold. Then, the CPU 11a registers the product sales data including the product code, product name, normal unit price, member unit price, number of units sold, and sales amount in the registered product table 32a as one record (Act 12: registration means). Further, the CPU 11a adds the number of sold items and the sales amount to the total table 33a. Then, the CPU 11a updates the registration screen SC2 to conform to the contents of the registered product table 32a and the total table 33a (Act 13).

After updating the registration screen SC2, the CPU 11a checks whether the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired (Act 14). If the product code has not been acquired (NO in Act 14), the CPU 11a checks whether the subtotal button has been touched (Act 15). If the subtotal button is not touched (NO in Act 15), the CPU 11a checks again whether the product code has been acquired (Act 14). Therefore, in Acts 14 and 15, the CPU 11a waits until the product code is acquired or the subtotal button is touched. Note that during the standby mode, the CPU 11a may check the occurrence of other events such as other operations being performed, and then proceed to processing in accordance with the occurring event.

When the product code is acquired in the standby state of Act14 and Act15 (YES in Act14), the CPU 11a returns to the process of Act8. Then, the CPU 11a repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

If the subtotal button is touched in the standby state of Acts 14 and 15 (YES in Act 15), the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act 16 in FIG. That is, the CPU 11a generates payment information based on the contents of the member table 31a, registered product table 32a, and total table 33a at this point (Act 16: generation means). Then, the CPU 11a displays a transfer destination selection screen SC3 (see FIG. 8) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act 17).

The payment information includes a list of registered product names, regular unit prices, member unit prices, sales quantities, and sales amounts, the total number and total amount of purchased products, a member flag, a member number, and accumulated points. Therefore, in the case of a commercial transaction by a member, the payment information includes a member flag in the state "1" indicating that input of the member card has been accepted. The payment information also includes the membership number and accumulated points obtained by accepting the input of the membership card. On the other hand, in the case of a commercial transaction by a non-member, the payment information includes a member flag in the state "0" indicating that the input of the member card was not accepted.

An example of the transfer destination selection screen SC3 is shown in FIG. Transfer destination selection screen SC3 includes display areas R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and buttons B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, and B10.

The display area R5 displays the total number and total amount of the total table 33a. Display area R6 displays various messages. Buttons B3 and B4 are used by the employee 21 to specify that a discount is to be applied to the total amount. Button B5 is used by the employee 21 to specify that a cash voucher such as a gift certificate will be used as the payment method for the purchased item. The button B6 is used by the employee 21 to specify that a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g should be returned to the registration screen SC2.

Display areas R7 to R10 each display whether or not payment information can be transferred to each of the four payment devices 12. Buttons B7 to B10 are used by the employee 21 to specify transfer of payment information to each of the four payment devices 12. The payment device 12 does not accept transfer of payment information while payment processing is being executed. “Transfer not possible” is displayed in the display areas R7 to R10 associated with the payment devices 12 in such a state. Conversely, "transfer possible" is displayed in the display areas R7 to R10 associated with the payment devices 12 that accept transfer of payment information. Note that the buttons B7 to B10 may have different display formats depending on whether or not the associated payment device 12 accepts transfer of payment information. Alternatively, if the associated payment device 12 does not accept transfer of payment information, the buttons B7 to B10 may be hidden.

When the transfer destination selection screen SC3 is displayed, the CPU 11a checks whether the product code of the product to be registered for purchase has been acquired (Act 18). If the product code is not acquired (NO in Act 18), the CPU 11a checks whether payment by cash voucher has been specified (Act 19). If payment by cash voucher is not specified (NO in Act 19), the CPU 11a checks whether the payment device 12 to which the payment information is to be transferred has been specified (Act 20). If the payment device 12 is not specified (NO in Act 20), the CPU 11a confirms again whether the product code has been acquired (Act 18). Therefore, in Acts 18 to 20, the CPU 11a waits for the product code to be acquired, payment by cash voucher to be specified, or the payment device 12 to be specified. Note that in this standby state, the CPU 11a may check the occurrence of another event such as another operation being performed, and then proceed to processing in accordance with the event. For example, when either button B3 or B4 is touched by the employee 21, the CPU 11a changes the total amount included in the payment information according to a subsequent instruction from the employee 21.

When the product code is acquired in the standby state of Acts 18 to 20 (YES in Act 18), the CPU 11a returns a partial area of the screen of the touch panel 11g to the registration screen SC2 (Act 21). Thereafter, the CPU 11a proceeds to the process of Act 8 in FIG. 4, and repeats the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

When the button B5 is touched by the employee 21 in the standby state of Acts 18 to 20, the CPU 11a assumes that payment by cash voucher has been specified (YES in Act 19). The CPU 11a displays a coupon information input screen on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act 22). The cash voucher information input screen is a screen that prompts the employee 21 to input the face value and number of cash vouchers used for payment. The employee 21 who has confirmed the cash voucher information input screen inputs the face value and number of cash vouchers to be paid by the shopper 22 by operating the touch panel 11g, for example, in accordance with the screen.

When the cash voucher information input screen is displayed, the CPU 11a waits for the cash voucher information to be input (Act 23). When the face value and number of vouchers are input as voucher information (YES in Act 23), the CPU 11a calculates the amount to be paid using the voucher based on the face value and number of vouchers. The CPU 11a then registers this payment amount in the payment table 34a in association with the payment type indicating cash voucher payment (Act 24). Further, the CPU 11a edits the payment information to include the coupon payment information registered in the payment table 34a (Act 25).

Next, the CPU 11a displays a message for notifying the employee 21 that the payment device 12 to which the payment information is to be transferred is specified in a part of the transfer destination selection screen SC3, for example, the display area R6 (Act 26). Then, the CPU 11a waits for the payment device 12 to be designated (Act 27).

When the employee 21 touches any of the buttons B7 to B10 on the transfer destination selection screen SC3 in the standby state of Acts 18 to 20 or the standby state of Act 27, the CPU 11a considers that the payment device 12 has been designated. When the payment device 12 is designated (YES in Act 20 or Act 27), the CPU 11a transmits payment information to the designated payment device 12 (Act 28: transmission means). Specifically, the CPU 11a controls the communication unit 11j to transmit payment information to the LAN 13 with the designated payment device 12 as the destination. Thereby, the payment information is transmitted to the payment device 12 via the LAN 13.

After transmitting the payment information, the CPU 11a displays a notification screen SC4 (see FIG. 9) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 11g (Act 29). An example of the notification screen SC4 is shown in FIG. 9. Notification screen SC4 includes display areas R11, R12 and button B11.

Display area R11 displays an image for making employee 21 aware that semi-self payment has been selected. Note that semi-self payment is a payment form in which payment processing is executed in the payment device 12 in response to an operation by the shopper 22. The display area R12 displays the total number and total amount included in the payment information, and also displays to which of the four payment devices 12 the payment information including such contents was transferred. Button B11 is for the employee 21 to instruct to close the notification screen SC4. In response to the touch of the button B11, the CPU 11a returns to the processing of Act 1 in FIG. 4, and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

Note that if the buttons B7 to B10 associated with the payment device 12 that does not accept transfer of payment information are touched, the CPU 11a does not determine Yes in Act 20 or Act 27. Thus, the CPU 11a does not accept the designation of the payment device 12 that does not accept transfer of payment information. Therefore, if all of the payment devices 12 are in a stopped state or in a state in which they do not accept transfer of payment information, the CPU 11a does not wait for the payment device 12 to be designated.

The employee 21 who has confirmed the notification screen SC4 notifies the shopper 22 that the payment should be made using the payment device 12 displayed in the display area R12 among the payment devices 12. The shopper 22 who receives this notification moves to the designated payment device 12 and performs an operation for payment.

Therefore, next, the operation of the payment device 12 will be explained.
When the payment device 12 is activated, the CPU 12a starts processing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 12a sets the screen of the touch panel 12g to a standby screen (Act 31). The standby screen indicates that there is no situation for payment processing, and any information may be displayed on the standby screen. For example, the standby screen may display a message indicating that payment processing is not possible, or an arbitrary image representing an advertisement as a screen saver. After setting the screen of the touch panel 12g to a standby screen, the CPU 12a waits to receive payment information (Act 32).

As described above, the CPU 11a of the product registration device 11 transmits payment information from the communication unit 11j to the LAN 13 in the process of Act 28 in FIG. This payment information is received by the communication unit 12j provided in the destination payment device 12 (receiving means).

Upon receiving the payment information (YES in Act 32), the CPU 12a develops the payment information in the member table 31b, registered product table 32b, total table 33b, and payment table 34b (Act 33).

That is, when the member flag included in the payment information is "0", the CPU 12a stores the member flag in the member table 31b. If the membership flag included in the payment information is "1", the CPU 12a stores the membership flag, the membership number and accumulated points included in the payment information in the membership table 31b.

The CPU 12a stores a list of product names, regular unit prices, member unit prices, sales quantities, and sales amounts of registered products included in the payment information in the registered product table 32b. Further, the CPU 12a stores the total number and total amount of purchased products included in the payment information in the total table 33b. Furthermore, when the payment information includes voucher payment information, the CPU 12a stores the payment type and payment amount that constitute the voucher payment information in the payment table 34b.

Next, the CPU 12a checks the member flag stored in the member table 31b. That is, the CPU 12a determines whether or not the received payment information is information that was processed as a member's commercial transaction after the membership card was presented at the product registration device 11 (Act 34: determination means). When the member flag is "1", the received payment information is information processed as a member's commercial transaction. In this case (YES in Act 34), the CPU 12a displays the first payment screen SC5 (see FIG. 11) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g (Act 40: selection display means). Details of the first payment screen SC5 will be described later.

On the other hand, if the member flag is "0", the received payment information is information processed as a non-member transaction. In this case (NO in Act 34), the CPU 12a checks whether voucher payment information is stored in the payment table 34b (Act 35). If the voucher payment information is not stored in the payment table 34b, the product registration device 11 has not performed payment. In this case (NO in Act 35), the CPU 12a displays the card inquiry screen SC1 on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g and accepts the input of the membership card (Act 36: confirmation display means). Note that the card inquiry screen SC1 is the same as the card inquiry screen SC1 displayed in the process of Act 2 in the product registration device 11. Therefore, the explanation here will be omitted.

After checking the card inquiry screen SC1, the shopper 22 checks again whether or not he has a membership card. If the shopper 22 does not have a membership card, the shopper 22 touches button B2. On the other hand, if the shopper 22 finds a membership card that was not found when registering the purchased product, the shopper 22 touches the button B1 and causes the card reader/writer 12i to read the data of the membership card.

After displaying the card inquiry screen SC1, the CPU 12a waits for either button B1 or B2 to be touched (Act37). Then, when it is detected that the button B2 has been touched (NO in Act 37), the CPU 12a displays the second payment screen SC6 (see FIG. 12) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g (Act 41: Selection display means). Details of the second payment screen SC6 will be described later.

On the other hand, if it is detected that the button B1 has been touched (YES in Act 37), the CPU 12a rewrites the member flag in the member table 31b to "1". The CPU 12a also registers the membership number and accumulated points in the membership table 31b (Act 38). The membership number is information read from the membership card by the card reader/writer 12i. Accumulated points are information stored in the member database in association with the member number.

Next, the CPU 12a rewrites the price data for each record stored in the registered product table 32b to a value obtained by multiplying the membership price of that record by the number of products. Further, the data of the total amount in the total table 33b is rewritten to the total value of the amounts of all records stored in the registered product table 32b (Act 39: update means). Thereafter, the CPU 12a displays a first payment screen SC5 (see FIG. 11) on a part of the screen of the touch panel 12g (Act 40: selection display means).

An example of the first payment screen SC5 is shown in FIG. 11, and an example of the second payment screen SC6 is shown in FIG. 12. The first payment screen SC5 includes display areas R21, R22, R23 and a button B21. The second payment screen SC6 includes display areas R31, R32 and a button B31.

Display area R21 and display area R31 both display payment method selection buttons B41, B42, and B43. Display area R22 and display area R32 both display the total number and total amount of total table 33b. The display area R23 displays the accumulated points of the member table 31b. Button B21 and button B31 are both used by shopper 22 to specify that employee 21 be called.

When button B21 or button B31 is touched, a call signal is transmitted from payment device 12 to product registration device 11, which is the payment information transmission source, via LAN 13. In the product registration device 11 that receives this call signal, a call recommendation screen is displayed on the touch panel 11g, for example. This call recommendation screen displays information indicating the payment device 12 that is the sender of the call signal. Therefore, the employee 21 can easily know that he/she has received a call from a shopper operating the corresponding payment device 12.

The selection button B41 is touched by the shopper 22 who selects cash payment. The selection button B42 is touched by the shopper 22 who selects credit payment. The selection button B43 is touched by the shopper 22 who selects point payment. However, on the second payment screen SC6, the selection button B43 is displayed in grayscale, and the shopper 22 cannot touch it. That is, the first payment screen SC5 is a screen for the shopper 22 to select one of the payment methods among cash payment, credit card payment, and point payment. The second payment screen SC6 is a screen for the shopper 22 to select a payment method between cash payment and credit card payment, and although the selection button B43 is displayed, point payment cannot be selected.

The shopper 22 who has confirmed the first payment screen SC5 or the second payment screen SC6 selects one of the payment methods displayed in the display area R21 or display area R31, and clicks the corresponding selection button. Touch B41, B42 or B43. Then, the user performs a payment operation on the payment device 12 using the selected payment method.

The CPU 12a that has displayed the first payment screen SC5 or the second payment screen SC6 waits for selection button B41, B42 or B43 to be touched (Act42). When the selection button B41, B42 or B43 is touched (YES in Act 42), the CPU 12a considers that the payment method corresponding to the touched selection button B41, B42 or B43 has been selected. The CPU 12a executes payment processing using the selected payment method (Act 43: processing means). That is, when the selection button B41 is touched, the CPU 12a executes payment processing for cash payment. When the selection button B42 is touched, the CPU 12a executes a payment process for credit card payment. When the selection button B43 is touched, the CPU 12a executes a payment process for point payment using the accumulated points in the member table 31b.

These payment processes are all well-known processes, so detailed explanations will be omitted. Incidentally, in the case of a member transaction in which the member flag is set to "1", service points are calculated in accordance with the total amount, for example, in this payment process. These service points are transmitted to the database server together with the member number in the member table 31b, and accumulated for each member in the member database.

After completing the payment process, the CPU 12a operates the printer 12h to issue a receipt (Act 44). After issuing the receipt, the CPU 12a returns to the processing in Act 31 and repeats the subsequent processing in the same manner as described above.

In this manner, in the checkout system 10, when payment information for a commercial transaction by a non-member is transferred from the product registration device 11 to the payment device 12, the card inquiry screen SC1 is displayed on the touch panel 12g of the payment device 12. Therefore, even a shopper 22 who has finished registering the purchased product as a non-member in the product registration device 11 because the membership code was not found will need to reconfirm the presence or absence of a membership card before making a payment with the payment device 12. . If the shopper 22 finds the membership card, the shopper 22 touches the button B1 on the card inquiry screen SC1 and causes the card reader/writer 12i to read the data of the membership card. Then, in the settlement device 12, the unit price of each purchased item is changed from the normal unit price to the member unit price, and the purchase amount is recalculated. That is, the payment information for commercial transactions by non-members is changed to the payment information for commercial transactions by members. Therefore, even the shopper 22 who has finished registering the purchased product as a non-member in the product registration device can receive the member service that allows purchase at the member price and the member service that provides points at the payment device 12.

Further, in the checkout system 10, when the payment device 12 receives payment information for a commercial transaction by a member, a first payment screen SC5 is displayed on the touch panel 12g of the payment device 12. Further, even if the payment device 12 receives payment information for a commercial transaction by a non-member, if an operation is performed on the card inquiry screen SC1 to indicate that a membership card is present, the first payment screen SC5 is displayed. . On the other hand, when an operation indicating that there is no membership card is performed on the card inquiry screen SC1, a second payment screen SC6 is displayed. Also, when payment information of a non-member including voucher payment information is received, the second payment screen SC6 is displayed.

Point payment can be selected as a payment method on the first payment screen SC5, but cannot be selected on the second payment screen SC6. The first payment screen SC5 is displayed when a commercial transaction by a member is completed. Points can be paid for transactions by members. Therefore, the shopper 22 who is a member can select point payment as the payment method. In other words, the shopper 22 who is a non-member will not accidentally select point payment.

On the other hand, on the second payment screen SC6, a button B43 for selecting point payment is displayed in a grayscale format in which selection is not possible. Therefore, it is possible to strongly appeal to non-member shoppers that they can pay for points by becoming a member.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
For example, in the embodiment, there are three payment methods that can be selected on the payment screen: cash payment, credit card payment, and point payment. However, other payment methods such as electronic money payment may be added to provide four or more payment methods. Alternatively, there may be two types of payment, cash payment and point payment, excluding credit card payment. Furthermore, in the case of member service operation in which points are not applied to payment, for example, only one pattern may be used for the second payment screen SC6.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the card inquiry screen SC1 displayed on the product registration device 11 and the card inquiry screen SC1 displayed on the payment device 12 are described as being the same screen. However, they do not necessarily have to be on the same screen. In short, any mode is sufficient as long as it is possible to inquire of the shopper 22 about the presence or absence of a membership card and to specify the result.

Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
Below, the invention described in the original claims of the present application will be added.
[1] A payment device that constitutes a checkout system together with a product registration device connected via a network, which sends payment information for settling commercial transactions for purchased products registered with the product registration device to the network. a receiving means for receiving information via the receiving means; a determining means for determining whether the payment information received by the receiving means is information processed as a commercial transaction using a membership card by the product registration device; When the information is information that is not processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, a confirmation display means for displaying on a display device a screen that inquires of the customer for the transaction whether or not the membership card is present and accepts an input of the presence or absence; When the payment information is information processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, or in response to receiving an input as to the presence or absence of the membership card, one of a plurality of payment methods is adopted. a selection display means for displaying on the display device a screen for accepting the selection input; and a processing means for performing payment processing on the payment information received by the reception means using the payment method for which the selection input has been accepted. A payment device characterized by:
[2] When the payment information is information processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, or when receiving an input indicating that the membership card is available, the selection display means includes a payment method using the membership card. A first screen is displayed on the display device that accepts a selection input of which method to adopt from among a plurality of payment methods, and when the input of the membership card is accepted, the payment method using the membership card is included. The payment device according to appendix [1], characterized in that the display device displays a second screen that accepts a selection input as to which payment method to adopt from among a plurality of payment methods.
[3] The payment device according to appendix [2], wherein the second screen is a screen that displays a payment method using the membership card in a manner that does not allow selection.
[4] The processing means further comprises updating means for updating the payment information received by the receiving means to information processed as a commercial transaction using the member card when the input indicating that the membership card is present is received, and the processing means The payment device according to any one of appendices [1] to [3], characterized in that payment processing using the payment method for which the selection input has been accepted is performed on the payment information updated by the updating means.
[5] In a checkout system comprising at least one product registration device and at least one payment device connected via a network, the product registration device includes a card reception means for accepting input of a membership card, and a card reception means for accepting the input of a purchased product. A registration means for acquiring a specified product code and registering sales data of the purchased product, and based on the sales data of the purchased product registered by the registration means during the registration period until the end of registration is instructed. generating means for generating payment information for settling a commercial transaction for purchased products together with information for identifying whether or not the input of the membership card has been accepted; and a transmission for transmitting the payment information to the payment device via the network. means, the payment device comprises a receiving device that receives payment information for settling a commercial transaction for purchased products registered in the product registration device via the network; Determination means for determining whether the payment information is information processed as a commercial transaction using a membership card by the product registration device, based on information identifying whether or not input of the membership card has been accepted. and, when the payment information is information that is not processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, a confirmation screen is displayed on the display device that inquires of the customer for the transaction as to whether or not the membership card is present and accepts an input of the presence or absence. a display means, and when the payment information is information processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, or in response to receiving an input of the presence or absence of the membership card, select one of the payment methods from a plurality of payment methods. selection display means for displaying on the display device a screen that accepts a selection input as to whether to adopt a method; and processing means for performing payment processing on the payment information received by the reception means using the payment method for which the selection input has been accepted; A checkout system characterized by being equipped with.
[6] A checkout system is configured together with a product registration device, and the computer of the payment device that receives payment information for settling commercial transactions for purchased products registered with the product registration device is connected to the computer of the payment device that receives the payment information from the product registration device. determining means for determining whether the information is processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card; and when the payment information is information that is not processed as a commercial transaction using the membership card, confirmation display means for displaying on a display device a screen that inquires of the customer about the presence of the transaction and accepts input of the presence or absence; and when the payment information is information that is being processed as a transaction using the membership card, or selection display means for displaying on the display device a screen for accepting a selection input of which payment method to adopt from among a plurality of payment methods in response to receiving an input of the presence or absence of a membership card; A control program for functioning as a processing means for performing payment processing on the payment information using the accepted payment method.

10...Checkout system, 11...Product registration device, 11a...CPU, 11b...ROM, 11c...RAM, 11d...Auxiliary storage unit, 11e...Drawer opening unit, 11f...Scanner, 11g...Touch panel, 11h...Printer, 11i... Card reader/writer, 11j...Communication unit, 11k...Transmission system, 12...Payment device, 12a...CPU, 12b...ROM, 12c...RAM, 12d...Auxiliary storage unit, 12e...Automatic change machine, 12f...Scanner, 12g...Touch panel , 12h...Printer, 12i...Card reader/writer, 12j...Communication unit, 12k...Transmission system, 31 (31a, 31b)...Member table, 32 (32a, 32b)...Registered product table, 33 (33a, 33b)...Total Table, 34 (34a, 34b)...Payment table.

Claims (6)

A payment device that constitutes a checkout system together with a product registration device connected via a network,
a first member information acquisition means for acquiring member information;
Payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information for purchased products registered with the product registration device;
a second member information acquisition unit that acquires member information obtained by the product registration device from the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition unit;
If the member information is not acquired by the second member information acquisition means and the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means, the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition means includes: recalculation means for recalculating the amount of the purchased item based on the member price;
a first display means for displaying a plurality of selectable payment methods when the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means or the second member information acquisition means;
If the member information is not acquired by the first member information acquisition means and the second member information acquisition means, a smaller number of selectable payment methods than the number displayed on the first display means is displayed. a second display means for displaying;
a payment means that performs payment processing based on the payment information using a payment method selected from among the payment methods displayed on the first display means or the second display means;
A payment device equipped with 2. The payment means, when the amount of the purchased product is recalculated by the recalculation means, performs the payment using a payment method selected from among the payment methods displayed on the first display means. payment device. Notifying means for notifying a user to input member information when the member information is not included in the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition means;
The payment device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The selectable payment methods displayed on the first display means include a payment method using points, and the selectable payment methods displayed on the second display means do not include the payment method using points. The payment device described in 1 or 2. 5. The payment device according to claim 4, wherein the second display means, in addition to displaying selectable payment methods, displays the payment method using points in a gray scale in which selection is not possible. The computer of the payment device that constitutes the checkout system together with the product registration device connected via the network ,
a first member information acquisition means for acquiring member information;
payment information acquisition means for acquiring payment information for purchased products registered in the product registration device;
a second member information acquisition unit that acquires member information obtained by the product registration device from the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition unit;
If the member information is not acquired by the second member information acquisition means and the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means, the payment information acquired by the payment information acquisition means includes: recalculation means for recalculating the amount of the purchased item based on the member price;
a first display means for displaying a plurality of selectable payment methods when the member information is acquired by the first member information acquisition means or the second member information acquisition means;
If the member information is not acquired by the first member information acquisition means and the second member information acquisition means, a smaller number of selectable payment methods than the number displayed on the first display means is displayed. a second display means for displaying; and
a payment means that performs payment processing based on the payment information using a payment method selected from among the payment methods displayed on the first display means or the second display means;
control program to function as