JP7365077B2 - Product sales data processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device and program.

2. Description of the Related Art A POS (Point Of Sales) terminal (POS register) that notifies an operator of a message by displaying a POPUP screen is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-106375

However, the display of the above message was performed each time, for example, in response to the reception of a message notification sent from the server at the POS register.
Therefore, even when a store clerk operating a POS register is performing an important task such as product registration, if a message is received, the message is displayed. In this case, the store clerk is required to temporarily suspend the product registration operation, check the message, and then delete it, which causes a decrease in work efficiency.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a product sales data processing device and a program in which notifications are displayed so as not to interfere with the work of a store clerk as an operator. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving message information, and a reception notification display indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means, when an operation related to accounting is performed. This is a product sales data processing device comprising display means for displaying information on a screen.

Further, one aspect of the present invention provides a computer as a product sales data processing device, a receiving means for receiving message information, a reception notification display indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means, and an operation related to accounting. This is a program for functioning as a display means on the screen where the process is performed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a product sales data processing device and a program in which notifications are displayed so as not to interfere with the work of a store clerk as an operator.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a POS system in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view and a side view showing an example of the appearance of a POS register in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a POS register in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS register in the first embodiment. It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a POS management device in the first embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a common message registration screen in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a display mode of a common message button in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a common message window in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual message transmission instruction operation regarding an individual message in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual message transmission instruction operation regarding an individual message in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual message transmission instruction operation regarding an individual message in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual message transmission instruction operation regarding an individual message in the first embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a display mode of an individual message button in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of a display mode of an individual message window in a 1st embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS management device and the POS register in the first embodiment in response to message registration. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS management device, the POS register as the transmission instruction source, and the POS register as the destination in the first embodiment regarding transmission and reception of individual messages. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register in connection with displaying a message in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a message window in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a message window in the second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register in the second embodiment in connection with displaying a message window. It is a figure showing an example of a common message registration screen in a 3rd embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by a POS register in connection with displaying a message window in the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A product sales data processing device as an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a POS system including a POS (Point Of Sales) register 1 (an example of a product sales data processing device) in this embodiment. The POS system shown in the figure is installed in one store, for example.
The POS system in the figure includes a plurality of POS registers 1 and one POS management device 100. The plurality of POS registers 1 and the POS management device 100 are connected to each other through a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

The POS register 1 is a terminal operated by a store clerk, and performs registration processing for products purchased by customers and payment processing for registered products. Note that hereinafter, the series of processes from product registration to settlement in one transaction will be referred to as accounting, and the series of processes from registration processing to settlement processing will also be referred to as accounting processing.

The POS management device 100 manages the POS register 1 in the POS system. Further, the POS management device 100 manages various information such as product master data. The POS management device 100 sends the latest product master to the POS register 1 as appropriate. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (for example, JAN code), product name (product name, item name), sales price, and discount information for each product.
The POS management device 100 acquires a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (for example, a server at the headquarters, a removable storage medium), and transmits it to the POS register 1 as appropriate.

Furthermore, in the POS management device 100 of this embodiment, messages to be displayed on the POS register 1 are registered. Message registration can be performed by a store clerk operating the POS management device 100. The message is used, for example, to convey business information to a store clerk who operates the POS register 1.
The POS management device 100 stores message information including registered messages, and transmits the stored message information to the POS register 1 at a predetermined timing. In response to receiving the message information, the POS register 1 displays a message button corresponding to the received message information on a touch panel display section used by the clerk as a display notifying that the message information has been received. When a touch operation is performed on a displayed message button, the POS register 1 displays a message corresponding to the touched message button.

Note that although the example in the figure shows an example in which one POS management device 100 is provided in one store, for example, one POS management device 100 may be provided corresponding to a plurality of stores. .

2 and 3 show an example of the appearance of the POS register 1 in this embodiment. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the POS register 1 of this embodiment seen from the side (front) of the clerk (operator) who operates the POS register 1, and FIG. 2(b) is a side view of the POS register 1. . Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the POS register 1 viewed from the right front.

The POS register 1 shown in the figure includes a display section 14 with a touch panel, a key operation section 15, a customer display section 16, an automatic change machine 17, a scanner section 18, a printing section 19, and a drawer 30.

The touch panel display unit 14 is a display device for a store clerk that includes a touch panel 14a. On the display unit 14 with a touch panel, a product registration screen corresponding to the product registration process, a checkout screen corresponding to the checkout process, and the like are displayed. Further, the store clerk can perform predetermined operations related to product registration, accounting, etc. on the touch panel 14a.

The key operation unit 15 is a keyboard provided with operation keys such as numerical keys for inputting the quantity during product registration processing, the amount of deposit received from the customer during accounting processing, and a closing key for closing the transaction. be.

The customer display unit 16 is a display device for notifying the customer of the product name and price of the product to be purchased.
The automatic change machine 17 is a change machine for discharging at least money out of the change to be paid to a customer into a change outlet 17a, and a deposit inlet 17b for inserting at least money out of the deposit deposited by the customer. Be prepared.

The scanner unit 18 reads code information (eg, barcode, etc.) attached to a product to be purchased, or code information written on a product catalog or product order sheet.
Note that the scanner unit 18 may be a reading device that reads not only barcodes but also, for example, two-dimensional codes.

The printing unit 19 is a printer device that prints out a receipt (accounting slip) that is a statement of the product to be purchased.

The drawer 30 is a storage unit that stores banknotes and coins received from customers, and is drawn out in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2(b) in response to the operation of the key operation unit 15.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS register 1. As shown in FIG. In the figure, blocks corresponding to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted.
As shown in the figure, the POS register 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a storage section 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a display section 14 with a touch panel, a key operation section 15, a customer display section 16, an automatic It includes a change machine 17, a scanner section 18, a printing section 19, a communication section 20, and a drawer 30.
The CPU 11, the storage section 12, the RAM 13, the touch panel display section 14, the key operation section 15, the customer display section 16, the automatic change machine 17, the scanner section 18, the printing section 19, the communication section 20, and the drawer 30 are connected to an internal bus and a communication section. They are connected to each other via wires.

The CPU 11 controls the POS register 1 by executing a program.
The storage unit 12 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 11, image data to be displayed on the touch panel display unit 14, and the like.
The RAM 13 is a memory that expands programs and work areas read from the storage unit 12. Further, the RAM 13 stores, for example, information regarding products imported from the POS management device 100.
The communication unit 20 communicates with the POS management device 100 and other POS registers 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the POS management device 100. The POS management device 100 in the figure includes a CPU 101, a communication section 102, a storage section 103, a RAM 104, a display section 105, and an operation section 106. The CPU 101, the communication section 102, the storage section 103, the RAM 104, the display section 105, and the operation section 106 are connected to each other via an internal bus and a communication line.

The CPU 101 controls the POS management device 100 by executing programs.
The communication unit 102 communicates with each of the POS registers 1.
The storage unit 103 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 101, message information, and the like.
The RAM 104 is a memory that expands programs and work areas read from the storage unit 103. Further, the RAM 104 stores information regarding products (product master) and the like.

The display unit 105 displays images under the control of the CPU 101.
The operation unit 106 collectively shows the operators and operation devices provided in the POS management apparatus 100. For example, the operation unit 106 includes a mouse, a keyboard, and the like.

In this embodiment, when there is a matter to be communicated to the store clerk who operates the POS register 1, the content of the matter to be communicated can be registered in advance in the POS management device 100 as a message (memo). The POS management device 100 transmits the registered message to the POS register 1 at a predetermined timing, and the POS register 1 displays the received message in accordance with the operation of the store clerk. In this way, business communications and the like can be transmitted to the store clerk who is operating the POS register 1, for example, even if the store clerks do not communicate with each other verbally.

Message registration in the POS management device 100 is performed by a store clerk's message registration operation on the POS management device 100. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the message registration operation in this embodiment will be described.
Here, an example will be exemplified in which there are two types of messages in this embodiment: a "common message" and an "individual message." The “common message” is a message sent to all POS registers 1 in response to registration in the POS management device 100. The POS management device 100 of this embodiment transmits information on the registered common message (common message information) to all POS registers 1 at once in response to the common message being registered.
An "individual message" is a message registered in the POS management device 100 that is sent to another designated POS register 1 in response to an individual message transmission instruction operation being performed for one POS register 1. This is the message that will be sent. The figure shows an example of a message registration operation for a "common message". In addition, in explaining the message registration operation below, an example will be exemplified in which the display unit 105 in the POS management device 100 is equipped with a touch panel.

When registering a common message, the store clerk as a message registrant performs a predetermined operation on the display unit 105 with a touch panel or the operation unit 106 to instruct display of a common message registration screen.
In response to the above operation, the POS management device 100 causes the display unit 105 to display a common message registration screen as shown in the figure. At the top left of the common message registration screen, "Memo settings (for permanent use)" is displayed, indicating that this is a common message registration screen.
On the common message registration screen, five message corresponding buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, BT1-3, BT1-4, and BT1-5 are arranged. In this case, the message corresponding buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, BT1-3, BT1-4, and BT1-5 each correspond to one message. Note that if there is no particular distinction between the message corresponding buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, BT1-3, BT1-4, and BT1-5, they will be referred to as message corresponding buttons BT1.

The title of the message is displayed in each of the message corresponding buttons BT1. The title of the message can be set by the clerk through a predetermined operation. In the same figure, messages corresponding to message response buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, BT1-3, BT1-4, and BT1-5 are shown as "Take over," "Special sale," "Morning assembly," and "Memo 4," respectively. ” and the title “Memo 5” are set. Here, the titles "Take over", "Special sale", and "Morning assembly" are the titles set by the store clerk, and the titles "Memo 4" and "Memo 5" are defaults, and the titles are set by the store clerk. Indicates that the That is, on the common message registration screen shown in the figure, common messages corresponding to up to five titles can be registered. Note that the number of message corresponding buttons BT1 on the common message registration screen, ie, the number of messages that can be registered, may be changed.

Further, seven unit message buttons BT2-1, BT2-2, BT2-3, BT2-4, BT2-5, BT2-6, and BT2-7 are arranged for each message corresponding button BT1. Hereinafter, unit message buttons BT2-1, BT2-2, BT2-3, BT2-4, BT2-5, BT2-6, and BT2-7 will be referred to as unit message buttons BT2 unless they are particularly distinguished.
The unit message button BT2 is a button corresponding to a predetermined unit of a message with a corresponding title. In the case of this embodiment, the unit message button BT2 is associated with a "line" unit as a predetermined unit in a message with a corresponding title. Unit message buttons BT2-1 to BT2-7 correspond to the first to seventh lines of the message, respectively. That is, in this case, a maximum of seven lines of messages can be created as a message corresponding to one title. The maximum number of characters in one line is predetermined. Here, we will take as an example a case where the maximum number of characters in one line is 16 characters.

At this point, the clerk registers the common messages corresponding to the title of ``handover'', such as ``Please be sure to create a special sale flyer for the weekend.'' and ``Lost item: Mr. A, it looks like you picked up your bicycle keys around 4 p.m.'' ” will be explained below.
In this case, the store clerk selects the message "Take over" as the editing target by performing a touch operation on the message corresponding button BT1 displayed as "Take over". Next, the clerk performs a touch operation on the unit message button BT2-1 of the unit message buttons BT2 arranged corresponding to the message corresponding button BT1, and can input the characters of the message from the first line. state. In this state, the clerk enters characters such as "For weekend use...". Since the maximum number of characters in one line is 16 characters, the store clerk inputs up to ``Be sure to create a special sale flyer''. After completing the input of characters up to this point, the clerk performs a touch operation on the unit message button BT2-2 to enable input of message characters from the second line, and inputs the remaining "Please.". In this case, the sentence ``Lost item: Mr. A, appears to have picked up his bicycle keys around 4 p.m.'' still remains. The clerk decided to leave one blank line and enter the following text: ``Lost item: Mr. A, bicycle key, seems to have been picked up around 4:00 p.m.''
Therefore, by performing a touch operation on the unit message button BT2-4, the clerk skips the third line and enters a state in which the characters of the message on the fourth line can be input. Then, the store clerk inputs "Lost item: Mr. A, bicycle key" out of "Lost item: Mr. A, bicycle key, looks like he picked it up around 4 p.m.". From here, the clerk further performs a touch operation on the unit message button BT2-5 to create a new line, making it possible to input the characters of the message on the fifth line, and then inputting the remaining characters "It looks like it will be picked up around 16:00." input.

When you have completed the character input up to this point, the character area of each line corresponding to the "takeover" message on the common message registration screen will be in the state shown in the figure, and the character input results for the message so far will be reflected. There is.
After confirming the character input result, the clerk performs a touch operation on the execution button BT31 to confirm the character input result thus far. In response to this operation, the contents of the message edited in response to the current "handover" are registered (including updates). In response to the newly registered message, the POS management device 100 transmits the common message information having the message content of “takeover” registered this time to all POS registers connected to the POS management device 100. Send to 1.

When the POS register 1 receives the common message information having the message content corresponding to the title of "Take over", the POS register 1 displays the received message in a manner superimposed on the main screen on the touch panel display section 14, as shown in FIG. A common message button BT41-1 corresponding to the common message is displayed. The common message button BT41-1 corresponds to a common message with a title of "takeover". Therefore, "takeover" is displayed on the common message button BT41-1.
Further, it is preferable that the common message button BT41-1 be displayed in a position that does not make it difficult for the store staff to see the main screen. Therefore, the figure shows an example in which a common message button BT41-1 is displayed at the upper left of the screen.
Note that the common message button BT41-1 corresponds to the title "Takeover", but in the following explanation, if the common message button is not distinguished according to the title, it will be described as the common message button BT41.

The common message button BT41-1 indicates that common message information is being received. Further, "Takeover" is displayed on the common message button BT41-1. That is, the title of the corresponding common message is displayed on the common message button BT41-1, so that it is possible to understand what type of message it is. Further, the common message button BT41-1 is displayed in a specific color (for example, red) indicating that it is unread, such as red, when the corresponding common message is not yet displayed.

Note that the figure shows an example in which the common message button BT41-1 is displayed on the touch panel display unit 14 in a state where a product registration screen for registering products is displayed as the main screen. However, the common message button BT41-1 is displayed in response to reception of common message information even if a main screen other than the product registration screen, such as a setting screen for setting functions, is displayed on the touch panel display unit 14. be done.
By displaying the common message button BT41-1 in this manner, the clerk operating the POS register 1 can understand that a common message regarding "handover" has been received. In addition, if the common message button BT41-1 regarding "handover" indicates an unread state, the clerk can confirm that the common message regarding "handover" has not yet been displayed on the POS register 1 that he/she is currently operating. (This has not been confirmed by the store staff).

The common message button BT41-1 can be touched at any time. When the store clerk performs a touch operation on the common message button BT41-1, a message window MDW1 indicating a common message regarding "handover" is displayed superimposed on the main screen, as illustrated in FIG. In addition, in response to the message window MDW1 being displayed in this way, the common message button BT41-1, which was previously displayed in a color indicating unread, is changed to a color indicating read. Ru. It should be noted that the display color indicating read status can be selected from a predetermined number of colors other than the specific color indicating unread status, for example, by operation.

By looking at the message window MDW1 displayed as shown in the figure, the store clerk can understand the content of the common message regarding "handover". After grasping the content of the common message, the store clerk can erase the display of the message window MDW1 by operating the "close" button BT50 arranged in the message window MDW1.

Here, the explanation returns to FIG. 6. The delete button BT32 in the figure is a button that is operated when deleting a registered common message. The store clerk performs a touch operation on the message corresponding button BT1 corresponding to the common message to be deleted from among the registered common messages to select the common message to be deleted, and performs a touch operation on the delete button BT32. This deletes the selected common message. As a result of the deletion, the title of the corresponding message corresponding button BT1 returns to its default state, for example, and the characters are deleted from the character area corresponding to each unit message button BT2, leaving it blank. Note that the operation procedure may be reversed to that described above, in which the delete button BT32 is operated and then the common message to be deleted is selected.

Further, the end button BT33 is a button that is touched to erase the common message registration screen and end the common message registration.

Further, the interrupt button BT34 is a button operated to erase (interrupt) the display of the corresponding common message button BT41 in the POS register 1 while maintaining the registration of the common message in the POS management device 100.
For example, if the store clerk wants to interrupt the display of the common message button BT41-1 with the title "Take over" in FIG. A touch operation is performed on button BT1-1. Note that, contrary to the above operation procedure, the touch operation on the message corresponding button BT1-1 may be performed, and then the touch operation on the interrupt button BT34 may be performed.
In response to such an operation, the POS management device 100 maintains the registration of the common message corresponding to the title "Takeover", and the POS register 1 maintains the registration of the common message corresponding to the title "Takeover". The display of the common message button BT41 corresponding to the common message is erased (interrupted).

The common message button BT41 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed so as to be resident on the touch panel display unit 14 of the POS register 1 in response to registration of a corresponding common message in the POS management device 100. Therefore, depending on the situation, although it is desirable to keep the registered contents, displaying the common message button BT41 may become troublesome. Therefore, suspending the display of the common message button BT41 is useful in such a situation.

Further, the "to contact" button BT35 in FIG. 6 is a button that is touched to instruct transition to an individual message registration screen for registering an individual message. The individual message registration screen has a similar aspect to the common message registration screen of FIG. 6, and individual messages can also be registered in the same manner as described above.
However, unlike common messages, individual messages are not sent all at once to the POS registers 1 immediately upon being registered in the POS management device 100, but are sent to one POS register 1 as explained below. In response to an individual message transmission instruction operation that instructs transmission of an individual message, transmission is performed from the POS management device 100 to another designated POS register 1.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, an example of an individual message transmission instruction operation performed on the POS register 1 and a display mode on the POS register 1 that receives an individual message in response to the individual message transmission instruction operation An example will be explained.

Here, a certain POS register 1 has run out of change, so the store clerk who is the operator of this POS register 1 informs the store clerk who is the operator of another POS register 1 that is not serving customers of the lack of change, and asks for change. Let's take the example of trying to receive replenishment of money as an example.
In the following explanation, the store clerk who wishes to notify of lack of change will be referred to as the store clerk who issued the transmission instruction, and the POS register 1 operated by the store clerk who issued the transmission instruction will also be referred to as the POS register 1 which issued the transmission instruction. Further, the clerk who receives the notification of lack of change is also called the destination clerk, and the POS register 1 operated by the destination clerk is also called the destination POS register 1.

In this case, the clerk at the source of the transmission instruction will transmit an individual message informing the POS register 1 of the lack of change to the POS register 1 operated by the clerk at the destination. For this purpose, the store clerk who sent the transmission instruction sends a message that is arranged as shown in FIG. A touch operation is performed on the button BT61.
In response to a touch operation on the contact button BT61, an individual message title selection window DWD1 is displayed in a superimposed manner on the main screen of the POS register 1 that is the source of the transmission instruction, as shown in FIG. In the individual message title selection window DWD1 shown in the figure, title selection buttons BT62-1, BT62-2 and an end button BT63 are arranged. Note that, hereinafter, if there is no particular distinction between the title selection buttons BT62-1 and BT62-2, they will be referred to as title selection buttons BT62.

Additionally, in the same figure, message buttons BT41-2, BT41-3, and BT41-4 are arranged according to three common messages with titles of "Special Sale," "Morning Assembly," and "Membership." The condition is shown.

In this case, the title selection button BT62-1 displays the title "Change". That is, the title selection button BT62-1 is a button that is operated when selecting an individual message to which the title "Change" is set from among the individual messages registered in the POS management device 100. The individual message to which the title "Change" is set has content informing that change is insufficient.
Further, in this case, the title selection button BT62-2 displays the title "Support". That is, the title selection button BT62-2 is a button that is operated when selecting an individual message with a title of "support" among the individual messages registered in the POS management device 100. The individual message with the title "Support" was sent to the clerk who was operating POS register 1 because the number of customers waiting to pay had increased. The content includes a request for assistance with accounting work.
In this way, in the individual message title selection window DWD1, the title selection button BT62-1 corresponding to the title "Change" and the title selection button BT62-2 corresponding to the title "Cheer" are arranged. indicates the following. In other words, in the POS management device 100, two individual messages are registered, one corresponding to the title "Change" and the other corresponding to the title "Support." There is.

The end button BT63 is a button that is touched to cancel the current individual message transmission instruction operation and end the display of the individual message title selection window DWD1.

In this case, the clerk who sent the transmission instruction wants to inform the clerk at the destination that there is a shortage of change, so select the title that displays the title "Change" from among the title selection buttons BT62-1 and BT62-2. Perform a touch operation on button BT62-1.
In response to the touch operation performed on the title selection button BT62-1, the display on the touch panel display section 14 changes from FIG. 9 to FIG. 10. That is, in the touch panel display section 14, instead of the individual message title selection window DWD1, an individual message confirmation window DWD2 is displayed superimposed on the main screen.
The individual message confirmation window DWD2 displays the contents of the individual message corresponding to the title selected by the operation on the individual message title selection window DWD1. In the same figure, the content of the individual message with the title "Change" is displayed as "I don't have enough change!". By looking at the content of the individual message displayed in this way, the clerk can confirm that the title he or she has selected is correct.

In the individual message confirmation window DWD2, a broadcast transmission button BT71, a selection transmission button BT72, and a "back" button BT73 are arranged.
The broadcast transmission button BT71 is a touch operation when specifying all the devices (POS register 1 and POS management device 100) connected to the POS management device 100 as the destination (display destination) of the individual message of the selected title. This is the button that will be executed.
The selection transmission button BT72 is a button that is touched to selectively designate a device (POS register 1 or POS management device 100) as a transmission destination (display destination) of an individual message of the selected title.
The "back" button BT73 is a button that is touched to return to the previous individual message title selection window DWD1 in response to, for example, a case where the selected title is incorrect.

In this case, the store clerk is thinking of informing one store clerk (the destination store clerk) who is currently not serving customers of the lack of change and asking him to replenish the change with coins. Therefore, the store clerk in this case performs a touch operation on the selection transmission button BT72.
In response to the touch operation performed on the selection transmission button BT72, the display on the touch panel display section 14 changes from FIG. 10 to FIG. 11. That is, the destination selection window DWD3 is displayed instead of the individual message confirmation window DWD2.

The destination selection window DWD3 is a button used to select a destination device for an individual message. In the destination selection window DWD3, three device selection buttons BT81-1, BT81-2, and BT81-3 and a back button BT82 are arranged.

The device selection button BT81-1 is a button that is touched when specifying the POS management device 100 as the destination of an individual message.
The device selection button BT81-2 is a button that is touched to specify the POS register 1 assigned the number 2 as the destination of the individual message. Further, the device selection button BT81-3 is a button that is touched when specifying the POS register 1 given the number 3 as the destination of the individual message. In other words, in this case, three POS registers 1, numbered 1 to 3, are arranged in the store, and since the POS register 1 that sent the transmission instruction was number 1, the remaining POS registers 2 and 3 In this situation, device selection buttons BT81-2 and BT81-3 corresponding to each register 1 are arranged.
Further, the "back" button BT82 is a button that is touched to return to the previous individual message confirmation window DWD2. For example, if you should have operated the broadcast send button BT71 in the individual message confirmation window DWD2, but accidentally operated the device selection button BT81-1 or BT81-2, the "Back" button BT82 is manipulated.

In this case, the store clerk was trying to inform the store clerk who is the operator of POS register 1 at number 2 of the lack of change. Therefore, the store clerk performs a touch operation on the device selection button BT81-2 corresponding to the second POS register 1.
When the device selection button BT81-2 is operated, the POS register 1 that is the source of the transmission instruction transmits an individual message transmission command to the POS management device 100. The individual message transmission command has contents that instruct the individual message to be transmitted and the destination device. The individual message transmission command in this case has contents that designate the individual message with the title "Change" as the transmission target and designate the No. 2 POS register 1 as the transmission destination.
The POS management device 100 that has received the individual message transmission command transmits individual message information including the individual message specified by the received individual message transmission command to the designated device. In this case, the POS management device 100 transmits individual message information including an individual message with a title of "change" to the second POS register 1.

When the transmission of the individual message information by the POS management device 100 is completed, for example, the POS management device 100 transmits a notification that the transmission of the individual message information has been successfully completed, as a response to the individual message transmission command. In response to receiving the notification that the transmission of individual message information has normally ended, the POS register 1 that is the transmission instruction source displays a normal end notification window DWD4 as shown in FIG. 12 instead of the destination selection window DWD3. Display it superimposed on the main screen.
The store clerk can confirm that the transmission of the individual message information has ended normally by looking at the normal end notification window DWD4. The normal end notification window DWD4 can be erased by, for example, performing a touch operation. Alternatively, it will be deleted after a certain period of time has elapsed without any touch operation being performed.

In the destination POS register 1, in response to receiving the individual message information as described above, as shown in FIG. 13, the individual message button BT42-1 corresponding to the received individual message information is newly set. Display. The individual message button BT42-1 is arranged at a position away from the common message button BT41 so that it can be distinguished from the common message button BT41.
Further, in this case, individual message information including an individual message with the title "Change" has been received. Therefore, the individual message button BT42-1 displays "Change", which is the title of the corresponding individual message.
The clerk operating the POS register 1 at the destination can know that the individual message information regarding "change" has been received by displaying the individual message button BT42-1 as shown in the figure.
In the following description, the individual message button will be referred to as an individual message button BT42 unless the corresponding title is particularly distinguished.

The clerk operating the destination POS register 1 can check the contents of the individual message regarding "change" by operating the individual message button BT42-1 at any timing. When the clerk operates the individual message button BT42-1, a message window MWD2 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the main screen, as shown in FIG. 14.
In the message window MWD2, a message informing the user that there is a lack of change, such as "I don't have enough change!", is displayed. Furthermore, in the message window MWD2, a display indicating the title of the individual message and the number of the POS register 1 that has sent the transmission instruction is displayed, such as "Change <<Sender cash register number: 000001>>". By looking at the message window MWD2 displayed in this way, the clerk operating POS register 1 at the destination can tell that POS register 1 is out of change and that the clerk at POS register 1 is out of change. It is possible to understand that it is necessary to replenish coins for change. Therefore, the clerk who operates the POS register 1 at the destination can immediately replenish the change.

A delete button BT70 is arranged in the message window MWD2. The clerk who operates the destination POS register 1 can erase the message window MWD2 by touching the delete button BT70. When a touch operation is performed on the delete button BT70, the message window MWD2 is deleted. Furthermore, the individual message in this embodiment is positioned to be used when transmitting temporary content as needed. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the message window MWD2 is deleted, the corresponding individual message button BT42-1 is also deleted. In response to the message window MWD2 and individual message button BT42-1 being deleted in this manner, the corresponding individual message information stored in the destination POS register 1 may also be deleted. However, the registration of the individual message in the POS management device 100 that is the sender is not deleted but is maintained.

Here, in this embodiment, when both a common message and an individual message are received at the POS register 1, a message button (common message button BT41, individual message button button BT42) is displayed. Furthermore, the message button can be operated by store staff at any time, and by operating the message button, a corresponding message (common message or individual message) will be displayed. .
That is, in this embodiment, even if a message is received from the POS management device 100, the received message is not displayed immediately, but the timing of display is left to the store clerk. This prevents, for example, a message window from being displayed on the product registration screen of the touch-panel display unit 14 while a store employee is registering a product while serving a customer, thereby interfering with the product registration process. However, since the message button is displayed, the store clerk can certainly know that the message has been received. Then, the store clerk can perform a touch operation on the message button to display the message and check the contents of the message at a time when the clerk no longer has to perform customer service tasks such as checkout. As a result, in this embodiment, the message can be notified without interfering with the work of the store clerk as the operator who operates the POS register 1.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the POS management device 100 and the POS register 1 in response to registration of a common message will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15.
Step S101: The POS management device 100 waits for the registration of one common message to be completed in accordance with the operation described with reference to FIG. 6 above. Note that the registration of the common message here may include not only new registration but also a case where the content is updated by editing an already registered common message.

Step S102: When it is determined in step S101 that the registration of one common message is completed, the POS management device 100 communicates the common message information regarding the currently registered common message with the POS management device 100 at the store. Send to all POS registers 1 that can be connected.
The common message information includes message type information indicating that the message type is a common message, title data (for example, text data) indicating the title set for the common message, and common message information registered by character input operation. and message data (for example, text data) indicating the content.
Note that, for example, there may be a POS register 1 that is communicably connected to the POS management device 100 but does not need to transmit a common message for some reason. In response to such a case, it may be possible to designate a POS register 1 to be excluded from the common message transmission target by, for example, registering it in advance with the POS management device 100.

Step S201: Meanwhile, the POS register 1 is waiting for common message information transmitted from the POS management device 100 to be received.
Step S202: When the common message information is received, the POS register 1 stores the received common message information in the RAM 13 (or the storage unit 12).

Step S203: Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the POS register 1 displays the common message button BT41 corresponding to the common message included in the received common message information so as to be superimposed on the main screen.
At this time, the common message button BT41 is arranged in a predetermined area on the screen allocated to common message buttons. Further, the title of the corresponding common message is displayed on the common message button BT41. The display of the title is performed based on the title data included in the received common message information. Furthermore, since the common message button BT41 displayed in step S203 is displayed for the first time in response to the display of common message information, the POS register 1 displays the common message button BT41 in a specific color indicating that it has not been read. Display BT41.

Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS management device 100, the POS register 1 as the transmission instruction source, and the POS register 1 as the destination will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 16 regarding the transmission and reception of individual messages.
Step S301: The POS register 1 that is the source of the transmission instruction is waiting for the individual message transmission instruction operation described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 to be performed.
Step S302: When the individual message transmission instruction operation is performed, the POS register 1 that is the transmission instruction source transmits an individual message transmission command to the POS management device 100. The individual message transmission command includes title specification information that specifies the title of the individual message selected by the individual message transmission instruction operation, and destination device information that indicates the destination device of the individual message specified by the individual message transmission instruction operation. and is included.

Step S401: The POS management device 100 is waiting for an individual message transmission command to be received.
Step S402: When the individual message transmission command is received, the POS management device 100 acquires from the storage unit 103 the individual message with the title indicated by the title designation information included in the received individual message transmission command. The POS management device 100 transmits the individual message information including the acquired individual message to the destination device indicated by the destination device information of the received individual message transmission command.
Individual message information includes message type information indicating that the message type is an individual message, title data (for example, text data) indicating the title set for the individual message, and individual messages registered by character input operation. message data (for example, text data) indicating the contents of the message.
Furthermore, as described above, the destination of the individual message is all POS registers 1 (which may include the POS management device 100), only the POS management device 100, and the selected POS register 1. There are cases where only

Note that if the POS management device 100 is included in the destination device indicated by the destination device information included in the individual message transmission command, the POS management device 100 executes the following process. That is, the individual message button BT42 corresponding to the individual message with the title indicated by the title designation information included in the received individual message transmission command is displayed on its own display unit 105.
Although not reflected in the figure, when the transmission of the individual message information in step S402 is completed, the POS management device 100 informs the POS register 1 of the transmission instruction source that the transmission of the individual message information is normal, as described above. Notify that it has ended. In response to receiving the notification, the POS register 1 that is the source of the transmission instruction displays a normal end notification window DWD4 as shown in FIG.

The figure exemplifies the process when the destination device is POS register 1.
Step S501: The destination POS register 1 is waiting for individual message information to be received.
Step S502: When receiving the individual message information, the destination POS register 1 stores the received individual message information in the RAM 13.

Step S503: Further, in response to receiving the individual message information, the destination POS register 1 displays the individual message button BT42 corresponding to the individual message included in the received individual message information, as illustrated in FIG. do.
At this time, the individual message button BT42 is arranged in a predetermined area assigned to individual message buttons on the screen. Further, the title of the corresponding individual message is displayed on the individual message button BT42. The title is displayed based on the title data included in the received individual message information. Further, the individual message button BT42 is also displayed in a specific color indicating that it has not been read.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register 1 in this embodiment in connection with displaying messages (common message, individual message) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 17. Note that the process shown in the figure is similarly performed in the POS management device 100 in a state where the message buttons (common message button BT41, individual message button BT42) are displayed.

Step S601: The POS register 1 determines whether a touch operation has been performed on the common message button BT41 displayed on the touch panel display section 14.
Step S602: When it is determined in step S601 that a touch operation has been performed on the common message button BT41, the POS register 1 displays a common message window MWD1 of the common message corresponding to the common message button BT41 on which the touch operation has been performed. is displayed in the manner illustrated in FIG.
Step S603: Further, if the common message button BT41 on which the touch operation was performed in step S601 has been in a color indicating unread, the POS register 1 changes it to a read state. Specifically, the common message button BT41 is changed to a color set corresponding to the read state. Note that if the common message button BT41 is already in a color indicating that it has been read, the process of step S603 may be skipped.

Step S604: With the common message window MWD1 displayed, the POS register 1 waits for the "close" button BT50 in the common message window MWD1 to be operated.
Step S605: When the "close" button BT50 is operated, the POS register 1 erases the common message window MWD1. After the process in step S605, the process returns to step S601.

Step S606: If the displayed common message button BT41 is not operated, or if the common message button BT41 is not displayed and cannot be operated, the POS register 1 executes the following process. That is, the POS register 1 determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed on the individual message button BT42 displayed on the touch panel display section 14.
If the displayed individual message button BT42 is not operated, or if the individual message button BT42 is not displayed and cannot be operated, the process returns to step S601.

Step S607: When it is determined in step S601 that a touch operation has been performed on the individual message button BT42, the POS register 1 displays the individual message window MWD2 of the individual message corresponding to the individual message button BT42 on which the touch operation has been performed. is displayed in the manner illustrated in FIG.
Step S608: With the individual message window MWD2 displayed, the POS register 1 waits for the delete button BT70 in the individual message window MWD2 to be operated.
Step S609: When the delete button BT70 is operated, the POS register 1 deletes the individual message window MWD2 displayed in step S607.
Step S610: In addition, the POS register 1 erases the individual message window MWD2 and also erases the corresponding individual message button BT42.
Step S611: Further, the POS register 1 erases the individual message window MWD2 and the individual message button BT42, and also deletes the corresponding individual message information stored in the RAM 13. After the process in step S611, the process returns to step S601.

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, in response to receiving message information (common message information, individual message information), the POS register 1 first displays corresponding message buttons (common message button BT41, individual message button BT42). I was supposed to.
However, for example, in a situation where the clerk who is the operator of POS register 1 is not serving customers, the message window (common message window MWD1, individual message window MWD2) may be opened immediately when message information is received. Even if the information is displayed, it is unlikely that the work efficiency of store staff will be hindered.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the POS register 1 is in a predetermined operating state in which message display is permitted (message display enabled operating state), the received message can be displayed even if the clerk does not operate the message button. Make the message window appear. At this time, for common messages that are resident, a message window is displayed for unread ones, and a message window is not displayed for already read ones. This prevents a common message that has already been confirmed by the store clerk from being repeatedly displayed every time the POS register 1 enters the message display permission operating state.

In this embodiment, the message display permission operation state specifically includes a standby mode state in which the POS register 1 is in a standby state, and a state in which processing other than accounting processing is performed.
Accounting processing is a series of processing from product registration processing to settlement processing corresponding to one transaction. Processing other than accounting processing includes, for example, maintenance-related processing under maintenance mode, accounting processing as training under training mode, and the like.
On the other hand, the message display prohibited operation state in which automatic message display is prohibited is accounting processing in normal mode, not training mode. The fact that the checkout process is in progress means that the store clerk is operating the POS register 1 while serving customers. Automatically displaying a message window in such a situation would be troublesome for the clerk and reduce work efficiency. Therefore, during accounting processing, the message window is not displayed automatically, but can only be displayed manually (by operating the message button).

Here, in this embodiment, if multiple messages have been received before entering the message display permission operating state, there may be multiple messages to be displayed in response to entering the message display permission operating state. There is.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when displaying a message in response to entering the message display permission operation state, if there are multiple messages to be displayed, a message window in which the multiple messages are organized into a page structure is displayed. let

FIG. 18 shows an example of a display mode of a message window MWD11 in which a plurality of messages are arranged into a page structure. The message window MWD11 in the figure corresponds to the initial display state, and the first page out of a total of three pages is displayed. The message window MWD11 in the figure has three pages in total, and the fact that the first page is displayed is indicated by the page information PG in the upper right corner of the message window MWD11.

A "close" button BT81 is arranged in the message window MWD11. When a touch operation is performed on the "close" button BT81, the message window MWD11 is closed (that is, the display is erased).

Furthermore, a "next" button BT82 is arranged in the message window MWD11. By performing a touch operation on the "Next" button BT82, the message window MWD11 is switched to display the next page of messages.
FIG. 19 shows an example of a message window MWD11 that is displayed in response to a touch operation on the "next" button BT82 in the state shown in FIG. 18. In the message window MWD11 shown in the figure, the page information PG indicates that the second page message out of a total of three messages is displayed.
In addition, in the message window MWD11 in the figure, since there is a page previous to the current page, a "previous" button BT83 is further arranged in addition to the "next" button BT82. ing. When a touch operation is performed on the "previous" button BT83, the message window MWD11 switches to display the message of the previous page.

In this way, in the page-structured message window MWD11, by operating the "Next" button BT82 and "Previous" button BT83, the display can be switched page by page and the contents of multiple messages can be checked. be able to.

Furthermore, the message on the first page in the message window MWD11 in FIG. 18 is a message for the store clerk that has business-related content to be conveyed to the store clerk. On the other hand, the message on the second page in the message window MWD11 in FIG. 19 is a message directed to a customer and has content that should be communicated from a store clerk to a specific customer.
In this embodiment, for example, the display mode in the message window MWD11 is changed depending on whether a message is displayed for the store staff or a message for the customer.
As a change in the display mode, for example, the color of a predetermined portion of the message window MWD11 can be made different depending on whether a message is displayed for store staff or a message for customers. Furthermore, text may be displayed to indicate whether the message is for store staff or customers. By changing the display mode in this way, the clerk who is the operator of the POS register 1 can visually understand whether the displayed message is for the clerk or the customer.
In order to make the appearance of the message window MWD11 different between messages for store staff and messages for customers, for example, when registering messages (common messages, individual messages) in the POS management device 100, messages for store staff and messages for customers It may be possible to set whether the message is for a specific person or not.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register 1 in connection with displaying the message window MWD11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 20. Note that the process shown in the figure is similarly performed in the POS management device 100 that has received the message.

Step S701: The POS register 1 determines at regular intervals whether it is in standby mode, or if it is not in standby mode, it is executing a process other than accounting processing.
If the system is not in standby mode and is not executing any process other than accounting processing, that is, if accounting processing is in progress, the processing shown in the figure is temporarily terminated, and step S701 is executed again after a certain period of time. Ru.

Step S702: If it is determined in step S701 that the system is in standby mode or that processing other than accounting processing is being executed, the POS register 1 selects an unread common message from among the message information stored in the RAM 13. Corresponding common message information and individual message information are acquired. As described above, the individual message information is displayed once and then deleted when it becomes read, so the individual message information stored in the RAM 13 is in an unread state.
Note that if the common message information corresponding to the unread common message is not stored in the RAM 13, the common message information corresponding to the unread common message may not be acquired in step S702. Similarly, if the individual message is not stored in the RAM 13, the individual message information may not be acquired in step S702.

Step S703: Using the message information acquired in step S702, the POS register 1 superimposes the message window MWD11 with the page structure on the main screen of the touch panel display unit 14, for example, in the manner illustrated in FIG. indicate.
Step S704: Further, if the message window MWD11 includes a common message page, the POS register 1 changes the common message button BT41 corresponding to the common message included in the message window MWD11 from a color indicating an unread state to a read state. Change the color to indicate.

According to the process shown in the figure, if message information is received in the standby mode or in a state where a process other than accounting processing is being executed, the message information received this time is directly acquired in step S702, and in step S703 The display is performed by That is, the POS register 1 in this case immediately displays the message window MWD11 corresponding to the received message information at the timing when the message information is received.
Also, during the checkout process, as in the first embodiment, when the clerk performs a touch operation on a message button, a message window (MWD1, MWD2) of one message corresponding to the operated message button is displayed. be able to.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 21 shows an example of a common message registration screen in this embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

On the common message registration screen shown in the same figure, priority setting boxes BX-1 and BX- 2, BX-3, BX-4, and BX-5 are placed. Note that hereinafter, if priority setting boxes BX-1 to BX-5 are not particularly distinguished, they will be referred to as priority setting boxes BX.

The priority setting box BX is a box in which an operation is performed to set the priority (priority order) of a maximum of five common messages that can be registered for the corresponding common messages. In the priority setting box BX in the figure, the priority can be set by selecting any number from "1" to "5" from a pull-down menu.
Note that the priority setting operation in the priority setting box BX using the pull-down menu is just one example; for example, the priority may be set by inputting a character as a number from "1" to "5". It may be done as follows.

Although not shown, a priority setting box BX is also arranged on the individual message registration screen in the same way as in the same figure. Thereby, the priority can also be set for individual messages by the same operation as above.

In this embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, when the standby mode or processing other than accounting processing is being executed, a message window MWD11 containing messages that have not been displayed yet is displayed.
However, in this embodiment, messages included in the message window MWD11 have a set priority higher than a certain level, and messages with a priority lower than a certain level can be displayed in the message window MWD11 even if they have not been displayed yet. Not included in MWD11.

For example, if the message window MWD11 that is automatically displayed in response to standby mode or processing other than accounting processing is configured to include all messages that have not yet been displayed, the If there are many missing messages, the number of pages in the message window MWD11 will also increase. In this case, it will take some time for the store clerk to check the messages on each page. Under such circumstances, for example, if a message of low importance is included in the page of the message window MWD11, which the store staff only needs to check when they have free time, this may reduce the work efficiency of the store staff. become.
Therefore, in this embodiment, only messages having a priority level of a certain level or higher are included in the page of the message window MWD11. As a result, the store clerk only needs to check messages whose importance level exceeds a certain level using the message window MWD11, so that there is no major hindrance to business operations. Furthermore, for messages whose importance level is less than a certain level, the store clerk may perform a touch operation on the message button corresponding to the message he/she wishes to display, as in the first embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the conditions for displaying the corresponding message are changed according to the priority set in the message information.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the POS register 1 in this embodiment in connection with displaying the message window MWD11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 22. In the figure, steps that are similar to those in FIG. 20 are given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 20, and the description thereof will be omitted.
Step S702A: If it is determined in step S701 that the system is in standby mode or that processing other than accounting processing is being executed, POS register 1 stores message information corresponding to the message to be included in message window MWD1 as follows. get.
In this embodiment, the common message information and individual message information transmitted from the POS management device 100 further include priority information indicating the set priority. Therefore, from among the unread common message information and individual message information stored in the RAM 13, the POS register 1 acquires messages whose set priorities are higher than a certain level. That is, in step S701 of FIG. 20, all the unread common message information and individual message information stored in the RAM 13 are acquired, whereas in step S702A, the unread common message information stored in the RAM 13 is acquired. Narrow down and acquire items with a certain priority level from the information and individual message information. Specifically, for example, if a message with a priority of "2" or higher is to be acquired, depending on step S702A, unread common message information with a priority of "1" or "2" and the same priority Individual message information with "1" or "2" is acquired.
Then, in step S703, the POS register 1 displays a message window MWD11 including a page corresponding to each piece of message information acquired in step S702A. As a result, the displayed message window MWD11 includes only pages of messages having a priority level higher than a certain level.

<Modified example>
Modifications of this embodiment will be described below.
[First modification]
In the third embodiment, a message window MWD11 is displayed with pages of messages having a priority level higher than a certain level. In this case, the pages in the page structure may be arranged in descending order starting from page 1, from the highest priority to the lowest priority.
Further, the font color of the message and the background color (background pattern may be used) of the sheet of the page may be made different for each page depending on the priority, so that the store clerk can easily identify the priority. Alternatively, an icon resembling a human face, for example, may be arranged on each page, and the expression of the icon may be made to depict a person as being anxious or relaxed, depending on the priority.

[Second modification]
In addition, as a modification of the third embodiment, the priority is divided into three ranks, and the message with the highest priority is changed to the state of POS register 1 in response to being received at POS register 1. It may be displayed immediately regardless. The message with the second highest priority may be automatically included and displayed in the message window MWD11 when the standby mode or processing other than accounting processing is being executed.

[Third modification]
Further, in the above embodiment, for example, a common message is transmitted in response to completion of registration (update) in the POS management device 100, and the corresponding common message button BT41 is pressed in the POS register 1. I wanted it to be displayed.
However, for example, the POS management device 100 may transmit message information (temporary message information) regarding a common message that is currently being registered to the POS register 1. In this case, the POS register 1 that has received the provisional message information may notify that there is a common message that is currently being registered, for example, by displaying a message button indicating that the common message is currently being registered.
When the message button of a common message that is being registered is operated, for example, partial message information such as the title, summary, and initial specified number of characters may be displayed in the message window MWD1 based on the received provisional message information. .
Then, in response to the completion of the registration of the common message that was in the process of being registered and the complete common message information being sent from the POS management device 100, the POS register 1 erases the message button for the common message that is in the process of being registered. However, the common message button BT41 may be displayed normally.

[Fourth modification]
Further, in the previous embodiment, the message window MWD1 for the common message is deleted in response to an operation on the "close" button BT50 arranged in the same message window MWD1. Similarly, the message window MWD2 for the individual message is deleted in response to an operation on the "delete" button BT70 arranged in the same message window MWD1.
However, for example, message windows MWD1 and MWD2 may be displayed in response to the resumption of an operation by a store clerk to register a product (for example, an operation to scan a barcode attached to a product, or an operation to input a code for a product). It may also be erased. Thereby, the store clerk can erase the message window and restart the product registration operation without having to operate the button for erasing the display of the message window.

[Fifth modification]
Furthermore, when registering a message (message common message, individual message) in the POS management device 100, the position on the main screen where the corresponding message button or message window is displayed can also be specified in the POS register 1. good.

[Sixth variation]
Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, even after the common message is displayed, the common message button BT41 is maintained to indicate a read state. In other words, it is possible to display it again. On the other hand, once an individual message is displayed, the corresponding individual message button BT42 is deleted and cannot be displayed again.
However, in the same way as common messages, for individual messages, even after they have been displayed, the read status is indicated, and the display of the individual message button BT42 is maintained so that it can be displayed again. It's okay.

[Seventh modification]
Furthermore, in the explanation so far, messages are registered by operating the POS management device 100. However, the message registration process may be executed in the POS management apparatus 100 by remote operation of the POS management apparatus 100 from the POS register 1, for example.

[Eighth modification]
Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, restrictions may be imposed on the transmission of message information as follows.
For example, when a message is being registered in the POS management device 100, transmission of message information may be prohibited for both the message being registered and the registered message.
For example, when it is possible to register a message by operating the POS register 1 as in the seventh modification, the message may be in a state in the middle of being registered depending on the message registration operation being performed in the POS register 1. In this case, transmission of message information regarding a message that is currently being registered may be prohibited.
Further, the POS register 1 may become unable to communicate with the POS management device 100 (offline state) due to the occurrence of a failure or maintenance. Therefore, for example, when the POS management device 100 sends message information in response to message registration, the message information is sent to the POS register 1 that is in a communicable state (online state), but not to the POS register 1 that is offline. Sending of messages may be prohibited.
Further, when registering a message, it may be possible to set the type of clerk who can view the message. In this case, the message information includes clerk information indicating the type of clerk who can view the message. In the POS register 1, for example, a message button corresponding to each received message is displayed. Then, in response to the operation on the message button, the POS register 1 determines the type of clerk registered as the operator of the POS register 1 as indicated by the clerk information included in the message information. It is determined whether or not it is included in the store clerk type. In other words, it is determined whether or not the store clerk acting as an operator can view the message. The POS register 1 displays a message window when it is viewable, but displays, for example, an error message without displaying the message window when it is not viewable.
Alternatively, upon receiving the message information, the POS register 1 determines whether the received message information can be viewed by the store clerk acting as an operator, and if the message can be viewed, a message button is displayed; For example, the message button may not be displayed.
Furthermore, when registering messages, for example, restrictions may be imposed on the titles of messages that can be registered depending on the type of store clerk. In this case, the POS management device 100 determines which messages have registrable titles and which messages have non-registrable titles, based on the type of clerk registered as the operator of the POS management device 100 . The POS management device 100 accepts only registration operations for messages with titles determined to be registrable.

[Ninth modification]
Further, in the explanation of FIG. 6, the seven unit message buttons BT2 corresponding to one message corresponding button BT1 each corresponded to one line in one message displayed in the message window.
However, for example, one message correspondence button BT1 may be made to correspond to a message category, and then one message belonging to the corresponding category may be made to correspond to each unit message button BT2.
In this case, for example, a message button displayed on the POS register 1 corresponds to one category. Furthermore, there is a possibility that a plurality of messages are registered in one category. Therefore, in this case, in response to a touch operation performed on a message button, a plurality of messages belonging to a category corresponding to the operated message button may be displayed in a page-structured message window. Due to this aspect, the page-structured message window can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[10th modification]
Further, the position where the message window is displayed does not need to be approximately at the center of the main screen, and may be changed as appropriate. Further, the size of the message window can also be changed, and for example, the message window may be displayed using the entire display area of the display section 14 with a touch panel.

[Eleventh modification]
Furthermore, the display of message buttons and message windows in this embodiment can also be applied to a POS system in which a registration device for store clerks to register products and a payment device for customers to pay are separated.
In the case of such a POS system, for example, message information is sent from the POS management device 100 to a registration device operated by a store clerk, and message buttons and message windows are displayed on the registration device. be able to.
Furthermore, in such a POS system, the POS management device 100 sends message information for clerks or customers to the payment device, so that message buttons and message windows can be displayed on the payment device. It can be done. Regarding the message button displayed on the payment device, if the message is for the customer, for example, a guide will be displayed to prompt the customer to operate the message button, so that the customer can perform the operation to display the message. You can also do this.
Furthermore, when displaying messages for customers on the payment device, the language of the guidance and messages displayed on the payment device may be changed, for example, by a clerk's operation on the registration device. As a result, even if, for example, the customer is a foreigner and therefore has difficulty communicating with a store employee who is a national of his or her country, the customer can smoothly pay the bill.
Further, for example, in the payment device, the native language may be displayed in addition to the foreign language. In this case, we are assuming that the customer is a foreigner, so for example, if you display a row for the native language below the row for the foreign language, you can Easy to read. Further, at this time, the registration device side may also display a display in which the foreign language and the native language are written together, similar to the payment device. At this time, since the registration device assumes that a national is operating the registration device as a store clerk, in order to make it easy for the clerk to see, the foreign language is displayed under the row for the national language, contrary to the payment device. The line may be displayed.
Furthermore, when outputting guidance or messages in a foreign language using the payment device, the information may be output in the form of audio. At this time, the guidance or message may be outputted only by voice without displaying the foreign language, or the foreign language display and voice output may be used together. Also, when outputting audio, for example, the foreign language audio may be output after the native language audio, or vice versa, the native language audio may be output after the foreign language audio output. .
Further, the configuration for changing the language of messages in this way can also be applied to the POS register 1 of this embodiment, in which everything from product registration to checkout is performed in one device. This configuration is effective when the store clerk is a foreigner and has difficulty reading and understanding Japanese.

[12th modification]
In addition to the condition of being in the message display permission operation state of the second embodiment, the following conditions ( Display conditions) may be set in the message. Setting display conditions for a message in this modification can be performed, for example, by an operation when registering a message.
For example, it may be possible to set a time during which messages can be displayed. The time to be set may be a specific time, time period, or the like, or may be, for example, the elapsed time from the transmission of the message information. Alternatively, the time period may be the elapsed time since the store clerk as an operator logged in to the POS register 1. One example of suitable content for a message to be displayed after a predetermined elapsed time has elapsed from login is one that urges the store clerk to take a break.
Further, it is also possible to set as a display condition that the customer satisfies a predetermined condition, such as being a member eligible for a special discount. In this case, for example, when a membership card is read by the POS register 1 and it is determined that the customer satisfies predetermined conditions, a corresponding message may be displayed in a message window.

<Summary of embodiments>
As explained above, one aspect of the present embodiment includes a receiving means for receiving message information and a reception notification display (for example, display of a message button) indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means at the checkout. This is a POS register 1 (an example of a product sales data processing device) including display means for performing related operations on a screen.
According to the above configuration, even if message information is received at the POS register 1, the message is not displayed immediately, but a display indicating that the message information has been received is first performed. This prevents messages from being displayed during, for example, checkout processing, and prevents the store clerk from interrupting the operations he has been performing on the POS register 1. As a result, it becomes possible to display notifications without interfering with the clerk's work.

Further, one aspect of the present embodiment is the above-mentioned POS register 1, in which the display means responds to an operation of touching an operation body on an area corresponding to the reception notification display performed on the touch panel. Display received message information.
According to the above configuration, message information can be displayed by a simple and easy-to-understand operation such as, for example, performing a touch operation on a message button indicating that message information has been received.

Further, one aspect of the present embodiment is the above-mentioned POS register 1, in which the display means displays received message information in a standby state.
According to the above configuration, in a situation where the POS register 1 is in a standby state and the clerk is not doing any work related to accounting, the received message information can be automatically displayed, and the clerk can This saves the effort of performing operations to display information.

Further, one aspect of the present embodiment is the above-mentioned POS register 1, in which the display means displays received message information when processing other than predetermined processing is being performed.
According to the above configuration, in a situation where the POS register 1 is performing processing other than accounting processing and the store clerk is not particularly engaged in accounting-related work, the received message information can be automatically displayed. This saves the store clerk the trouble of displaying the message information.

Further, one aspect of the present embodiment is the above-mentioned POS register 1, in which the display means changes the conditions under which the received message information is displayed based on the priority set to the received message information. .
According to the above configuration, message information with a high priority can be displayed more easily by setting conditions. This allows store staff to prioritize and check important messages.

Further, in one aspect of the present embodiment, the computer as the POS register 1 is configured to include a receiving means for receiving message information, and a reception notification display indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means, when an operation related to accounting is performed. This is a program that functions as a display means on the screen that is displayed.

Note that a program for realizing the functions of the POS register 1 and the POS management device 100 described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Accordingly, the above-described POS register 1 may perform processing as the POS management device 100. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Further, a "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a communication line such as a dedicated line, etc. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided internally or externally that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in an executable form on the terminal device, the format in which it is stored on the distribution server does not matter. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined on a terminal device, or the distribution servers that deliver each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, a ``computer-readable recording medium'' refers to a storage medium that retains a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network. This shall also include things. Moreover, the above-mentioned program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1 POS register, 11 CPU, 12 Storage unit, 13 RAM, 14 Display unit with touch panel, 14a Touch panel, 15 Key operation unit, 16 Customer display unit, 17 Automatic change machine, 17a Change outlet, 17b Deposit slot, 18 Scanner section, 19 Printing section, 20 Communication section, 30 Drawer, 100 POS management device, 101 CPU, 102 Communication section, 103 Storage section, 104 RAM, 105 Display section, 106 Operation section

Claims (5)

Equipped with a management device at the source and a sales data processing device at the destination,
The source management device is:
By setting a message title and setting first message information input in association with the set message title, and transmitting the set first message information to the destination sales data processing device, first message information setting means for causing a display related to the set first message information to be executed on a screen on which accounting-related operations of the destination sales data processing device are performed;
A screen on which accounting-related operations of the destination sales data processing device are performed by transmitting second message information selected from pre-registered second message information to the destination sales data processing device. a second message information setting means for causing a display related to the second message information to be displayed on the second message information ;
The destination sales data processing device is
a receiving means for receiving message information;
Display means for displaying a reception notification indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means and the message information on a screen on which operations related to accounting are performed,
The reception notification display includes a first reception notification display according to the first message information and a second reception notification display according to the second message information,
The display means maintains the first reception notification display corresponding to the first message information even when the first message information changes from unread to read, and when the second message information changes from unread to read. The second reception notification display corresponding to the second message information is erased accordingly.
Sales data processing system. The first message information setting means transmits the set first message information to a sales data processing device of a predetermined destination,
The sales data processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the second message information setting means transmits the selected second message information to a sales data processing device of a designated destination. The second message information setting means selects one of second message information notifying that the sales data processing device has run out of change and second message information requesting another clerk to assist with checkout work. The sales data processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected second message information is transmitted to a destination sales data processing device. A sales data processing system comprising a transmission source management device and a transmission destination sales data processing device,
The sender's management device sets a message title, sets first message information input in association with the set message title, and uses the set first message information as sales data of the sender. By transmitting the message to the processing device, a display related to the set first message information is executed on the screen where operations related to accounting of the destination sales data processing device are performed, and the first message information registered in advance is displayed. By transmitting the second message information selected from the second message information to the destination sales data processing device, the second message information is displayed on the screen where accounting-related operations are performed on the destination sales data processing device. The display related to the message information is now executed.
In the sales data processing system, the computer as the destination sales data processing device ,
receiving means for receiving message information;
A program for functioning as a display means for displaying a reception notification indicating that message information has been received by the receiving means and message information on a screen on which operations related to accounting are performed, the program comprising:
The reception notification display includes a first reception notification display according to the first message information and a second reception notification display according to the second message information,
The display means maintains the first reception notification display corresponding to the first message information even when the first message information changes from unread to read, and when the second message information changes from unread to read. The second reception notification display corresponding to the second message information is erased accordingly.
program. A program in a sales data processing system for causing a first computer to function as a transmission source management device and a second computer to function as a transmission destination sales data processing device, the program comprising:
the first computer;
By setting a message title and setting first message information input in association with the set message title, and transmitting the set first message information to the destination sales data processing device, first message information setting means for causing a display related to the set first message information to be displayed on a screen on which operations related to accounting of the destination sales data processing device are performed;
A screen on which accounting-related operations of the destination sales data processing device are performed by transmitting second message information selected from pre-registered second message information to the destination sales data processing device. a first program for functioning as a second message information setting means for executing a display related to second message information;
the second computer;
receiving means for receiving message information;
a second program for functioning as a display means for displaying a reception notification indicating that the message information has been received by the receiving means and the message information on a screen on which operations related to accounting are performed;
The reception notification display includes a first reception notification display according to the first message information and a second reception notification display according to the second message information,
The display means maintains the first reception notification display corresponding to the first message information even when the first message information changes from unread to read, and when the second message information changes from unread to read. The second reception notification display corresponding to the second message information is erased accordingly.
program .

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