JP7410602B2 - system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system.

2. Description of the Related Art Patent Document 1 discloses an accounting device (POS (Point of Sales) system) that processes accounting operations for billed amounts using multiple payment types including gift certificates.

Patent No. 3507289

By the way, when a store clerk scans the barcode attached to a product with a registration device, transaction information based on the barcode data is registered in the storage device, and the transaction information based on the registered transaction information is determined based on the purchase price of the product. There is a POS system that performs checkout. In such a POS system, the registration device only registers transaction information, the customer moves to a payment device separate from the registration device, and the customer operates the payment device himself to pay with cash. Mainly assumed.

However, the POS system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to perform payment according to the customer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows payment to be made according to the customer.

A POS system that is one aspect of the present invention is a POS system that includes a registration device and a payment device, and the registration device includes a registration section that registers transaction information based on purchased products for each transaction, and a gift certificate acceptance unit that accepts a gift certificate with a face value greater than the purchase price of the product determined by the information; a cash injection declaration unit that accepts a cash injection declaration operation that declares that cash will be inserted into the payment device; a communication unit that outputs information for determining whether or not a cash injection declaration operation is accepted in the payment apparatus, in association with the transaction information, to the payment apparatus; The settlement device includes a display unit that displays the purchase amount determined by the transaction information, and a determination unit that determines whether or not the cash injection declaration operation has been received in the registration device based on the information for determining the presence or absence of the cash injection declaration operation. and a cash payment unit that executes payment in cash, and the display unit displays information that prompts an operation to perform payment when the determination unit determines that the cash injection declaration operation is not accepted. If the determination unit determines that the cash injection declaration operation has been accepted, information prompting the cash injection unit to be displayed is displayed, and the cash settlement unit determines that the determination unit has not accepted the cash injection declaration operation. In this case, the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value is paid out as change, and when the determination unit determines that the cash injection declaration operation has been accepted, the cash insertion is accepted and the purchase amount is subtracted from the face value. The amount obtained by adding the received amount of cash to the received amount will be paid out as change.

According to the present invention, payment can be made according to the customer.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of accounting processing using a POS system in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a POS system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a registration device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of an image displayed on a registration device in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the image displayed on the registration device in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing an example of a checkout ticket in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation procedure of the registration device which performs settlement with a gift certificate in one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a settlement device in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a guidance image displayed on a payment device in one embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the flow of accounting processing using a POS system. A POS system is installed in a store, for example. The POS system includes a registration device 20 and a payment device 30. There may be a plurality of registration devices 20 and a plurality of payment devices 30, respectively. The registration device 20 scans a barcode attached to a product purchased by a customer by the operation of a store clerk. The registration device 20 registers product transaction information in the storage unit based on the barcode data. The product transaction information may include, for example, a transaction identification number, a product identification number, and information indicating the number of products.

When registration of product transaction information is completed for the barcodes of all products purchased by the customer, the registration device 20 receives an operation input (for example, a completion key by a store clerk) to declare completion of registration of product transaction information. (pressing operation), a barcode or two-dimensional code is printed on the checkout ticket 40 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6), and the checkout ticket 40 is issued to the customer.

The customer who received the accounting ticket 40 moves to the payment device 30, uses the scanner section of the payment device 30 to read the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the payment ticket 40, and the customer himself/herself makes the payment. By operating the operation keys of the device 30, the purchase price of the product (total price of the purchased products) determined by the transaction information is settled.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a configuration example of a POS system. The POS system may further include a store controller 10 (upper management device). The POS system includes a store controller 10, N registration devices 20 (N is an integer of 1 or more), and M payment devices 30 (M is an integer of 1 or more). The store controller 10, the registration device 20, and the payment device 30 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

The store controller 10 stores product information (for example, product price) in advance as product master data. The registration device 20 may register product transaction information in the store controller 10 based on the read barcode data. That is, the store controller 10 may store transaction information and the like transmitted from the registration device 20.

Note that the registration device 20 may include a registration device 20 that is not connected to the store controller 10 and a registration device 20 that is connected to the store controller 10 via the LAN 11.

First, details of the registration device will be explained.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an example of the configuration of the registration device. The registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner section 204, a display section (for store staff) 205, and a display section (for customers). 205a, an operation section 206, a communication section 207, a buzzer 208, a receipt printing means 209, and a hard disk 210. These parts are connected to each other via a bus.

The scanner unit 204 optically reads a barcode (product code) attached to a product.
The ROM 202 is a read-only memory and stores in advance a program for operating the registration device 20.

CPU201 is a central processing unit. The CPU 201 reads a program stored in the ROM 202 and expands it in the RAM 203. The CPU 201 controls each part of the registration device 20 by executing each step of the expanded program.

The CPU 201 registers product transaction information in the RAM 203 or hard disk 210 based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204 . Further, the CPU 101 may register product transaction information in the store controller 10 via the communication unit 207 based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204.

The CPU 201 specifies the payment method (payment method) selected by the customer. For example, the CPU 201 identifies the payment method selected by the customer based on identification information indicating cash, credit card, electronic money, or a gift certificate, which is input by a clerk operating the operation unit 206. Hereinafter, information indicating the payment method selected by the customer will be referred to as "payment method information."

The customer can inform the clerk operating the registration device 20 that he/she wishes to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. In this case, the store clerk who has received the offer operates the operation unit 206 to input payment method information into the CPU 201. When the payment method information input through the operation unit 206 indicates "cash addition", the CPU 201 sets the value indicating the cash addition flag to "valid". Here, the cash addition flag is a flag for determining whether or not cash to be added to the change can be inserted into the settlement device 30.

Further, the CPU 201 controls the receipt printing means 209 to print a receipt in a format according to the specified payment method and issue the receipt. More specifically, if the identified payment method is a payment method other than cash, for example, a payment method using a gift certificate with the same face value as the purchase amount (no need to pay change), the CPU 201 performs self-registration. The receipt printing means 209 is controlled to print detailed product information determined by transaction information that has been settled by the device on a receipt and issue the receipt. In other words, when the payment method information input via the operation unit 206 indicates a "credit declaration", "electronic money declaration", or "gift certificate", the CPU 201 executes the payment process using the self-registered device. The receipt printing means 209 is instructed to issue a receipt on which later detailed information is printed.

On the other hand, if the specified settlement method includes at least a cash settlement method, the CPU 201 controls the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 on which transaction information is printed. For example, if the specified payment method is a payment method using a gift certificate with a face value greater than the purchase price (change must be paid), the CPU 201 issues a payment ticket 40 on which transaction information and the like are printed. Thus, the receipt printing means 209 is controlled. In other words, when the payment method information input via the operation unit 206 indicates "cash" or "ticket ticket", the CPU 201 prints the information necessary for the customer to operate the payment device 30 and make payment. The receipt printing means 209 is instructed to issue the accounting ticket 40 that has been paid.

Here, the CPU 201 may control the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 on which a barcode or two-dimensional code containing identification information indicating transaction information is printed. Further, the CPU 201 may control the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 on which the barcode or two-dimensional code including the cash addition flag is printed.

RAM 203 is a read/write memory that stores various information. The various information is, for example, a value indicating a cash addition flag. Further, the various information may be, for example, a value indicating the purchase amount. The purchase amount is the total amount of money for all purchased products. A program read from the ROM 202 is expanded into the RAM 203 . Further, the RAM 203 stores various data generated by executing programs.

The display unit (for store staff) 205 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. A display unit (for store staff) 205 displays various images such as operation keys.

The display unit (for store staff) 205 has a touch panel provided with touch keys (soft keys) that are transparent contact switches. That is, the display section (for store clerk) 205 has a touch panel as the operation section 206. The display unit (for clerks) 205 receives operation inputs such as mode switching, settings, and registration via displayed operation keys. This setting may be, for example, setting a value indicating a cash addition flag.

FIG. 4 shows a first example of an image displayed on the registration device. The display unit (for clerks) 205 displays transaction information based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204 under the control of the CPU 201 . For example, the display section (for clerks) 205 displays the name of the purchased product, the price of the product, the character string "inside" indicating that tax is included, the number of items purchased, the subtotal (amount), and the total ( (purchase amount) is displayed for each product in a table format as detailed product information determined by the transaction information.

A display section (for store staff) 205 displays various operation keys. Various operation keys include, for example, an expansion key, an electronic money declaration key 500, a credit declaration key 510, an interruption key, a ticket issue key, a checkout key 520, a QR reissue key, and a handler screen key. , a registration screen key, and a cash addition key 550.

The electronic money declaration key 500, the credit declaration key 510, and the accounting ticket key 520 are operation keys (completion keys) (declaration means) for completing registration of transaction information. More specifically, the electronic money declaration key 500 is an operation key for declaring to the CPU 201 that payment processing using electronic money will be executed. The credit declaration key 510 is an operation key for declaring to the CPU 201 that payment processing using a credit card will be executed.

The accounting ticket key 520 is an operation key for causing the receipt printing means 209 to issue a accounting ticket. When the accounting ticket key 520 is pressed, the customer receives the issued accounting ticket 40, moves to the payment device 30, and operates the operation keys of the payment device 30 to obtain the purchase amount (purchased amount) determined by the transaction information. (total amount of products purchased).

The cash addition key 550 is an operation key (declaration means) for allowing cash to be added to the change to be input into the settlement device 30. The customer can inform the clerk operating the registration device 20 that he/she wishes to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. In this case, the clerk who received the offer presses the cash addition key 550. When the cash addition key 550 is pressed, the value indicating the cash addition flag is set by the CPU 201 to a value indicating validity (eg, value 1).

FIG. 5 shows a second example of an image displayed on the registration device. The display unit (for clerk) 205 may display a payment device selection key 530 and a checkout key 540. The payment device selection key 530 is an operation key for the clerk to select the payment device 30. Accounting key 540 is an operation key for completing registration of transaction information. When the accounting key 540 is pressed next to any of the payment device selection keys 530, the CPU 201 causes the communication unit 207 to transmit transaction information to the selected payment device 30. The customer moves to the selected payment device 30 and operates the operation keys of the selected payment device 30 to pay the purchase amount (total amount of purchased products) determined by the transaction information.

Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the configuration example of the registration device will be continued. The display section (for customers) 205a is a display device. The display section (for customers) 205a may be a light-emitting display device using a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit (for customers) 205a displays images such as character strings using, for example, 7-segment display or dot display (full dot display). For example, the display unit (for customers) 205a may display registered transaction information, the purchase amount (total amount) of purchased products, information that change is to be paid at the payment device 30, or information that the payment amount is insufficient at the payment device 30. Information such as that payment is required is displayed to customers who have completed registration of transaction information.

The operation unit 206 includes operation means for operating the registration device 20. This operation means (input device) is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, or a touch panel. The operating means includes, for example, a completion key for declaring completion of product registration (for example, an accounting key or an accounting ticket key), a correction key, a preset key, a numeric key, a gift certificate key, a credit declaration key, and electronic money. It may be a declaration key or a cash addition key.

Note that the operating means may be arranged as buttons such as mechanical keys (hard keys), or may be displayed as images of operating keys on a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit (for clerks) 205. good.

The communication unit 207 communicates with the store controller 10 and the payment device 30 via the network. Note that the network may be any configured communication line (for example, a wireless communication line, a wired communication line), and is not limited to the LAN 11.
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound under the control of the CPU 201.

A receipt printing unit 209 prints information on various sheets and issues them. The various sheets are, for example, a credit receipt, an electronic money receipt, a gift certificate receipt, or a bill. Here, the credit receipt is a receipt issued after the credit declaration key is pressed and the payment processing in the registration device 20 is completed. Further, the electronic money receipt is a receipt issued after the electronic money declaration key is pressed and the payment processing in the registration device 20 is completed. Further, the gift certificate receipt is a receipt issued after the gift certificate key is pressed and the payment processing in the registration device 20 is completed. Further, the accounting ticket 40 is issued when the accounting ticket key is pressed. The purchase amount in one transaction may be printed on the accounting ticket 40.

The receipt printing means 209 includes a thermal head (not shown) and a platen roller (not shown). The platen roller is placed in a state where it is pressed against the thermal head and is driven by a stepping motor. By driving the stepping motor in response to a control signal from the CPU 201, the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined amount through the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller. The sheet is issued by the receipt printing means 209 as, for example, a credit receipt, an electronic money receipt, a gift certificate receipt, or an accounting ticket.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a bill. FIG. 6A shows an example of a checkout ticket 40 (checkout ticket) on which a barcode C2 is printed. Barcode C2 is a code representing identification information indicating transaction information. The transaction information registered in the store controller 10 is searched from the store controller 10 based on the identification information (transaction identification number) indicating the transaction information represented by the barcode C2. On the other hand, FIG. 6(b) shows an example of a checkout ticket 40 (checkout ticket) on which the two-dimensional code C1 is printed. The two-dimensional code C1 is a code representing detailed product information determined by transaction information of all products purchased by the customer. In this case, since all transaction information is recorded in the two-dimensional code C1, there is no need to search it from the store controller 10.

At least part of the transaction information, for example, the number of purchased products and the purchase price, may be printed on the checkout ticket 40 as the purchase details. Further, at least part of the transaction information, for example, the date and time of the transaction, may be printed on the accounting ticket 40. Further, a coupon (not shown) may be printed on a partial area (for example, the lower half area) of the checkout ticket 40.

Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the configuration example of the registration device will be continued. The credit card reading section 211 has a structure into which a credit card (medium) can be inserted. Credit card reading unit 211 reads customer information stored in the inserted credit card using magnetism or the like, and outputs the read information to CPU 201 .

The electronic money reading section 212 has a structure into which an electronic money card (medium) can be inserted. The electronic money reading unit 212 wirelessly reads the amount information stored in the inserted electronic money card, and outputs the read amount information to the CPU 101. The electronic money reading unit 212 stores amount information from which the purchase amount inputted from the CPU 201 is subtracted into the inserted electronic money card.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the registration device (see FIG. 3) that executes payment using a gift certificate. In order to prevent the number of bills or coins paid as change from increasing, the customer can inform the clerk operating the registration device 20 that he/she wishes to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. A customer who requests to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30 inserts the cash to be added to the change generated by the gift certificate paid with the registration device 20 into the settlement device 30, and receives the amount of change. It can be adjusted to a rounded amount (for example, the last digit is 0, or the last two digits are 00).

(Step S1) The scanner unit 204 optically reads a barcode (product code) attached to a product by operation by a store clerk. The CPU 201 registers product transaction information in the RAM 203 based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204.

(Step S2) The CPU 201 acquires gift certificate information (for example, the face value of the gift certificate paid by the customer) based on the operation input via the operation unit 206. Here, it is assumed that change is generated by subtracting the purchase price from the face value of the gift certificate paid by the customer.

For example, if the purchase amount is 801 yen and the face value of the gift certificate is 1000 yen, the amount of change will be 199 yen, which is the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value. If the amount of change is not adjusted to a reasonable amount, 199 yen as change is, for example, 1 100 yen coin, 1 50 yen coin, 4 10 yen coins, 1 5 yen coin, and 1 Payment will be made from the settlement device 30 using a total of 11 coins, including 4 yen coins. On the other hand, if the final amount of change to be paid is adjusted by adding 1 yen to the change before adjustment, the 200 yen as change after adjustment can be exchanged with only two 100 yen coins at the payment machine. It will be paid from 30.

(Step S3) When the customer requests the clerk to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30, the clerk operating the registration device 20 presses the cash addition key 550 (see FIG. 4 or FIG. 5). do. CPU 201 determines whether cash addition key 550 has been pressed based on the operation input via operation unit 206 . If the cash addition key 550 is pressed (step S3: Yes), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S4. On the other hand, if the cash addition key 550 is not pressed (step S3: No), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S5.

(Step S4) The CPU 201 sets the value indicating the cash addition flag, which was initially set to invalid (for example, value 0), to "valid (for example, value 1)", and advances the process to step S5.
(Step S5) The CPU 201 determines whether the accounting key 540 or the accounting ticket key 520 has been pressed based on the operation input via the operating unit 206. If the accounting key 540 or the accounting ticket key 520 is pressed (step S5: Yes), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S6. On the other hand, if neither the checkout key 540 nor the checkout key 520 is pressed (step S5: No), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S9.

(Step S6) The CPU 201 determines whether the cash addition flag is valid. If the cash addition flag is valid (step S6: Yes), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S7. On the other hand, if the cash addition flag is invalid (step S6: No), the CPU 201 advances the process to step S8.

(Step S7) The CPU 201 includes (adds) the cash addition flag to the transaction information and converts the identification information indicating the transaction information into a barcode. The CPU 201 may include (add) a cash addition flag to the transaction information and convert the detailed product information determined by the transaction information into a two-dimensional code. Here, for example, the CPU 201 converts the identification information indicating the transaction information including the cash addition flag into a bar code when the data amount of the transaction information is less than the threshold value, and when the data amount of the transaction information is more than the threshold value, , product detail information determined by transaction information including a value indicating a cash addition flag may be converted into a two-dimensional code.

(Step S8) When the checkout key 520 is pressed in step S5, the CPU 201 selects the checkout ticket 40 on which the barcode (see FIG. 6(a)) on which identification information indicating transaction information is printed is printed. The receipt is issued from the receipt printing means 209. The communication unit 207 transmits and registers transaction information to the store controller 10. The CPU 201 may cause the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 on which a two-dimensional code (see FIG. 6(b)) indicating the content of transaction information is printed. On the other hand, if the checkout key 540 is pressed in step S5, the communication unit 207 transmits transaction information to the payment device 30 selected by the payment device selection key 530. In this case, the CPU 201 may cause the communication unit 207 to directly transmit transaction information to the selected payment device 30. Further, the CPU 201 may cause the communication unit 207 to transmit transaction information to the selected payment device 30 via the store controller 10 (upper device).

Next, details of the payment device will be explained.
FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a configuration example of the payment device. The payment device 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner section 304, a reading notification means 304a, a display section 305, an operation section 306, a communication section 307, a buzzer 308, a printing section 309, and a printing section. Comprising a notification means 309a, a payment terminal 310, a payment notification unit 310a, a payment terminal 311, a payment notification unit 311a, a payment terminal 312, a payment notification unit 312a, a sign pole 313, and a human sensor 314. . Each part of the payment device 30 is connected to each other via a bus. Note that the scanner unit 304 may be a separate body (externally attached) that can be attached to and detached from the payment device 30.

CPU 301 is a central processing unit. The CPU 301 reads a program stored in the ROM 302 and expands it in the RAM 303. The CPU 301 controls each part of the payment device 30 by executing each step of the expanded program.

Further, the CPU 301 recognizes the content of the code printed on the sheet read by the scanner unit 304. For example, the CPU 301 recognizes the content indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the accounting ticket 40 issued for a transaction for which settlement has not been completed, among the transaction information for which registration by the registration device 20 has been completed.

More specifically, the CPU 301 performs OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 304 to recognize the content indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the checkout ticket 40. do. Here, the content indicated by the barcode is, for example, identification information indicating transaction information registered in the store controller 10. Further, the content indicated by the two-dimensional code is, for example, detailed information of the product determined by transaction information registered by the registration device 20.

When the barcode is read by the scanner unit 304, the CPU 301 acquires detailed product information determined by the transaction information from the store controller 10 based on the content indicated by the barcode (identification information indicating transaction information), and reads the transaction information. The detailed product information determined by the above is stored in the RAM 303. When the two-dimensional code is read by the scanner unit 304, the CPU 301 causes the RAM 303 to store the content indicated by the two-dimensional code (detailed product information determined by transaction information). The transaction information may include a value indicating a cash addition flag. Further, the detailed information may include the purchase amount. The CPU 301 settles the purchase price of the product determined by the transaction information. Here, the CPU 301 causes the display unit 305 to display a guidance image for guiding the customer through the payment procedure.

The scanner unit 304 optically reads a barcode or two-dimensional code attached to a sheet (for example, a bill).
The ROM 302 is a read-only memory, and stores in advance a program for operating the payment device 30.

RAM 303 is a read/write memory that stores various information. The various pieces of information are, for example, detailed product information determined by transaction information. Furthermore, a program read from the ROM 302 is expanded in the RAM 303 . Further, the RAM 303 stores various data generated by executing programs.

The operating unit 306 includes operating means for operating the payment device 30. This operation means (input device) is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, or a touch panel. The operating means is, for example, a payment key. The payment key is an operation key operated by the customer when inputting an instruction to the CPU 301 to execute payment processing.

Note that the operating means may be arranged as buttons such as mechanical keys (hard keys), or may be displayed as images of operating keys on a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 305.

The display unit 305 is a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display. The display unit 305 has a touch panel provided with touch keys (soft keys) that are transparent contact switches. The display unit 305 may include a touch panel as the operation unit 306. The display unit 305 accepts operation inputs such as mode switching, settings, and registration. The display unit 305 displays detailed product information (for example, purchase price) determined by the content (transaction information) indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code recognized by the CPU 301.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a guidance image displayed on the payment device. When a customer pays without using the checkout ticket 40 (see FIG. 6), the guidance image is displayed when the checkout key 540 (see FIG. 5) is pressed after any of the checkout device selection keys 530. It is displayed on the display unit 305 of the selected payment device 30. Therefore, when a customer goes to the selected payment device 30, the selected payment device 30 has already displayed the guidance image and is ready for payment. On the other hand, when the customer pays the bill using the bill 40, the guidance image identifies the transaction information by reading the barcode printed on the bill 40 with the scanner unit 304 of the bill payment device 30, and identifies the transaction information. Displayed based on the transaction information provided.

When the value indicating the cash addition flag is a value indicating validity (eg, value 1), the CPU 301 causes the display unit 305 to display a guidance image for proceeding with the payment process using cash. In Figure 9, the character string "Please insert additional cash" (indicating that cash should be inserted), the character string "Purchase amount 801 yen" (total amount), and the character string "Gift certificate amount (Gift certificate amount)" are displayed. 1000 yen'', the character string ``Change amount 199 yen'', and the character string ``If you add 1 yen more, it will be 200 yen.'' are displayed. Furthermore, a moving image showing the appearance and operation procedure of the payment terminal 311 may be displayed in the guidance image.

A customer who has informed the clerk operating the registration device 20 that he/she wants to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30 inserts the cash to be added to the change into the payment terminal 311 of the settlement device 30 according to the guidance image. The amount of change can be adjusted to a more reasonable amount.

Further, the guidance image displays an operation key "Settlement" (settlement key) for causing the settlement device 30 to start the settlement process. When the operation key "Payment" is pressed, the CPU 301 starts payment processing such as calculating the difference, and controls the printing unit 309 to issue a purchase sheet. Further, the payment terminal 311 pays out change or bills in an amount corresponding to the difference information input from the CPU 301 from the cash payout port. Note that the CPU 301 may control the printing unit 309 to issue a coupon.

Note that if the value indicating the cash addition flag is invalid (for example, value 0) and the customer selects payment by cash via the operation unit 306, the CPU 301 displays the character string ``Cash to be added.'' "Please insert cash" (indicating that you should insert cash) is hidden, and the text string "Please confirm the purchase amount and insert money" is displayed on the display as a guidance image for proceeding with the cash payment process. 305 may be displayed. Thereby, the customer can add cash in consideration of the amount of change paid from the settlement device 30.

Further, when the value indicating the cash addition flag is invalid (for example, value 0), the CPU 301 generates a two-dimensional code (see FIG. 6(b)) or a one-dimensional code (see FIG. 6(a)). ) is read from the checkout ticket 40 by the scanner unit 204, the character string "Please press the settlement key." may be displayed instead of the character string "Please insert additional cash." Further, the CPU 301 may hide the character string ``Add 1 yen and it will be 200 yen.'', which was displayed near the character string ``Change amount'' in FIG. As a result, the customer can quickly complete the payment because the customer knows that when the payment key is pressed, change will be paid from the payment device 30 and the payment will be completed.

Therefore, a customer who declares to the clerk using the registration device 20 that he or she wants to add cash can add cash using the payment device 30. On the other hand, a customer who has not declared to the clerk using the registration device 20 that he or she wants to add cash can complete the payment by simply pressing the "Payment" key on the payment device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a payment method tailored to the customer without requiring the customer to perform any unnecessary operations.

Returning to FIG. 8, the explanation of the configuration example of the payment device will be continued. The buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound under the control of the CPU 301.
The communication unit 307 communicates with the store controller 10 and the registration device 20 via the network. Note that the network may be any configured network (for example, a wireless communication network), and is not limited to the LAN 11.

The printing unit 309 prints predetermined information (for example, product detail information determined by transaction information for which settlement has been completed) on a purchase sheet, and issues the purchase sheet. The printing unit 309 includes a thermal head (not shown) and a platen roller (not shown). The platen roller is placed in a state where it is pressed against the thermal head and is driven by a stepping motor. By driving the stepping motor in response to a control signal from the CPU 301, the purchased sheet is conveyed by a predetermined amount through the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller.

Print notification means 309a is provided near the printing section 309. The print notification means 309a includes, for example, a red LED (Light Emitting Diode). The printing notification unit 309a notifies the user that the printing unit 309 is operable and the location of the printing unit 309 by blinking or lighting up.

The payment terminal 310 (change tag section) executes payment in cash to settle the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information, and sends the result of the payment (for example, information indicating whether the payment was successful or not). , is output to the CPU 301 via the bus. The payment terminal 310 has a cash receiving section (for example, a bill slot, a coin slot) and a change outlet. The bill slot is an slot for inserting and discharging bills. The coin slot is a slot for inserting coins. The change outlet is an outlet for discharging (paying) change or change bills.

The payment notification means 310a is provided near the payment terminal 310. The payment notification means 310a includes a first payment notification unit, a second payment notification unit, and a third payment notification unit. The first payment notification means is provided near the bill slot. The first payment notification means has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting up, it notifies that the bill slot can be operated and the location of the bill slot. The second payment notification means is provided near the coin slot. The second payment notification means has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting up, it notifies that the coin slot can be operated and the location of the coin slot. The third payment notification means is provided near the change outlet. The third payment notifying means includes, for example, a red LED, and notifies the user that the change outlet is operable and the location of the change outlet by blinking or lighting.

The payment terminal 311 performs payment using credit when settling the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information, and outputs the result of the payment to the CPU 301 via the bus.
The payment notifying means 311a has, for example, a red LED, and notifies the user that the payment terminal 311 is operable and the location of the payment terminal 311 by blinking or lighting it.

The payment terminal 312 executes the payment using electronic money in settling the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information, and outputs the result of the payment to the CPU 301 via the bus.
The payment notifying means 312a has, for example, a red LED, and notifies the user that the payment terminal 312 is operable and the location of the payment terminal 312 by blinking or lighting it. The payment notification means 312a may be provided near an electronic money reader (not shown) for reading amount information and the like from an electronic money card (medium).

The sign pole 313 has, for example, a light emitting part, and notifies the user that the payment device 30 is operable by blinking or lighting up.
The human sensor 314 is a sensor that detects the presence of a customer at a predetermined position relative to the payment device 30. The human sensor 314 may detect the presence of a customer by detecting infrared rays, for example.

As described above, the POS system includes the CPU 201 (registration unit) that registers transaction information based on purchased products for each transaction (for example, registers in the RAM 203, registers in the store controller 10), and A gift certificate reception unit that accepts gift certificates with a face value larger than the amount (for example, the CPU 201 that accepts gift certificates via the gift certificate key of the operation unit 206), and a predetermined operation input (for example, the cash addition key 550). The registration device 20 has an operation unit 206 that accepts a predetermined operation input (pressing operation to make a payment using something other than a gift certificate in the payment device 30) (indicating that the payment is to be made using something other than a gift certificate in the payment device 30); When the operation unit 206 receives a request for each transaction, the payment terminal 310 (cash reception unit) that allows cash to be accepted, the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value, and the payment terminal 310 (cash reception unit) ), and a payment terminal 310 (change bill section) that dispenses change equal to the sum of the amount of cash received by the operator and the amount of cash received by the operator.

With this configuration, the payment terminal 310 of the payment device 30 pays out change in an amount equal to the sum of the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value and the amount of cash accepted by the payment terminal 310. Thereby, the POS system can perform payment according to the customer. The POS system can prevent the number of bills or coins paid as change from increasing (change adjustment for gift certificates). In addition, for customers who previously paid only with gift certificates, the POS system allows them to quickly complete the payment even if they operate the payment device and pay with cash. The number of bills or coins to be paid can be prevented from increasing.

In other words, the customer can avoid accumulating small change. Further, since the payment device 30 accepts cash when the operation unit 206 receives a predetermined operation input, the customer does not make a mistake in operating the payment device 30 that executes payment processing. Additionally, the POS system allows quick checkout. Also, only customers who have declared to the store clerk using the registration device 20 that they wish to add cash can add cash using the payment device 30. On the other hand, a customer who has not declared to the clerk using the registration device 20 that he or she wants to add cash can complete the payment by simply pressing the "Payment" key on the payment device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a payment method tailored to the customer without requiring the customer to perform any unnecessary operations.

The registration device 20 includes a communication unit 207 (output unit) that outputs operation input information indicating that a predetermined operation input (for example, pressing the cash addition key 550 has been pressed) and transaction information in association with each other. It may have. The settlement device 30 may include a communication unit 307 (specification unit) that specifies operation input information and transaction information in a transaction to be settled. The payment terminal 310 (cash reception unit) of the payment device 30 recognizes that the operation unit 206 of the registration device 20 has received a predetermined operation input when the communication unit 307 (specification unit) specifies the operation input information, It may also be possible to accept cash.

The registration device 20 may include a receipt printing unit 209 (printing unit) that prints transaction information on a medium (for example, the accounting ticket 40). The payment device 30 may include a scanner section 304 (reading section) that reads transaction information from a medium. When operation input information is associated with transaction information read from a medium (e.g., accounting ticket 40), the payment terminal 310 (cash reception unit) performs a predetermined operation input (e.g., cash addition key 550). The operation unit 206 may recognize that the button (press operation) has been accepted, and may be able to accept cash.

The registration device 20 includes a CPU 201 (registration unit) that registers transaction information based on purchased products, an operation unit 206 that accepts operation input to enable the settlement device 30 to accept cash, and a CPU 201 (registration unit) that registers transaction information based on purchased products. It includes an output unit (for example, a receipt printing unit 209, a communication unit 207) that outputs operation input information and transaction information in association with each other.

Thereby, the registration device 20 can prevent the number of bills or coins paid as change from increasing (adjustment of change for gift certificates). In other words, even for customers who have previously been able to quickly complete their payment by paying only with gift certificates, the registration device 20 allows them to quickly complete their payment even if they pay with cash. It is possible to prevent the number of sheets from increasing.

Also, only customers who have declared to the store clerk using the registration device 20 that they wish to add cash can add cash using the payment device 30. On the other hand, a customer who has not declared to the clerk using the registration device 20 that he or she wants to add cash can complete the payment by simply pressing the "Payment" key on the payment device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a payment method tailored to the customer without requiring the customer to perform any unnecessary operations. Moreover, the payment method can be changed by the clerk operating the keys on the registration device 20, so the customer can pay in the method he or she desires without having to perform any special operations. .

The payment device 30 includes a payment section (e.g., CPU 301, payment terminal 310) that performs payment for each transaction based on transaction information based on purchased products, and a device that registers operation input to enable cash to be accepted in transactions. a determination unit (for example, CPU 301) that determines whether or not the registration device 20 has accepted cash; and a display unit 305 that displays a message that cash should be inserted when the registration device 20 receives an operation input for enabling cash to be accepted. , is provided.

Thereby, the payment device 30 can prevent the number of bills or coins paid as change from increasing (adjustment of change for gift certificates). In addition, even for customers who have previously been able to quickly complete their payment by paying only with gift certificates, the payment device 30 allows them to quickly complete their payment even if they pay with cash, and allows them to pay bills or coins as change. It is possible to prevent the number of sheets from increasing.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, the CPU 301 of the payment device 30 sends product detailed information (for example, product name, product price, number of purchased items, subtotal (amount), and total (purchase amount)) determined by transaction information to the operation unit 306. The information may be displayed on the display unit 305 in response to an operation input via the .

For example, when the payment processing is completed, the CPU 301 of the payment device 30 displays the character string "Please take the change and receipt. Thank you.", a guidance image showing the receipt outlet, and the change payment outlet. A guidance image showing this may be displayed on the display unit 305.

Note that the programs for realizing the registration device, payment device, and POS system described above are recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs recorded on the recording medium are read into a computer system and executed. Execution processing may be performed by doing so. Note that the "computer system" here may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

Furthermore, the term "computer system" includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, writable non-volatile memories such as flash memories, portable media such as CD-ROMs, hard disks built into computer systems, etc. storage device.

Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic It also includes those that retain programs for a certain period of time, such as Random Access Memory).
Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in a transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Moreover, the above 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.

10...Store controller 11...LAN
20... Registration device 30... Settlement device 40... Accounting ticket C1... Two-dimensional code C2... Barcode 201... CPU
202...ROM
203...RAM
204...Scanner section 205...Display section (for clerk)
205a...Display section (for customers)
206...Operation unit 207...Communication unit 208...Buzzer 209...Receipt printing means 210...Hard disk 211...Credit card reading unit 212...Electronic money reading unit 301...CPU
302...ROM
303...RAM
304...Scanner unit 304a...Reading notification means 305...Display unit 306...Operation unit 307...Communication unit 308...Buzzer 309...Printing unit 309a...Print notification unit 310...Payment terminal 310a...Payment notification unit 311...Payment terminal 311a...Payment notification Means 312...Payment terminal 312a...Payment notification means 313...Sign pole 314...Human sensor 500...Electronic money declaration key 510...Credit declaration key 520...Accounting ticket key 530...Settlement device selection key 540...Accounting key 550...Cash addition key

Claims (1)

A system including a registration device and a payment device,
The registration device includes:
a registration unit that registers transaction information based on purchased products for each transaction;
a gift certificate reception unit that accepts gift certificates with a face value greater than the purchase price of the product determined by the transaction information ;
a cash injection declaration unit that accepts a cash injection declaration operation that declares that cash will be inserted into the payment device;
a communication unit that associates and outputs the transaction information to the payment device;
has
The payment device is
The system is characterized in that settlement is executed depending on whether or not the cash injection declaration operation is accepted in the registration device based on the information for determining whether or not the cash injection declaration operation is performed .

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