JP7476379B2 - CHECKOUT SYSTEM, REGISTRATION DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention include a checkout system, a registration device, and an information processing program.

2. Description of the Related Art Semi-self-service checkout systems are known in which transaction details are registered by a registration device in response to an operation by a store clerk, and the cost of the transaction is settled by a settlement device in response to an operation by a customer.
Meanwhile, in checkout systems, promotional receipts are issued when predetermined issuing conditions are met. When issuing such promotional receipts in semi-self-service checkout systems as described above, depending on how the issuing conditions are set, whether or not the issuing conditions are met may be determined as a result of payment at the payment device, so the payment device issues the promotional receipts.

As a result, the store clerk operating the registration device was unable to know whether or not a promotional receipt had been issued by the settlement device, and even if the store clerk needed to explain the promotional receipt to the customer, he or she was unable to provide an accurate explanation.
For these reasons, it has been desirable for store clerks to be able to provide accurate explanations to customers regarding promotional receipts.

JP 2017-62733 A

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a checkout system, registration device, and information processing program that enable store clerks to accurately explain promotional receipts to customers.

A checkout system according to an embodiment includes a registration device having a registration means, an output means, a first determination means, a setting means, a first issuing means, and a notification means, and a payment device having a payment means, a second determination means, and a second issuing means. The registration means registers a transaction. The output means outputs payment data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means with the payment device. The first determination means determines whether predetermined issuing conditions are met for a payment based on the payment data. The setting means sets the issuing mode to the first mode or the second mode. When the setting means sets the issuing mode to the first mode, the first issuing means issues a promotional receipt in response to the first determination means determining that the issuing conditions are met. When the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means, the notification means notifies the payment device that makes a payment based on the payment data output by the output means that a promotional receipt has been issued, regardless of whether a promotional receipt is issued by the first issuing means, and does not notify the payment device that a promotional receipt has been issued, when the issuing mode is set to the second mode by the setting means . The payment means makes a payment taking into consideration the payment data output by the output means. The second determination means determines whether an issuance condition is met for a payment made by the payment means. The second issuance means issues a promotional receipt in response to no notification being given by the notification means and a determination by the second determination means that the issuance condition is met.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a checkout system according to an embodiment; 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the main parts of the registration device and the settlement device in FIG. 1, and a schematic configuration of a POS system built by incorporating the checkout system shown in FIG. 1; 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the registration device in FIG. 2 . 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor provided in the settlement device in FIG. 2 .

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a checkout system 10 according to the present embodiment.
The checkout system 10 includes at least one registration device 1 and at least one payment device 2. Fig. 1 shows the checkout system 10 including two registration devices 1 and four payment devices 2, with two payment devices corresponding to one registration device 1. The number of registration devices 1 and the number of payment devices 2 included in the checkout system 10 can be any number, and the ratio of the numbers of registration devices 1 and payment devices 2 can also be any number.

The registration device 1 is operated by a store clerk 21 who plays the role of a checker. The payment device 2 is operated by a customer 22 who is the settler who settles the price for transactions at the store. However, some of the operations of the registration device 1 may be performed by the customer 22. The payment device 2 may also be operated by the store clerk 21.

In FIG. 1, the registration device 1 is attached to a work table 3. By arranging multiple work tables 3, multiple checkout lanes are formed. Near one end of the work table 3, two payment devices 2 corresponding to the registration device 1 attached to the work table 3 are arranged as shown in FIG. 1 as an example. Thus, one registration device 1 and two payment devices 2 are installed in one checkout lane.

The registration device 1 performs a registration process to register the product that the customer 22 who has entered the passage wishes to purchase as a purchased product. In addition, during the registration process, the registration device 1 transmits payment data for paying for the registered purchased product so that the data can be processed by one of the payment devices 2 installed in the same checkout lane.

When the payment device 2 receives the payment data transmitted from the registration device 1, it performs a payment process to settle the price of the transaction based on the payment data. Note that the multiple payment devices 2 may each have the same configuration and perform similar payment processing. Note that the payment device 2 may also perform a process to calculate the amount of the price to be settled by the payment process. When the payment device 2 has such a calculation processing function, it is also called an accounting device or accounting machine. However, the calculation processing may be performed by the registration device 1.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the main parts of the registration device 1 and the payment device 2, and the general configuration of a POS system 100 built by incorporating the checkout system 10. Note that Figure 2 shows only one registration device 1 and two payment devices 2 associated with this registration device 1. Figure 2 also shows the circuit configuration of one of the two payment devices 2.

The registration device 1 and the payment device 2 are both connected to a LAN (local area network) 4. Another communication network such as the Internet can be used instead of the LAN 4. A store server 20 is connected to the LAN 4. The store server 20 can communicate with a headquarters server 40 via a communication network 30.

The store server 20 is an information processing device for managing sales data relating to the store in which the checkout system 10 is installed. The store server 20 is installed, for example, in the back yard of the store. As the communication network 30, the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in appropriate combination. The headquarters server 40 is an information processing device for managing sales data relating to multiple stores including the store in which the checkout system 10 is installed. The headquarters server 40 is installed, for example, in a headquarters that oversees the multiple stores.

The registration device 1 includes a processor 1a, a main memory 1b, an auxiliary memory unit 1c, a scanner 1d, a keyboard 1e, a touch panel 1f, a sub-display 1g, a customer-facing display 1h, a printer 1i, a communication unit 1j, and a transmission path 1k.

In the registration device 1, the processor 1a, main memory 1b, and auxiliary storage unit 1c are connected by a transmission path 1k to form a computer that performs information processing to control the registration device 1.

Processor 1a corresponds to the central part of the computer. Processor 1a controls each part to realize the various functions of registration device 1 by executing information processing according to various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs.

Main memory 1b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. Main memory 1b includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. Main memory 1b stores the above information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. Main memory 1b may also store data required for processor 1a to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 1b uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by processor 1a.

The auxiliary memory unit 1c corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary memory unit 1c may be, for example, an electric erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or any other well-known storage device. The auxiliary memory unit 1c stores data used by the processor 1a when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 1a. The auxiliary memory unit 1c may also store the information processing program.

The information processing program stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c includes an information processing program described in relation to the information processing described below. The registration device 1 is generally transferred in a state in which the above-mentioned information processing program is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. However, the hardware of the registration device 1 may be transferred in a state in which the above-mentioned information processing program is not stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c, or in a state in which a different information processing program is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c. In this case, the information processing program described in relation to the information processing described below is recorded on a removable recording medium or transferred via a network, and is written to the auxiliary storage unit 1c under the instruction of, for example, a maintenance worker. As the removable recording medium, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory may be used.

Scanner 1d uses a built-in camera to capture an image of a product through a scanner window, and identifies optically readable code symbols such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes displayed on the product through image processing. Scanner 1d then outputs data represented by the identified code symbol to processor 1a. Note that scanner 1d can also use other types of well-known devices that use reflection of laser light to identify code symbols. Scanner 1d may have a function for identifying products using object recognition technology based on image features of the product itself. In addition to scanner 1d, another scanner, such as a handheld type, may be provided. Also, it is not necessary to have scanner 1d in place of the other scanner.

The keyboard 1e includes a numeric keypad and a plurality of function keys, etc. The keyboard 1e receives various instructions from an operator through key operations.
The touch panel 1f includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI (graphical user interface) screen under the control of the processor 1a. The display device may be a well-known device such as a color LCD (liquid crystal display). The touch sensor is disposed over the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the touch position of the operator on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the processor 1a. The touch sensor may be a well-known device. The operation surface of the touch panel 1f is directed toward the location where the store clerk 21 who operates the registration device 1 should be located.

Under the control of the processor 1a, the sub-display 1g displays any screen, such as a monitoring screen for allowing the store clerk 21 to monitor the status of the payment device 2. A well-known display device, such as a color LCD, can be used as the sub-display 1g. The display surface of the sub-display 1g faces the location where the store clerk 21 who will be operating the registration device 1 should be located. A touch panel may be used as the sub-display 1g.

The customer-facing display 1h is directed to the location where the customer 22 who is waiting for the product registration process to be completed should be located. The customer-facing display 1h displays any screen for notifying the customer 22 of any information under the control of the processor 1a. The screen displayed on the customer-facing display 1h may be, for example, a screen showing the registration results or a screen showing promotional information. The customer-facing display 1h may be a well-known device such as a color LCD (liquid crystal display). A touch panel may also be used for the customer-facing display 1h.

Printer 1i is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer, and issues various receipts by printing various characters and images on receipt paper. Receipts issued by printer 1i include transaction receipts and promotional receipts, which will be described later.

The communication unit 1 j performs communication via the LAN 4 .
The transmission path 1k transmits data between each of the connected units. The transmission path 1k may be a well-known configuration including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses to each of the units.

The payment device 2 includes a processor 2a, a main memory 2b, an auxiliary memory unit 2c, an automatic change machine 2d, a touch panel 2e, a printer 2f, a reader/writer 2g, a camera 2h, a communication unit 2i, and a transmission path 2j.

In the payment device 2, the processor 2a, the main memory 2b, and the auxiliary memory unit 2c are connected by a transmission path 2j to form a computer that performs information processing to control the payment device 2.

The processor 2a corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 2a controls each part to realize the various functions of the payment device 2 by executing information processing according to various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs.

The main memory 2b corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 2b includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 2b stores the above-mentioned information processing program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 2b may also store data required for the processor 2a to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 2b uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 2a.

The auxiliary memory unit 2c corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary memory unit 1c may be, for example, an EEPROM, HDD, SSD, or any other well-known storage device. The auxiliary memory unit 2c stores data used by the processor 2a when performing various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processor 2a. The auxiliary memory unit 2c may also store the information processing program.

The automatic change machine 2d receives coins and bills that are inserted, and also dispenses coins and bills as change.
The touch panel 2e includes a display device and a touch sensor. The display device displays an arbitrary screen such as a GUI screen under the control of the processor 2a. The display device may be a well-known device such as a color LCD. The touch sensor is disposed over the display surface of the display device. The touch sensor detects the position of the operator's touch on the display surface of the display device and sends the position information to the processor 2a. The touch sensor may be a well-known device.

Printer 2f is, for example, a thermal printer or a dot-matrix printer, and issues various receipts by printing various characters and images on receipt paper. Receipts issued by printer 2f include transaction receipts and promotional receipts, which will be described later.

The reader/writer 2g reads data recorded on a recording medium such as a card or an IC chip. The reader/writer 2g writes data to the above-mentioned recording medium. The cards may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as various cards that record information related to payment processing, such as member cards and point cards. In addition to the above-mentioned various cards, IC chips may be provided in information terminals such as smartphones. The reader/writer 2g may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, or may include multiple types of devices.

Camera 2h captures an overhead view of the operation surface of payment device 2 and the surrounding area. In other words, camera 2h captures the state in which payment device 2 is operated. Note that camera 2h can use an existing imaging device, such as a device that captures moving images or a device that captures still images intermittently.

The communication unit 2 i performs communication via the LAN 4 .
The transmission path 2j transmits data between each of the connected units. The transmission path 2j may be a well-known configuration including various buses such as a system bus and various interface circuits connecting these buses to each of the units.

Next, the operation of the checkout system 10 configured as described above will be described. Note that the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate.

When the registration device 1 is started in an operation mode for executing a registration process, the processor 1a executes information processing as described below in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.
3 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor 1a. Note that FIG. 3 mainly illustrates characteristic operations of this embodiment, and omits illustration of some operations related to registration processing.

In Act 1, the processor 1a performs preparatory processing such as initializing or deleting data, such as a product table, that is temporarily used in information processing related to one transaction. The product table is a data table that represents a list of purchased products that are the subject of one transaction, and is stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.

In Act 2, the processor 1a checks whether a membership code for identifying a member of the point service has been input. If the membership code has not been input, the processor 1a determines the answer as No and proceeds to Act 3.
In Act 3, the processor 1a checks whether or not an instruction to change the list of purchased items has been issued. If no such instruction has been issued, the processor 1a determines the answer as No and proceeds to Act 4.
In Act 4, the processor 1a checks whether an instruction to transfer the payment data has been issued. If the instruction has not been issued, the processor 1a determines that the answer is No and returns to Act 2.
Thus, in Act 2 to Act 4, the processor 1a waits for the membership code to be input or for an instruction to change or transfer the membership code.

If the customer 22 is a member of a points service and wishes to use the points service, the store clerk 21 inputs a membership code to identify the member. For example, the store clerk holds a barcode representing the membership code over the scanner 1d. The scanner 1d then scans the barcode and outputs the membership code represented by the barcode. Note that the membership code may be input using any of a variety of other well-known methods. Also, some of the operations for inputting the membership code may be performed by the customer 22. If the membership code has been input in this manner, the processor 1a judges Yes in Act 2 and proceeds to Act 5.

In Act 5, the processor 1a stores the entered membership code in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary memory unit 1c. The processor 1a then returns to the standby state of Acts 2 to 4. If the membership code is repeatedly entered, the processor 1a executes Act 5 again, and overwrites the already stored membership code with the newly entered membership code. The processor 1a may not determine Yes in Act 2 after performing Act 5 once.

The customer 22 picks up the products they wish to purchase from the sales floor, takes them to the checkout corner, and hands them over to the store clerk 21 in charge of operating the registration device 1. The store clerk 21 performs a registration operation to instruct each product handed over by the customer 22 to be registered as a purchased product. The registration operation may be, for example, an operation in which the barcode displayed on the product is read by the scanner 1d, or an operation in which the touch panel 1f is touched to specify the product. Alternatively, the store clerk 21 performs a deletion operation to instruct the registered product to be removed from the purchased products. The processor 1a then accepts such a registration or deletion operation as a change instruction, determines Yes in Act 3, and proceeds to Act 6.

In Act 6, if a registration operation has been performed, processor 1a updates the product table so that the product specified in the registration operation is represented as a purchased product. If a deletion operation has been performed, processor 1a updates the product table so that the product specified in the deletion operation is excluded from the purchased products. Then, processor 1a returns to the standby state of Acts 2 to 4.

The salesclerk 21 repeatedly issues instructions to change the product table so that it shows the list of products that the customer 22 is trying to purchase. In response, the processor 1a repeats Act 6, updating the product table in accordance with the instructions. In this way, the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 1a as its central part functions as a registration means.

When the product table shows a list of all the products that the customer 22 is planning to purchase, the store clerk 21 issues a transfer instruction by a predetermined operation, such as touching a transfer button displayed on the display screen of the touch panel 1f. Then, the processor 1a judges that Act 4 is Yes and proceeds to Act 7.

In Act 7, the processor 1a generates payment data. The payment data is data for settling the transaction of the products shown in the product table with the payment device 2. For example, the processor 1a includes in the payment data the transaction number, the registration machine code, the operator code, the product list, and the issued flag. If the processor 1a has saved a membership code in Act 5, the processor 1a includes the membership code in the payment data. In addition to this information, the processor 1a may also include information such as the payment amount in the payment data. The processor 1a may not include some of the above information, such as the operator code, in the payment data. The processor 1a saves the payment data in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage unit 1c.

The transaction number is a number that is set so that each transaction can be distinguished. The registration machine code is a predetermined identifier for identifying each registration device 1. The operator code is an identifier that identifies the store clerk 21 who is operating the registration device 1. The product list is a list of the products shown in the product table. The issued flag is a flag that indicates whether or not a promotional receipt has been issued by the registration device 1. In Act 7, the processor 1a sets the issued flag to a state that indicates that it has not been issued. Note that in this embodiment, when the issued flag is set, it indicates that a promotional receipt has been issued.

In Act 8, the processor 1a checks whether the issuance mode of the promotional receipt is the first mode. The issuance mode of the promotional receipt includes the first mode and the second mode, and can be arbitrarily set in the operation settings of the registration device 1, for example, by an administrator of the registration device 1. In other words, the processor 1a sets the issuance mode to the first mode or the second mode in response to an instruction given in another information processing for the operation settings. In this way, the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 1a as the central part functions as a setting means. In Act 8, the processor 1a checks whether this setting is the first mode, and if it is the first mode, it judges Yes and proceeds to Act 9.

In Act 9, the processor 1a checks whether or not a point service is applied to the transaction being processed. For example, the processor 1a checks whether or not the membership code is saved in Act 5, and if saved, the answer is Yes and the process proceeds to Act 10.
In Act 10, the processor 1a determines the expected points. These are points expected to be awarded when the payment based on the payment data generated in Act 7 is made by the payment device 2. In the payment device 2, the points to be awarded are determined according to a predetermined rule while considering various factors such as the payment amount, whether or not a specific product is included in the purchased items, and the payment method to be applied. Thus, for example, if a rule is applied that changes the points to be awarded depending on the payment method to be applied, the expected points may differ from the points to be awarded in the payment device 2. Note that the processor 1a assumes that the undetermined factors for determining the expected points are set in advance. For example, the payment method is assumed to be cash payment. Note that the above rules and settings regarding the undetermined factors may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, a store staff member.

In Act 11, the processor 1a checks whether the conditions for issuing a promotional receipt are met based on the owned points after the expected points are added. The determination of whether the conditions for issuing a promotional receipt are met may include not only a comparison of the owned points with the issuing conditions, but also a determination of other factors such as whether the purchased items include a specific item. The conditions for issuing a promotional receipt are arbitrarily determined, for example, by a store staff member, and are set commonly to both the registration device 1 and the payment device 2. There may be only one issuing condition, or multiple issuing conditions. The issuing conditions may be set directly to the registration device 1 and the payment device 2, or the settings saved in the store server 20 may be imported into each of the registration device 1 and the payment device 2. If at least one of the issuing conditions is met, the processor 1a determines Yes and proceeds to Act 12.

In Act 12, the processor 1a issues a promotional receipt that corresponds to the established issuing conditions. For example, the processor 1a generates image data that represents an image of a promotional receipt that corresponds to the established issuing conditions. The processor 1a then sends this image data to the printer 1i, which prints the image represented by the image data on receipt paper. In other words, the computer with the processor 1a at its core realizes the function as the first issuing means in cooperation with the printer 1i. The processor 1a then executes information processing based on an information processing program, and the computer with the processor 1a at its core functions as a control means that controls the printer 1i to realize the function as the first issuing means.

A promotional receipt is a printed matter issued on receipt paper that contains various vouchers such as coupons or various notices or advertisements, in addition to a regular transaction receipt that shows the details of the transaction and the result of the payment. The image of the promotional receipt is determined arbitrarily by, for example, a store staff member.

After processor 1a has finished issuing the promotional receipt, it proceeds to Act 13. If processor 1a judges No in Act 9 because the membership code was not saved in Act 5, it skips Acts 10 to 12 and proceeds to Act 13. If processor 1a judges No in Act 11 because the issuance conditions are not met due to the estimated points, it skips Act 12 and proceeds to Act 13. In other words, processor 1a does not issue a promotional receipt in either of these cases.

In Act 13, the processor 1a sets the issued flag included in the payment data generated in Act 7. In other words, when the first mode is set as the issuing mode, the processor 1a sets the issued flag regardless of whether a promotional receipt has been issued or not.

After this, processor 1a proceeds to Act 14. If processor 1a judges No in Act 8 because the second mode is set as the issuing mode, it skips Acts 9 to 13 and proceeds to Act 14. In other words, if processor 1a has set the second mode as the issuing mode, it does not issue a promotional receipt and leaves the issued flag in a reset state.

In Act 14, the processor 1a sends the payment data from the communication unit 1j to the LAN 4, addressed to one of the two associated payment devices 2. The processor 1a follows a predetermined rule as to which of the two payment devices 2 is to be the destination. The rule may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the designer of the registration device 1. As an example of the rule, the destination is the payment device 2 that can start processing for a new payment. As an example of the rule, the destination is always a specific payment device 2 that is predetermined as one of the two payment devices. As an example of the rule, the destination is one payment device 2 randomly selected from the two payment devices 2. As an example of the rule, the destination is one payment device 2 specified by the operator by operating the registration device 1. Such transmission of payment data is an example of output of payment data. Thus, the processor 1a executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 1a as the central part functions as an output means.
When this payment data is transmitted to the destination payment device 2 via the LAN 4, it is received by the communication unit 2i provided in the payment device 2.

When the payment device 2 is started up in an operating mode in which it executes payment processing based on the payment data sent from the registration device 1, the processor 2a executes information processing as described below in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main memory 2b or the auxiliary memory unit 2c.
4 is a flowchart of information processing by the processor 2a. Note that FIG. 4 mainly illustrates characteristic operations of this embodiment, and some processing is omitted.

In Act 21, the processor 2a waits for the payment data to arrive. Then, when the payment data is received by the communication unit 2i as described above, the processor 2a judges that the result is Yes and proceeds to Act 22.
If the rule by which the processor 1a of the registration device determines the payment device 2 to which the payment data is to be sent is a rule that does not concern whether the payment device 2 is in a state in which it can start processing a new payment, the processor 2a may receive payment data after proceeding to Act 22 in the information processing shown in Fig. 4 and before returning to the standby state of Act 21, as described below. Therefore, while executing Act 22 and subsequent steps in the processing shown in Fig. 4, the processor 1a waits for the arrival of payment data as another information processing. When new payment data is received by the communication unit 2i, the payment data is transferred to another predetermined payment device 2 or returned to the registration device 1.

In Act 22, the processor 2a waits for the payment method to be specified. At this time, the processor 2a, for example, displays a selection screen on the touch panel 2e to allow the operator to select the payment method. As the payment method, various payment methods such as cash, credit card, debit card, prepaid card, electronic money, points, and vouchers can be appropriately used. If a payment method is specified, the processor 2a judges the result as Yes and proceeds to Act 23.

The processor 2a may change the standby state of Act 22 to standby for a payment method specification or a change instruction. In this case, when a predetermined operation that instructs a change to the transaction details is performed by the operator, the processor 2a edits the product list included in the payment data to change the purchased products in accordance with the instruction, and then returns to the above standby state.

In Act 23, the processor 2a performs payment processing for payment using the specified payment method. This payment processing can be performed using well-known processing, so illustrations and detailed explanations are omitted. Thus, the processor 2a executes information processing based on an information processing program, and the computer with the processor 2a as its central part functions as a payment means.

In Act 24, the processor 2a checks whether or not to apply a point service. For example, if the payment data includes a membership code, the processor 2a determines that the answer is Yes and proceeds to Act 25.
In Act 25, the processor 2a determines the points to be awarded for this transaction. The processor 2a performs this determination based on the content of the transaction that was the subject of the settlement in Act 23 and the result of the settlement, in accordance with the rules described in Act 10 in Fig. 3.

In Act 26, the processor 2a awards points to the customer 22. For example, the processor 2a performs processing to add the determined award points to the owned points associated with the membership code included in the payment data. For example, if the owned points are recorded on a recording medium such as a membership card, the processor 2a adds the award points to the owned points read from the recording medium to obtain new owned points, and writes the new owned points to the recording medium. For example, if the owned points are managed by a point management device such as the headquarters server 40 or a server not shown, the processor 2a requests the point management device to add points, along with a notification of the membership code and the awarded points.

In Act 27, the processor 2a checks whether an issued flag included in the payment data is set or not. If the issued flag is reset, the processor 2a determines the answer as No and proceeds to Act 28.
In Act 28, the processor 2a checks whether the issuance condition is met based on the owned points after adding the granted points. As described above, the issuance condition referred to by the processor 2a here is the same as the issuance condition referred to by the processor 1a in Act 11. Thus, the processor 2a executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 2a as the central part functions as a second determination means. If the issuance condition is met, the processor 2a judges Yes and proceeds to Act 29.

In Act 29, the processor 1a issues a promotional receipt that corresponds to the established issuing conditions. The processor 2a, for example, generates image data that represents an image of the promotional receipt that corresponds to the established issuing conditions. The processor 2a then sends this image data to the printer 2f, which prints the image represented by the image data on receipt paper. In other words, the computer with the processor 2a at its core realizes the function of the second issuing means in cooperation with the printer 2f.

When the processor 2a has finished issuing the promotional receipt, it proceeds to Act 30. If the processor 2a judges No in Act 24 because the payment data does not contain a membership code, it skips Acts 25 to 29 and proceeds to Act 30. If the processor 2a judges Yes in Act 27 because the issued flag is set, it skips Acts 28 and 29 and proceeds to Act 30. If the processor 2a judges No in Act 28 because the issuance condition is not met, it skips Act 29 and proceeds to Act 30.

In this embodiment, when the issuing mode of the registration device 1 is set to the first mode, the issued flag is set to a set state indicating that a promotional receipt has been issued, regardless of whether or not a promotional receipt has been issued by the registration device 1. In other words, when the processor 2a judges Yes in Act 27, it has received a notification that a promotional receipt has been issued, regardless of whether or not a promotional receipt will be issued. In other words, the processor 1a of the registration device 1 sends the above notification by sending payment data that includes the issued flag that has been set, and the computer centered around the processor 1a functions as a notification means.

In Act 30, the processor 2a issues a transaction receipt. The processor 2a generates image data representing, for example, a list of purchased items related to the transaction that was the subject of the payment in Act 23 and the result of the payment in Act 23. The processor 2a then sends this image data to the printer 2f, which prints the image represented by the image data on receipt paper.
When the processor 2a has finished issuing the transaction receipt, the processor 2a returns to the standby state of Act 21. In other words, the processor 2a transitions to a state of waiting for the arrival of the next payment data.

As described above, according to the checkout system 10, if the first mode is set as the issuing mode in the registration device 1, the promotional receipt is issued by the registration device 1, and not by the payment device 2. Therefore, the promotional receipt is handed to the customer 22 by the store clerk 21, and the store clerk 21 can provide an accurate explanation of the promotional receipt to the customer 22.

Furthermore, according to the checkout system 10, if the second mode is set as the issuing mode in the registration device 1, the payment device 2 issues all promotional receipts. In other words, depending on the setting of the issuing mode in the registration device 1, the payment device 2 may or may not issue a promotional receipt. However, in the first mode, such changes in the operation of the payment device 2 are controlled by setting the issued flag regardless of whether or not a promotional receipt has been issued by the registration device 1, and there is no need to set the operating mode in the payment device 2.

In addition, according to the checkout system 10, notification that a promotional receipt has been issued is provided by an issued flag included in the payment data, so there is no need to notify that a promotional receipt has been issued separately from the transmission and reception of payment data, which makes processing more efficient.

This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows.
The registration device 1 may not set the issue mode, and the processor 1a may always proceed from Act 7 to Act 10 in FIG.

Notification that a promotional receipt has been issued may be sent by sending data separate from the payment data.

The conditions for issuing a promotional receipt may be set so that whether or not to issue one is determined regardless of the number of points held.

The transactions to be registered and settled by the checkout system 10 may be any transactions that do not involve the sale of goods, such as the provision of a service that does not involve the transfer of an item.

The functions realized by processors 1a and 2a through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining software control with hardware such as the above logic circuits.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.
The invention as originally claimed in the present application is set forth below.
[Supplementary Note 1] A registration device and a payment device are provided,
The registration device includes:
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means at the settlement device;
a first determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
a first issuing means for issuing a sales promotion receipt in response to the first determination means determining that the issuing condition is satisfied;
a notification means for notifying the settlement device that performs settlement based on the settlement data output by the output means that the sales promotion receipt has been issued, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued by the first issuing means;
Equipped with
The payment device,
a payment means for performing a payment taking into consideration the payment data output by the output means;
a second determination means for determining whether the issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the sales promotion receipt in response to the notification means not issuing the notification and the second determining means determining that the issuing condition is met;
A checkout system comprising:
[Supplementary Note 2] A payment means for making a payment taking into consideration the acquired payment data;
A second determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the promotional receipt in response to a determination by the second determination means that the issuing condition is met when a notification that the promotional receipt has already been issued has not been received;
A registration device constituting a checkout system together with a payment device having
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means;
a first determination means for determining whether the issuing condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
a first issuing means for issuing the sales promotion receipt in response to the first determination means determining that the issuing condition is met;
a notification means for notifying the settlement device that performs settlement based on the settlement data output by the output means that the sales promotion receipt has been issued, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued by the first issuing means;
A registration device comprising:
[Additional Note 3] The notification means performs the notification by including issued data, which indicates that the sales promotion receipt has been issued, in the payment data output by the output means.
3. A registration device as described in claim 2.
[Supplementary Note 4] The device further includes a setting unit for setting the issuing mode to the first mode or the second mode,
the first issuing means issues the sales promotion receipt when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means,
When the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means, the notification means issues the notification regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued by the first issuing means.
4. A registration device according to claim 2 or 3.
[Supplementary Note 5] A payment means for making a payment taking into consideration the acquired payment data;
A second determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the promotional receipt in response to a determination by the second determination means that the issuing condition is met when a notification that the promotional receipt has already been issued has not been received;
A checkout system is configured with a payment device having the above-mentioned and a computer that controls a registration device having a printer,
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means;
a first determination means for determining whether the issuing condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
a control means for controlling the printer to issue the sales promotion receipt in response to the first determination means determining that the issuing condition is met;
a notification means for notifying the payment device, which performs payment based on the payment data output by the output means, that the sales promotion receipt has been issued, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued under the control of the control means;
An information processing program that enables the system to function as such.

1...registration device, 1a...processor, 1b...main memory, 1c...auxiliary memory unit, 1d...scanner, 1e...keyboard, 1f...touch panel, 1g...sub-display, 1h...customer-facing display, 1i...printer, 1j...communication unit, 1k...transmission path, 2...payment device, 2a...processor, 2b...main memory, 2c...auxiliary memory unit, 2d...automatic change machine, 2e...touch panel, 2f...printer, 2g...reader/writer, 2h...camera, 2i...communication unit, 2j...transmission path, 10...checkout system, 100...POS system.

Claims (4)

A registration device and a payment device are provided,
The registration device includes:
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means at the settlement device;
a first determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
A setting means for setting an issue mode to a first mode or a second mode;
a first issuing means for issuing a sales promotion receipt in response to a determination by the first determining means that the issuing condition is satisfied when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means ;
a notification means for notifying the settlement device that makes the settlement based on the settlement data output by the output means that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued by the first issuing means , and for not notifying the settlement device that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the second mode by the setting means;
Equipped with
The payment device,
a payment means for performing a payment taking into consideration the payment data output by the output means;
a second determination means for determining whether the issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the sales promotion receipt in response to the notification means not issuing the notification and the second determining means determining that the issuing condition is met;
A checkout system comprising: A payment method for making a payment taking into consideration the acquired payment data;
A second determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the promotional receipt in response to a determination by the second determination means that the issuing condition is met when a notification that the promotional receipt has already been issued has not been received;
A registration device constituting a checkout system together with a payment device having
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means;
a first determination means for determining whether the issuing condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
A setting means for setting an issue mode to a first mode or a second mode;
a first issuing means for issuing the sales promotion receipt in response to the first determination means determining that the issuing condition is met when the setting means has set the issuing mode to the first mode;
a notification means for notifying the settlement device that makes the settlement based on the settlement data output by the output means that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued by the first issuing means , and for not notifying the settlement device that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the second mode by the setting means;
A registration device comprising: the notification means performs the notification by including in the payment data output by the output means issued data indicating that the sales promotion receipt has been issued.
The registration device according to claim 2. A payment method for making a payment taking into consideration the acquired payment data;
A second determination means for determining whether a predetermined issuance condition is satisfied with respect to the payment made by the payment means;
a second issuing means for issuing the promotional receipt in response to a determination by the second determination means that the issuing condition is met when a notification that the promotional receipt has already been issued has not been received;
A checkout system is configured with a payment device having the above-mentioned and a registration device having a printer.
a registration means for registering a transaction;
an output means for outputting settlement data for settling the transaction registered by the registration means;
a first determination means for determining whether the issuing condition is satisfied with respect to a payment based on the payment data;
A setting means for setting an issue mode to a first mode or a second mode;
a control means for controlling the printer to issue the sales promotion receipt when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means and the first determination means determines that the issuing condition is met;
a notification means for notifying the settlement device that performs settlement based on the settlement data output by the output means that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the first mode by the setting means, regardless of whether the sales promotion receipt is issued under the control of the control means, and for notifying the settlement device that the sales promotion receipt has been issued when the issuing mode is set to the second mode by the setting means ;
An information processing program that enables the system to function as such.