JP7478471B2 - POS systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a POS system and a program.

The following configuration is known as a POS (Point Of Sales) system in which a registration device, where a store clerk registers items purchased by a customer, and a payment device, where the customer pays for the registered items, are separate.
In other words, the registration device prohibits the registration of products from the time of the subtotal operation until the time of the operation to designate a settlement device that performs settlement processing using the registration information for the products registered corresponding to one transaction, or the operation to instruct the issuance of a receipt (registered trademark) is performed. In addition, when a registration operation is performed, the registration device displays a screen for confirming whether or not registration is possible (for example, see Patent Document 1). With this configuration, the registration device prevents the registration device from registering products purchased by a customer and the next customer's products as being included in the same transaction.

JP 2015-148935 A

Some stores operate in such a way that customers are required to register as store members and only customers who are members can shop at the store. In such stores, a membership card is distributed to the members. When a member customer pays for a purchased item at the store, the member information such as the member number stored on the customer's membership card is read by a card reader and entered into the POS system.
However, some POS systems can accept the closing operation regardless of whether the member information has been read, so if the closing operation is performed even though the member information has not been entered, the POS system will execute operations according to the deposit, for example. If the closing operation is performed without the member information being entered in this way, tasks such as canceling the transactions that were confirmed in response to the closing operation will be required, hindering the smooth flow of accounting.
Also, for example, in cases where different prices are set for members and non-members for the same product, the POS system needs to set prices according to whether the customer is a member or not, and the store clerk must input whether the customer is a member or not. Even in such cases, if the closing operation is performed without inputting whether the customer is a member or not, the price for non-members will be set and the payment will be settled, even if the customer is a member, which will require tasks such as canceling a confirmed transaction and disrupting the flow of the accounting.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to prevent the closing operation from being accepted without inputting the presence or absence of member information.

One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a POS system that includes a member information input means for inputting the presence or absence of member information, and a control means for prohibiting the closing operation if the presence or absence of member information has not been input by the member information input means.

Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a member information input means for inputting the presence or absence of member information, and as a control means for prohibiting the closing operation if the presence or absence of member information is not input by the member information input means.

The present invention has the effect of preventing the closing operation from being accepted without inputting the presence or absence of member information.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a registration device in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a settlement device in the first embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a registration device and a settlement device in a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display form of a member information no-entry error screen displayed on the registration device in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device in the first embodiment. A figure showing an example of the display form of a membership information not entered error screen displayed on the settlement device in the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the settlement device in the second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the settlement device in the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First Embodiment
1 shows an example of the configuration of a POS system 1 according to this embodiment. The POS system 1 shown in the figure includes a store controller 10, a registration device 20, and three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3.
In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, they will be referred to as settlement device 30.
The store controller 10, the registration device 20, and the three payment devices 30 are interconnected via a wired or wireless local area network (LAN) 11.

The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is just an example. For example, the POS system 1 may include two or more registration devices 20, or may include two or less or four or more settlement devices 30. The POS system 1 may also be configured not to include a store controller 10.
In addition, if the configuration of the POS system 1 does not include a store controller 10, another device (for example, a registration device 20, or, if there are two or more registration devices 20, a representative registration device 20) may be made to function as the store controller 10.

The store controller 10 is an information processing device that controls the POS system 1, and manages the registration devices 20 and the settlement devices 30 in the POS system 1, and manages various information such as a product master. The store controller 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the registration devices 20 and each settlement device 30. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name (product name, item name), sales price, and discount information for each product.
The store controller 10 obtains a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (e.g., a headquarters server or a removable storage medium) and transmits it to the registration device 20 and each settlement device 30 as appropriate.

The registration device 20 executes a registration process for registering a product to be purchased. The product is registered, for example, by using a scanner to read a barcode attached to the product or by operating a preset button or the like displayed on a product registration screen.
The registration device 20 also generates and stores information used for settling the registered products (hereinafter referred to as settlement information).

The settlement information includes settlement information identification information for identifying the settlement information, the registration date and time, product identification information for each registered product, the product name, sales price, discount information, transaction points (purchase points) indicating the number of products to be purchased, and the total price (total amount) of the products to be purchased. The settlement information may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration device 20 that generated the settlement information (i.e., the registration device 20 that registered the products related to the settlement information).

The settlement information is used in the settlement process in the settlement device 30. The settlement process is a process in which the price of the registered products is paid and settled selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, etc.

In this embodiment, there are multiple settlement devices 30, and one of the multiple settlement devices 30 executes the settlement process using the product registration data generated by the registration device 20. The following first and second designation modes can be used to specify the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process from among the multiple settlement devices 30.

The first designation manner is a manner in which a store clerk uses the registration device 20 to designate the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process.
That is, the store clerk performs an operation to specify a settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, thereby specifying one of the multiple settlement devices 30 that is to execute the settlement process.
In addition, the registration device 20 may be configured to display operation information indicating the operation status of each settlement device 30, so that when a store clerk selects a settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, the operation status of each settlement device 30 can be checked.

When a store clerk designates a settlement device 30, settlement information including the product registration data generated in the registration device 20 is transmitted to the designated settlement device 30 via the LAN 11. In other words, when a settlement device 30 is designated following the registration process, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information including the product registration data based on the registration process to the designated settlement device 30.
In this embodiment, the registration device 20 transmits the settlement information directly to the settlement device 30 , but the settlement information may be transmitted to the settlement device 30 via the store controller 10 .

The second specified mode is a mode in which a medium for settlement processing (a receipt (registered trademark)) to be handed to the customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the receipt handed to the customer by the store clerk is read by one settlement device 30.
That is, the customer designates one of the multiple payment devices 30 that will carry out the payment process by having the payment device 30 read the bill handed to him by the store clerk.
On the bill, the settlement information identification information and the registration device identification information are printed in the form of either a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code.

When a receipt is read by the settlement device 30, settlement information including the product registration data generated in the registration device 20 (the product registration data corresponding to the receipt) is transmitted via LAN 11 to the settlement device 30 that read the receipt.
That is, when the settlement device 30 reads a receipt, it requests settlement information corresponding to that receipt (product registration data identified by product registration data identification information obtained from the receipt) from the registration device 20 corresponding to that receipt (the registration device 20 identified by the registration device identification information obtained from the receipt) (i.e., it transmits requested information). The registration device 20 that has been requested to transmit the requested settlement information to the settlement device 30 that made the request.
In this embodiment, the settlement device 30 requests the settlement information directly from the registration device 20 , but the settlement information may be requested from the registration device 20 via the store controller 10 .
In addition, the registration device 20 transmits the settlement information directly to the settlement device 30, but the settlement information may also be transmitted to the settlement device 30 via the store controller 10.

The registration device 20 may issue a receipt on which the settlement information is printed in a two-dimensional code, instead of a receipt on which the settlement information identification information and the registration device identification information are printed in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code. When the settlement device 30 reads a receipt on which the settlement information is printed in a two-dimensional code, it obtains the product registration data directly from the receipt.

The settlement device 30 executes the settlement process in response to the customer's operation. When the settlement process is completed, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of the completion of the settlement process.

Next, examples of the configuration of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration device 20. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the settlement device 30. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, the registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a memory unit 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a store clerk display unit 205, a customer display unit 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the registration device 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 202 .
The storage unit 202 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 201, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

The RAM 203 is a main storage device for the CPU 201 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores product master data acquired from the store controller 10, settlement information generated after the registration process, and the like.
The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.

The store clerk display unit 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for the store clerk.
For example, the store clerk display unit 205 displays a product registration screen on which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged.

The customer display unit 205a displays various information for customers. For example, the customer display unit 205a displays the price of registered products. The customer display unit 205a may be a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel).

The operation unit 206 has various operation buttons (subtotal key, current total key, number entry key, correction key, preset key, etc.) for operating the registration device 20. For example, when an operation button (preset key) is operated, the operation unit 206 accepts operation input for product information (product code, etc.) that is previously set and registered in that preset key.

The communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a store clerk to confirm an operation.
The printing unit 209 prints and issues media as necessary. For example, the printing unit 209 can print and issue bills.

The card reader 210 is a device that reads information from, for example, an IC card-type RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag.

Figure 4 shows an example of the external appearance of the registration device 20, which includes a scanner unit 204, a store clerk display unit 205, an operation unit 206, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210.

As shown in FIG. 3, the settlement device 30 includes a CPU 301, a memory unit 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, a human detection sensor 312, and a card reader 313. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement device 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 302 .
The storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 301, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 301, including programs.

The RAM 303 is a main storage device for the CPU 201 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores product master data acquired from the store controller 10 and settlement information acquired from the registration device 20.
The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code printed on a bill or a barcode (membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

The display unit 305 is a touch panel (e.g., a liquid crystal touch panel) that displays various information. For example, the display unit 305 displays a settlement screen on which the total amount is displayed, etc.

The operation unit 306 has various operation buttons (such as a correction key and a preset key) for operating the settlement device 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts corrections to operation inputs by operating an operation button (correction key).

The communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 .
When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound to notify the user of the error.
The printing unit 309 prints and issues media. For example, when the payment process (i.e., the payment of the purchase amount of the products) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a payment-completed receipt for the customer to take home.

The settlement unit 310 performs processing related to settlement (clearance). In this embodiment, the types of settlement that the settlement unit 310 can handle include at least one of cash settlement, credit card settlement, and electronic money settlement.
To accommodate payment in cash, the settlement unit 310 is equipped with a change machine. The change machine is equipped with a banknote insertion port for inserting and ejecting banknotes, a coin insertion port for inserting coins, and a change ejection port for ejecting change. The settlement unit 310 executes payment in cash using the change machine, and outputs the result of the execution of the payment (for example, information indicating whether the payment has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus.
Furthermore, in the case where payment is made by credit card, the payment section 310 is provided with a credit card reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the credit card reader.
Furthermore, in the case where payment is made using electronic money, the settlement unit 310 is provided with an electronic money reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the electronic money reader.

The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of multiple colors, and by turning on or blinking these indicator lights, it notifies the user that the settlement device 30 is the device designated by a store clerk or that it can be operated.
The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects the presence of a person (customer) within a specified range in front of the settlement device 30.

The card reader 313 is a device that reads information from an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tag in the form of an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, for example.

FIG. 4 shows the external configuration of the settlement device 30, which includes a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, a card reader 313, and the like.
In addition, the card reader 313 may be omitted in the first embodiment.

In the store equipped with the POS system 1 in this embodiment, the customer must be a member of the association that operates the store as a condition for use. Therefore, in order to confirm that a customer who uses the store to purchase a product is a member, the store inputs the presence or absence of customer membership information into the registration device 20 when registering a product. In this embodiment, inputting the presence or absence of membership information means inputting the membership information into the registration device 20.
A membership card (membership certificate) is distributed to a member of a store that has the POS system 1. The membership card is, for example, an IC card with an embedded RFID tag. The RFID tag stores member information. The member information includes, for example, a member number that uniquely identifies the customer as a member.

A store clerk (operator) who operates registration device 20. When registering a purchased item, the clerk receives a membership card from the customer and has card reader 313 read the membership information stored on the membership card. In this manner, the membership information is input into registration device 20. The timing for inputting the membership information into registration device 20 may include a stage before product registration begins, and may be any time before a subtotal operation is performed. The subtotal operation is, for example, an operation on a subtotal button located at a predetermined position on the product registration screen displayed on clerk display unit 205 when registering a product, or on a subtotal button located on operation unit 206.
Then, when the store clerk has completed the registration of the purchased items and the input of the member information, performed a subtotal operation, and then performs an operation to designate a settlement device 30 to execute the settlement process (a settlement device designation operation), the settlement information for this transaction is sent from the registration device 20 to the designated settlement device 30. Alternatively, when an operation to instruct the issuance of a receipt (a receipt issuance operation) is performed after the subtotal operation, the registration device 20 issues a receipt according to the registration of the current items.

On the other hand, if a subtotal operation is performed without entering member information, the registration device 20 of this embodiment will not transmit settlement information even if a settlement device designation operation is performed. Alternatively, if a subtotal operation is performed without entering member information, the registration device 20 will not issue a receipt even if a receipt is issued.
In this embodiment, the settlement device 30 is in standby mode before it can receive settlement information or read the code on the receipt to start settlement processing, and the change dispenser does not operate and cannot make deposits. Therefore, when a subtotal operation is performed without entering member information as in this embodiment, the settlement information is not sent or a receipt is not issued, thereby preventing a customer who has registered a product without entering member information from depositing money into the change dispenser at the settlement device 30. That is, in the POS system 1 of this embodiment, the registration device 20 performs control (deposit prohibition control) to prevent the settlement device 30 from depositing money into the change dispenser. By performing this deposit prohibition control, the store clerk cannot perform the closing operation after the deposit. That is, the deposit prohibition control prohibits the closing operation.

Depending on the store's operations, the input of whether or not membership information is available may be, for example, instead of inputting membership information, an operation may be performed to specify that the customer has membership information (is a member).
In this case, if the store clerk has operated the registration device 20 to specify that the customer has member information, the settlement information is transmitted. On the other hand, if no input operation is performed regarding whether or not the customer has member information (or an operation may be performed to input that the customer does not have member information), the settlement information is not transmitted and the closing operation is prohibited as a deposit prohibition control.
Furthermore, different prices may be set for the same product for members and non-members. In such cases, the store clerk may perform an operation to specify whether the customer is a member or not as an input of the presence or absence of membership information. In this case, for registered products for which different prices are set for members and non-members, the registration device 20 sets the price for this transaction depending on whether the customer has been specified as a member by an operation. Also, if a subtotal operation is performed without performing an operation to specify whether the customer is a member, the registration device 20 will not transmit the payment information or issue a bill as described above.

In addition, in this embodiment, if a subtotal operation is performed without member information being entered into the registration device 20, a member information not entered notification screen is displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 to notify the store clerk that member information has not been entered.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a member information not-entered notification screen. When a store clerk performs a subtotal operation without inputting member information, the store clerk display unit 205 switches from the previous product registration screen to the subtotal screen. Then, a member information not-entered notification screen WD1 is displayed in a window format so as to be superimposed on the subtotal screen. In the member information not-entered notification screen WD1 in the same figure, a text message such as "Please call the member" is displayed. By seeing the message displayed in this way, the store clerk realizes that he or she has performed a subtotal operation without inputting member information, and can immediately understand that the next step is to input member information corresponding to the current transaction.
While the member information not-entered notification screen WD1 is displayed, the registration device 20 will not accept any operation to specify a payment device or issue a receipt. If no operation to specify a payment device or issue a receipt is performed, the subtotal operation cannot be performed. In this way, the closing operation is prohibited in this embodiment.

The store clerk, upon seeing the member information not-yet-entered notification screen WD1, informs the customer that the member information has not yet been entered, and receives the member card from the customer. The store clerk then has the customer enter the member information into registration device 20 by reading the received member card with card reader 210.
When the member information is input as described above, the registration device 20 erases the member information not entered notification screen WD1 and returns to a state where the small print screen is normally displayed. The registration device 20 also enters a state where a settlement device designation operation or a receipt issuing operation can be performed. The store clerk then performs a settlement device designation operation or a receipt issuing operation. The settlement device 30 sets a state where a deposit can be made using the change machine in response to receiving the settlement information transmitted from the registration device. Alternatively, the settlement device 30 sets a state where a deposit can be made using the change machine in response to acquiring the settlement information by reading the code printed on the receipt. As a result, when a customer goes to the settlement device 30, the customer can deposit money into the change machine and make a settlement.

An example of the processing procedure executed by the registration device 20 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 6. The processing in the figure is executed by the registration device 20 in response to one transaction. In addition, in the figure, an example is given of a case where a first designation mode is adopted as a mode for designating the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process, in which settlement information is sent to the settlement device 30 in response to a settlement device designation operation.

Step S101: The registration device 20 determines whether or not an operation for registering a product corresponding to one item (product registration operation) has been performed.
Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that a product registration operation has been performed, the registration device 20 performs a product registration process in response to the product registration operation.

Step S103: If it is determined in step S101 that no product registration operation has been performed, or after the processing of step S102, the registration device 20 determines whether or not the card reader 210 has read member information from the member card.
Step S104: If it is determined in step S103 that the member information has been read, the registration device 20 stores the member information read by the card reader 210, for example, in the RAM 203. In this manner, the member information is input to the registration device 20.

Step S105: If it is determined in step S103 that the member information has not been read, or after the process of step S104, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a subtotal operation has been performed.
If it is determined that a subtotal operation is not to be performed, the process returns to step S101.

Step S106: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that a subtotal operation has been performed, the registration device 20 further determines whether or not there are currently any registered products. In other words, it determines whether or not at least one product has been registered and then a subtotal operation has been performed. If it is determined in step S106 that there are no registered products, the subtotal operation performed this time is invalid. Therefore, in this case, the process returns to step S101.

Step S107: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that there is a registered product, the registration device 20 causes the salesperson display unit 205 to display a sub-plan screen that reflects the product registrations made so far in this transaction.

Step S108: The registration device 20 also determines whether or not member information corresponding to the current transaction has been stored, that is, whether or not member information has been input.
Step S109: If it is determined in step S108 that the member information has already been stored, the registration device 20 accepts an operation to designate a payment device performed by the store clerk.
Step S110: The registration device 20 transmits settlement information corresponding to the current transaction to the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation accepted in step S109. That is, the registration device 20 in this case controls the settlement device 30 to allow deposit of money into the change dispenser by transmitting the settlement information.

Step S111: If it is determined in step S108 that the member information has not been stored, i.e., that the member information has not been entered, the registration device 20 displays the member information not entered notification screen WD1 (Figure 5) on the store clerk display unit 205.
In addition, the registration device 20 may also display a membership information unentered notification screen in a predetermined manner on the customer display unit 205a to notify the customer that their membership card has not been read and encourage the customer to present their membership card to the store clerk.

Step S112: With the member information not yet entered notification screen WD1 displayed in step S111, the registration device 20 waits for the member information to be read. In this way, with the member information not yet entered notification screen WD1 displayed in step S111 and the member information waiting to be read in step S112, even if a settlement device designation operation is performed, it will not be accepted as valid. In other words, the settlement device designation operation is prohibited. While the settlement device designation operation is prohibited, settlement information is not transmitted to the settlement device 30. In this way, the registration device 20 controls so that depositing money into the change dispenser in the settlement device 30 is prohibited.
Although not shown in the figure, if the state of waiting for the member information to be read by step S112 continues for a certain period of time or more, or if an operation is performed to cancel the input of member information, the information on the product registration for the current transaction is cleared and the device transitions to a standby mode where it waits for the start of product registration for the next transaction.

Step S113: If it is determined in step S112 that the member information has been read, the registration device 20 stores the read member information in the RAM 203.
Step S114: The registration device 20 also erases the member information non-entry notification screen WD1 displayed in step S111, and returns to a state in which the small print screen is normally displayed on the store clerk display unit 205. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.
As described above, when the registration device 20 executes the process and the member information is not input, the operation device designation operation is disabled and the settlement information is not sent to the settlement device 30. This prevents the change being deposited in the change dispenser of the settlement device 30 without the member information being input in the registration device 20.

When issuing a receipt, the receipt issuing operation cannot be accepted while waiting for the member information to be read in step S112. In addition, in step S109, a receipt issuing operation is accepted instead of a payment device designation operation, and in step S110, a receipt is issued instead of sending payment information.

In the above example, the member information non-entry notification screen WD1 is displayed depending on when the subtotal operation is performed, and control to prohibit deposits is performed. However, for example, control to prohibit deposits may be performed depending on when the settlement device designation operation or the receipt issuance operation is performed.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the member information is input by reading it from the member card in the registration device 20. If a subtotal operation is performed without inputting the member information, the registration device 20 is prohibited from accepting a settlement device designation operation or a receipt issuing operation, thereby performing a deposit prohibition control.
In contrast, in the POS system 1 of the second embodiment, when a customer makes a payment at the settlement device 30, the customer has the card reader 313 read their membership card, thereby inputting membership information into the settlement device 30. The settlement device 30 then controls the change machine not to accept deposits if the membership information has not been entered, and controls the change machine to accept deposits if the membership information has been entered.
The closing operation performed by the settlement device 30 is, for example, the operation of the Finish button displayed on the display unit 305 in order for the customer to finish the transaction after depositing the payment amount and issuing a receipt or dispensing change. If the change dispenser is in a state where it will not accept deposits due to the fact that member information has not been entered, the settlement process will not proceed to issuing a receipt or dispensing change, and therefore the Finish button will not be displayed and the customer will not be able to operate the Finish button. In this manner, the settlement device 30 is configured to prohibit the closing operation by performing deposit prohibition control in this manner.

In this embodiment, the registration device 20 does not need to input member information. Therefore, when a subtotal operation is performed following the registration of products corresponding to one transaction, the registration device 20 in this embodiment becomes ready to accept a settlement device designation operation or a receipt issuance operation. In response to the settlement device designation operation, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to the designated settlement device 30. In addition, in response to the receipt issuance operation, the registration device 20 issues a receipt for the current transaction.

In this case, the customer goes to the settlement device 30 specified by the settlement device specification operation, or receives the issued bill and goes to any settlement device 30.
When the customer goes to the settlement device 30 specified by the settlement device specification operation, a display such as that shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 305 of the settlement device 30.
In other words, when the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation receives (acquires) the settlement information transmitted from the registration device 20, it displays a deposit screen based on the received settlement information. The deposit screen displays the payment amount to be paid by the customer for the current transaction, along with a message urging the customer to deposit cash into the change machine. However, at this stage, the member information corresponding to the transaction has not yet been entered into the settlement device 30. For this reason, the settlement device 30 further displays a member information not entered notification screen WD2 superimposed on the deposit screen displayed on the display unit 305.
The member information not entered notification screen WD2 in the figure displays a text message such as "Please scan your member card before depositing the payment amount." By seeing the message displayed in this manner, the customer can immediately understand that he or she needs to scan his or her member card (enter member information) in order to pay the bill.
Here, while the member information not entered notification screen WD2 is displayed, the settlement device 30 controls the change machine so that it does not accept deposits. In this embodiment, the settlement device 30 controls to prohibit deposits in this manner. This configuration also accurately prevents deposits from being made into the change machine without the member information being entered.

Furthermore, when a customer receives a bill and goes to any settlement device 30, the customer first inputs membership information into the settlement device 30, for example by having the card reader 313 read the membership card. The customer then has the scanner unit 304 of the settlement device 30 read the code on the bill. The settlement device 30 obtains the settlement information as described above based on the code read from the bill. In response to obtaining the settlement information, the settlement device 30 displays a deposit screen.
On the other hand, if a customer who has received a bill has the code on the bill read first without having the member's card read by the card reader 313, the settlement device 30 will obtain the settlement information without having entered the member's information. Therefore, in this case, the settlement device 30 will display a member's information not entered notification screen WD2 superimposed on the sub-screen as shown in FIG.

With the member information not entered notification screen WD2 displayed as described above, the customer has the card reader 313 read the member card, thereby inputting the member information into the settlement device 30. In response to the member information being input, the settlement device 30 erases the member information not entered notification screen WD2 on the display unit 305 and displays the normal deposit screen. In addition to displaying the normal deposit screen as described above, the settlement device 30 also controls the change machine to a state where it can accept deposits. In this way, even in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a deposit from being made into the change machine without the member information being input.

An example of a processing procedure executed by the settlement device 30 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8. The processing in the figure is executed by the settlement device 30 in response to a case where the mode for designating the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process is the first designation mode.

Step S201: The settlement device 30 waits in standby mode to receive settlement information transmitted from a registration device 20 in which a settlement device designation operation has been performed to designate the settlement device 30 itself.
Step S202: In response to acquiring the settlement information, the settlement device 30 displays a settlement screen related to the settlement process on the display unit 305. In the previous Fig. 7, an example is shown in which a deposit screen is displayed as the settlement screen.
Step S203: Also, at the stage where the settlement screen is displayed in response to receipt of settlement information as described above, the membership information of the customer corresponding to the received settlement information has not been entered. Therefore, in this case, the settlement device 30 displays the member information not entered notification screen WD2 as shown in FIG. 7 so as to be superimposed on the settlement screen (deposit screen) displayed in step S202.

Step S204: With the member information not yet entered notification screen WD2 displayed in step S203, the settlement device 30 waits for the member information to be read from the member card by the card reader 313. In this way, while waiting for the member information to be read from the member card in step S204, the change machine is set to a state in which deposits are not possible. In other words, in this case, while displaying the member information not yet entered notification screen WD2, the settlement device 30 controls so that deposits into the change machine are prohibited while waiting for the member information to be read in step S204.
Although not shown in the figure, if the state of waiting for the reading of the member information by step S204 continues for a certain period of time or more, or if an operation equivalent to canceling the input of the member information is performed, the settlement process based on the settlement information received this time is interrupted and the device enters standby mode.

Step S205: When the member information is read in step S204, the settlement device 30 inputs the read member information.
Step S206: Furthermore, in response to the member information being read in step S204, the settlement device 30 erases the member information not-entered notification screen WD2 displayed in step S203, and displays the normal settlement screen.
Step S207: Furthermore, in response to the member information being read in step S204, the settlement device 30 sets the change dispenser to a state in which money can be deposited.

Step S208: As described above, the normal settlement screen is displayed, and the change machine is ready for depositing money, so the customer deposits money corresponding to the amount to be paid. The settlement device 30 performs settlement processing according to the deposit made to the change machine.
Step S209: The settlement device 30 waits for the settlement process carried out in step S208 to be completed.
Step S210: When the settlement process is completed, for example, by dispensing the change and issuing a receipt, the settlement device 30 sets to a standby mode. In the standby mode, the change dispenser is set to a state in which deposits are not possible.

Further, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, an example of a processing procedure executed by the settlement device 30 in accordance with a case where the mode for designating the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process is the second designation mode will be described.
Step S301: When the manner in which the settlement device 30 is designated is the second designated manner, the settlement device 30, at the start of settlement processing for one transaction, can either read membership information using the card reader 313 or read the code on the receipt using the scanner unit 304. In other words, when a customer who has been given a receipt makes a settlement with the settlement device 30, they may first have their membership card read, or they may first have the code on the receipt read.
Therefore, in this case, the settlement device 30 determines whether or not the member information has been read by the card reader 313 while in a standby state.
Step S302: When the member information is read by the card reader 313, the settlement device 30 inputs the member information read by the card reader 313.

Step S303: If it is determined in step S301 that the membership information has not been read, or after processing in step S302, the settlement device 30 determines whether or not the scanner unit 304 has read a code from the receipt.
If it is determined in step S303 that the code is not to be read from the receipt, the process returns to step S301.

Step S304: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the code has been read from the receipt, the settlement device 30 obtains settlement information based on the code read from the receipt. That is, the settlement device 30 requests settlement information from the registration device 20 that issued the receipt, using the settlement information identification information and registration device identification information indicated by the code read from the receipt, and receives the settlement information sent from the registration device 20 in response to the request.
Step S305: In response to acquiring the settlement information in step S304, the settlement device 30 displays, for example, the deposit screen shown in FIG. 7 as a settlement screen related to settlement.

Step S306: The settlement device 30 also determines whether or not member information has been input at the current stage.
Step S307: If it is determined that member information has not been entered, the settlement device 30 displays a member information not-entered notification screen WD2 as shown in Figure 7, superimposed on the settlement screen (deposit screen) displayed in step S305.

Step S308: With the member information not yet entered notification screen WD2 displayed in step S307, the settlement device 30 waits for the member information to be read from the member card by the card reader 313. While waiting for the member information to be read from the member card in step S308, the change machine is set to a state in which deposits are not permitted. In other words, even in this case, while the settlement device 30 displays the member information not yet entered notification screen WD2 in step S307, it controls the settlement device 30 so that deposits into the change machine are prohibited while it is waiting for the member information to be read in step S308.
Although not shown in the figure, if the state of waiting for the member information to be read by step S308 continues for a certain period of time or more, or if an operation equivalent to canceling the input of member information is performed, the settlement process based on the settlement information received this time is interrupted and the device enters standby mode.

Step S309: If it is determined in step S308 that the member information has been read, the settlement device 30 inputs the read member information.
Step S310: Furthermore, in response to the member information being read, the settlement device 30 erases the member information not-entered notification screen WD2 displayed in step S307, and displays the normal settlement screen.

Step S311: If it is determined in step S306 that the member information has been entered, or if the member information has been read in response to step S308 and the processes of steps S309 and S310 have been executed, the settlement device 30 performs the following process. That is, the settlement device 30 sets the change dispenser, which was previously unable to accept deposits, to a state in which it can accept deposits.
Step S312: The settlement device 30 performs settlement processing in response to the deposit of money into the change dispenser.
Step S313: The settlement device 30 waits for the settlement process carried out in step S311 to be completed.
Step S314: When the settlement process is completed, for example, by dispensing the change according to the amount deposited and issuing a receipt, the settlement device 30 sets to a standby mode. In the standby mode, the change dispenser is set to a state in which deposits are not possible.

In the second embodiment, an LED or the like provided at a specific location on the change machine may be lit or flashed in a specific color so that a state in which the change machine cannot accept deposits can be distinguished from a state in which the change machine can accept deposits. Also, when the change machine is set to a state in which it cannot accept deposits, the coin insertion port of the change machine may be controlled to be blocked.

In addition, the first embodiment is configured in such a way that both the input of member information and the control for prohibiting closing operations (deposit prohibition control) are performed by the registration device 20, while the second embodiment is an example in which both the input of member information and the deposit prohibition control are performed by the settlement device 30.
However, for example, it is also possible to configure so that the entry of member information is performed by the registration device 20, but the input prohibition control is performed by the settlement device 30. In this case, when the member information is read by the card reader 210 when registering goods in one transaction, the registration device 20 transmits the member information (or a flag indicating that member information has been entered) together with the settlement information.
If the member information has been added when the settlement device 30 receives the settlement information, the settlement device 30 sets the change machine to a state where it can accept deposits and starts the settlement process. On the other hand, if the member information has not been added when the settlement device 30 receives the settlement information, the settlement device 30 sets the change machine to a state where it cannot accept deposits and displays a member information not entered notification screen WD2 on the display unit 305. If the settlement device 30 then recognizes that member information has been entered in response to the registration device 20 or the settlement device 30 reading the member information from the member card, the settlement device 30 erases the member information not entered notification screen WD2 and sets the change machine to a state where it can accept deposits.

In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an example is given in which depositing money into the change dispenser without inputting member information is prohibited. In other words, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, payment by cash is not allowed.
However, as a payment type, other than cash, credit cards, point cards, etc. can be used. In this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate such payment types other than cash. In other words, for example, when member information has not been input, control may be performed so that communication between the reader/writer and the credit card or point card cannot be performed.

In the above explanation, the POS system 1 equipped with the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 has been given as an example, but the POS system in this embodiment can also be applied to a POS register that allows product registration and settlement to be performed by a single device. Such a POS register may be one in which, for example, a store clerk registers products and settles the settlement, or one in which a store clerk registers products and a customer settles the settlement, or one in which a customer registers products and settles the settlement.

Furthermore, in the explanation so far, the closing operation that is prohibited is the subtotal operation performed on the registration device 20 in the first embodiment, and the operation of the end button to end the transaction performed on the settlement device 30 in the second embodiment.
However, the closing operation to be prohibited in this embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the closing operation to be prohibited may be an operation performed on the registration device 20 to specify the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process. Also, the closing operation to be prohibited may be an operation performed on the registration device 20 to instruct the issuance of a bill.
Furthermore, if the POS register is capable of both product registration and settlement on a single unit, the closing operation that is to be prohibited may be the current total operation (operation of the current total key).
In addition, there is also known a two-person POS system in which a store clerk registers products on a registration device and another store clerk settles the registered products. In the case of such a two-person POS system, the closing operation to be prohibited may be an operation performed on the registration device to instruct the transmission of settlement information from the registration device to the settlement device.

In the above embodiment, the manner in which a settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process is designated from among the multiple settlement devices 30 includes a manner in which a store clerk designates the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process using the registration device 20 (first designation manner), and a manner in which a receipt to be handed to a customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the customer has one settlement device 30 read the receipt handed to them by the store clerk (second designation manner). However, the manner in which a settlement device 30 is designated is not limited to the above-mentioned manner. For example, a settlement device 30 may be designated as follows:
In one embodiment, in response to an operation performed on a send button displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 upon completion of product registration (or an operation that declares completion of product registration), the registration device 20, for example, inquires about the status of the settlement devices 30 to recognize settlement devices 30 that are capable of settlement processing (for example, no failures have occurred and the settlement devices 30 are not in use), and selects one settlement device 30 from among the settlement devices 30 that are not in use according to a predetermined rule (for example, in order of settlement device number).The registration device 20 then transmits settlement information to the selected settlement device 30 and instructs it to execute settlement processing.
As another aspect, a priority order for settlement processing is set in advance for the settlement devices 30. Then, in response to completion of product registration, the clerk display unit 205 displays a display that enables operation of a send button that instructs transmission of settlement information to the settlement device 30. In response to operation of the send button, the registration device 20 checks whether the settlement device 30 is capable of settlement processing in the order according to the set priority order, and if it is not confirmed that settlement processing is possible, it checks the settlement device 30 that is next in priority order. Then, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to the settlement device 30 that was first confirmed to be capable of settlement processing, and instructs it to execute settlement processing.

<Overview of this embodiment>
As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a POS system 1 that includes a member information input means for inputting the presence or absence of member information, and a control means for prohibiting the closing operation if the presence or absence of member information is not input by the member information input means.
According to the above configuration, for example, in a case where the presence or absence of membership information is required to be entered before settlement is made, the closing operation is prevented from being accepted without the presence or absence of membership information being entered.
It is also possible to configure the system so that product registration cannot start until the presence or absence of membership information is input. However, in this case, for example, in front of the registration device 20, the store clerk cannot proceed with product registration until the customer finds the membership card among his/her belongings and presents it to the store clerk. This may result in unnecessary time being wasted until the product registration for one transaction is completed, which may increase the waiting time of subsequent customers. In contrast, in the present embodiment with the above configuration, since the prohibition is the closing operation, as described above, it is possible to configure the system so that the presence or absence of membership information can be input until the closing operation such as the subtotal operation is performed. As a result, in this embodiment, the store clerk can proceed with product registration even if the membership card is not presented.

Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the POS system 1 described above, in which the control means notifies the user that membership information has not been input when prohibiting the closing operation.
According to the above configuration, when the registration device 20 controls so that the closing operation is not accepted without the presence or absence of member information being input, it can notify the fact that the presence or absence of member information has not been input. This makes it possible to inform the store clerk operating the registration device 20 that the closing operation is prohibited because the presence or absence of member information has not been input, and also makes it possible to prompt the store clerk to input the presence or absence of member information so that the closing operation can be accepted.

Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the POS system 1 described above, in which the control means prohibits the closing operation by performing a deposit prohibition control so that an operation corresponding to a deposit is not executed by the change dispenser.
According to the above configuration, by controlling the change dispenser so that it is not possible to deposit money, it is possible to prevent the closing operation that is performed after depositing money from being performed. This prevents a deposit from being accepted even if the presence or absence of membership information has not been entered, and eliminates the need to perform tasks such as returning cash that has already been deposited.

Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned POS system 1, which includes a registration device 20 that registers products, and a settlement device 30 that performs settlement processing based on settlement information regarding the settlement of the products registered by the registration device 20, and in the registration device 20, a control means controls so as not to output settlement information as a deposit prohibition control.
According to the above configuration, in a POS system in which the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 are configured separately, if the presence or absence of membership information is input on the registration device 20 side, by preventing the registration device 20 from outputting settlement information, it is possible to effectively prevent money from being deposited into the change machine without the presence or absence of membership information being input.

Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned POS system 1, in which the control means performs deposit prohibition control when the presence or absence of membership information is not input at the time when an operation is performed to specify the settlement device to perform settlement.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to perform control so that depositing money into the change dispenser is not possible unless the presence or absence of membership information is entered at the stage when the store clerk performs a settlement device designation operation on the registration device 20. In other words, when the closing operation is prohibited on the registration device 20 side, control corresponding to the prohibition of the closing operation can be executed at an appropriate timing.

Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the POS system 1 described above, in which the control means performs deposit prohibition control when the presence or absence of membership information has not been input at the time an operation is performed to instruct the issuance of a medium (e.g., a receipt) to which settlement information is associated.
According to the above configuration, if the registration device 20 has finished registering products and is to issue a receipt, for example, and the presence or absence of membership information has not been entered, control can be performed so that money cannot be deposited into the change dispenser. In other words, control can be performed appropriately in response to the prohibition of the closing operation depending on when the medium is to be issued on the registration device 20 side.

Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned POS system 1, which is provided with a registration device 20 that registers products, and a settlement device 30 that performs settlement processing based on settlement information for the products registered by the registration device 20, and in the settlement device 30, a control means controls so that settlement processing is not performed, thereby prohibiting closing operations.
According to the above configuration, in a POS system in which the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 are configured separately, if the presence or absence of membership information is input on the settlement device 30 side, the settlement device 30 can be prevented from performing settlement processing, thereby prohibiting the closing operation performed during the settlement processing.

Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the POS system 1 described above, in which the control means notifies the user that the member information has not been input when performing the deposit prohibition control.
According to the above configuration, when the settlement device 30 controls so that money is not deposited into the change machine without the presence or absence of membership information being entered, it can notify the customer that the presence or absence of membership information has not been entered. This makes it possible to inform a customer who is about to settle using the settlement device 30 that money cannot be deposited into the change machine because the presence or absence of membership information has not been entered, and also makes it possible to prompt the customer to enter membership information so that money can be deposited into the change machine.

Another aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer to function as a member information input means for inputting the presence or absence of member information, and as a control means for prohibiting the closing operation if the presence or absence of member information is not input by the member information input means.

In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned registration device 20 or settlement device 30 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-mentioned registration device 20 or settlement device 30. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, WAN, LAN, dedicated lines, and other communication lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer that can be accessed from a distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by a terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed on the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

1 POS system, 10 store controller, 11 LAN, 20 registration device, 30 (30-1 to 30-4) settlement device, 201 CPU, 202 memory unit, 203 RAM, 204 scanner unit, 205 clerk display unit, 205a customer display unit, 206 operation unit, 207 communication unit, 208 buzzer, 209 printing unit, 210 card reader, 301 CPU, 302 memory unit, 303 RAM, 304 scanner unit, 305 display unit, 306 operation unit, 307 communication unit, 308 buzzer, 309 printing unit, 310 settlement unit, 311 sign pole, 312 human detection sensor, 313 card reader

Claims (4)

A registration device in a system including: a registration device that registers products by operation of a store clerk and transmits payment information regarding payment for the registered products; and a payment device that receives the payment information transmitted from the registration device and performs a payment process by operation of a customer based on the payment information,
a display unit for store clerk that displays information to the store clerk;
a member information receiving means for receiving input of member information of a customer by operation of a store clerk;
a subtotal operation receiving means for receiving a subtotal operation by a store clerk;
a selection operation receiving means for receiving a selection operation for a payment device to be selected by a store clerk from among a plurality of payment devices to execute a payment process after a subtotal operation has been performed;
a transmission means for transmitting settlement information to the settlement device designated by the settlement device designation operation,
The store clerk display unit includes:
Display the product registration screen to register products.
When a subtotal operation is performed while the product registration screen is displayed, the display switches from the product registration screen to the subtotal screen.
When the settlement device designation operation is performed while the sub-menu screen is displayed and the member information has not yet been input, a notification screen prompting the input of the member information is displayed superimposed on the sub-menu screen;
clearing the notification screen in response to member information being input while the notification screen is being displayed;
The transmission means does not transmit settlement information when a settlement device designation operation is performed while the notification screen is displayed, and transmits settlement information in response to a settlement device designation operation being performed after the notification screen is cleared. Further comprising a customer display unit for displaying information to customers,
The registration device of claim 1, wherein the customer display unit displays a notification screen prompting the customer to present member information in response to a settlement device designation operation being performed when the sub-screen is displayed and member information has not yet been entered. The registration device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of erasing registered product information when a notification screen prompting the user to enter member information is displayed and a predetermined condition is met without the user entering member information . A computer as a registration device in a system including a registration device that registers products by operation of a store clerk and transmits settlement information regarding the settlement of the registered products, and a settlement device that receives the settlement information transmitted from the registration device and performs settlement processing by operation of a customer based on the settlement information,
a display control unit that causes the store clerk to display information on the store clerk display unit;
a member information receiving means for receiving input of customer member information by operation of a store clerk;
a subtotal operation receiving means for receiving a subtotal operation by a store clerk;
a selection operation receiving means for receiving a selection operation by a store clerk to select a settlement device from among a plurality of settlement devices to execute a settlement process after a subtotal operation has been performed;
A program for causing the device to function as a transmitting means for transmitting settlement information to a settlement device designated by a settlement device designation operation,
The display control unit is
The store clerk display unit has
Display the product registration screen to register products.
When a subtotal operation is performed while the product registration screen is displayed, the display switches from the product registration screen to the subtotal screen.
When the settlement device designation operation is performed while the sub-menu screen is displayed and the member information has not yet been input, a notification screen prompting the input of the member information is displayed superimposed on the sub-menu screen;
clearing the notification screen in response to member information being input while the notification screen is being displayed;
The transmission means is a program that does not transmit settlement information when a settlement device designation operation is performed while the notification screen is displayed, and transmits settlement information in response to a settlement device designation operation being performed after the notification screen is cleared.

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