JP7496597B2 - Product sales data processing device - Google Patents

Description

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

There is known technology that dispenses money of a denomination that is determined to be an overflow from the storage section of a money dispensing device (change machine) into a storage bag (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-162023 A

In store operations, store clerks are responsible for handling an overflow coin container that receives coins that are overflowed from the change dispenser on specific occasions.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to improve the efficiency of operations involving handling overflow coin containers.

One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing device corresponding to a change machine capable of discharging coins so that they are stored in a coin container, the product sales data processing device comprising: a detection means for detecting whether the coin container has been removed from a specified position; and a notification means for notifying the user that a calculation of the coins stored in the coin container will be performed if the coin container has been removed between the time when the change machine previously stored coins in the coin container and the present, based on the detection result of the detection means.

1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a POS terminal according to the present embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS terminal according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a currency deposit/withdrawal screen in this embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reconciliation screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reconciliation screen in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a collection result slip in the present embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal in the present embodiment in relation to money collection. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure as a deposit receiving process executed by the POS terminal in the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage impossible notification screen in this embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of a close examination guidance screen, a standby screen, and a guidance screen in a second modified example of the present embodiment.

<Embodiment>
[Example of POS system configuration]
Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The POS system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes three POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, and a store controller (store computer, management device) 10, each of which is connected to be able to communicate with each other via a LAN 11. Hereinafter, when there is no particular need to distinguish between the POS terminals 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, they will be collectively referred to as the POS terminal 20.

The POS system 1 can be installed in a variety of stores, but the following explanation uses an example in which the POS system 1 is installed in a convenience store.

Figure 2 shows an example of a POS terminal installation. Figure 2(A) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the store clerk side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed to the right of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal. Figure 3(A) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Figure 3(B) is an oblique view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store clerk side. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20. In Figures 3 and 4, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

Below, an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The POS terminal 20 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card reader 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 .
The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

RAM 203 is a read/write memory that stores various information. For example, RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., product master data acquired from store controller 10) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information generated during registration processing, settlement information generated during settlement processing, etc.). In the following description, either or both of the registration information and settlement information may be referred to as transaction information.

The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Also, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers, which displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers.
The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for use by customers, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products.

The customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when a customer registers an item, but the customer may register the item using other methods. For example, if an order button for the item is displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, the customer can operate (press) the order button to register the item.

The card reader 208 is capable of reading information from various cards (credit cards, transportation cards, etc.) and executing processing corresponding to payment. The card reader 208 is also capable of reading information from membership cards, point cards, etc. The card reader 208 of this embodiment may be equipped with, for example, a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but it is sufficient that it is equipped with at least a card recognition unit.

The change dispenser 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port for banknotes and coins, calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and dispenses the change from the output port.

The store clerk's display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk, which displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk.
The key operation unit 211 is made up of various keys (buttons) and receives various inputs from the store clerk.
The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for use by the store clerk, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and store clerk codes attached to the name tags of store clerks.

The clerk-side scanner unit 212 is used when the clerk registers a product, but the clerk may register the product using other methods. For example, if a key corresponding to a product (such as a key corresponding to a sports newspaper) is located on the key operation unit 211, the clerk can operate (press) that key to register the product. Also, if a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the clerk-side display unit 210, the clerk can operate that preset key to register the product.

The printing unit 213 is a printing unit that ejects media, and prints and issues various media such as receipts. The printing unit 213 is a single printing unit that can be freely rotated to face from the store clerk side to the customer side, and vice versa (the direction of the media issuing port). The orientation of the printing unit may be changed manually, or may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) in response to, for example, a change in operating mode. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit may be detected by a sensor or the like.

The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance and the like.
The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (other POS terminals 20, store controller 10).

The POS terminal 20 is also provided with an overflow vault 220 (FIG. 3B). The change dispenser 209 stores coins inserted as payment by customers when settling with cash, but at a certain stage the number of stored coins may reach an upper limit. In this state, even if more coins are inserted, the change dispenser 209 will not be able to store any more coins, resulting in an overflow state.
Therefore, when it is determined that the number of coins stored therein exceeds a predetermined threshold, the change machine 209 is configured to discharge a predetermined number of coins, for example corresponding to the number of coins inserted, into the overflow container 220. Such discharge of coins to avoid overflow may be performed for each coin after a threshold is set for each type (denomination) of coin. Alternatively, the change machine 209 may be configured to discharge a predetermined number of coins into the overflow container 220 at a predetermined timing in advance so as to prevent an overflow state due to inserted coins.
In this manner, the overflow vault 220 is used to store coins ejected from the change machine 209 to avoid an overflow condition of the change machine 209.

The overflow vault 220 is also used by store clerks to collect the currency stored in the change dispenser 209 (currency collection) during store closing procedures. The store clerk ejects the currency to be collected from the change dispenser 209 into the overflow vault, removes the overflow vault 220 containing the currency to be collected from the POS terminal 20, carries it to the safe, and stores the currency in the safe.

The recovery of currency from the change machine 209 during closing procedures can be either full recovery or left over recovery. Full recovery means recovering all currency stored in the change machine 209. Left over recovery means recovering all currency other than that which is left over. Left over means that during closing procedures, for example at the start of the next business day, the number of currency of each denomination that is set to be stored in the change machine 209 as change is left in the storage of the change machine 209 without being recovered.

In this embodiment, the overflow container 220 is provided so as to be attached to a specified position within the POS terminal 20, as shown in Fig. 3(B) . In addition, the overflow container 220 is designed to be removable from and attachable to the POS terminal 20.
The POS terminal 20 includes an overflow container sensor 221. The overflow container sensor 221 detects, for example, whether the overflow container 220 is currently attached to the POS terminal 20 or has been removed.
The POS terminal 20 can store (manage) a history (removal history) of when the overflow container 220 has been removed from the POS terminal 20 in the past, based on the detection output of the overflow container sensor 221.

[Overview of each operation mode]
Next, the operation modes of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The POS terminal 20 has a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four operation modes (normal mode, full self-service mode, double scan mode, and semi-self-service mode). Note that the operation modes described below are operation modes related to accounting during normal business (operation modes related to product registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include a counting mode for counting and inquiring sales and inventory, a maintenance mode for when a store clerk or maintenance staff performs setting work or maintenance work, a training mode for when a new employee is trained, etc.
In this embodiment, the concept of "accounting" includes, for example, from product registration in one transaction to settlement (payment) of the registered product.
In the following description, as a separate aspect from the classification of the four operating modes described above, the mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes the product registration process may be referred to as the registration mode, and the mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process may be referred to as the settlement mode.

[Normal mode]
The normal mode is an operation mode in which the clerk executes the registration process and the customer executes the settlement process. That is, in the normal mode, the clerk is in the registration mode and the customer is in the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode from the overall process from registration to settlement.

In normal mode, the store clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

When the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items on the store clerk display unit 210, and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

The customer may wait until the registration process is completed by the store clerk (until the total amount is finalized), but may also insert coins into the change dispenser 209 before the registration process is completed. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can accept deposits during the registration process.

The store clerk may wait until the customer has completed the payment (until the customer has received their change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer during the payment process. The store clerk may also be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

When there is change, the POS terminal 20 controls the dispenser 209 to dispense the change and change tag to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the change, and controls the printing unit 213 to issue a receipt after a sensor or other device detects that the customer has removed the change and change tag. The same applies to other operation modes. As described above, in normal mode (as well as double scan mode), there may or may not be a store clerk in front of the customer receiving the change. If a store clerk is present, the above-mentioned control does not necessarily have to be performed (i.e., the dispense of change and change tag and the issuance of a receipt may be performed simultaneously, or the receipt may be issued first). In addition, the timing of the dispense of change and change tag and the issuance of a receipt may be controlled depending on the current operation mode and the presence/absence of a store clerk (for example, the presence/absence of a store clerk is recognized by a sensor).

[Full Selfie Mode]
The full self-service mode is an operation mode in which the customer executes the registration process and the settlement process. That is, in the full self-service mode, the customer is in both the registration mode and the settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from the registration process to the settlement process.

In the full self-service mode, the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer side scanner unit 206, customer side display unit 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items through the customer's operation (scanning with the customer side scanner unit 206, touching the customer side display unit 205).

When the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total price of the purchased items on the customer display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or operating the card reader 208 in the case of credit card payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

As described above, in the full self-service mode, the customer performs both the registration process and the settlement process, but this does not mean that the store clerk cannot do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, the store clerk code can be scanned by the store clerk scanner unit 212. Also, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, various information can be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210.
For example, during operation in the full self-service mode, the clerk display unit 210 may display a screen similar to that displayed on the customer display unit 205 in accordance with the registration process and settlement process being performed on the customer side. In other words, the clerk display unit 210 may display a mirrored version of the content displayed on the customer display unit 205. This allows the clerk to know what operations the customer is performing and the processing status of the POS terminal 20 in the full self-service mode.

[Double scan mode]
The double scan mode is an operation mode in which the registration process is performed on both the clerk side and the customer side, and the settlement process is performed on the customer side. That is, in the double scan mode, both the clerk side and the customer side are in registration mode, and the customer side is in settlement mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 operates in the registration and settlement mode when viewed from the entire process from registration to settlement.

In double scan mode, the clerk registers the purchased items on the clerk side (clerk scanner 212, clerk display 210, key operation unit 211), and the customer registers the purchased items on the customer side (customer scanner 206, customer display 205). In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items through operations by the clerk (scanning with the clerk scanner 212, touching the clerk display 210, pressing the key operation unit 211, etc.) and operations by the customer (scanning with the customer scanner 206, touching the customer display 205).

When the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total price of the purchased items on the customer display unit 205 and settles the bill by inserting coins into the change dispenser 209 or operating the card reader 208 in the case of credit card payment. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change dispenser 209, operating the card reader 208).

The store clerk may wait until the customer has completed the payment (until the customer has received their change and receipt), but may also register the items purchased by the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 can register the items purchased by the next customer while the payment is being processed. The store clerk may also be absent while the customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

[Semi-selfie mode]
The semi-self-service mode is an operation mode for two or more POS terminals 20, in which the registration process is performed by the store clerk at at least one POS terminal 20, and the settlement process is performed by the customer at another POS terminal 20. That is, in the semi-self-service mode, one or more POS terminals 20 are in a registration-only mode, and the other one or more POS terminals 20 are in a settlement-only mode.

In the semi-self-service mode, the store clerk registers the purchased items of the customer on the store clerk side (store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211) of the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the registration process of the purchased items by the operation of the store clerk (operation of the store clerk scanner unit 212, store clerk display unit 210, key operation unit 211, etc.).

When the store clerk has completed the registration process, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, checks the total amount of the purchased items on the store clerk display unit 210, and settles the payment by inserting coins into the change machine 209 or operating the card reader 208. In other words, the POS terminal 20 executes the settlement process according to the customer's operation (inserting coins into the change machine 209, operating the card reader 208).

When the registration process is completed on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, the customer moves from the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, and the information required for the settlement process (such as the registration information generated on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode) is provided to the POS terminal 20 to which the customer has been moved.

The destination POS terminal 20 (the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that executes the settlement process) may be specified by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode. Alternatively, a medium (a medium on which a barcode or the like for obtaining information required for the settlement process is printed) may be issued by the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode, and the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode that reads the medium may be set as the destination POS terminal 20.

In the semi-self-service mode, after the store clerk has sent the registration information, he or she can register the next customer's purchase. Also, after the store clerk has sent the registration information, the store clerk may not be present.

[Regarding currency recovery during store closing procedures]
As described above, store clerks deposit and withdraw money from the overflow vault 220 (collecting or replenishing money) during store business hours. The store clerk who deposits or withdraws money performs an operation to declare the deposit or withdrawal of money (a currency deposit/withdrawal declaration operation) to the POS terminal 20. In response to the currency deposit/withdrawal declaration operation being performed, the POS terminal 20 displays a currency deposit/withdrawal screen on the store clerk side display unit 210 (or the customer side display unit 205).
The currency deposit/withdrawal screen is an operation screen operated by a store clerk when depositing or withdrawing currency from the change machine 209, and is the first screen to be displayed.

Figure 5 shows an example of the currency deposit/withdrawal screen. The currency deposit/withdrawal screen in the figure has a currency quantity area AR1, a processing instruction operation area AR2, and a reconciliation execution operation area AR3. Note that the reconciliation execution operation area AR3 is not displayed when the currency deposit/withdrawal screen is first displayed.

The coin number area AR1 is an area that displays information on the number of coins of each denomination that currently corresponds to the overflow vault 220. The coin number area AR1 displays the number of stored coins, the number of coins inspected, and the difference in the number of coins for each denomination.

The number of stored coins indicates the number of coins stored in the overflow container 220 after being discharged from the change dispenser 209 to the overflow container 220.
The number of coins scanned indicates the number of coins currently recorded through a scanning process that counts the number of coins.

The reconciliation process is a process for calculating the currency stored in the overflow vault 220. To have the POS terminal 20 execute the reconciliation process, the store clerk removes the overflow vault 220 from the POS terminal 20 and deposits the currency stored in the overflow vault 220 into the change dispenser 209. The POS terminal 20 counts (accounts) the number of currency deposited into the change dispenser 209 for each denomination. The number of currency for each denomination thus counted is displayed as the reconciliation number. When the currency deposit/withdrawal screen is displayed, the reconciliation process has not yet begun, so the reconciliation number for each denomination shows zero.

The difference in number indicates the theoretical value of the number of coins of each denomination currently stored in the overflow vault. In the figure, the theoretical value of the difference in number of coins stored in the overflow vault is shown as a negative value as an example. In this case, if the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220 is the theoretical value, the value obtained by subtracting the difference in number from the number of coins inspected will be equal to the number of coins stored.

The process instruction operation area AR2 is an area where operations are performed to instruct processes related to the currency management of the change machine 209 during closing processing.
A withdrawal instruction button BT1 is arranged in the process instruction operation area AR2. The withdrawal instruction button BT1 is a button operated to instruct the POS terminal 20 to execute a process corresponding to the withdrawal of currency from the overflow vault 220.

In addition, in the processing instruction operation area AR2 in the figure, a replenishment instruction button BT2 is also arranged. For example, when replenishing coins from the overflow box 220 to resolve a situation where the number of coins stored in the change machine 209 has decreased to a predetermined number or less, or when the number of coins required to be left is insufficient when the change machine 209 is set to be left, the necessary amount of coins from the overflow box 220 can be replenished to the change machine 209. The replenishment instruction button BT2 is a button operated to instruct the POS terminal 20 to execute a process corresponding to the replenishment of coins when replenishing the coins stored in the overflow box 220 to the change machine 209 in this way. The replenishment instruction button BT2 is displayed when the storage box of the change machine 209 needs to be replenished with coins, and may not be displayed when replenishment is not required.

An exit button BT4 is provided on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen. When the exit button BT4 is operated, the currency deposit/withdrawal screen is cleared and the user is returned to, for example, a specified previous screen.

When collecting currency, the store clerk operates the collection instruction button BT1 in the process instruction operation area AR2. When the collection instruction button BT1 is operated, the POS terminal 20 determines whether the overflow container 220 has been removed during operation on the current business day.
Here, even if the overflow container 220 has been removed, removals for which a confirmation operation has been performed on the POS terminal 20 to confirm that the removal has been performed properly may be excluded from the judgment.
In other words, the POS terminal 20 may determine whether or not an overflow storage 220 that has not been checked by a store clerk has been removed (unconfirmed removal) during operation on the current business day. In the following, an example will be described in which the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not an unconfirmed removal has occurred.

If unconfirmed removal occurs, the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220 will be unreliable. In other words, if unconfirmed removal occurs, even if the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220 increases or decreases due to a store clerk error or fraud, and no longer matches the theoretical value, this may remain uncorrected.

Therefore, in the case where unconfirmed removal of currency is performed during currency recovery, the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment is configured to confirm (examine) the number of currency stored in the overflow storage 220 before the process of recovering the currency.
Therefore, when the POS terminal 20 determines that the overflow storage 220 has been removed when the recovery instruction button BT1 is operated, the POS terminal 20 displays a new inspection execution operation area AR3 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen.

The reconciliation execution button BT3 is located in the reconciliation execution operation area AR3. The reconciliation execution button BT3 is a button operated to instruct the execution of processing corresponding to the reconciliation of the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220. The store clerk operates the reconciliation execution button BT3 located in the displayed reconciliation execution operation area AR3.

In response to operation of the reconciliation execution button BT3, the currency deposit/withdrawal screen transitions to a reconciliation screen.
6 shows an example of the reconciliation screen. The reconciliation screen in the figure includes a coin count area AR1, a message area AR12, a change machine status area AR13, a coin transfer instruction button BT11, a deposit completion confirmation button BT12, and a back button BT13.

In the message area AR12, a message for a store clerk, for example, a message informing the store clerk of how to operate for inspection, is displayed. The message displayed in the message area AR12 may be appropriately changed according to the progress of the process of the change machine 209 according to the operation, for example.
The change machine status area AR13 shows the current state (status) of the change machine 209. This figure shows that the change machine 209 is in a state of waiting for a deposit. The waiting for a deposit state means that the change machine 209 is waiting for the coins (money to be inspected) stored in the overflow vault 220 under the inspection process to be inserted (deposited) into the insertion slot.
The currency to be inspected may be either coins or paper money. The store clerk may insert coins into the coin slot and insert paper money into the paper money slot.

With this kind of reconciliation screen displayed, the store clerk removes the overflow vault 220 from the POS terminal 20 and inserts the coins to be reconciled into the slot of the change machine 209. The change machine 209 counts the number of coins inserted for each denomination, and the counted number of coins for each denomination is displayed in the reconciliation number field in the change machine status area AR13.

The coin count area AR1 on the reconciliation screen is configured to show the results of counting the coins of each denomination inserted into the change dispenser 209 in the reconciliation number field as described above. In this case, the reconciliation number field may be displayed so that the number of coins changes each time a coin is inserted and counted up.

The money transfer instruction button BT11 is a button that is operated when it is necessary to perform a money transfer to eject the money stored in the change machine 209 during the reconciliation process, as described below.
The deposit completion confirmation button BT12 is a button that is operated to confirm that all of the coins stored in the overflow storage 220 have been deposited into the deposit slot of the change machine 209.
The back button BT13 is a button that is operated to cancel the execution of the reconciliation process and return to the previous screen.

The change machine 209 of this embodiment is configured to store in a storage vault the currency to be inspected that is inserted under the inspection process. There are cases where the number of currency of a certain denomination among the currency to be inspected is greater than the remaining number of currency of the same denomination that can be stored in the storage vault of the change machine 209. In this case, before all of the currency to be inspected has been inserted, the number of currency of that denomination that can be stored in the storage vault of the change machine 209 reaches an upper limit, and no more currency can be stored. In this state, it becomes impossible to count the currency to be inspected.
Therefore, when the number of coins of at least one denomination stored in the storage of the change machine 209 reaches an upper limit (or a threshold value) (a state in which the coins cannot be stored) while coins to be checked are inserted into the change machine 209 under the checking process, the POS terminal 20 will notify the user of this (upper limit reached notification) on the checking screen.

Figure 7 shows an example of an inspection screen where a notification of reaching the upper limit has been made. The inspection screen in the figure shows an example in which a notification field FL displaying, for example, "FULL" has been added to the row of the 1 yen denomination in the coin count area AR1 in response to the fact that 1 yen coins cannot be stored. The notification field FL may be highlighted relative to the other fields, for example by setting the background color to a color different from the other fields.

The manner in which the limit reaching notification is made is not limited to the notification field FL. For example, the limit reaching notification may be made by applying a predetermined highlighting to the entire row including the field corresponding to the denomination that cannot be stored.

When the notification that the upper limit has been reached is given in this manner, the store clerk places a replacement container in a specified position of the overflow vault 220 in the POS terminal 20. The replacement container may be an overflow vault 220 different from the one in which the currency to be inspected is stored or a specified container that replaces the overflow vault 220.
Then, the store clerk operates the money transfer instruction button BT11. This causes the POS terminal 20 to execute control of the money transfer to discharge the money from the change machine 209 to the alternative container. Here, the number of coins to be discharged from the change machine 209 by the money transfer may be predetermined, or may be specified by the store clerk, for example, by operating an operation screen that is displayed after operating the money transfer instruction button BT11. Furthermore, the number of coins to be discharged from the change machine 209 by the money transfer may be determined based on the number of coins still remaining in the overflow vault 220 at the point when the coin cannot be stored.

As a result of the currency transfer being performed in this manner, a space is created in the 1 yen storage area in the change dispenser 209's storage, making it possible to store 1 yen currency. In addition, as a result of the currency transfer being performed, the notification that the upper limit has been reached is erased from the reconciliation screen. By looking at this reconciliation screen, the store clerk can tell that the inability to store currency has been resolved. The store clerk then resumes inserting the remaining currency to be inspected into the insertion slot.

Once all coins to be scanned have been inserted, the clerk checks the coin count area AR1 on the scanning screen to see whether the scanning results for each denomination are normal. If the value obtained by subtracting the difference in the number of coins from the scanning count for each denomination is equal to the number of coins stored, then the scanning count is correct. If the scanning count is correct, then the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220 is correct, and the scanning result is normal. Furthermore, if an error occurs in which the scanning count is incorrect, the error may be notified in a specified manner on the scanning screen.

If the store clerk confirms that the inspection results are normal, he or she places the overflow storage 220 back in the specified position on the POS terminal 20 and then operates the insertion completion confirmation button BT12 on the inspection screen.
In response to the operation of the deposit completion confirmation button BT12, the POS terminal 20 ejects the currency to be collected from the change dispenser 209. As a result, the overflow container 220 stores the currency to be collected.
At this time, if full recovery is set, the POS terminal 20 dispenses all coins stored in the change dispenser 209, and if remaining recovery is set, the POS terminal 20 leaves the number of coins to be left for each denomination in the storage vault and then dispenses the coins other than those left in the storage vault.

Whether to collect all coins or to collect remaining coins may be preset, or may be selectable by the store clerk at the time of the current collection. In this case, if remaining coins are selected, the clerk may also be able to set the number of remaining coins for each denomination.

The POS terminal 20 issues a collection result slip in response to discharging the coins to be collected from the change dispenser 209 to the overflow vault 220 as described above. The collection result slip indicates the number of coins to be collected that have been discharged by denomination, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In addition to the number of coins discharged by denomination, the collection result slip in the same figure also indicates the amount discharged per denomination according to the number of coins discharged, and the total amount discharged which is the sum of the amounts per denomination.

Furthermore, when the POS terminal 20 determines that there has been no unconfirmed removal when the collection instruction button BT1 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen is operated, it performs control to discharge the currency to be collected from the change dispenser 209 without inspecting the currency stored in the overflow container 220. Cases where there has been no unconfirmed removal include a case where the overflow container 220 has not been removed at all, and a case where the overflow container 220 has been removed but a store clerk performed a confirmation operation at that time.
In this way, if there is no unconfirmed removal, the transition from the currency deposit/withdrawal screen to the reconsideration screen does not have to be performed. Therefore, even if the recovery instruction button BT1 is operated, the reconsideration execution operation area AR3 does not have to be displayed.
In addition, in this case, when the recovery instruction button BT1 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen is operated, the POS terminal 20 changes the stored number and difference number corresponding to each currency denomination and total amount in the currency number area AR1 to reflect the number of currency of each denomination dispensed from the change dispenser 209.
Regarding replenishment, all of the coins stored in the overflow vault 220 may be stored in the change dispenser 209. In this case, even if the replenishment instruction button BT2 is operated in a situation where no unconfirmed removal has been made, the stored number and the difference in the number of coins in the coin number area AR1, which correspond to the denomination and total amount of the coins stored in the overflow vault 220, are each changed to show "0".
Even if there is no unconfirmed removal, the POS terminal 20 issues a collection result slip when the currency to be collected is discharged from the change dispenser 209.

[Example of processing procedure]
An example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment in relation to money collection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Step S101: During store closing processing, the POS terminal 20 waits for a currency withdrawal announcement operation to be performed.
Step S102: In response to the currency withdrawal announcement operation being performed, the POS terminal 20 causes the store clerk display unit 210 to display a currency deposit/withdrawal screen.

Step S103: In closing the store, the store clerk performs either of two tasks: collecting currency or refilling the change machine 209 with currency from the overflow vault 220. The store clerk operates either the collection instruction button BT1 or the replenishment instruction button BT2 in the process instruction operation area AR2, depending on the task that the store clerk is performing.
The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the removal instruction button BT1 has been operated out of the removal instruction button BT1 and the replenishment instruction button BT2.

Step S104: When the collection instruction button BT1 is operated, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not there has been an unconfirmed removal during the current business day based on the removal history for the overflow storage 220.

Step S105: If it is determined that an unconfirmed removal has been performed, the POS terminal 20 transitions to the reconciliation process and displays the reconciliation execution operation area AR3 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen.
Step S106: The store clerk operates the reconciliation execution button BT3 arranged in the displayed reconciliation execution operation area AR3 (reconciliation execution instruction operation). The POS terminal 20 accepts the reconciliation execution instruction operation performed by the store clerk.

Step S107: In response to the acceptance of the reconciliation execution instruction operation in step S106, the POS terminal 20 displays a reconciliation screen in place of the currency deposit/withdrawal screen.
Step S108: With the reconciliation screen displayed, the POS terminal 20 executes a deposit acceptance process in response to the currency to be reconciled being inserted into the insertion slot of the change dispenser 209.

The flowchart in FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing procedure as the deposit acceptance processing in step S108.
Step S201: In the POS terminal 20, the change dispenser 209 counts the number of coins inserted into the insertion slot for each denomination.
Step S202: The change machine 209 stores the coins counted in step S201 in a storage unit.

Step S203: The change dispenser 209 determines whether or not the number of coins stored in the storage unit for any denomination has reached the upper limit as a result of storing the coins in step S202.
Step S204: If it is determined in step S203 that the number of stored coins of any denomination has reached the upper limit, the change machine 209 stops counting the number of coins. At this time, the change machine 209 may, for example, close the coin insertion port so that coins cannot be inserted.
Step S205: The POS terminal 20 also notifies the user on the reconciliation screen that the upper limit has been reached.

Step S206: The clerk operates either the money transfer instruction button BT11 (money transfer instruction operation) or the deposit completion confirmation button BT12 (deposit completion confirmation operation) on the inspection screen where the upper limit reaching notification has been made. If there are still uninserted target currency to be inspected, the clerk performs the money transfer instruction operation, and if all target currency to be inspected has just been inserted, the clerk performs the deposit completion operation at this stage.
The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not a money transfer instruction operation has been performed while the reconciliation screen on which the upper limit reaching notification has been made is displayed.
Step S207: When a currency transfer instruction operation is performed, the POS terminal 20 executes control to discharge a predetermined number of currency of the denomination whose stored number has reached its upper limit from the change dispenser 209. As a result, the stored number of the denomination whose stored number has reached its upper limit falls below the upper limit, and the change dispenser 209 becomes ready to accept insertion of currency to be inspected again.

Step S208: When the store clerk has finished inserting all of the currency to be inspected into the insertion slot, the store clerk performs an operation to confirm the completion of insertion. The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the operation to confirm the completion of insertion has been performed.
If it is determined that the input completion confirmation operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S201. If it is determined that the input completion confirmation operation has been performed, the process in the figure is terminated.

Returning to FIG.
Step S109: The POS terminal 20 judges whether the reconciliation result is normal or not. That is, the POS terminal 20 judges whether the number of each denomination of the currency to be reconciled counted in the deposit acceptance process in step S108 is normal or not. The POS terminal 20 stores a history of the number of currency of each denomination discharged from the change dispenser 209 to the overflow vault 220 to avoid overflow during the current business day (overflow discharge history).
The POS terminal 20 compares the number of coins of each denomination indicated by the overflow discharge history with the number of coins of each denomination counted in step S108. If the comparison results match, the POS terminal 20 determines that the inspection result was normal, and if the comparison results do not match, it determines that the inspection result was an error.

Step S110: If step S109 determines that the inspection result is an error, the POS terminal 20 notifies the user of the error. The error notification may be performed, for example, by displaying a pop-up window on the inspection screen.

Step S111: If it is determined in step S104 that there is no unconfirmed removal, or if it is determined in step S109 that the inspection results are normal, the POS terminal 20 controls the change dispenser 209 to eject the coins to be collected.
Step S112: As the money to be collected is discharged in step S111, the POS terminal 20 causes the printing unit 213 to print a collection result slip. This causes the collection result slip to be issued.

Step S113: If it is determined in step S103 that the replenishment instruction button BT2 has been operated, the POS terminal 20 executes a currency replenishment process.
The store clerk who operates the replenishment instruction button BT2 inserts the coins stored in the overflow container 220 into the insertion slot of the change machine 209 in order to replenish the coins stored in the overflow container 220 to the change machine 209. As a coin replenishment process, the POS terminal 20 controls so that the coins inserted into the insertion slot are stored in the storage container of the change machine 209.
The POS terminal 20 may also count the number of coins of each denomination inserted (replenished) into the insertion slot. The POS terminal 20 may issue a replenishment result slip indicating the number of coins of each denomination replenished, the number of coins of each denomination stored in the change dispenser 209 after replenishment, etc.

<Modification>
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the device configuration, data configuration, processing flow, display and output aspects, etc. can be appropriately modified, for example, as in the following modified examples. In addition, the following modified examples may be appropriately combined.

[First Modification]
In the above embodiment, in the deposit acceptance process of step S108, in the process of inserting the currency to be inspected into the inlet of the change machine 209, currency is discharged from the change machine 209 when the number of currency stored in the storage vault reaches an upper limit.
In contrast to this, in this modified example, before the currency to be inspected is inserted during the inspection process, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not all of the currency to be inspected can be stored in the change dispenser 209 (storage eligibility determination).

In this case, the POS terminal 20 may determine whether or not the coins can be stored based on the theoretical value of the number of coins of each denomination currently stored in the overflow vault 220 (number stored in the overflow vault) and the number of coins of each denomination stored in the change dispenser 209 (number stored in the change dispenser). Specifically, the POS terminal 20 may determine whether or not the total number of coins calculated by adding the number stored in the change dispenser to the number stored in the overflow vault exceeds the upper limit for the number of coins that can be stored, for each denomination.

For example, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to perform the above-mentioned storage possibility determination in response to the operation of the recovery instruction button BT1 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen. Then, if the result of the storage possibility determination indicates that storage is not possible, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to notify the store clerk of this (storage impossible notification). The storage impossible notification may be made by displaying a screen (storage impossible notification screen).

11 shows an example of a non-storage notification screen WD20. The non-storage notification screen WD20 in the figure shows an example in a window format displayed on the money deposit/withdrawal screen.
The storage failure notification screen WD20 in the figure displays a message informing the store clerk that the number (theoretical value) of the currency to be inspected stored in the overflow storage 220 does not allow all of the currency to be inserted into the change dispenser 209. Also, a collection continuation instruction button BT21 and a cancel button BT22 are arranged on the storage failure notification screen WD20 in the figure.
If the store clerk wishes to collect the money without carrying out the reconciliation process, he or she operates the continue collection instruction button BT21. When the continue collection instruction button BT21 is operated, the POS terminal 20 executes control to discharge the money to be collected from the change dispenser 209 without carrying out the reconciliation process thereafter.
When the cancel button BT22 is operated, the screen returns to the state in which the money deposit/withdrawal screen was displayed before the non-storage notification screen WD20 was displayed.

Furthermore, under this modified example, if it is determined that the change machine 209 cannot store all of the currency to be inspected for a certain denomination, the change machine 209 may be caused to eject currency in response to, for example, an operation by a store clerk, in order to resolve the inability to store the currency to be inspected. In this case, after ejecting the currency, the POS terminal 20 may be caused to accept insertion of the currency to be inspected.

[Second Modification]
In the above embodiment, when the withdrawal instruction button BT1 is operated with the currency deposit/withdrawal screen displayed in response to a currency withdrawal declaration operation, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not there has been an unconfirmed removal. If there has been an unconfirmed removal, the POS terminal 20 displays the reconsideration execution operation area AR3 and executes a reconsideration in response to the operation. If there has been no unconfirmed removal, the POS terminal 20 discharges the currency to be withdrawn from the change dispenser 209 without displaying the reconsideration execution operation area AR3.

In contrast to this, in this modified example, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to determine whether or not there has been any unconfirmed removal at the timing when the currency recovery declaration operation is performed.
In this case, when an unconfirmed removal has occurred, the POS terminal 20 may arrange a scrutiny execution operation area AR3 including a scrutiny execution button BT3 from the beginning together with a replenishment instruction button BT2 on the currency deposit/withdrawal screen that is displayed in response to a currency withdrawal declaration operation. In this case, the withdrawal instruction button BT1 does not need to be arranged on the displayed currency deposit/withdrawal screen.
In addition, in the currency deposit/withdrawal screen of this modified example, for example, when collecting currency, the stored currency will first be inspected, so a message may be displayed instructing the store clerk to operate the inspection execution button BT3.
In this case, the store clerk operates the reconciliation execution button BT3 to instruct the currency collection. In response to the operation of the reconciliation execution button BT3, the POS terminal 20 displays the reconciliation screen of FIG.
Furthermore, if there is no unconfirmed removal, the POS terminal 20 of this modified example may display a currency deposit/withdrawal screen in which the processing instruction operation area AR2 is arranged but the inspection execution operation area AR3 is not arranged, as in the above embodiment. In this case, the store clerk can operate the collection instruction button BT1 in the processing instruction operation area AR2 to cause the POS terminal 20 to discharge the currency to be collected into the overflow vault 220, thereby collecting the currency.

[Third Modification]
During operation of the POS terminal 20, the dispenser 209 discharges currency to avoid overflow (overflow avoidance discharge). That is, when the number of currency of a certain denomination stored in the storage reaches a predetermined threshold, the dispenser 209 discharges a predetermined number of currency of the corresponding denomination to the overflow storage 220 to avoid overflow.
Before such overflow avoidance discharge is performed, there may be cases where unconfirmed removal is performed from the overflow vault 220. If discharge of coins to avoid overflow is performed in such a state, additional coins will be stored in the overflow vault 220, even though the reliability of the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220 is already impaired. Such a situation may be considered undesirable because it may further impair the reliability of the number of coins stored in the overflow vault 220.

Therefore, in this modified example, if an unconfirmed removal is performed before performing overflow avoidance discharge while the POS terminal 20 is in operation, an inspection process is performed on the coins stored in the overflow storage 220.
When this modified example is combined with the above embodiment, if the results of the inspection process at a certain stage during operation of the POS terminal 20 are determined to be normal and then the store moves to closing processing without any unconfirmed removal, the inspection process at the currency collection stage in the closing processing does not need to be performed.

In this modified example, when the POS terminal 20 is in operation, when the number of coins of a certain denomination stored in the change dispenser 209 reaches or exceeds a threshold value, it determines whether or not an unconfirmed removal has occurred after the last reconciliation process, or after the store-opening process if the reconciliation process has not yet been performed.
If it is determined that there has been no unconfirmed removal, the POS terminal 20 executes overflow avoidance discharge without executing the reconsideration process.
On the other hand, if it is determined that an unconfirmed removal has occurred, the POS terminal 20 executes a reconsideration process, and after confirming that the reconsideration result is normal, executes overflow avoidance discharge.

In this modified example, the reconciliation process and overflow avoidance discharge are performed while the POS terminal 20 is in operation, so the POS terminal 20 may notify the user that the reconciliation process is being performed and that overflow avoidance discharge is being performed.

Here, the operating POS terminal 20 is set to one of the following operating modes: normal mode, full self-service mode, double scan mode, semi-self-service mode, registration-only mode, or settlement-only mode.

In operation modes such as normal mode, double scan mode, and registration-only mode in semi-self-service mode, a store clerk is present to operate the POS terminal 20. In such operation modes, when an unconfirmed removal has occurred and an inspection process is to be performed, an inspection guidance screen that prompts the store clerk to instruct the store clerk to perform the inspection process may be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, as shown in the example of FIG. 12 (A).

The reconciliation guidance screen in the figure has a reconciliation execution instruction button BT31 and a continue instruction button BT32. When the clerk wants to execute the reconciliation process, he operates the reconciliation execution instruction button BT31. There are also cases where it is acceptable to perform overflow avoidance discharge without performing the reconciliation process, for example, when an unconfirmed removal has been performed but the clerk has confirmed the number of coins at that time. In such cases, the clerk operates the continue instruction button BT32. Operating the continue instruction button BT32 instructs the clerk to execute overflow avoidance discharge without performing the reconciliation process.

When overflow avoidance discharge is being performed, the POS terminal 20 may display a standby screen as shown in FIG. 12(B) on the store clerk display unit 210. The standby screen in FIG. 12(B) has content that notifies the store clerk that the store is currently in a standby state in response to the fact that overflow avoidance discharge is currently being performed.

In addition, in an operating mode in which a customer operates the POS terminal 20 without the intervention of a store clerk, such as full self-service mode, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to perform overflow avoidance discharge, for example, when it reaches a state in which processing corresponding to the transaction has not been performed.
At this time, if a reconciliation process is required for the overflow avoidance discharge, the POS terminal 20 may display a guide screen as shown in Fig. 12(C) . The guide screen in this figure has content to inform the customer that the system has entered a maintenance mode in which a reconciliation process should be performed, and that a store clerk must be called.
The store clerk goes to the POS terminal 20 that has been put into the maintenance mode as described above, inserts the coins stored in the overflow storage 220 into the insertion slot of the change dispenser 209, and causes the POS terminal 20 to execute the reconciliation process. After confirming that the reconciliation process results are normal, the POS terminal 20 executes the overflow avoidance discharge.

[Fourth Modification]
In addition, regardless of whether an unconfirmed removal from the overflow storage 220 has been performed, a dialogue or the like may be displayed to prompt the store clerk to perform the inspection process, or to confirm with the store clerk whether or not to perform the inspection process.

[Fifth Modification]
When the reconciliation process begins, or when a dialogue or the like is displayed to confirm with the store clerk whether or not to perform the reconciliation process, a breakdown of the denominations of currency stored in the overflow vault 220 may be displayed, for example.

[Sixth Modification]
Under an operation in which the coins stored in the overflow vault 220 are always removed and emptied when the overflow vault 220 is removed, a notification may be given to prompt the store clerk to confirm that the overflow vault 220 is empty when the overflow vault 220 is attached to a specified position of the POS terminal 20. Such a notification may be given by display, sound, etc.

[Seventh Modification]
The POS terminal 20 may be configured to individually identify the overflow container 220 installed in a specified position. To this end, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) is provided in the overflow container 220, and the RFID stores identification information (overflow container identifier) unique to the corresponding overflow container 220. The overflow container sensor 221 of the POS terminal 20 includes a reader/writer capable of reading the RFID.
The POS terminal 20 can obtain an overflow container identifier read from the RFID of the overflow container 220 attached to the specified position by the overflow container sensor 221. Based on the overflow container identifier obtained in this manner, the POS terminal 20 can determine whether the overflow container 220 removed from the specified position is the same as the overflow container 220 subsequently attached to the specified position.
Furthermore, for example, an RFID-compatible reader/writer provided in the POS terminal 20 may enable rewriting of data in the RFID of the overflow vault 220. For example, the POS terminal 20 may write, to the RFID of the overflow vault 220, identification information of the POS terminal 20 and information on the results of currency control on the overflow vault 220 (for example, a history of the number of coins discharged to the overflow vault 220 and the number of coins of each denomination replenished from the overflow vault 220, etc.).
Alternatively, as a configuration for individually identifying the overflow container 220, a code (such as a barcode or two-dimensional code) may be attached to a predetermined position on the overflow container 220, and the overflow container sensor 221 may be equipped with a code reader capable of reading the code.

[Eighth Modification]
The configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can be applied to a device dedicated to settlement in a product sales data processing system (a POS system with a configuration specialized for the semi-self-service mode of this embodiment) that includes, for example, a device dedicated to registration where a store clerk performs registration and a device dedicated to settlement where a customer performs settlement.
The configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can also be applied to a POS register in which a store clerk performs operations for registering merchandise and for making a payment.
Furthermore, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can be applied to a POS register in which a store clerk performs operations to register products and a customer facing the store clerk performs operations corresponding to settlement (i.e., a POS register with a configuration specialized for the normal mode of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment).
Furthermore, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can be applied to a POS register in which a store clerk performs operations to register products and a customer facing the store clerk performs operations corresponding to settlement (i.e., a POS register with a configuration specialized for the normal mode of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment).
Furthermore, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can be applied to a POS register having a configuration specialized for full-self-service.
Furthermore, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment can be applied to a ticket vending machine.

[Ninth Modification]
The functions realized by the POS terminal 20 described above may be executed in cooperation with an external device connected via a network to the POS terminal 20. In this case, the external device may execute a predetermined process among the processes executed by the POS terminal 20 in the above description.

<Overview of the embodiment>
[Technical field]
The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device.
[Background Art]
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a technique for dispensing money of a denomination determined as an overflow from money stored in a storage section of a money dispensing device (change machine) into a storage bag (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[Prior Art Literature]
[Patent Documents]
[Patent Document 1] JP 2017-162023 A [Summary of the Invention]
[Problem to be solved by the invention]
In store operations, a store clerk handles an overflow coin container that receives coins that are discharged from a change dispenser due to overflow on a specific occasion.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve the efficiency of operations involving handling overflow coin containers.
[Means for solving the problem]
(1) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device (e.g., POS terminal 20) that is compatible with a change dispenser (209) that can discharge coins to be stored in a coin container (e.g., an overflow vault 220), and that includes a detection means for detecting whether the coin container has been removed from a specified position, and a notification means for notifying the user that a calculation will be made for the coins stored in the coin container if the coin container has been removed between the time when the change dispenser stored coins in the coin container in the past and the present, based on the detection result of the detection means.
Here, the calculation of the currency stored in the currency container includes the calculation of the number of currency pieces for each denomination as a reconciliation process. The calculation of the currency stored in the currency container may also include, for example, the calculation of the amount based on the calculation result of the number of currency pieces. By calculating the number of currency pieces for each denomination as a reconciliation process, it is possible to check whether the actual number of currency pieces stored in the overflow vault 220 matches the theoretical value.
In addition, the notification that a calculation is to be made for the coins stored in the coin storage container is, for example, displayed in the reconciliation execution operation area AR3 (Figure 5), the reconciliation guidance screen of Figure 12 (A), the guidance screen of Figure 12 (C), etc.
According to the above configuration, the POS terminal 20 notifies the user that a calculation of the currency stored in the currency container will be performed depending on whether the overflow vault 220 has been removed from its specified position. This allows the store clerk to reliably check whether the actual number of currency stored in the overflow vault 220 matches the theoretical value when calculating the currency stored in the overflow vault 220 when the overflow vault 220 has been removed from its specified position. This prevents subsequent work from being wasted without the actual number of currency matching the theoretical value, thereby improving the efficiency of work involving the overflow vault 220.
(2) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device as described in (1), in which if the coin container is not removed, no notification is given about calculating the coins stored in the coin container.
According to the above configuration, if the overflow container 220 has never been removed from the specified position, no notification is given that the reconciliation process will be performed. In other words, even in such a case, the reconciliation process does not need to be performed, and unnecessary notifications for the reconciliation process are avoided.
(3) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device as described in (1) or (2), in which the notification means does not provide a notification that a calculation will be made for the coins stored in the coin container if a specified operation has been performed by a store clerk in response to the case in which the coin container has been removed.
According to the above configuration, even if the overflow storage 220 has been removed, if a predetermined operation such as a confirmation operation by a store clerk has been performed in response to this, no notification is given that a reconciliation process will be performed. In other words, in such a case, the reconciliation process does not need to be performed, and unnecessary notifications for the reconciliation process are avoided.
(4) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing device described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the notification means controls, when the coin container is not removed, to adjust the number of coins stored in the change machine when calculating the coins based on the relationship between the number of coins stored in the change machine and the number of coins managed as stored in the coin container.
According to the above configuration, for example, in the processing of steps S203 to S207 in Figure 10, as in the first variant example, when the number of coins stored in the overflow storage 220 is greater than the number of coins stored in the change dispenser 209 during the reconciliation process, an adjustment can be made to reduce the number by discharging the coins stored in the change dispenser 209.
This allows, for example, a store clerk to insert all of the coins stored in the overflow storage 220 during the reconciliation process into the insertion slot of the change dispenser 209 and have the POS terminal 20 perform the calculation.

The above-described POS terminal 20 may be processed by recording a program for implementing the functions of the POS terminal 20 on a computer-readable recording medium, and having the computer system read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. Here, "having the computer system read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium" includes installing the program on the computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk 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. The recording medium may also include 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 the 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, 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) POS terminal, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer display unit, 206 customer scanner unit, 208 card reader, 209 change dispenser, 210 store clerk display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 store clerk scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 audio output unit, 215 communication unit

Claims (4)

A product sales data processing device corresponding to a change dispenser capable of discharging currency so as to be stored in an overflow currency container,
A calculation means for calculating the currency stored in the currency storage device;
a control means for controlling, when calculating the currency, the adjustment of the number of currency stored in the change machine based on the relationship between the number of currency stored in the change machine and the number of currency managed as being stored in the currency container;
A product sales data processing device comprising: The control means
In a state where the coins stored in the coin container are being fed into the change machine, when the number of coins stored in the change machine reaches an upper limit, the number of coins stored in the change machine is controlled to be adjusted.
The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 . The control means
Before the coins stored in the coin container are inserted into the change machine, it is determined whether the coins stored in the coin container can be stored in the change machine, and the number of coins stored in the change machine is adjusted based on the result of the determination.
The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 . A computer as a product sales data processing device corresponding to a change dispenser capable of discharging coins so as to store them in an overflow coin container,
A calculation means for calculating the currency stored in the currency storage device.
A control means for controlling the adjustment of the number of coins stored in the change machine based on the relationship between the number of coins stored in the change machine and the number of coins managed as being stored in the coin container when calculating the coins.
A program to function as a

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