JPH03138799A - Credit processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the operation training in business hours from hindering the other works by performing the credit processing without inquiring of a higher-order device whether the credit transaction due to the operation training is permitted or not. CONSTITUTION:When data related to the credit transaction is inputted from an input part, one response information selected from various response information stored in a response information storage means by a response information selecting means is regarded as returned from the higher-order device in response to inquiry about permission/inhibition of this credit transaction, and the credit transaction is processed. Since the operation training of credit transactions is performed with a point-of-sale information management (POS) terminal 1 in this manner, they are processed in only this terminal without using a closed loop line 3, a leased line 5, and a public line 7 at all. Thus, the POS terminal 1 can be used for the operation training of credit transaction in business hours.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is a credit card system used for practicing operations for credit transactions by clerks in department stores and various specialty stores that employ POS (point of sale) systems, for example. It relates to a processing device.

[Prior Art] In recent years, POS systems have been developed in which multiple PoS and S terminals for product sales registration are connected inline to a host controller, and each PoS terminal is centrally managed by this controller. For example, it has been adopted by department stores and various specialty stores because it simplifies sales management for the entire store.

In addition, the above controller is connected online to the host computer of the credit company, and each POS terminal is provided with an input section for data regarding credit transactions, and when data regarding credit transactions is entered through this input section, the data is input via the controller. Inquires of the host computer whether the credit transaction is possible or not,
POS systems have also been put into practical use that have a credit processing function that allows a credit transaction to be completed when a transaction approval response is received from a host computer.

On the other hand, each POS terminal is equipped with a practice mode that prevents registered product sales data from being managed as sales data in addition to normal business modes such as registration mode and payment mode. It is used by new employees and temporary employees to practice operating the system. And, P with a credit processing function that has this practice mode.
As for the OS system, there is a known technology in which when the practice mode is instructed, an inquiry is made to the higher level regarding the credit transactions that have been entered, but the accumulation and collection of sales data is not performed. . (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 57
(Refer to Publication No. 81669) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, when practicing the operation of any one POS terminal in the practice mode,
As a result of this practice, if an inquiry occurs to a higher level, other POs
The line at S Terminal will be temporarily unavailable. Therefore, if payment by credit card occurs at another POS terminal, the processing may be delayed, which may cause inconvenience to the customer. Therefore, the actual situation is that clerks practice operations outside of business hours, such as after closing time or on holidays.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and allows credit processing to be performed without inquiring whether a credit transaction is possible or not due to operational practice. The aim is to provide a credit processing device that does not pose a risk of interfering with the business operations of customers.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The first invention of the present application has an input unit for data regarding credit transactions, and a plurality of types of response information sent back from a host device in response to an inquiry about whether a credit transaction is possible or not, is set and stored in advance. A response information storage means, a response information selection means for selecting any one piece of information from the various kinds of response information stored by the storage means, and a credit transaction of data input from an input unit using the response information selected by the selection means. This is a credit processing device including a credit processing means for processing.

A second invention of the present application provides, in a credit processing device connected to a host device that determines whether a credit transaction is possible, a practice mode instruction means for instructing a practice mode, an input section for inputting data related to a credit transaction, and a question regarding whether or not a credit transaction is possible. response information storage means for setting and storing in advance a plurality of types of response information to be sent back from the host device in response to the request;
When data related to a credit transaction is input from the input section while the practice mode is instructed by the response information selection means and the instruction means, the data input from the input section is selected by the response information selected by the selection means. and a credit processing means for processing credit transactions.

[Operation] In the credit processing device of the first invention of the present application, when data related to a credit transaction is inputted from the input section, various response information stored in the response information storage means is displayed in response to the inquiry regarding whether or not the credit transaction is possible. One of the response information selected by the response information selection means is regarded as having been returned from a higher level, and the credit transaction is processed.

In the second invention of the present application, the operation is similar to the first invention only when the practice mode is instructed by the practice mode instruction means.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of the system of this embodiment, in which a plurality of POS terminals (TM) 1 and one file controller (FC) 2 are connected in-line via a closed loop line 3. A store controller (SC) 4 is connected online to the file controller 2 via a dedicated line 5. A host computer 5 of each credit company is connected to the store controller 4 via a public line 7 online.

Each of the POS terminals 1 is used to register sales of each product, and has an input section for data regarding credit transactions. The product names of the above file controllers correspond to the codes of various products.

It has a product file with an area for setting unit prices, sales amount, number of sales items, etc. for each product, and controls sales registration at each POS terminal 1. Collect sales data of products registered for sale. It also has a pass-through function between the store controller 4 and each POS terminal 1. The store controller 4 includes a microprocessor, data file, keyboard, printer, C
It consists of an RT display, etc., and performs various data settings for the file controller 2 and each POS terminal 1, as well as for setting the file controller or each POS terminal 1.
Sales data collected from S terminal 1 is compiled to create a sales report. Incidentally, each POS terminal 1, file controller 2, and store controller 4 constitute a POS (point of sale) system.

The host computer 6 is provided with a member management file in which various data necessary for determining whether or not a credit transaction is possible, such as the member number 1 name, address, and allowable amount of the member who issued the credit card, is set. , each PO
The S terminal 1 determines whether or not a credit transaction is possible, and notifies the POS terminal 1 of the inquiry of response information indicating the determination result.

Note that there are two types of credit processing: a component-type negative credit type in which the store controller 4 determines the acceptability of credit transactions that occur at each POS terminal 1, and a complete-type positive credit type in which the process is performed by inquiring the host computer. .

Usually, each credit company has a limit on the amount of credit transactions, and if the amount is below this limit, it will be treated as a negative credit type, and if it exceeds the limit, it will be treated as a positive credit type. ing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a ROM (read memory) in which control programs and the like are stored is connected to a CPU (central processing unit) 11 constituting the main body of the control unit via a pass line 12.
only memory) 13, RAM (random access memory) 14 in which various memories used for product sales registration etc. are formed, keyboard 15. Display 16.
An input/output device interface 19 that controls the card reader 17 and the barcode scanner 18, and a mode switch 2
an input/output port 23 that inputs signals from 0 and outputs drive signals to the printer 21 and drawer 22; and a communication interface 2 that controls data transmission and reception performed with the file controller 2 via the closed loop line 3.
4, etc. are connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mode switch 20 connected to the input/output port 23 controls the power on and off, as well as "registration", "inspection", "payment", and "settlement".
This is a control switch for selecting various business modes such as "Settings" and "Training (Practice)," and is operated using a key. The printer 21 also has a function of printing product sales data and the like on preloaded receipts and journals to issue receipts, and a function of printing necessary data related to registration transactions on loaded credit slips. Furthermore, the drawer 22 is for storing cash and the like.

On the other hand, the keyboard 15 controlled by the input/output device interface 19 has roOJ for inputting numerical data, numeric keys 31 for rOJ to "9", and numeric keys 31 for inputting monetary data, as shown in FIG. an amount key 32, a code key 33 for inputting the code attached to the product,
In addition to product registration keys such as the multiplication key 34 for entering multipliers, there are also subtotal keys 35 for instructing calculation of subtotal amounts, deposit/cash total keys 36 for instructing registration closing by cash transactions, and registration closing by credit transactions. Various instruction keys are provided, such as a credit key 37 for instructing return registration, and a return key 38 for instructing return registration. Further, the display 16 displays text information such as the name of the registered product and various messages in addition to monetary data such as the sales amount, subtotal amount, and total amount of the registered product. Furthermore, the card reader 17 reads card information recorded on the credit card.

On the other hand, the barcode scanner 18 reads barcodes attached to each product.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the RAM 14 includes a number register 41 for temporarily storing numerical data input using the number keys 31; In addition to various normally used memories such as a sales registration file 43 that totals sales data of all products registered for sale on - day by category, a response information table as a response information storage means. 4
4 and a combination table 45 are formed as memories used during credit operation practice.

Here, in the response information table 44, a plurality of items included in the response information returned from the upper store controller 4 or the host computer 6 in response to an inquiry about whether or not a credit transaction is possible are set in advance by table number. There is.

Incidentally, in FIG. 4, the data corresponding to table number "1" is transaction approval response information for the positive credit type, and the data corresponding to table number "2" is transaction rejection response information for the positive credit type, table number "
The data corresponding to table number "3" is transaction approval response information for the negative credit type, and the data corresponding to table number "4" is transaction disapproval response information for the negative credit type.

In addition, in the combination table 45, combinations of response information that may occur depending on the registration form among the various response information set in the response report table 44 are listed as table numbers of corresponding response information for each combination number. The setting number and counter area are provided. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, the response information table number corresponding to the combination number "1" is response information that may occur during normal sales registration processed by the positive credit type, and the combination number "1".
The response information table number corresponding to combination number ``2'' is response information that may occur when registering a normal sale that is processed as a negative credit type, and the response information table number corresponding to combination number ``3'' is information that may occur when registering a return that is processed as a positive credit type. Response information that may occur, the response information table number corresponding to combination number "4" is response information that may occur when registering a return processed as a negative credit type.

When the POS terminal 1 is powered on, the CPU II performs a predetermined initialization process and then waits for data to be input. When data is input, a signal from the mode switch 20 is taken in via the input/output port 23, the business mode selected by the mode switch 20 is determined, and program processing according to the business mode is executed.

Here, assuming that the "training" mode is selected by the mode switch 20, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is executed. That is, first, the type of input data is checked.

If the input data is, for example, bar code data read by the bar code scanner 18,
It is determined that the product has been registered, and the name of the registered product,
The amount and the like are displayed on the display 16 and printed out on the receipt and journal by the printer 15. Also, the amount is added to the amount totalizer 42 in the RAM 14. Then wait for the next data input.

Note that, unlike when the "registration" mode is selected, the process of accumulating the price and number of registered products in the sales registration file is not performed.

On the other hand, if the input data is key data entered using the register key 37 on the keyboard 18 and a product has been registered immediately before, it is recognized that a credit transaction has occurred to pay for the registered product. Next, it is checked whether or not a number has been entered using the number entry key 31 immediately before the input of the credit key 37. If a number has been entered, it is checked whether the numerical data corresponds to the combination number in the combination table 45. If it corresponds to a combination number, it is determined that a combination number has been input, and the counter corresponding to this input combination number is set to "+1".
” is updated. Next, among the response information table numbers corresponding to this input combination number, the response information table numbers in the order specified by the updated counter are read out. Next, response information corresponding to this read response information table number is selected from the response information table 44. The credit transaction is then processed according to the selected response information. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the updated counter matches the corresponding set number, and if so, the counter is returned to "0" and this processing is terminated.

On the other hand, if the number is not entered immediately before the input of the credit key 37, or if the number is entered but the numerical data does not correspond to the combination number in the combination table 45, the combination number is set to rlJ. Then, the counter corresponding to the set combination number is updated by "+1" in the same manner as when the combination number has been entered. Next, among the response information table numbers corresponding to this setting combination number, the response information table numbers in the order designated by the updated counter are read.

Next, response information corresponding to this read response information table number is selected from the response information table 44. The credit transaction is then processed according to the selected response information. Thereafter, it is determined whether the updated counter matches the corresponding set number, and if so, the counter is returned to "0". Thereafter, the setting combination numbers are sequentially updated to r2J, r3J, and r4J, and the same process is repeated. When the process for setting combination number "4" is completed, this process ends.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

When the "registration" mode is selected by the mode switch 20 in the POS terminal 1, the keyboard 15. The barcode scanner 18) processes the credit transaction data input from the card reader 17 as data input by registering the product purchased by the customer, and stores it in the sales registration file 43 in the RAM 14 for cumulative processing. , data collection processing for the file controller 2 is performed. Then, in response to the input of the credit key 37 to indicate that the transaction is a credit transaction, an inquiry is made to the store controller 4 or the host computer 6 as to whether the transaction is possible or not, and the corresponding credit transaction is processed according to the response. .

For example, when the credit transaction amount is a positive credit type larger than a preset limit amount, an inquiry is made to the host computer. If there is a transaction permission response from the host computer 6, it is processed as a credit transaction completed, and if a transaction disapproval response is received, the credit transaction is processed as unsuccessful.

Further, when the credit transaction amount is a negative credit type less than a preset limit amount, an inquiry is made to the store controller 4. If there is a transaction approval response from the store controller 4, it is processed as a credit transaction completed, and if a transaction disapproval response is received, the credit transaction is processed as unsuccessful.

On the other hand, when the "training" mode is selected by the mode switch 20, the keyboard 15. Data related to credit transactions inputted from the barcode scanner 18 or card reader 17 is processed as data inputted by the operator's practice, and stored in the RAM.
Cumulative processing to the sales registration file 43 in 14,
Data collection processing for the file controller 2 cannot be performed. Then, in response to the input of the credit key 37 for indicating a credit transaction, one piece of required response information is selected from the response information table 44, and the corresponding credit transaction is processed in accordance with the response information.

For example, if the operator is a positive credit type registered for normal sales, he or she enters "1" using the number key 31 and then presses the credit key 37. By doing this, under the management of the combination table 45, the response information of table number "1" from the response information table 44, that is, the response information corresponding to the transaction approval response from the host computer 6, or the response information of table number "2" The response information, that is, the response information corresponding to the non-transaction response from the host computer 6 is selected, and the response information is as if the host computer 6
Processing is executed in the same manner as when it is determined whether a credit transaction has been established or not. Incidentally, when a transaction is established, the credit transaction amount and the like are printed on a slip inserted into the printer 21. This slip also records the item [response status code] in the response information. On the other hand, when the transaction is unsuccessful, a message indicating that the transaction is unsuccessful is displayed on the display 16.

Further, assuming that the operator is a negative credit type registered for normal sales, he presses the credit key 37 after inputting "2" with the number key 31. By doing this, under the management of the combination table 45, the response information of the table number "3" from the response information table 44, that is, the response information corresponding to the transaction approval response from the store controller 4, or the response information of the table number "4" The response information, that is, the response information corresponding to the transaction not possible response from the store controller 4 is selected, as if the store controller 4
Processing is executed in the same manner as when it is determined whether a credit transaction has been established or not.

On the other hand, assuming that the operator is in the positive credit type of return registration, he presses the credit key 37 after inputting "3" with the number key 31. By doing this, the response information table 4 under the control of the combination table 45
4, the response information with table number "1" is selected, and the process is executed in the same manner as when the host computer 6 determines that a credit transaction for return registration has been established. Incidentally, a message indicating that the transaction has been completed is displayed on the display 16.If the operator is using the negative credit type for return registration, after entering "4" using the number key 31, the operator presses the credit key 37. Press . By doing this, the response information table 4 under the control of the combination table 45
4, the response information of table number "3" is selected, and the process is executed in the same manner as when the store controller 4 determines that a credit transaction for return registration has been established.

Note that if the credit key 37 is pressed without entering a number using the numeric key 31, one response information corresponding to each registration form will be generated under the management of the combination table 45 for the corresponding credit transaction. They are sequentially read out and processed one by one.

In this way, by practicing credit transaction operations using the POS terminal 1 of this embodiment, the closed loop line 3. Exclusive mouth! I5. Furthermore, the terminal itself can process the data without using the public line 7 at all. Therefore, without affecting the operation of other POS terminals 1, even if a normal credit transaction occurs at another terminal, an inquiry is immediately made to the store controller 4 or host computer 6 as to whether or not the credit transaction is possible. For example, when you have free time during business hours, you can
It becomes possible to use the OS terminal 1 for practicing credit transaction operations. As a result, store staff training can be carried out efficiently.

Note that the present invention also includes a terminal device exclusively for operation practice that operates only in the "training" mode.

In this case, the terminal can be used freely at any time, making store staff training more efficient.

Become so.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform credit processing without inquiring about whether a credit transaction is possible due to operation practice, and it is possible to perform operation practice during business hours. However, there is no risk of interfering with other operations,
It is possible to provide a credit processing device that can improve the efficiency of store staff training.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the entire system, Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a POS terminal, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a mode switch.
Figure 4 shows the key arrangement of the keyboard, Figure 5 shows the RA
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the training mode processing of the CPU. 1... POS terminal, 2... File controller, 3... Closed loop line, 4... Store controller, 5... Dedicated line, 6... Host computer, 7... Public line, 11 ...CPU, 13...R
OM. 14...RAM, 17...Card reader, 20...
・Mode switch, 37...Credit key 44...
-Response information table, 45... combination table.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An input section for data related to credit transactions, a response information storage means for presetting and storing a plurality of types of response information sent back from a higher-level device in response to an inquiry about whether or not a credit transaction is possible, and information stored by this storage means. The present invention includes a response information selection means for selecting any one piece of information from various kinds of response information, and a credit processing means for processing a credit transaction of data input from the input unit using the response information selected by the selection means. Characteristic credit processing device. (2) In a credit processing device connected to a higher-level device that determines whether a credit transaction is possible, a practice mode instruction means for instructing a practice mode, an input section for inputting data related to a credit transaction, and a section for inquiring whether a credit transaction is possible. response information storage means for presetting and storing a plurality of types of response information returned from the host device; response information selection means for selecting any one piece of information from the various types of response information stored by the storage means; and the instruction means. credit processing means for processing the credit transaction based on the data input from the input section using response information selected by the selection means when data related to a credit transaction is input from the input section while a practice mode is instructed; A credit processing device characterized by comprising: