WO2016136417A1

WO2016136417A1 - Settlement device and settlement assistance method

Info

Publication number: WO2016136417A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/053398
Authority: WO
Inventors: 翔太中村; るみ池澤
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2016-02-04
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: JP2023090820A; JP2020098630A; JPWO2016136417A1; JP6860100B2; JP7310847B2; JP2019003699A; JP2021144713A; JP6414316B2; JP6940156B2

Abstract

This settlement device is provided with: an acquisition unit for acquiring settlement information related to products registered by a product registration device; a detection unit for detecting a prescribed operation; and a control unit which, as a result of the prescribed operation detected by the detection unit, executes settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit. A detection means further detects another prescribed operation which is related to the flow of the settlement processing, and which is different to the abovementioned prescribed operation. In cases when the other prescribed operation is detected by the detection means, a control means displays, on a display, a screen which is not displayed in the settlement processing.

Description

Settlement device and settlement support method

The present invention relates to a technology of a POS (Point Of Of Sale) register system in which a settlement process, which is a part of a register process, is performed by a settlement apparatus provided separately from a product registration apparatus.

At cash register terminals in supermarkets and other stores, (1) processing for registering products for payment (reading barcodes, etc.) and (2) processing for performing payments for registered products (such as receiving payment and returning a change) Two processes are performed.

Then, there is an operation method in which the processing of such a cash register terminal is separated into two devices, and the processing of (1) and (2) are performed by different devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sales management system in which a registration apparatus used for the process (1) and an accounting apparatus used for the process (2) are provided separately. According to this system, a store clerk registers a product using a registration device, and the registration device issues a registration receipt upon completion of product registration. The purchaser causes the accounting device to read the registered receipt so that the accounting device performs accounting processing based on the contents of the registered receipt. The purchaser operates the accounting device (for example, inserts a price) to perform accounting.

In the above operation method, the purchaser can select an accounting device that can be settled freely. On the other hand, there is a method in which the store clerk designates an accounting device that the purchaser pays by operating a screen displayed on the registration device. In this case, a registration receipt as described in the following Patent Document 1 is not required, and the store clerk informs the customer of the designated accounting device via the oral or customer display. The customer goes to the designated accounting device and operates the accounting device to settle the merchandise registered by the registration device.

JP 2013-186495 A

In the above-described operation method, part of the settlement process performed at the cash register terminal is left to the customer's operation on the accounting apparatus (referred to as a settlement apparatus in this specification). On the other hand, there are operations that the store clerk should be involved in, such as payment using a cash voucher, cancellation of an already registered product, and change of a discount amount. When such an operation that should involve the store clerk occurs, in the above-described operation method, it may be possible to return the settlement information from the settlement apparatus to the product registration apparatus or other apparatus used by the store clerk. However, if the settlement information is transferred from the settlement apparatus to another apparatus, it takes a great deal of time and labor to settle the customer.

The present invention provides a technique for improving the convenience of a cash register in an operation method in which a cash settlement process, which is a part of the cash register process, is performed by a cash settlement apparatus provided separately from the product registration apparatus.

In each aspect of the present invention, the following configurations are adopted in order to solve the above-described problems.

The first aspect relates to a settlement apparatus. The settlement apparatus according to the first aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires settlement information of a product registered by the product registration apparatus, a detection unit that detects a predetermined operation, and a predetermined operation detected by the detection unit. And a control means for performing a settlement process based on the settlement information acquired by the above. The detection means further detects another predetermined operation different from the predetermined operation in the flow of the checkout process, and the control means performs the checkout process when the other predetermined operation is detected by the detection means. A screen that is not displayed is displayed on the display unit.

The second aspect relates to a settlement support method executed by the settlement apparatus. The settlement support method according to the second aspect acquires settlement information of a product registered by the product registration apparatus, detects a predetermined operation, and performs a settlement process based on the acquired settlement information by the detected predetermined operation. Detecting another predetermined operation different from the predetermined operation in the flow of the settlement process, and displaying the screen not displayed in the settlement process on the display unit when the other predetermined operation is detected. including.

It should be noted that another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes at least one computer to execute the method of the second aspect. Another aspect is a computer-readable recording medium that records the program. This recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium.

According to each aspect described above, it is possible to provide a technique for improving the convenience of a cash register in an operation method in which a cash settlement process, which is a part of the cash register process, is performed by a cash settlement apparatus provided separately from the product registration apparatus.

The above-described object and other objects, features, and advantages will be further clarified by a preferred embodiment described below and the following drawings attached thereto.

It is a figure which shows notionally the hardware structural example of the POS cash register system in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows notionally the process structural example of the payment apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen flow displayed with the payment apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the payment apparatus in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen flow displayed with the payment apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the payment apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the payment apparatus in 3rd embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Each embodiment given below is an illustration, respectively, and the present invention is not limited to the composition of each following embodiment.

[First embodiment]
〔System configuration〕
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a hardware configuration example of a POS cash register system 1 in the first embodiment. The POS cash register system 1 in the first embodiment includes a product registration device 10, a server device 15, and a payment device 20. The merchandise registration apparatus 10 performs processing for registering the merchandise to be settled according to the operation of the store clerk, and transmits the settlement information of the registered merchandise to the server apparatus 15. The server device 15 transmits the payment information sent from the product registration device 10 to the payment device 20. The settlement apparatus 20 performs a settlement process based on the settlement information received from the server apparatus 15 in accordance with a customer operation. Specific processing contents of each device will be described later.

The settlement apparatus 20 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output interface (I / F) 5, and the like. These hardware elements are connected by, for example, a bus. The CPU 2 corresponds to at least one of a general CPU, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like. The memory 3 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary storage device (such as a hard disk), or the like. The communication unit 4 communicates with other devices (such as the server device 15) wirelessly or by wire.

The input / output I / F 5 is connected to a display device 6, an input / output device 7, and the like. The display device 6 is at least one of a customer display, a touch panel display, and the like. The input / output device 7 includes a sensor unit of a touch panel, a change machine (banknotes and coins), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a receipt printer, a speaker, and the like. The input / output device 7 can also include a keyboard or the like arranged at a position where the fixed position is not exposed. The input / output I / F 5 outputs a screen display, sound, or the like to the output device in accordance with processing executed by the CPU 2. The input / output I / F 5 receives an input signal from the input / output device 7.

The settlement apparatus 20 accepts user operations such as an instruction input to the customer settlement apparatus 20 and a customer payment operation by the hardware elements as described above, and performs a settlement process. The “settlement process” executed by the settlement apparatus 20 means a process executed in accordance with a customer operation on the settlement apparatus 20 based on the settlement information generated by the product registration apparatus 10. Therefore, the “payment process” executed by the checkout apparatus 20 is a process for completing a settlement executed in accordance with a store clerk operation on a cash register operation screen (described later) displayed on the checkout apparatus 20 (hereinafter referred to as a special checkout process). To be distinguished). The customer's payment operation includes, for example, a coin and bill insertion operation, a change take-out operation, a credit card payment operation, an electronic money payment operation, and the like.

The merchandise registration apparatus 10 has a CPU 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output I / F 5 and the like as hardware elements in the same manner as the settlement apparatus 20. The display device 6 connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the merchandise registration device 10 is at least one of a display for a clerk and a customer, a display unit of a touch panel, and the like. The input / output device 7 includes a touch panel sensor, a keyboard, a scanner device, a speaker, and the like. The input / output device 7 connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the product registration device 10 preferably includes the same device as the input / output device 7 connected to the checkout device 20. This is because the merchandise registration apparatus 10 can complete the settlement for a person who is difficult to operate the settlement apparatus 20 independently such as an elderly person.

The merchandise registration apparatus 10 accepts a merchant's merchandise registration operation, an instruction input to the merchant's merchandise registration apparatus 10 and the like by such hardware elements, and performs merchandise registration processing. The store clerk's product registration operation includes, for example, scanning operation of a bar code attached to the product, keyboard input of the product price, and the like.

The server device 15 is a so-called computer, and includes a CPU 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output I / F 5, and the like that are connected to each other via a bus as shown in FIG. Although not shown, a display device or an input / output device may be connected to the input / output I / F 5.

The hardware configuration of each device included in the POS cash register system 1 is not limited to the example of FIG. Further, the number of each device and the number of hardware elements of each device are not limited to the example of FIG. The POS cash register system 1 may not include the server device 15. In this case, the settlement apparatus 20 may acquire the settlement information from the product registration apparatus 10. Further, the POS cash register system 1 only needs to correspond to an operation method in which the payment processing, which is a part of the processing of the cash register terminal, is entrusted to the customer's operation on the payment device provided separately from the product registration device. The specific operation method supported by 1 is not limited.

For example, as in Patent Document 1, the POS cash register system 1 uses the information obtained from a portable medium (accounting ticket, membership card, portable terminal, etc.) carried by the customer to perform the settlement process. It is possible to correspond to the operation method to be performed (hereinafter referred to as “accounting ticket method”). In this case, the input / output device 7 connected to the checkout device 20 may include a reader device that reads information from a portable medium. The settlement apparatus 20 can acquire settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server apparatus 15 by sending the identification information (such as settlement identification information) read from the portable medium to the server apparatus 15. The POS cash register system 1 is an operation method (hereinafter referred to as “designation method”) in which the merchandise registration apparatus 10 or the server apparatus 15 itself or the settlement apparatus 20 designated by the operator of the apparatus performs the settlement process. ).

[Processing configuration]
FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a processing configuration example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. The payment apparatus 20 includes an acquisition unit 21, a detection unit 22, a control unit 23, and the like. The acquisition unit 21, the detection unit 22, and the control unit 23 are realized, for example, by executing a program stored in the memory 3 by the CPU 2. In addition, the program may be installed from a portable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a memory card or another computer on the network via the communication unit 4 and stored in the memory 3.

The acquisition unit 21 acquires the settlement information of the product registered by the product registration device 10. The settlement information includes identification data regarding each product registered as a settlement target, product name, price, quantity and discount information, transaction number, total price, and the like. However, the specific content of the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 is not limited as long as the settlement apparatus 20 can complete the settlement process using the settlement information. The total amount may be calculated by the control unit 23.

The method for obtaining the settlement information by the obtaining unit 21 is not limited. For example, in the case of an accounting ticket method, the acquisition unit 21 uses identification information (transaction number, membership number) read from a portable medium (paper, magnetic card, portable terminal, etc.) by a reader device (not shown) of the settlement device 20. Etc.) is sent to the server device 15 to obtain the settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server device 15. In the case of the designation method, the acquisition unit 21 may receive payment information from the product registration device 10 or the server device 15.

The detecting unit 22 detects a user operation on the settlement apparatus 20. For example, the detection unit 22 detects a user operation based on an input signal from the input / output device 7 such as a sensor unit of a touch panel, a change machine, a credit card reader, or an electronic money reader. User operations detected by the detection unit 22 include user operations roughly classified into two types. One is an operation group (hereinafter referred to as normal user operation) defined in advance for performing the adjustment process based on the adjustment information acquired by the acquisition unit 21, and the other is different from the normal user operation. This is a predetermined operation (hereinafter referred to as a specific user operation). In other words, the normal user operation is a user operation for advancing or returning the process on the checkout process flow, and the specific user operation is a special user operation that is not included in the checkout process flow. Generally, a normal user operation is an operation performed by a customer, and a specific user operation is an operation that cannot be performed by a customer and can be performed only by a store clerk.

The detecting unit 22 detects a predetermined input operation on a predetermined input device (input / output device 7) as a specific user operation, for example. This “predetermined input operation with respect to a predetermined input device” is desirably set to a state incapable of operation, a state in which operation is difficult for the customer, or a state in which no operation is attempted. Such a state may be realized by a predetermined input device arrangement and form, or such a state may be realized by a predetermined input operation method. For example, the predetermined input device is a keyboard that is housed (hidden) in a state where it can be taken out of the housing of the checkout device 20, and the detection unit 22 has a certain key (for example, a switching key) of the keyboard. The operation of pressing is detected as a specific user operation. The predetermined input device may be an operator provided at a location different from a location where an operator (not shown) provided for a normal user operation is arranged. In addition, the predetermined input device may be an operation button provided under a dent that does not allow a finger to enter or under a dent that is closed with an openable / closable lid. Furthermore, a plurality of such operators are provided, and the detection unit 22 can also detect that the plurality of operators are operated in a predetermined order as the specific user operation.

As another example of the specific user operation, the detection unit 22 detects a secret operation on the screen displayed on the display device 6. The secret operation here means an operation that is kept secret by the customer and informed only to the store clerk. Therefore, the customer cannot perform this secret operation. For example, the detection unit 22 detects that a certain position on the display screen is kept pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) as a secret operation. The secret operation may be an operation of pressing the four corners of the display screen in a fixed order, or an operation of inputting a password known only to the store clerk in the input field in the screen. The content of such a secret operation is not limited. As another example of the specific user operation, the detection unit 22 detects an operation that causes the reader unit (input / output device 7) to read the identification information of the store clerk from a portable medium such as a store clerk card. Since the clerk card is not given to the customer, the customer cannot perform the operation.

The content of the specific user operation as described above is not included in the checkout process flow, and is not limited as long as the operation cannot be performed by the customer and can be performed only by the store clerk. Specific examples of normal user operations will be described later.

The control unit 23 performs a payment process based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 by a user operation detected by the detection unit 22. Specifically, when a normal user operation is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 performs the settlement process based on the normal user operation. The settlement process executed by the control unit 23 is a process of presenting the total amount to the customer, a process of causing the customer to select a payment method, a process of accepting payment with the selected payment method, a process of paying out change, and outputting a receipt And a process for presenting completion of settlement. The checkout process follows a general checkout flow, such as a process that allows the customer to select whether or not a receipt is required, a process that allows the customer to select whether or not a receipt is issued, a receipt output process, and a membership card reading process. Other processing may be included. Further, when the payment method is fixedly determined, or when the customer suddenly performs a payment operation, the checkout process may not include a process for causing the customer to select a payment method.

On the other hand, when a specific user operation is detected, the control unit 23 displays on the display device 6 a cash register operation screen that is not displayed in the above-described checkout process. For example, the control unit 23 selects a product registration screen that can change the product information included in the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 or a screen displayed during the settlement process as a cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the settlement process. An accounting screen capable of selecting a payment method that cannot be displayed can be displayed on the display device 6. Since the payment process is a process based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition unit 21, it is not assumed that the payment information is changed. Therefore, such a product registration screen is not displayed in the checkout process. Here, the change of the product information that can be performed on the product registration screen includes cancellation of the registered product, registration of a new product, application and change of the discount and discount amount, and the like. Further, in this operation method, the settlement process is basically entrusted to the customer's operation on the settlement apparatus 20, and therefore does not include a process based on an operation that should involve the store clerk, such as payment using a cash voucher or coupon. That is, there is a payment method that cannot be selected on the screen displayed on the flow of the settlement process executed by the settlement apparatus 20. Therefore, the above-described accounting screen is not displayed in the settlement process.

Further, the control unit 23 may display the same screen as the screen displayed on the product registration device 10 on the display device 6 as a cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the checkout process. Accordingly, the store clerk can use the cashier operation screen in the same manner as that used in the product registration apparatus 10, so that the store clerk can be prevented from operating erroneously and confused, and work efficiency can be improved. The contents of the cash register work screen displayed by the control unit 23 are not limited as long as the contents are not displayed in the above-described checkout process.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen flow displayed on the settlement apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. First, a specific example of the above-described settlement process executed by the control unit 23 will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 23 displays a screen G1 that allows the customer to select a payment method at the beginning of the checkout process. The operation in which the customer selects the payment method on this screen G1 corresponds to the above-described normal user operation. When the control unit 23 detects an operation (normal user operation) in which any one of the button B1 indicating cash payment, the button B2 indicating credit payment, and the button B3 indicating electronic money payment is pressed by the detection unit 22, A screen G2 or G3 corresponding to the payment method indicated by the pressed button is displayed.

The screen G2 is a screen that supports cash payment. The control unit 23 receives information on coins and bills input from the input / output device 7 while displaying the screen G2, and calculates the input amount and the remaining amount. The control unit 23 reflects the calculated input amount and the remaining amount on the screen G2. The screen G3 is a screen that supports credit card payment. The control unit 23 performs credit settlement processing based on information from the credit card reader of the input / output device 7 while displaying the screen G3. In FIG. 3, a screen for supporting payment of electronic money is not shown. When the “cash withdrawal” button B21 on the screen G2 or the “credit withdrawal” button B31 on the screen G3 is pressed, the control unit 23 displays the screen G1 again. In this case, when there are coins and bills that have already been inserted, the control unit 23 can also perform a refund process.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the payment by the selected payment method is completed, the control unit 23 outputs a receipt from the printer of the input / output device 7, and displays the settlement information together with information indicating the completion of payment. It transmits to the server device 15. The control unit 23 can also execute a receipt issuing process.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a cash register operation screen displayed upon detection of a specific user operation will be described. When the specific user operation as described above is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 displays a product registration screen G <b> 11 that can change the product information included in the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. The specific user operation may be detected when the screen G2 or G3 or another screen is displayed. On the product registration screen G11, a list of registered products included in the settlement information is displayed. The control unit 23 changes the settlement information according to the user operation on the product registration screen G11. The change of the settlement information includes cancellation of the registered product, registration of a new product, change of discount or discount amount, and the like. The product registration screen G11 may be a screen similar to the screen displayed on the product registration device 10 when registering a product.

When the “subtotal” button B11 on the product registration screen G11 is selected, the control unit 23 displays the accounting screen G12. On the accounting screen G12, payment by a voucher that is not an option on the screen G1 is possible. The control unit 23 makes it possible to select any payment method based on a user operation on the accounting screen G12. When detecting the operation of the button B12, the control unit 23 performs a settlement process (special settlement process) using the payment method selected on the accounting screen G12. In operation, the merchandise registration screen G11 and the accounting screen G12 shown in FIG. 3 are operated by the store clerk.

The screen flow shown in FIG. 3 is merely an example. When the specific user operation as described above is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 displays a button for transitioning to the product registration screen G11 and a button for transitioning to the accounting screen G12 on the screen G1. May be. In this case, the control unit 23 may display the product registration screen G11 or the accounting screen G12 according to the operated button.

[Operation example]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the first embodiment. For example, each process shown in the drawing is executed by each processing module included in each apparatus. Since each process is the same as the above-mentioned processing content of each apparatus, the detail of each process is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

The settlement apparatus 20 acquires settlement information from the server apparatus 15 (S41). The settlement apparatus 20 may acquire settlement information from the product registration apparatus 10. The contents of the settlement information and the acquisition method are as described above.

The settlement apparatus 20 starts a settlement process based on the acquired settlement information (S42). At this time, the customer has moved from the front of the merchandise registration apparatus 10 to the front of the settlement apparatus 20 in order to settle the merchandise registered by the merchandise registration apparatus 10. In starting the settlement process, the settlement apparatus 20 displays a screen for selecting a payment method shown in FIG.

The settlement apparatus 20 detects a user operation (S43; NO, S44). The detected user operations include normal user operations such as a user operation on the screen displayed in the settlement process of (S42), a coin and bill insertion operation to a change machine, a credit card and electronic money reading operation, Specific user operations that are not included in the normal user operations are included. Normally, the user operation is an operation performed by a customer, and the specific user operation is an operation performed by a store clerk that cannot be performed by the customer.

When the operation detected in (S44) is a normal user operation (S45; NO), the settlement apparatus 20 proceeds with the settlement process according to the operation (S42). For example, when a payment operation of a customer user with respect to a change machine (input / output device 7), a credit card reader, or the like is detected, the checkout device 20 accepts payment based on the operation and receives an input amount or a balance. Display. Upon completion of acceptance of payment such as cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, etc., the settlement apparatus 20 executes a change output process, a receipt issuance process, and the like to complete the settlement process. Completion of the checkout process may be determined by a selection operation of a completion button by the customer user. When the settlement process is completed (S43; YES), the settlement apparatus 20 ends the process.

As described above, in normal times, the customer can finish the settlement of the product registered by the product registration apparatus 10 while operating the settlement apparatus 20 by itself. However, special circumstances may arise, such as when a customer wants to cancel a registered product, finds that the number or price of the registered product is incorrect, or that no discount has been applied. There is sex. In such a case, the customer cannot call the screen displayed in the checkout process by the checkout apparatus 20, and the customer calls the store clerk. Thereby, the store clerk performs a specific user operation on the settlement apparatus 20. For example, the store clerk takes out a keyboard (input / output device 7) hidden in the housing of the checkout apparatus 20, and presses a switching key on the keyboard (specific user operation).

When the specific user operation is detected in the above-described settlement process (S42) (S45; YES), the settlement apparatus 20 displays a product registration screen or an accounting screen that is not displayed in the settlement process (S42) (S46). . The settlement apparatus 20 detects the operation of the store clerk user on the screen displayed in (S46) (S47), and based on the operation, changes the settlement information, sets a specific payment method, or executes a special settlement process ( S48). For example, when an operation for changing product information (price, discount, discount, etc.) displayed on the product registration screen is detected, the settlement apparatus 20 changes the settlement information according to the operation. In addition, when an operation for selecting a specific payment method (cash voucher payment or the like) that cannot be selected on the screen displayed in the settlement process of (S42) is detected, the settlement apparatus 20 sets the specific payment method. .

When the settlement information and the payment method are confirmed, the settlement apparatus 20 executes a special settlement process based on the confirmed information (S48). The special settlement process in (S48) is the same as a part of the settlement process executed in (S42). The customer pays and finishes the payment while being prompted by the store clerk. Upon completion of acceptance of payment, the settlement apparatus 20 executes a change output process, a receipt issuance process, and the like to complete the special settlement process. Completion of the special payment process may be determined by a selection operation of a completion button by the customer user. When the special settlement process is completed (S49; YES), the settlement apparatus 20 ends the process.

[Operation and effect of the first embodiment]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the merchandise registration apparatus 10 and the settlement apparatus 20 are provided separately, and the registration process is separated into the merchandise registration process in the merchandise registration apparatus 10 and the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 20. The That is, the settlement apparatus 20 acquires the settlement information of the product registered by the product registration apparatus 10, and the settlement process based on the settlement information is executed by a normal user operation. Thereby, the settlement of the product registered by the operation of the product registration apparatus 10 by the store clerk can be completed by the settlement apparatus 20 by the customer's own operation.

In the first embodiment, when the specific user operation that is not included in the normal user operation on the checkout process flow is detected, the checkout apparatus 20 displays a product registration screen or an accounting screen that is not displayed in the checkout process. Is done. The adjustment information of the product registered by the product registration device 10 is changed by an operation on the product registration screen. In addition, a payment method that cannot be selected in the checkout process is set by an operation on the accounting screen. As described above, according to the first embodiment, even after the cashier process is shifted to the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 20, the settlement apparatus 20 can perform the process that should involve the store clerk due to special circumstances. Therefore, even if a special situation occurs, the customer only has to call the store clerk without moving to another place, so the convenience of the cash register can be improved.

In the first embodiment, a specific user operation serving as a trigger for displaying the product registration screen or the accounting screen may be performed for the customer, such as a predetermined input operation for an input device at a position where the fixed position is not exposed. Set to difficult operations. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operations of the store clerk, such as changing information on already registered products and selecting a special payment method, from being performed by the customer.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, when a cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the payment process is displayed in the payment apparatus 20, payment is completed based on an operation on the cashier operation screen (for example, an accounting screen) (special payment process). . In the second embodiment, it is possible to return from the cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the checkout process to the screen for the checkout process. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the content different from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same contents as those in the first embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

[Processing configuration]
The detection unit 22 detects the first specific user operation, the second specific user operation, and the third specific user operation as other predetermined operations different from the above-described normal user operation. The first, second, and third specific user operations are determined in advance. The “first specific user operation” is the “specific user operation” in the first embodiment. That is, the “first specific user operation” is an operation for causing the settlement apparatus 20 to display a cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the settlement process. Since the “second specific user operation” is an operation for switching from the cashier work screen to a screen displayed on the checkout process flow, the detection unit 22 displays a cashier work screen that is not displayed in the checkout process. A second specific user operation is detected.

The first and second specific user operations may be the same operation. In this case, for example, as the second specific user operation, the detection unit 22 performs a predetermined input operation with respect to a predetermined input device, a secret operation with respect to a screen displayed on the display device 6, or a portable clerk card or the like. An operation for causing the reader unit (input / output device 7) to read the identification information of the clerk from the medium is detected. In this way, it is possible to switch between the settlement process screen and the cash register operation screen by the same operation. Further, the screen displayed on the merchandise registration apparatus 10 and the cashier operation screen displayed on the settlement apparatus 20 can be made the same. Therefore, usability for the store clerk can be improved.

The second specific user operation may be an operation different from the first specific user operation. In this case, for example, the detection unit 22 detects a pressing operation of an operation button (for example, a “return” button or the like) provided on the displayed cash register job screen as the second specific user operation. However, the second specific user operation detected by the detection unit 22 is not limited to such an example.

“The third specific user operation” is an operation for completing the checkout on the cashier operation screen. For this reason, the detection unit 22 detects the third specific user operation in a state in which a cash register operation screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed. The second and third specific user operations are different operations. For example, the detection unit 22 detects a pressing operation of “deposit / cash total” (button B12 in the example of FIG. 3) provided on the accounting screen as the cashier operation screen as a third specific user operation. However, the third specific user operation detected by the detection unit 22 is not limited to such an example. Since both the second and third specific user operations are operations detected in a state where the cash register job screen is displayed, generally the same as the first specific user operation is performed by a store clerk. It is an operation.

When the second specific user operation is detected in a state where the cash register work screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed, the control unit 23 displays on the checkout process flow from the cashier work screen that is not displayed in the checkout process. Change the display to the displayed screen. The screen displayed by switching from the cashier service screen may be any screen as long as it is displayed on the checkout process flow. The control unit 23 may display a screen that was displayed before the cashier operation screen is displayed, or may display a top screen on the flow of the checkout process.

When the third specific user operation is detected in the state where the cashier operation screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed, the control unit 23 changes the display to the screen displayed on the checkout process flow. Instead, the settlement is completed by executing a special checkout process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen flow displayed on the settlement apparatus 20 in the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, the settlement process executed by the control unit 23 is the same as in the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5 as well, the screen G1 and the screen G2 or G3 are displayed in the flow of the checkout process as in the first embodiment.

When the first specific user operation described above is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 displays a product registration screen G <b> 11 that can change the product information included in the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. The first specific user operation may be detected when the screen G2 or G3 or another screen is displayed. The control unit 23 changes the settlement information according to the user operation on the product registration screen G11, as in the first embodiment. Further, when the “subtotal” button B11 on the product registration screen G11 is selected, the control unit 23 displays the accounting screen G12 as in the first embodiment. When the selection operation of the “deposit / cash total” button B12 on the accounting screen G12 is detected, the control unit 23 executes a special settlement process to complete the settlement. In the example of FIG. 5, the third specific user operation is a selection operation of the “deposit / cash total” button B12 on the accounting screen G12.

In the second embodiment, “return” buttons B15 and B16 are provided on the product registration screen G11 and the accounting screen G12. When the user operation for selecting the “return” button B15 or B16 is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 displays on the screen G1 displayed on the checkout process flow from the product registration screen G11 or the accounting screen G12. To change. In the example of FIG. 5, the second specific user operation is an operation of selecting the “return” button B15 or B16. Thereafter, the control unit 23 executes the settlement process based on the settlement information and payment method information changed by the user operation on the product registration screen G11 and the accounting screen G12 according to the customer's operation on the screen G1 and the like. Thereby, after the settlement information and the payment method are changed by the operation of the store clerk, the settlement process is advanced by the operation of the customer.

The screen flow shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example. The control unit 23 may switch the display from the product registration screen G11 or the accounting screen G12 to a screen other than the screen G1 for selecting a payment method. For example, when the payment method has already been selected on the screen G1 before the first specific user operation is detected, the control unit 23 changes from the product registration screen G11 or the accounting screen G12 to the screen G2 or G3. The display may be switched.

[Operation example]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the second embodiment. For example, each process shown in the drawing is executed by each processing module included in each apparatus. Since each process is the same as the above-mentioned processing content of each apparatus, the detail of each process is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

(S61), (S62), and (S63) are the same as (S41), (S42), and (S43) shown in FIG.

The settlement apparatus 20 detects a user operation (S63; NO, S64). Since the user operation detected here is an operation performed on the settlement process flow, basically, the user operation on the screen displayed in the settlement process of (S62), the coin and banknote to the change machine It is a normal user operation such as a loading operation, a credit card or electronic money reading operation.

If the operation detected in (S64) is a normal user operation (S65; YES), the settlement apparatus 20 advances the settlement process according to the operation (S62). The specific contents of the settlement process are as described in the first embodiment. The settlement apparatus 20 proceeds with the settlement process according to the normal user operation, and when the settlement process is completed (S63; YES), the process ends. In this way, in normal times, the customer can finish the settlement of the product registered by the product registration apparatus 10 while operating the settlement apparatus 20 by itself.

However, when a special situation occurs, the store clerk rushes to the settlement apparatus 20 and performs a first specific user operation on the settlement apparatus 20. For example, the store clerk takes out a keyboard (input / output device 7) hidden in the housing of the checkout apparatus 20, and presses a switching key on the keyboard (first specific user operation). If the operation detected in (S64) is not a normal user operation (S65; NO), the settlement apparatus 20 detects the first specific user operation. Since the second and third specific user operations are operations that can be detected only when the cashier operation screen is displayed, they are not detected here. Thus, the normal user operation is an operation performed by a customer, and the first specific user operation is basically an operation performed by a store clerk.

When the checkout apparatus 20 detects the first specific user operation in the checkout process flow (S65; NO), the checkout apparatus 20 displays a product registration screen or an accounting screen (checkout operation screen) that is not displayed in the checkout process (S62) (S66). . The checkout apparatus 20 detects the operation of the store clerk user in a state where the cash register work screen is displayed (S67). When the operation detected in (S67) is neither the second specific user operation nor the third specific user operation (S68; NO, S69; NO), the settlement apparatus 20 changes the settlement information based on the operation. Alternatively, a specific payment method is set (S70). For example, when an operation for changing product information (price, discount, discount, etc.) displayed on the product registration screen is detected, the settlement apparatus 20 changes the settlement information according to the operation. In addition, when an operation for selecting a specific payment method (such as voucher payment) that cannot be selected on the screen displayed in the settlement process of (S62) is detected, the settlement apparatus 20 sets the specific payment method. .

When the operation of the clerk user detected in the state where the cash register work screen is displayed is the second specific user operation (S68; YES), the checkout apparatus 20 performs the checkout process from the cash register work screen displayed in (S66). The display is changed to the screen displayed on the flow of (5), and the settlement process based on the settlement information changed in (S70) or the specific payment method set in (S70) is executed (S62). In this case, the adjustment of the settlement information and the setting of a specific payment method are performed by the store clerk operation, and the customer can finish the settlement by his own operation.

When the operation of the clerk user detected in the state where the cash register business screen is displayed is the third specific user operation (S68; NO, S69; YES), the checkout apparatus 20 follows the operation of the clerk on the cashier business screen. A special settlement process is executed (S71) to complete the settlement. The special checkout process executed in (S71) is the same as part of the checkout process executed in (S62). In this case, an operation on the settlement apparatus 20 is performed by a store clerk, and the customer pays and finishes the settlement while being urged by the store clerk.

[Operation and effect of the second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, when a first specific user operation displays a product registration screen or an accounting screen (cash register operation screen) that is not displayed in the normal checkout process, and in that state, a second specific user operation is performed. The display changes from the cash register operation screen to the screen displayed on the checkout process flow. As described above, according to the second embodiment, after the processing that should be performed by the store clerk in the checkout apparatus 20 due to special circumstances, the checkout can be finished by the customer's own operation. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time for the clerk to stay in the checkout device 20, and to improve the work efficiency of the clerk.

[Third embodiment]
Hereinafter, the settlement apparatus and the settlement support method according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. In addition, the third embodiment may be a program that causes at least one computer to execute this settlement support method, or may be a recording medium that can be read by at least one computer that records such a program. Good.

The settlement apparatus in the third embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the settlement apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1, and has the same processing configuration as the settlement apparatus 20 shown in FIG. The acquisition unit 21, the detection unit 22, and the control unit 23 included in the settlement apparatus 20 in the third embodiment are also realized in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The acquisition unit 21 acquires the settlement information of the product registered by the product registration device. The detection unit 22 detects a predetermined operation. Here, the detected predetermined operation means any one of the operation groups defined for performing the settlement process. The control unit 23 performs a settlement process based on the settlement information acquired by the acquisition unit 21 by a predetermined operation detected by the detection unit 22. Here, the content of the settlement process executed by the control unit 23 is not limited as long as the settlement of the product registered by the product registration apparatus can be completed. That is, the settlement process may include at least a process for accepting payment and a process for paying change as necessary.

The detection unit 22 further detects a first specific operation different from the predetermined operation on the flow of the settlement process. The first specific operation different from the predetermined operation is an operation different from the operation group defined for performing the settlement process, and means at least one operation defined in advance. A specific example of the “first specific operation” is the “specific user operation” in the first embodiment, and the “first specific user operation” in the second embodiment. When the first specific operation is detected by the detection unit 22, the control unit 23 displays a screen that is not displayed in the settlement process on the display unit (display device 6).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the settlement apparatus 20 in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the settlement support method in the third embodiment is executed by at least one computer such as the settlement apparatus 20. For example, each process shown in the figure is executed by each processing module included in the settlement apparatus 20.

The checkout support method in the third embodiment acquires checkout information (S71), detects an operation (S72), and if the detected operation is a predetermined operation (S73; YES), acquires it by the predetermined operation. Including a settlement process based on the settlement information (S75). Here, the detected predetermined operation means any one of the operation groups defined for performing the settlement process (S75). Further, the settlement support method in the third embodiment further includes detecting a first specific operation different from the predetermined operation on the settlement process flow of (S75) (S72). Here, the first specific operation, which is different from the predetermined operation, is an operation different from the operation group defined for performing the settlement process (S75), and includes at least one predefined operation. means. In the settlement support method in the third embodiment, when the first specific operation is detected (S73; NO, S74; YES), a screen that is not displayed in the settlement process of (S75) is displayed on the display device 6. (S76). A specific example of a screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is the above-described product registration screen or accounting screen.

The settlement apparatus 20 may execute a special settlement process as described in the first embodiment after displaying a screen not displayed in the settlement process (S76), or as described in the second embodiment. The settlement process or the special settlement process in (S75) may be selectively executed. In the special settlement process, the settlement apparatus 20 may complete the settlement by a process different from (S75) after displaying a screen that is not displayed in the settlement process. In FIG. 7, detection of a predetermined operation (S72, S73; YES) and execution of a settlement process (S75) are shown in one flow, but the settlement process is advanced in accordance with the predetermined operation.

According to the third embodiment, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above can be obtained.

In the plurality of flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the description order. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within a range that does not hinder the contents. Moreover, each above-mentioned embodiment can be combined in the range in which the content does not conflict.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-039637 filed on February 27, 2015 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-131453 filed on June 30, 2015. , The entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

Claims

An acquisition means for acquiring settlement information of a product registered by the product registration device;
Detecting means for detecting a predetermined operation;
Control means for performing a payment process based on the payment information acquired by the acquisition means by the predetermined operation detected by the detection means;
With
The detection means further detects a first specific operation different from the predetermined operation on the checkout process flow,
When the first specific operation is detected by the detection unit, the control unit displays a screen that is not displayed in the settlement process on a display unit.
Checkout device.
The control means is a product registration screen that can change product information included in the settlement information acquired by the acquisition means, or a screen that is displayed on the settlement processing flow as the screen that is not displayed in the settlement processing. Displays a payment screen on the display unit that can select payment methods that cannot be selected.
The settlement apparatus according to claim 1.
The control means displays, on the display unit, the same screen as the screen displayed by the product registration device as the screen that is not displayed in the settlement process.
The settlement apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
The detection means includes, as the first specific operation, a predetermined input operation for a predetermined input device, a secret operation for a screen displayed on the display unit, or identification information of a store clerk from a portable medium to a reading unit Detect operations that cause
The settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The detection means further detects a second specific operation in a state where the screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed,
When the second specific operation is detected in a state where the screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed, the control means starts from the screen that is not displayed in the checkout process on the checkout process flow. Change the display to the displayed screen,
The settlement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The first specific operation and the second specific operation are the same operation.
The settlement apparatus according to claim 5.
In the settlement support method executed by the settlement apparatus,
Get the settlement information of the product registered with the product registration device,
Detects certain operations,
With the detected predetermined operation, a settlement process based on the acquired settlement information is performed,
Detecting a first specific operation different from the predetermined operation on the flow of the checkout process;
When the first specific operation is detected, a screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is displayed on the display unit.
Checkout support method including that.
The screen that is not displayed in the checkout process can select a product registration screen that can change the product information included in the acquired checkout information and a payment method that cannot be selected on the screen displayed on the flow of the checkout process. Including at least one of the accounting screens,
The settlement support method according to claim 7.
The screen that is not displayed in the checkout process is the same screen as the screen displayed by the product registration device,
The settlement support method according to claim 7 or 8.
The first specific operation includes at least a predetermined input operation for a predetermined input device, a secret operation for a screen displayed on the display unit, and an operation for causing the reading unit to read the identification information of the store clerk from the portable medium. Including one,
The settlement support method according to any one of claims 7 to 9.
In a state where the screen that is not displayed in the settlement process is displayed, a second specific operation is detected,
When the second specific operation is detected in a state where the screen that is not displayed in the settlement process is displayed, the screen that is not displayed in the settlement process is changed to a screen that is displayed on the settlement process flow. Change the display,
The payment support method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising:
The first specific operation and the second specific operation are the same operation.
The settlement support method according to claim 11.
A program for causing at least one computer to execute the settlement support method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.