Automatic fare adjustment machines and automatic fare adjustment systems

Abstract

To improve a convenience of an automatic payment machine by making it possible to execute cancellation processing on a transaction-by-transaction basis in the automatic payment machine that can pay a counter value with respect to merchandise or a service.SOLUTION: An automatic payment machine according to the present invention is capable of executing payment processing and cancellation processing, wherein: the payment processing enables payment for a purchased merchandise or a service in a unit of transaction; and the cancellation processing includes transaction designation processing for designating a transaction which has already been paid in the payment processing, and transaction cancellation processing for canceling the transaction designated in the transaction designation processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic checkout machine that can be used to pay for products or services in various stores, and an automatic checkout system that includes the automatic checkout machine. [Background technology]

[0002] At restaurants, once customers have been served their food and drink, they usually pay at a cash register located near the entrance and leave the establishment. Alternatively, at fast food restaurants and other establishments, customers may purchase a meal ticket using a ticket vending machine located near the entrance of the establishment and then receive their food and drink. Using a ticket vending machine eliminates the need for employees to manage money, which is an excellent system in terms of reducing the burden on employees and ensuring accurate management of money.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a food and drink serving management system in which food and drink are ordered by table using a food and drink ordering device. In this food and drink serving management system, customers select food and drink on the food and drink ordering device, pay for the food and drink, and are issued an IC card. When customers sit at their chosen table, an IC card reader reads the IC card and sends information about the order to a management device, which notifies the waiter of the order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-129750 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] With conventional automatic teller machines, when a problem occurs and a refund is made, an employee must unlock a locked door on the machine, access the inside of the machine, open it, remove the cash, and make the refund. This type of automatic teller machine cannot accurately manage transactions, and the complicated operations required to process the refund are troublesome for the employee.

[0006] In an operating model where cash is not taken out from the automatic teller machine, it is possible to take cash out from a safe or other storage facility separately to refund the money. Even in this type of system, accurate management of transactions is not possible, and since separate cash must be prepared, problems remain such that cash management and bookkeeping become cumbersome.

[0007] The present invention has been developed in consideration of such circumstances, and one of its objectives is to enable a transaction that has already been made to be easily canceled in an automatic payment machine that can be used to pay for goods and services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention: An automatic payment machine capable of performing payment processing and cancellation processing, The settlement process allows payment for purchased products or services on a transaction basis, The cancellation process is a transaction designation process for designating a transaction that has been paid in the settlement process; and a transaction cancellation process for canceling the transaction designated in the transaction designation process.

[0009] Therefore, the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention: An automatic payment machine capable of performing payment processing and cancellation processing, The settlement process is Providing food and drink Payment for the transaction can be made on a transaction basis. The cancellation process is a transaction designation process for designating a transaction that has been paid in the settlement process; A transaction cancellation process for canceling the transaction designated by the transaction designation process. fruit, The payment process stores information about the location in the store where the food and drink was served, When displaying transactions for which payment has been made in the settlement process, the transaction designation process displays information about the location within the store where the food and drink was provided for each transaction.

[0010] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The plurality of payment methods in the settlement process include a cash payment method, The transaction cancellation process returns cash if the payment method selected in the settlement process is cash.

[0011] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The plurality of payment methods in the settlement process include payment methods using electronic money, In the transaction cancellation process, if the payment method selected in the settlement process was electronic money, cash is refunded.

[0012] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The plurality of payment methods in the settlement process include a credit card payment method, In the transaction cancellation process, if a payment method by credit card was selected in the settlement process, a request is made to the credit card settlement server to cancel the transaction.

[0013] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The settlement process issues a code that identifies the transaction that has been paid, The transaction designation process allows a transaction to be designated by reading the code information.

[0014] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The transaction designation process displays transactions that have already been paid in the settlement process and allows the user to select a transaction, thereby enabling the user to designate a transaction.

[0015] Furthermore, in the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention, The checkout process stores information about the location in the store where the service was received, The transaction designation process displays information about the location of each transaction within the store when displaying the transactions that have been paid during the checkout process.

[0016] Furthermore, the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention comprises: In the transaction designation process, if a transaction using a credit card is designated, and the transaction is performed at a different automatic teller machine, the transaction process is not executed.

[0017] Furthermore, the automatic fare adjustment machine according to the present invention comprises: In the transaction designation process, if a transaction using a credit card is designated, and the transaction is performed at a different store, the transaction process is not executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The automatic settlement machine according to the present invention makes it possible to easily cancel a transaction that has already been paid for during settlement processing. Therefore, even if a situation arises in which a transaction must be canceled, accurate transaction management can be performed without the need for irregular bookkeeping or the like. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a food and drink ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ordering terminal and a charging stand according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of an automatic ticket machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic fare adjustment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a main process of an automatic settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the data structure of settlement information according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a payment process in an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing various payment processes in an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a slip according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an initial screen of an automatic ticket machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a total settlement screen of an automatic fare adjustment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a payment product selection screen of an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a payment product selection screen of an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an individual payment screen of an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a payment product selection screen of an automatic payment machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 shows a receipt according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a cancellation process according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 19] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a cancellation process according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cancellation process start screen according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transaction list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transaction details screen (cash) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a settlement cancellation confirmation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transaction details screen (credit) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a refund screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cancellation receipt ejection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In this embodiment, an example of a food and drink ordering system having automatic payment machines 6a and 6b installed in a restaurant and allowing payment of food and drink charges after a meal will be described. Note that the automatic payment machine according to the present invention is not limited to being installed in a restaurant, and can also be applied to, for example, an automatic payment machine at a restaurant where meal tickets can be purchased as advance payment for food and drink charges, an automatic payment machine at a clinic or veterinary hospital where medical expenses can be paid, or an automatic payment machine at various facilities such as a golf course, karaoke bar, amusement facility, internet cafe, hot spring facility, etc.

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a food and drink ordering system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This diagram is a schematic diagram showing the interior of a restaurant. A restaurant is roughly divided into a floor where food and drinks are served to customers, and a kitchen where the food and drinks are prepared.

[0022] The floor is equipped with a management computer 1 that manages the food and drink ordering system, ordering terminals 3a-3d that are operated by customers at each table, handheld terminals 9a and 9b that employees carry to process orders or check various information such as order status, and automatic payment machines 6a and 6b where customers pay their bill after finishing their meal.

[0023] The ordering terminals 3a-3d are charged on charging stands 4 and placed at each of the tables a-d. The charging stands 4 are provided in an area managed by an employee, and the ordering terminals 3a-3d are placed at the tables a-d while charged on the charging stands 4. It is possible to provide the charging stands 4 at the tables a-d and use the ordering terminals 3a-3d while charging them, but this would require customers to place them on the charging stands 4 when they arrive, making it difficult to use the ordering terminals 3a-3d, or if they are not properly placed on the charging stands 4, they may run out of battery and become unusable. As in this embodiment, by placing properly charged ordering terminals 3a-3d at each of the tables a-d, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience and trouble described above.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ordering terminal 3 and charging stand 4. This figure shows the ordering terminal 3 placed on the charging stand 4 while it is being charged. The ordering terminal 3 has a touch panel monitor 32 as a user interface on its front. In this embodiment, an LED 36a is provided to display the status of each ordering terminal 3. Note that although the charging stand 4 in this embodiment is configured to charge a single ordering terminal 3, the charging stand 4 may also be configured to charge multiple ordering terminals 3. In addition, charging the ordering terminal 3 does not have to be done by placing it on the charging stand 4 as described above; various other methods can also be used, such as connecting an AC adapter cable to the ordering terminal 3.

[0025] The kitchen is equipped with a kitchen terminal device 5 and a kitchen printer 51 that notify the chef of the order status, etc. Order information received at the order terminal 3 is output to the kitchen terminal device 5 and printed by the kitchen printer 51. The chef can check the ordered products based on the order information displayed on the kitchen terminal device 5 or the order information printed by the kitchen printer 51.

[0026] These various terminals and devices installed in the store are connected to the network via LAN 2 or access point 22, either wired or wirelessly. In this example, management computer 1, kitchen terminal device 5, kitchen printer 51, and automatic payment machines 6a and 6b are connected to the network via wires. Furthermore, order terminal 3 and handheld terminal 9 are connected to the network wirelessly via access point 22.

[0027] Furthermore, the network within the store is connected to the Internet via a router 21, making it possible to communicate with various server devices on the Internet. The various devices and terminals installed within the store can communicate with various server devices on the Internet via this router 21, and send and receive various information.

[0028] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ordering terminal 3 and charging stand 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordering terminal 3 has a CPU 34a, ROM 34b, RAM 34c, image processing unit 34d, and audio processing unit 34e, which function as a control unit. The CPU 34a controls the overall processing of the ordering terminal 3 based on programs stored in storage means such as the ROM 34b or SSD 35 (Solid State Drive). At that time, temporarily generated data and the like are stored in the RAM 34c.

[0029] The image processing unit 34d converts the data generated by the CPU 34a into an image and outputs it to the display unit 32a for display. The audio processing unit 34e converts the data generated by the CPU 34a into audio and outputs it to a speaker.

[0030] In this embodiment, the touch panel monitor 32 is made up of a display unit 32a and a touch panel 32b. The touch panel 32b functions as an input means for receiving input from the user in response to various objects such as icons and switches displayed on the display unit 32a. The ordering terminal 3 may be provided with input means such as mechanical switches in addition to the touch panel 32b. Input information from the touch panel 32b is transmitted to the CPU 34a via the interface 37b.

[0031] The SSD 35 functions as a storage means for the ordering terminal 3. The SSD 35 stores various program information required to operate the ordering terminal 3, as well as various content such as images (still images, video), and audio. As a storage means, a hard disk or the like can also be used in addition to an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0032] The ordering terminal 3 of this embodiment further includes a wireless communication unit 38. This wireless communication unit 38 is equipped with an antenna 38a, enabling wireless communication according to the wireless LAN standard. By wirelessly connecting to the access point 22 shown in Fig. 1, the ordering terminal 3 can participate in the network configured by the LAN 2, and can connect to various devices and terminals such as the management computer 1 and kitchen terminal device 5, or can connect to the Internet via the router 21.

[0033] The ordering terminal 3 is equipped with a battery 39 and can be used independently without connecting to an external power source. The battery 39 is connected to the charging terminal 33 by a power line Lp, and can be charged using an externally supplied power source. The CPU 34a can monitor the remaining charge and charging status of the battery 39. The charging terminal 33 can be electrically connected to a power supply terminal 42 on the charging stand 4 (cradle) side, thereby enabling charging of the battery 39.

[0034] The charging stand 4 that charges the ordering terminal 3 has a DC conversion unit 41. This DC conversion unit 41 converts AC power supplied from a power line 43 into DC power of a set voltage, and supplies it to the charging terminal 33 via the power line Lp.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a management computer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management computer 1 is a device installed in a restaurant and used by a manager. In this embodiment, in addition to managing the food and drink ordering system, the management computer 1 also functions as a POS terminal that tallies sales records and as a terminal for printing receipts. This management computer 1 can be configured as a normal personal computer. The management computer 1 has a CPU 11a, a ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, an image processing unit 11d, and an audio processing unit 11e as its control unit. The image processing unit 11d displays and outputs data processed by the CPU 11a on the display unit 17a. The audio processing unit 1e outputs audio of the data processed by the CPU 11a to a speaker.

[0036] The management computer 1 also has a hard disk drive (HDD) 12 as storage means. Various storage means, such as a solid state drive (SSD), can be used in addition to the HDD 12. The HDD 12 stores programs and data required for the management computer 1 to execute various processes.

[0037] Communication unit 13 connects management computer 1 to LAN 2 by wire, allowing management computer 1 to participate in the network. Management computer 1 can communicate with order terminal 3, kitchen terminal device 5, kitchen printer 51, handheld terminal 9, and automatic payment machines 6a and 6b within the system via communication unit 13. Various communications with the Internet are also possible via router 21.

[0038] Input means such as a keyboard and a mouse can be connected to the interface 14. The manager operates the management computer 1 via this input means. In addition, a touch panel 17b is connected to the interface 14 of this embodiment as input means, and together with the display unit 17a, this constitutes a touch panel monitor 17. The manager can use this touch panel monitor 17 to perform touch input, just like with the ordering terminal 3.

[0039] Furthermore, a receipt printer 16 is connected to the interface 14, and it is possible to print out information (for example, slips) processed by the management computer 1.

[0040] 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of an automatic payment machine 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic payment machine 6 is a device that enables a user who operates it to execute a payment process for paying for food and drinks after eating and drinking. The automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment is equipped with a touch panel monitor 61, a card slot 62a, a receipt outlet 62b, a numeric keypad 72, a scanner 73, a near-field wireless communication unit 74, a coin slot 62c, a bill slot 62d, and a coin outlet 62e.

[0041] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic teller machine 6 according to this embodiment. The automatic teller machine 6 is configured to have a control unit 67 that executes various processes, as well as various peripheral components connected to the control unit 67. In this embodiment, a card reader 71, a numeric keypad 72, a scanner 73, a short-range wireless communication unit 74, a touch panel monitor 61, a receipt printer 63, a banknote processing unit 64, and a coin processing unit 65 are connected to the control unit 67.

[0042] The card reader 71 is located behind the card slot 62a shown in Figure 4 and is capable of reading various information from an inserted credit card. The numeric keypad 72 is a means for inputting the PIN (Personal Identification Number) of the credit card.

[0043] The scanner 73 is a means for optically reading a two-dimensional barcode (code information) presented by a customer. In this embodiment, in addition to the two-dimensional barcode printed on a slip, it is also possible to read a two-dimensional barcode displayed on a customer's mobile terminal when paying with electronic money. In this embodiment, a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the two-dimensional barcode. In addition to the two-dimensional barcode, various forms of code information can be used, such as a one-dimensional barcode.

[0044] The short-range wireless communication unit 74 is provided in the same position as the scanner 73, as shown in FIG. 4. The short-range wireless communication unit 74 is capable of performing short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user. In this embodiment, communication with the mobile terminal is performed when the user pays electronic money. Note that the short-range wireless communication unit 74 may also perform short-range wireless communication with the user's mobile terminal when, in addition to paying electronic money, using a coupon (discount ticket) or presenting an electronic membership card.

[0045] The touch panel monitor 61 is configured to have a display unit 61a and a touch panel 61b. As shown in Fig. 4, the touch panel monitor 61 is positioned facing the user and is capable of providing various visual information via the display unit 61a. The touch panel 61b is also capable of accepting various inputs via touch operations by the user.

[0046] The receipt printer 63 is a simple printer that prints on thermal paper used as receipts and is located behind the receipt outlet 62b in FIG. 4. The receipt printer 63 is used to print various receipts such as payment details and receipts. Note that the receipt printer 63 as a printing unit can be of various types, such as a thermal type as in this embodiment, a laser type, an inkjet type, etc. The banknote processing unit 64 is located behind the banknote outlet 62d in FIG. 4 and is used to insert and return banknotes when paying in cash. The coin processing unit 65 is a means for counting coins inserted into the coin inlet 62c shown in FIG. 4 and managing the return of change from the coin outlet 62e.

[0047] The control unit 67 is connected to the communication unit 68, and the control unit 67 is capable of communicating with the outside via the communication unit 68. The communication unit 68 in this embodiment is connected to the LAN 2, and is capable of communicating with the management computer 1 communicatively connected to the LAN 2, or various servers (payment server 81, electronic money management server 82) connected via an external network such as the Internet.

[0048] Next, we will explain the various processes executed in this food and drink ordering system. Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing the main process executed in the food and drink ordering system. This main process shows a series of processes performed for one customer or one customer group (table). First, when a customer or customer group is shown to an empty table, an employee inputs various information about the customer into the handheld terminals 9a, 9b or the management computer 1. In this embodiment, the information about the customer includes a table ID to identify the table where the customer is seated and a customer count indicating the number of customers. In addition, the date and time of entry and an employee ID indicating the employee in charge of the table are also recorded.

[0049] FIG. 7 shows the data structure of payment information for managing customers for each table. The payment information contains various pieces of information associated with a slip number for identifying the payment information. In this embodiment, various pieces of information (the above-mentioned table ID, store ID, number of customers, date and time of entry, and staff ID) are recorded when a customer sits down at a table. In addition, order information regarding the customer's order is recorded. The order information contains a product ID indicating the ordered product and a payment flag indicating whether the payment for that product has been completed.

[0050] The determination of whether a customer has sat down in S101 shown in FIG. 6 is made based on the information input about this customer, and the food and drink ordering system starts the processing from S102 onwards. In this embodiment, after it is determined that a customer who has entered the restaurant has sat down (S101: Yes), an order process (S102) is started to accept an order for a product from the customer at the ordering terminal 3. The seated user (customer) can refer to the product menu displayed on the ordering terminal 3 in the order process (S102) and order the products they wish to eat and drink. When the customer's order is complete (or the products have been served), the order information corresponding to the ordered products is recorded in the payment information.

[0051] In this embodiment, after the order process (S102) has started, the payment process (S200) can be executed at the automatic payment machines 6a, 6b. In this embodiment, it is possible to pay for some of the ordered items (individual payment). Therefore, even while the order process (S102) is ongoing, the payment process (S200) can be executed at an appropriate timing. Therefore, for example, among a group of customers who come to the restaurant, one customer who finishes their meal early can pay their bill at the automatic payment machine 6 and leave the restaurant.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the settlement process in the automatic payment machine 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The settlement process (S200) begins with a slip carried to the table by an employee. FIG. 10 shows an example of a slip used in this embodiment. Table-related information 181, order-related information 182, consumption tax amount 183, total amount 184, and a two-dimensional barcode 185 are printed on the slip.

[0053] Table-related information 181 includes the slip number, number of customers, date and time of entry, and name of the person in charge. Order-related information 182 displays the name, quantity, and price of the ordered item. Table-related information 181 and order-related information 182 are printed based on the payment information. In addition, consumption tax amount 183 and total amount 184 are printed as information related to the payment amount. Two-dimensional barcode 185 contains at least a table ID for identifying the table used by the customer. By reading two-dimensional barcode 185 with scanner 73 of automatic payment machine 6, it is possible to read the payment information corresponding to the customer.

[0054] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the initial screen of the automatic payment machine 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Before the start of the payment process (S200), the automatic payment machine 6 is on standby with the initial screen displayed. The initial screen displays an instruction to hold (read) the two-dimensional barcode on the slip over the scanner 73. In addition, various other screens, including the initial screen, display a language switch button 611a for switching the displayed language (Japanese or English). The initial screen also displays a call button 611b for calling an employee. When the call button 611b is operated, a message indicating that a call for the customer is being made is output to the management computer 1, handheld terminal 9, or the like, as appropriate.

[0055] When the scanner 73 of the automatic payment machine 6 reads the two-dimensional barcode 185 printed on the slip 18 (S201: Yes), the table ID included in the two-dimensional barcode 185 is referenced, and an inquiry is made to the management computer 1 for the settlement information corresponding to the table ID (settlement information is specified) (S202). The automatic payment machine 6 references the order information included in the settlement information, and displays the full settlement screen based on the order information in the settlement information (S203).

[0056] In this embodiment, the settlement information to be settled is specified by reading a two-dimensional barcode 185 (code information) including the table ID with a scanner, but the settlement information can be specified not only in this manner but also by various mobile devices. For example, the user may input the table ID into an input unit such as the touch panel monitor 61 or numeric keypad 72 of the automatic settlement machine 6. Alternatively, the user may bring a card or tag that stores the table ID placed on the table to the automatic settlement machine 6 and have it read by the short-range wireless communication unit 74, thereby allowing the automatic settlement machine 6 to read the table ID and specify the settlement information.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the total settlement screen of the automatic payment machine 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The total settlement screen has a payment amount display field 612a, a statement display field 612b, payment method selection buttons 612c to 612e, an individual payment selection button 612f, and a cancel button 612g. The payment amount display field 612a displays the total amount to be paid. This total amount is the total amount of items in the settlement information that have not yet been paid for. The statement display field 612b displays the product name, quantity, price (unit price of item x number of items), and consumption tax of the ordered items. The total amount displayed in the payment amount display field 612a is the sum of the amounts displayed in the statement display field 612b.

[0058] Payment method selection buttons 612c to 612e are displayed on the right side of the total settlement screen. The payment method selection buttons 612c to 612e are buttons for selecting the payment method by cash, electronic money, or credit card. In the initial state of the total settlement screen, the cash payment method is selected. If a different payment method (electronic money or credit card) is desired, the user can switch payment methods by operating the payment method selection buttons 612d and 612e.

[0059] The automatic checkout machine 6 of this embodiment can accept payment by cash, electronic money, or credit card, but the payment methods are not limited to these and various other payment methods can be used, such as debit cards and deferred payment.

[0060] An individual payment selection button 612f is displayed in the lower right corner of the full payment screen. The individual payment selection button 612f is a button for transitioning to individual payment, where the user pays for the items they selected from the items they ordered. When multiple users visiting a restaurant want to pay for the items they each ordered, this individual payment selection button 612f is operated. When the individual payment selection button 612f is operated (S204: Yes), the screen transitions to the payment item selection screen shown in FIG. 13, where individual payments can be made.

[0061] A cancel button 612g is displayed at the bottom right of the full checkout screen, below the individual checkout button. When this cancel button 612g is pressed, the checkout process ends and the screen returns to the initial screen in Figure 11. The cancel button 612g is also displayed on screens other than the full checkout screen, and it is possible to end the checkout process by pressing this cancel button 612g even if the checkout for some products has already been completed.

[0062] The payment item selection screen in Figure 13 displays a payment amount display field 613a, a product selection field 613b, a confirm button 613e, and a cancel button 612g. The payment item selection screen shown in Figure 13 is in a state where payment for all ordered items has not yet been completed, and is the state that appears when the individual payment selection button 612f is operated on the full payment screen in Figure 12.

[0063] The product selection field 613b displays a select all products button 613c and a product selection button 613d. The product selection button 613d displays various information about the ordered products (product name, unit price). As mentioned above, the checkout product selection screen in Fig. 13 is a screen transitioned to from the checkout product selection screen in Fig. 12, and the product selection field 613b displays the products displayed in the statement display field 612b in Fig. 12 as product selection buttons 613d.

[0064] In this case, the detail display field 612b in FIG. 12 displays the quantity corresponding to the product name, whereas the product selection button 613d in FIG. 13 is displayed corresponding to one product. In other words, even if there are multiple quantities of the same product, different product selection buttons 613d are displayed. For example, for menu A, two different product selection buttons 613d are displayed, and for H Coffee, three different product selection buttons 613d are displayed. In this way, by displaying the product selection buttons 613d, the user can easily select products. In addition, the product selection field 613b is provided with a select all products button 613c. When this select all products button 613c is operated, all products for which payment has not yet been completed are selected.

[0065] On the checkout item selection screen in FIG. 13, the user can select the items to be paid for by operating the item selection button 613d or the select all items button 613c. FIG. 14 shows the checkout item selection screen when selecting items. On the checkout item selection screen in FIG. 13, when the item selection button 613d for the item to be paid for is operated, a check mark is displayed in the check box to the left of the item selection button 613d. In the example of FIG. 14, the first item selection button from the top 613d (Menu A) and the fourth item selection button 613d (H Coffee) are selected. When the item selection button 613d is selected, the total amount and remaining amount in the payment amount display field are changed.

[0066] On the payment item selection screen, when the user has finished selecting items, they can press the confirm button 613e displayed in the bottom right of the screen to complete the selection of items to be paid for (S208: Yes), and the individual payment screen will be displayed. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the individual payment screen of the automatic payment machine 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the total payment screen described in Figure 12, the individual payment screen has a payment amount display field 612a, a statement display field 612b, payment method selection buttons 612c to 612e, and a cancel button 612g.

[0067] As such, the individual settlement screen in Figure 15 is similar to the total settlement screen in Figure 12, but differs in that it allows the payment of items selected on the settlement item selection screen in Figure 14. It also differs in that a product reselection button 614a is provided in the statement display field 612b, and the individual payment selection button 612f that was present on the total settlement screen is not provided. The individual settlement screen allows payment by cash, and various payment processes (S300) are initiated by inserting bills or coins.

[0068] Figure 9 is a flow diagram of various payment processes (S300) in the automatic settlement machine 6. These various payment processes are performed not only for individual settlements, but also when individual settlement is not specified in the settlement process flow diagram of Figure 8 (S204: No), i.e., when total settlement is performed.

[0069] When various payment processes (S300) are initiated, the payment method is confirmed. In this embodiment, cash payment is the default, and cash payment is initiated by inserting cash (banknotes or coins) into the banknote slot 62d or the coin slot 62c (S301: Yes). When paying by cash, the cash insertion is determined to be complete (S302: Yes) when the amount of inserted cash exceeds the payment amount. If change is available (S303: Yes), the change is returned from the banknote slot 62d or the coin slot 62e (S304). Then, a receipt related to the payment is printed by the receipt printer 63 and ejected from the receipt outlet 62b (S318).

[0070] On the other hand, if a credit card is selected as the payment method (S306: credit card), a card insertion screen (not shown) prompting the user to insert the credit card into the card slot 62a is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 of the automated teller machine 6 (S307). When the user inserts the credit card (S308: Yes), a PIN entry screen (not shown) prompting the user to enter a PIN on the numeric keypad 72 is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 (S309). When the user enters a PIN (S310: Yes), the automated teller machine 6 inquires of the settlement server 81 whether the PIN is correct and whether payment is possible. The credit card is then ejected from the card slot 62a (S312).

[0071] If the payment server 81 returns a notice that payment has been completed (S313: Yes), the payment flag for the order information for which payment has been completed is changed to "paid" (S318), and a receipt for the payment is printed (S319). On the other hand, if payment has not been completed (S313: No), error processing is performed, such as ejecting the credit card and displaying a card insertion screen (S307).

[0072] Furthermore, if electronic money is selected as the payment method (S306: electronic money), a code reception screen is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 of the automatic teller machine 6, instructing the user to hold their mobile terminal over the position of the short-range wireless communication unit 74 (S314). If code information related to payment by electronic money is received from the user's mobile terminal (S315: Yes), the automatic teller machine 6 inquires of the electronic money management server 82 about whether or not the payment can be made. If payment by electronic money is completed (S317: Yes), the settlement flag of the order information for which payment has been completed is changed to "paid" (S318), and a receipt related to the payment is printed (S319). On the other hand, if payment is not completed (S317: No), error processing such as displaying the code reception screen (S314) is executed. Payment methods using electronic money include not only short-range wireless communication with the user's mobile terminal, but also reading code information (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) as a two-dimensional barcode) displayed on the user's mobile terminal. Alternatively, an IC card may be used instead of a mobile terminal.

[0073] Returning to the flow diagram of the settlement process shown in FIG. 8, when various payment processes (S300) during individual settlement are completed, it is determined whether or not there are any unpaid items remaining in the settlement information (S209). If there are no unpaid items remaining, that is, if all items have been paid for (S209: No), the process returns to the beginning of the settlement process, and the automatic settlement machine 6 displays the initial screen of FIG. 11 in preparation for the next settlement. On the other hand, if there are unpaid items remaining (S206: Yes), a settlement item selection screen is displayed (S206). This settlement item selection screen allows the selection of only unpaid items.

[0074] The checkout product selection screen shown in Figure 16 is the screen that appears when products are selected on the checkout product selection screen in Figure 14 and payment is completed on the individual checkout screen in Figure 15. The product selection button 613d corresponding to the product for which payment has been completed is grayed out, labeled "Payment Complete," and cannot be selected. In Figure 16, the product selection button 613d (Menu A) displayed second from the top and the product selection button 613d (H Coffee) displayed fifth are grayed out.

[0075] The user can select the product to be paid for from the product selection buttons 613d that are not grayed out and operate the confirmation button 613e to perform individual payment. Furthermore, if the cancel button 612g displayed in the lower right corner of the payment product selection screen is operated (S207: Yes), the payment process ends, and the automatic payment machine 6 displays the initial screen of FIG. 11 and prepares for the next payment. In this way, the automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment can terminate the payment process even if there are unpaid products remaining. For example, when multiple customers visit a restaurant, one customer who finishes their meal early may want to pay and leave the restaurant. Even if the remaining customers are still eating, the early customer can pay their bill at the automatic payment machine 6 and leave the restaurant. The remaining customers can then pay at the automatic payment machine 6 later. In this case, products in the payment information whose payment flags are not marked as "paid" are subject to payment.

[0076] In this way, the automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment is capable of multiple individual payments for the payment related to the slip 18, i.e., the payment related to one payment information, so that, for example, each user who ate or drank can pay separately. Furthermore, individual payments can be made not only in a single payment process but also in multiple payment processes, so that only users who leave midway can finish paying and leave the store.

[0077] In this way, the automatic checkout machine 6 of this embodiment allows individual payments, thereby improving the convenience of user payments. However, with an automatic checkout machine 6 that allows such individual payments, it is conceivable that store employees may not notice if a customer leaves the store with some items unpaid. For this reason, the automatic checkout system including the automatic checkout machine 6 of this embodiment is configured to notify employees that a payment has been completed or not.

[0078] Returning to the main processing of Fig. 6, while the order processing (S102) and the payment processing (S200) are being executed continuously, the bashing period (S104) begins on the condition that payment for all ordered items is completed (S103: Yes) through the payment processing (S200). Here, bashing means that employees clear and clean the table used by a customer user in preparation for the next user's visit, and the bashing period refers to the period from when the table can be cleared and cleaned until the bashing ends.

[0079] During the bashing period, for example, the ordering terminal 3 stops accepting orders (order processing (S102)) and the touch panel monitor 32 displays a message to the user such as "Thank you." Alternatively, the touch panel monitor 32 may display a message to the employee saying "Please clean up." When the employee confirms that the touch panel monitor 32 displays that the bashing period, they tidy up and clean the table, preparing for the next user's visit. After finishing bashing, the employee performs a predetermined operation on the ordering terminal 3 to input an end to bashing. When the end of bashing is input (S105: Yes), the table becomes available for the next user (customer) to sit at.

[0080] In this embodiment, the automated payment machine 6 notifies an employee that a table is in a bashing period, provided that payment for all ordered items is completed. Therefore, for example, if a customer leaves the store without completing payment for all items, the table used by that customer is not in a bashing period, and an employee can quickly become aware of the customer's non-payment.

[0081] In this embodiment, notification of the bashing period is made by display on the ordering terminal 3, but notification of the bashing period may also be displayed not only on the ordering terminal 3, but also on the handy terminal 9 carried by the employee or on the management computer 1. When displayed on the handy terminal 9 or the management computer 1, notification of whether or not the bashing period is in progress will be provided along with table identification information such as the table number or the table layout. Furthermore, the input of the end of bashing can also be input on the handy terminal 9 or the management computer 1 instead of on the ordering terminal 3.

[0082] As described above, the automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment, or the automatic payment system including the automatic payment machine 6, allows customers to pay for the items they have eaten after finishing their meal. Furthermore, it is possible to pay for a specific portion of the items eaten, and multiple customers who visit the restaurant can pay individually. In particular, the payment process can be canceled even if individual payments are made and some items remain unpaid. Therefore, when some customers in a group decide to leave midway through a meal, it is easy for them to finish paying for their own items and leave the restaurant.

[0083] Next, we will explain the cancellation process available in the automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment. As mentioned above, the automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment can automatically pay for food and drink without bothering employees. This reduces the workload of employees and enables accurate management of payments.

[0084] Incidentally, restaurants and other establishments sometimes refund the payment after the payment for food and drink has been completed due to an error on the part of the establishment. Traditionally, in restaurants that use cash registers, when making such refunds, employees would remove cash from the register and make the refund, while also managing the refund using a slip or other document. In such cases, not only does this increase the workload of employees, but managing the cash and refunds is complicated, making accurate management difficult. Meanwhile, conventional automatic payment machines do not have a function for such refunds, and employees are required to open the locked control door of the automatic payment machine and remove the cash from inside the machine. Therefore, automatic payment machines also have the same problem.

[0085] The automatic settlement machine 6 of this embodiment takes such circumstances into consideration and is capable of executing a process for canceling a transaction using the automatic settlement machine 6. Here, a transaction in the automatic settlement machine 6 is a unit related to one payment, and in this embodiment, one transaction is the total settlement described in Figure 12, or one transaction is the individual settlement described in Figure 15.

[0086] Figure 17 is a diagram showing a receipt 19 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This receipt 19 was issued when the individual settlement shown in Figure 15 was carried out. The receipt 19 contains general payment information 191, payment details information 192, payment method information 193, and a two-dimensional barcode 194.

[0087] General payment information 191 includes the restaurant name, telephone number, and the date, time, and receipt number of the payment. Payment details information 192 includes the product name, quantity, price, consumption tax, and total price of the food and drink consumed. Payment method information 193 includes the payment method (credit card in the example of FIG. 17) and identification information indicating the payment machine 6a, 6b used for the payment process (machine No. 1 in the example of FIG. 17). And, two-dimensional barcode 194 (code information according to the present invention) includes information that can identify this transaction.

[0088] The automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment can identify the transaction and execute cancellation processing using the two-dimensional barcode 194 printed on the receipt 19. Also, to accommodate customers who have lost their receipt 19, the automatic payment machine 6 can display a list of transactions, allowing them to select a transaction from the list and execute cancellation processing.

[0089] 18 and 19 are flow diagrams showing the cancellation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Transaction processing is a management process performed by an employee, and is a process that cannot be performed by customer operation, such as settlement processing. During normal use, the settlement machine 6 displays an idle screen on the touch panel monitor 61, waiting for the customer to start settlement processing, etc. (S401).

[0090] If the management code is read by the scanner 73 on this idle screen (S402: Yes), a password entry screen (S403) is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61. Here, the management code is composed of a two-dimensional barcode or the like printed on a card-like medium carried by the employee. The employee can start the cancellation process by holding the medium on which this management code is printed over the scanner 73. The management code may also include an employee code that can identify the employee. When the cancellation process is executed, by also recording this employee code, it is possible to confirm which employee executed the cancellation process.

[0091] The employee enters a password on the password entry screen displayed on the touch panel monitor 61. If the entered password is correct (S404: Yes), the process proceeds to the next step. On the other hand, if the password is incorrect (S404: No), an error message is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 (S405).

[0092] If the entered password is correct (S404: Yes), the payment cancellation start screen shown in FIG. 20 is displayed (S406). This payment cancellation start screen displays a message instructing the user to hold the two-dimensional barcode 194 printed on the receipt 19 to be canceled over the scanner 73. Furthermore, in cases where the receipt 19 is not available and the transaction cannot be specified using the receipt 19, a transaction history button 614c is also displayed to display the transaction history. The payment cancellation start screen also displays a back button 614b. This back button 614b is also displayed on various other screens, and operating this button allows the user to return to the previous screen.

[0093] The employee can hold the two-dimensional barcode 194 printed on the receipt 19 over the scanner 73 (A) or operate the transaction history button 614c to display and view the transaction history (B). When the two-dimensional barcode 194 is read by the scanner 73 (S407:A), the automatic payment machine 6 references the transaction in the management computer 1 based on the transaction-identifying information contained in the two-dimensional barcode 194. If the reference result indicates that a transaction has occurred (S408:Yes), the process proceeds to the next step. If the reference result indicates that no transaction has occurred (S408:No), an error message is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 (S411).

[0094] On the other hand, if the transaction history button 614c is operated (S407: Yes), a list of transaction history is displayed on the transaction history list screen (S409). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the transaction list screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. This transaction list screen displays a list of transactions made within the store. As shown in FIG. 1, two automatic payment machines 6a and 6b are installed within the store in this embodiment, and the transaction list screen displays transactions made at both automatic payment machines 6a and 6b.

[0095] The transaction list screen displays a transaction display field 615a for specifying a transaction. The transaction display field 615a displays the date and time, table number, amount, payment method, and details button for each transaction. Here, the table number is identification information that indicates the location of the table or other location where the customer ate or drank. This table number corresponds to the table ID in the payment information described in FIG. 7. The employee receives transaction information from the customer (date and time of payment, amount, payment method, etc.) and selects a transaction to be canceled from among the transactions displayed in the transaction display field 615a. In this embodiment, the transaction information includes the table number, and by specifying the location where the customer ate or drank, the employee can confirm the table number and easily identify the transaction to be canceled.

[0096] When specifying a transaction, the employee operates the details button located to the right of the transaction display field 615a to specify the transaction to be canceled. If a transaction is specified (S410: Yes), the process proceeds to the next step, just as when a two-dimensional barcode is read.

[0097] If a transaction is found to have occurred as a result of the reference based on the reading of the 2D barcode (S408: Yes), or if a transaction is specified on the transaction list screen (S410: Yes), the payment method is confirmed (S416). In this embodiment, the subsequent processing is changed depending on whether the payment method was a credit card or not.

[0098] First, we will explain what happens if the payment method is not a credit card (S416: No). The automatic payment machine 6 of this embodiment allows payment by credit card, cash, and electronic money. Therefore, if the payment method is not a credit card, payment will be by cash or electronic money.

[0099] If the payment method is cash or electronic money (S416: No), a transaction details screen is displayed (S417). Figure 22 shows the transaction details screen when the payment method is cash. The transaction details screen displays general transaction information 616a, transaction content information 616b, a cancel button 616c, and a back button 614b.

[0100] The general transaction information 616a displays the date and time of the settlement process (year, month, date, time), table number, slip number (slip identification information), amount, and payment method. The transaction content information 616b displays the product name, quantity, amount, consumption tax, and total amount that were the subject of payment for the transaction. In this embodiment, it also displays whether or not a receipt was issued. The employee confirms the transaction based on the information obtained from the customer, and if this transaction is to be canceled, operates the cancel button 616c (S418). On the other hand, if this transaction is not the subject of cancellation, the employee operates the back button 614b to return to the previous screen.

[0101] If the cancel button 616c is operated (S418: Yes), a payment cancellation confirmation screen is displayed (S419). Figure 23 is a diagram showing the payment cancellation confirmation screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is the payment cancellation confirmation screen when the cancel button 616c is operated (S418: Yes) on the transaction details screen of Figure 22. In addition to transaction general information 617a, the payment cancellation confirmation screen also displays a confirm button 617b and a cancel button 617c.

[0102] When the confirmation button 617b is operated on the payment cancellation confirmation screen (S420: Yes), a cash refund (S421) is executed. The cash refund is a process in which the payment amount for the transaction is discharged from the banknote entrance / exit 62d and the coin exit 62e. At that time, as shown in FIG. 25, a message informing the user that cash will be refunded is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61, and the user is prompted to obtain the cash. In this way, in this embodiment, cash can be refunded without accessing the inside of the automatic teller machine 6.

[0103] After the cash refund (S421) is executed, two canceled receipts are printed by the receipt printer 63 and ejected from the receipt ejection port 62b (S431). Figure 26 shows the canceled receipt ejection screen that is displayed when ejecting the canceled receipt. As shown on this canceled receipt ejection screen, the first of the two receipts is a receipt for the customer, and the second is a store copy receipt. Each receipt contains various information about the canceled transaction, such as the general transaction information 617a described in Figure 23.

[0104] The employee hands the first customer receipt to the customer and keeps the second store copy receipt at the store. After that, information about the transaction canceled in the cancellation process is registered in management computer 1, and the entire transaction process is completed (S432).

[0105] The above has been described in connection with the case where the payment method is cash, but the same applies to the case where electronic money is used. In particular, in the case of electronic money, refunding in cash reduces the complicated process compared to refunding in electronic money, and makes it possible to refund the customer more quickly. Note that payment methods using electronic money include not only short-range wireless communication with the user's mobile terminal as described in the above embodiment, but also reading code information displayed on the user's mobile terminal (for example, a QR code (registered trademark) as a two-dimensional barcode) or having the mobile terminal read code information displayed on the automatic teller machine 6. It is also possible to refund in cash with such electronic money payment methods. Furthermore, as a payment method using electronic money, an IC card may be used instead of a mobile terminal.

[0106] Refunds for payments made using electronic money are refunded in cash, but they may also be refunded in electronic money. When refunding in electronic money, executing a cancellation process communicates with the electronic money management server corresponding to the electronic money used, and the refund is made in electronic money to the electronic money account of the user who used the money. Alternatively, refunds may be made in cash or electronic money depending on the type of electronic money. For example, electronic money from brand A is refunded in cash, and electronic money from brand B is refunded in electronic money. This allows for flexible response depending on the type of electronic money.

[0107] Next, we will explain the case where the payment method is a credit card (S416: Yes). If the payment method is a credit card (S422: Yes), it is determined whether the specified transaction is at the appropriate automatic checkout machine. Here, the appropriate automatic checkout machine means the automatic checkout machine where the settlement process for the transaction was performed. In the case of a transaction using a credit card, the transaction must be canceled at the automatic checkout machine 6 where the settlement process was performed. As shown in Figure 1, if two automatic checkout machines 6a and 6b are installed in a store and the settlement process is performed at automatic checkout machine 6a, the cancellation process must also be performed at automatic checkout machine 6a.

[0108] Therefore, in this embodiment, first, it is confirmed whether the automatic fare adjustment machine 6 is the corresponding one. If it is not the corresponding automatic fare adjustment machine 6 (S422: No), an error message is displayed on the touch panel monitor 61 indicating that the cancellation process cannot be performed (S430). Note that this error message may display identification information of the automatic fare adjustment machine 6 that can perform the cancellation process. For example, consider a case where the settlement process is performed at the automatic fare adjustment machine 6a (referred to as "machine 1"). In this case, if an attempt is made to perform the cancellation process at the automatic fare adjustment machine 6b (referred to as "machine 2"), an error message such as "Please cancel at machine 1" is displayed, encouraging the use of the automatic fare adjustment machine 6a.

[0109] On the other hand, if the automatic teller machine 6 is a match (S422: Yes), a transaction details screen for a credit card transaction is displayed (S423). Figure 24 is a diagram showing the transaction details screen when the payment method is a credit card. The transaction details screen displays general transaction information 618a, transaction content information 618b, a cancel button 618c, and a back button 614b. The general transaction information 618a and transaction content information 618b are the same as those on the cash transaction details screen.

[0110] The employee confirms the transaction based on the information received from the customer, and if this transaction is to be canceled, operates the cancel button 618c (S424). On the other hand, if this transaction is not the transaction, the employee operates the back button 614b to return to the previous screen.

[0111] If the cancel button 618c is operated (S424: Yes), a message (not shown) is displayed prompting the user to insert the credit card used in the payment process into the card slot 62a. If the credit card used in the payment process is inserted in accordance with this message (S425: Yes), it is confirmed whether the credit card was the one used in the payment process based on the information about the specified transaction (S426). If the credit card is valid, i.e., the credit card used in the payment process (S426: Yes), a cancellation confirmation screen (not shown) for the credit card is displayed (S427).

[0112] This cancellation confirmation screen for credit cards is similar to the payment cancellation confirmation screen for cash described in Fig. 23, and displays general transaction information related to credit card transactions as well as a confirm button and a cancel button. If the confirm button is operated (S428: Yes), a credit card cancellation process is executed (S429). This credit card cancellation process is a process for canceling a credit card transaction by communicating with the payment server 81. When the credit card cancellation process (S429) is completed, the inserted credit card is returned from the card slot 62a.

[0113] After the credit cancellation process (S429) is executed, as in the case of cash or electronic money, two canceled receipts are printed by the receipt printer 63 and ejected from the receipt outlet 62b (S431). Information about the transaction canceled in the cancellation process is then registered in the management computer 1, and the transaction process ends (S432).

[0114] The above has explained the case where the payment method is a credit card, but in the cancellation process using a credit card, employees can properly cancel transactions using a credit card by following the notification from the automatic settlement machine 6.

[0115] [First Modification] Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, in the case of a transaction using a credit card, the transaction cancellation process had to be performed by the automatic settlement machine 6 that performed the settlement process. Such restrictions on the cancellation process may be imposed on the cancellation process for a cash payment or a cancellation process for a payment using an electronic card. If the automatic settlement machine 6 performing the cancellation process is different, a warning is issued or the identification information of the correct settlement machine 6 is notified, thereby making it possible to perform the cancellation process appropriately.

[0116] [Second Modification] In the above-described embodiment, when specifying an in-store transaction, code information printed on a receipt is read, or transactions that have already been paid for are displayed during the payment process, allowing the user (e.g., an employee) to select a transaction. In this way, when specifying an in-store transaction, information about the location of the transaction within the store may be displayed as reference information. In the above-described embodiment, a table number may be displayed as information about the location within the store. The payment information used in the payment process includes a table number indicating the location within the store where the service was received. When specifying an in-store transaction, for example, by displaying this table number, the store can easily identify where the customer received the service, making it easier to identify the payment that should be canceled. Instead of using a table number, the location may be displayed on a map within the store.

[0117] [Third Modification] In the above-described embodiment, when a credit card was used for payment, the same automatic teller machine 6 (same machine number) had to be used for the cancellation process. Alternatively, when a credit card was used for payment, any automatic teller machine 6 in the same store may be used for the cancellation process. In this case, by making it impossible to perform the cancellation process on an automatic teller machine 6 in another store, it becomes possible to prevent fraudulent cancellation processes from other stores or from outside.

[0118] [Fourth Modification] In the above-described embodiment, the transaction list screen shown in FIG. 21 was used to specify transactions to be canceled. The administrator or other person would specify transactions using the date and time, table number, amount, and other information displayed on the transaction list screen. In addition to this configuration, the transaction list screen may also display the slip number (slip identification information). The administrator or other person would be able to appropriately specify transactions using the slip number displayed on the receipt 19. The transaction list screen may also be searchable using the date and time, table number, amount, slip number, and other information. Furthermore, hospitals and clinics may use patient cards to identify patients, and various stores may use membership cards for points and other purposes. In such cases, the user ID associated with the patient card or membership card may be used. By associating a user ID with the payment information at the time of payment, the transaction list screen for the cancellation process filters payments for that user ID based on the entered user ID, making it easy to specify the target transaction. The user ID can be input using input means such as the numeric keypad 72, or by having the automated payment machine 6 read a patient registration card or membership card.

[0119] [Fifth Modification] In the above embodiment, the management of settlement information has been described. The settlement information may be managed by the management computer 1 as sales information. In this case, in the present invention, when a cancellation process is performed, it is possible to correct the sales information (delete or invalidate the canceled settlement information). Conventionally, when a store makes a refund, it was necessary to separately correct the sales information after the refund was made. However, by automatically correcting the sales information in synchronization with the cancellation process, it is possible to simplify the process and reduce the workload of managers and the like.

[0120] The above describes various embodiments of the automatic payment machine according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these various embodiments, and forms formed by appropriately combining the configurations of each of the various embodiments also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1: Management computer 62e: Coin outlet 3 (3a to 3d): Order terminal 63: Receipt printer 4: Charging stand 64: Banknote processing unit 5: Kitchen terminal device 65: Coin processing unit 6 (6a, 6b): Automatic fare adjustment machine 67: Control unit 9 (9a, 9b): Handy terminal 68: Communication unit 11a:CPU 71:Card reader 11b:ROM 72:Numeric keypad 11c:RAM 73:Scanner 11d: Image processing unit 74: Short-range wireless communication unit 11e: Voice processing unit 81: Payment server 12: HDD 82: Electronic money management server 13: Communication section 181: Table related information 14: Interface 182: Order-related information 16: Receipt printer 183: Consumption tax amount 17: Touch panel monitor 184: Total amount 17a: Display unit 185: 2D barcode 17b: Touch panel 191: Payment general information 18: Invoice 192: Payment details information 19: Receipt 193: Payment method information 21: Router 194: 2D barcode 22: Access point 611a: Language switch button 32: Touch panel monitor 611b: Call button 32a: Display section 612a: Payment amount display field 32b: Touch panel 612b: Detail display area 33: Charging terminal 612c: Payment method selection button 34a: CPU 612d: Payment method selection button 34b:ROM 612e:Payment method selection button 34c:RAM 612f:Individual accounting selection button 34d: Image processing section 612g: Cancel button 34e: Audio processing unit 613a: Payment amount display field 36a:LED 613b:Product selection field 37b: Interface 613c: All product selection button 38: Wireless communication unit 613d: Product selection button 38a: Antenna 613e: Confirm button 39: Battery 614a: Product reselection button 41: DC conversion unit 614b: button 42: Power supply terminal 614c: Transaction history button 43: Power line 615a: Transaction display column 51: Kitchen printer 616a: General transaction information 51e: Audio processing unit 616b: Transaction content information 61: Touch panel monitor 616c: Cancel button 61a: Display section 617a: General transaction information 61b: Touch panel 617b: Confirmation button 62a: Card entrance / exit 617c: Cancel button 62b: Receipt outlet 618a: General transaction information 62c: Coin entrance 618b: Transaction details information 62d: Bill entrance / exit 618c: Cancel button

Claims

[Claim 1] An automatic payment machine capable of performing payment processing and cancellation processing, The settlement process allows payment for food and drink provided on a transaction basis, The cancellation process is a transaction designation process for designating a transaction that has been paid in the settlement process; A transaction cancellation process for canceling the transaction designated in the transaction designation process, The payment process stores information about the location in the store where the food and drink was served, The transaction designation process displays information about the location within the store where food and drink was provided for each transaction when displaying the transactions that have been paid for during the checkout process. Automatic checkout machine.

Images