Settlement device and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a settlement apparatus and a storage medium. The settlement apparatus includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, and a settlement unit. The first acquisition unit acquires information of a commodity purchased by a customer on the basis of data input by the customer operating an input device. The second acquisition unit acquires, from an external system, information of a commodity purchased by a customer stored in the external system on the basis of data input by the customer operating an information terminal. The settlement unit performs settlement based on the information of the commodity acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a settlement device and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, supermarkets and other retail stores have introduced self-service POS (Point Of Sales) terminals from the perspective of reducing labor costs and preventing infectious diseases. Self-service POS terminals are settlement devices that allow customers to perform all settlement-related operations from registration to payment of purchased goods.

[0003] In addition, recently, a self-service registration system using information terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals has attracted attention. The self-service registration system is a system in which customers use information terminals to register for the purchase of goods themselves in a store where goods are displayed. When the customer finishes registering for the purchase of goods, he or she performs an operation on the information terminal to declare the checkout. Through this operation, since a checkout code consisting of a barcode or a QR code is displayed on the display device of the information terminal, the customer moves to the checkout place and reads the checkout code through a scanner set on the settlement device. In this way, since the information of the goods registered by the information terminal is sent to the settlement device to calculate the price of the goods, the customer pays the price of the goods.

[0004] In this way, the self-service registration system using an information terminal does not require the registration operation of the purchased goods to the settlement device, so the time required for checkout is shortened. However, on the other hand, it cannot be denied that some customers do not want to use the information terminal because the operation is complicated. Therefore, retail stores that are studying the introduction of a self-service registration system using an information terminal hope to retain and use a fully self-service settlement system using a self-service POS terminal. In the case of using a fully self-service settlement system and a self-service registration system in combination, in addition to the self-service POS terminal, a settlement device for the self-service registration system is required at the checkout location. Therefore, there is a problem that not only a place needs to be ensured for the installation, but also the maintenance cost of the device is required. Such a problem can also be solved by using the self-service POS terminal as a settlement device for the self-service registration system.

[0005] [Prior art literature]

[0006] [Patent Literature]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-541107 Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a fully self-service settlement device that can also be used as a settlement device for a self-service registration system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-checkout system according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data results stored in the shopping file.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an information terminal.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a self-service POS terminal.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a self-service POS terminal.

[0014] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the main data structures stored in transaction files.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor of the information terminal according to the self-registration program.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of the shopping start notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller.

[0017] Fig. 9 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of the commodity registration notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller.

[0018] Fig.10 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of the transaction notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller.

[0019] Fig.11 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing performed by a processor of a self-service POS terminal according to a settlement program.

[0020] Fig.12 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing performed by a processor of a self-service POS terminal according to a settlement program.

[0021] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing performed by a processor of a self-service POS terminal according to a settlement program.

[0022] Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing the main steps of the inquiry command reception process executed by the terminal controller.

[0023] Fig.15 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a start screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal.

[0024] Fig.16 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a bag selection screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal.

[0025] Fig.17 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal.

[0026] Fig.18 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pop-up image displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal.

[0027] Fig.19 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal.

[0028] Fig. 20 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal.

[0029] Fig.21 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first checkout completion screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal.

[0030] Fig. 22 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the second checkout completion screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal.

[0031] Fig.23 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device of the waiter terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In one embodiment, the settlement device includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, and a settlement unit. The first acquisition unit acquires information about the goods purchased by the customer based on data input by the customer operating an input device. The second acquisition unit acquires information about the goods purchased by the customer stored in the external system based on data input by the customer operating an information terminal from an external system. The settlement unit performs settlement based on the information about the goods acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a fully self-service settlement device that can also be used as a settlement device for a self-service registration system will be described using the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the following, the fully self-service settlement device is referred to as a self-service POS terminal.

[0034] (Description of the self-checkout system)

[0035] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the self-checkout system 100 of the present embodiment. The self-checkout system 100 includes a plurality of information terminals 10, a terminal controller 20, a plurality of self-service POS terminals 30, an attendant terminal 40, and a store server 50. The self-checkout system 100 connects the terminal controller 20, the self-service POS terminal 30, the attendant terminal 40, and the store server 50 in a two-way communication manner via a communication network 60 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In addition, the self-checkout system 100 is connected to one or more access points 61 on the communication network 60. The access point 61 functions as a repeater for wireless data communication between the plurality of information terminals 10 and the terminal controller 20.

[0036] The self-checkout system 100 of this structure is constructed in a retail store such as a supermarket that separates a sales floor and a checkout location. In such a retail store, customers put the purchased goods into a shopping basket or a shopping cart from the goods displayed in the sales floor. Then, after shopping in the sales floor, the customer will move to the checkout location to pay for the purchased goods. In order to pay for the goods, it is necessary to register the information of the purchased goods. As a method of registering the information of the purchased goods, there is a first method in which the customer registers the information of the purchased goods using a self-service POS terminal 30 at the checkout location and a second method in which the customer registers the information of the purchased goods using an information terminal 10 at the sales floor. The self-checkout system 100 is a system that can use the first method and the second method together.

[0037] The information terminal 10 is a wireless communication terminal for a self-service registration system used by customers to register the goods they want to buy, that is, the purchased goods, in a store where goods are displayed. The information terminal 10 can be a smart phone owned by the customer, or a portable terminal or tablet terminal lent to the customer by the store. The tablet terminal is mounted on a shopping cart and lent to the customer. The smart phone or mobile terminal is held by the customer or placed on the terminal mounting portion of the shopping cart for use.

[0038] The terminal controller 20 is a computer device for supporting the self-registration function of the information terminal 10. For this support, the terminal controller 20 creates a shopping file 21 for each information terminal 10. Then, the terminal controller 20 stores the data of the commodities registered by the information terminal 10 in the shopping file 21. In addition, when the terminal controller 20 performs a checkout declaration in the information terminal 10, the data of the shopping file 21 is transferred to the self-service POS terminal 30 as a settlement device.

[0039] Figure 2 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure stored in the shopping file 21. Figure 2 As shown, the shopping file 21 stores data such as the terminal ID, registered product data, the total number of items, the total amount, the checkout code, and a deletion flag.

[0040] The terminal ID is a unique identifier set for each information terminal 10 in order to identify the information terminal 10 respectively. The registered product data is data generated for each product registered by the information terminal 10 identified by the terminal ID. The registered product data includes items such as product code, product name, price, number of pieces, and amount. The number of pieces is the number of registered pieces of the same product. The amount is the amount corresponding to the number of registered pieces. The shopping file 21 can store multiple registered product data. The total number of pieces is the number of pieces obtained by adding up the number of registered pieces of each registered product data. The total amount is the amount obtained by adding up the registered amounts of each registered product data.

[0041] The transaction code is an identification code generated when a transaction is declared in the information terminal 10 identified by the terminal ID. A barcode representing the transaction code is displayed on the display device of the information terminal 10. The transaction code can be represented by a two-dimensional code.

[0042] The deletion flag is a 1-bit data for identifying whether the shopping file 21 is in the deleted state. The shopping file 21 becomes deleted when the payment for the commodity specified by the registered commodity data is made and the settlement is completed. In this embodiment, the deletion flag of the deleted state is set to "1", and the deletion flag of the non-deleted state is set to "0".

[0043] Back to Figure 1 Description.

[0044] The self-service POS terminal 30 is a settlement device that supports all self-service operations related to the settlement of commodity transactions, from registration to payment of the purchased commodity by the customer. In addition, the self-service POS terminal 30 is also a settlement device for the payment of the purchased commodity that the customer self-registers using the information terminal 10. That is, the self-service POS terminal 30 is also used as a settlement device for the self-service registration system using the information terminal 10.

[0045] The attendant terminal 40 is a monitoring device installed in a monitoring location near the exit of the checkout location. The attendant terminal 40 is used by a staff member in the monitoring location, i.e., a so-called attendant. The attendant terminal 40 displays information on purchased goods registered by the self-service POS terminal 30 and information related to payment of goods on a display device according to the self-service POS terminal 30. In addition, the attendant terminal 40 also displays information such as errors that occurred in the self-service POS terminal 30. The attendant monitors the checkout location based on the information displayed on the attendant terminal 40.

[0046] It should be noted that in Figure 1In the embodiment, the number of the attendant terminal 40 is set to one, but a plurality of attendant terminals 40 may be connected to the communication network 60. In addition, at least one of the attendant terminals 40 may be set in a place different from the above-mentioned monitoring place, such as another floor of the store such as a back office or a help desk. Such an attendant terminal 40 located far away from the self-service POS terminal 30 can also report error information from the self-service POS terminal 30 via the communication network 60. Therefore, even a staff member in a place where the self-service POS terminal 30 cannot be directly confirmed can monitor the self-service POS terminal 30.

[0047] The store server 50 includes a product database 51. The product database 51 is a collection of product records created for each product. A product record is a product record that sets product data such as a product code, a product name, and a price as one record. The product code is a unique identifier set for each product in order to identify each product. The product name and price are the sales name and unit price of the product identified by the corresponding product code.

[0048] The store server 50 has the following functions: when there is an inquiry based on a product code from the terminal controller 20 or the self-service POS terminal 30, the product database 51 is searched, and product data such as product name and price of the product record containing the product code is provided to the terminal controller 20 or the self-service POS terminal 30. In addition, the store server 50 also has the function of managing the sales volume, inventory and other information at the time of product sales in real time by collecting and summarizing the purchased product data registered and processed by each self-service POS terminal 30.

[0049] (Description of the structure of the information terminal)

[0050] Figure 3 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit structure of the information terminal 10. Figure 3 As shown, the information terminal 10 includes a processor 11, an internal memory 12, an external memory 13, a touch panel 14, a camera 15, a wireless unit 16, and a system transmission line 17. The system transmission line 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The information terminal 10 connects the processor 11, the internal memory 12, the external memory 13, the touch panel 14, the camera 15, and the wireless unit 16 to the system transmission line 17. In the information terminal 10, a computer is composed of the processor 11, the internal memory 12 and the external memory 13, and the system transmission line 17 connecting them.

[0051] The processor 11 is equivalent to the central part of the above-mentioned computer. The processor 11 controls each part according to the operating system or application program (application software) to realize various functions as the information terminal 10. The processor 11 can be a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an application-specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit: ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (Simple Programmable Logic Device: SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (Complex Programmable Logic Device: CPLD), a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array: FPGA)). The processor 11 is not limited to being configured as a single processing circuit, and a plurality of processing circuits can be combined to form the processor 11.

[0052] The internal memory 12 is equivalent to the main storage part of the above-mentioned computer. The internal memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The internal memory 12 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The internal memory 12 stores data required for the processor 11 to perform processing for controlling each part in the volatile memory area. In addition, the internal memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area for the processor 11 to rewrite data as appropriate. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0053] The external memory 13 is equivalent to the auxiliary storage part of the above-mentioned computer. For example, an SD memory card, a USB memory, etc. can be the external memory 13. The external memory 13 stores data used when the processor 11 performs various processes, or data generated by the processing of the processor 11. The external memory 13 sometimes also stores the above-mentioned application program.

[0054] The touch panel 14 is a display device that can display display elements such as characters, symbols, and images on the display. The touch panel 14 is also an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display with a sensor and processes the display element as an input of the position.

[0055] The camera 15 is an imaging device built into the information terminal 10. The processor 11 has a function of a reading unit that reads a machine-readable code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code from an image captured by the camera 15. Many commodities are attached with a barcode that represents a commodity code in a predetermined barcode system. That is, the processor 11 can obtain the commodity code of the commodity directed to the camera 15 by reading the barcode attached to the commodity from the image captured by the camera 15.

[0056] The wireless unit 16 is a communication device that performs data communication according to the communication protocol of the wireless LAN. The information terminal 10 can perform wireless communication with the access point 61 through the wireless unit 16. The information terminal 10 transmits and receives data signals with the terminal controller 20 through the wireless communication.

[0057] The information terminal 10 of this configuration stores a terminal ID unique to the terminal in a nonvolatile memory area of ​​the internal memory 12. The terminal ID may also be stored in the external memory 13.

[0058] In addition, the information terminal 10 stores a self-registration program 131 in the external memory 13. The self-registration program 131 is an application software for registering commodities that can use the information terminal 10. In other words, by installing the self-registration program 131 on a communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the communication terminal can be used as an information terminal 10 for a self-registration system. The self-registration program 131 can also be stored in the internal memory 12.

[0059] (Composition of self-service POS terminal)

[0060] Figure 4 3 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the self-service POS terminal 30. The self-service POS terminal 30 has a main body 301, a first commodity loading platform 302 and a second commodity loading platform 303 arranged on the left and right of the main body 301. The first commodity loading platform 302 arranged on the right side facing the main body 301 is a platform for customers who are buyers to load purchased commodities. Purchased commodities are usually put into a shopping basket and loaded on the first commodity loading platform 302. Purchased commodities can also be arranged in front of or above the first commodity loading platform 302 in a state of being piled on a shopping cart.

[0061] The second product placement table 303 disposed on the left side facing the main body 301 is a table for customers to bag the purchased products. Customers store the purchased products in a storage body prepared on the second product placement table 303, such as a shopping basket, a shopping bag, or an eco-friendly bag. Figure 4In the embodiment, a temporary placement table 304 is provided on the upper part of the second product placement table 303 via a support. The temporary placement table 304 is, for example, a table for temporarily placing products before putting them into a shopping bag or the like. Two holding arms 305 are provided on the temporary placement table 304, separated on the left and right sides. Customers can use these holding arms 305 to place shopping bags, eco-friendly bags, etc. on the second product placement table 303 in an open state. It should be noted that the installation positions of the first product placement table 302 and the second product placement table 303 can also be reversed on the left and right sides.

[0062] The main body 301 includes a touch panel 31 , a card reader 32 , a printer 33 , a scanner 34 , a handheld scanner 35 , an automatic change machine 36 , a warning light 37 , a speaker 38 , and the like.

[0063] The touch panel 31 is a display device that can display display elements such as text, symbols, and images on the display. In addition, the touch panel 31 is also an input device that detects the touch operation position on the display with a sensor and processes the display element as the input of the position. In the self-service POS terminal 30, various images for supporting customer operations are displayed on the touch panel 31.

[0064] The card reader 32 is an input device for reading data recorded in a card medium such as a credit card, an electronic money card, or a points card. When the card medium is a magnetic card, the card reader 32 is a magnetic card reader. When the card medium is an IC card, the card reader 32 is an IC card reader. The self-service POS terminal 30 may include a magnetic card reader or an IC card reader as the card reader 32, or may include both a magnetic card reader and an IC card reader. The card reader 32 may be a card reader / writer having a function of writing data to a card.

[0065] The printer 33 is an output device that prints data related to purchase receipts, credit card receipts, etc. on receipt paper. The receipt paper on which various data are printed by the printer 33 is cut by a cutter and dispensed from a receipt dispensing port. The printer 33 is implemented, for example, by a thermal printer or a dot matrix printer.

[0066] The scanner 34 and the handheld scanner 35 are input devices for reading machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. The scanner 34 optically reads a machine-readable code aligned with a reading window (glass window). The handheld scanner 35 is operated by the customer's hand and optically reads the machine-readable code by approaching the machine-readable code.

[0067] The automatic change machine 36 is a device for handling cash. The automatic change machine 36 has a banknote input port 361, a banknote discharge port 362, a coin input port 363, and a coin discharge port 364. The automatic change machine 36 handles banknotes inserted into the banknote input port 361. The automatic change machine 36 discharges banknotes as change from the banknote discharge port 362. The automatic change machine 36 receives and handles coins inserted into the coin input port 363. The automatic change machine 36 discharges coins as change from the coin discharge port 364.

[0068] The warning light 37 is used to notify an alarm or the like generated in the self-service POS terminal 30 by display. The warning light 37 is installed at the front end of a rod extending in the vertical direction so that it can be seen from a distance. The warning light 37 includes a light emitting component and a cylinder. The light emitting component is installed inside the cylinder in a manner that it can rotate coaxially with the cylinder. When the warning light 37 is activated, the light emitting component can be rotated while emitting light.

[0069] The speaker 38 is used to notify, by sound, an alarm or the like generated in the self-service POS terminal 30. For example, the speaker 38 emits a buzzer sound corresponding to the state of the alarm. Alternatively, the speaker 38 emits a message sound corresponding to the state of the alarm.

[0070] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit structure of the self-service POS terminal 30. Figure 5 As shown, the self-service POS terminal 30 includes a processor 71, a main memory 72, an auxiliary storage device 73, a clock 74, a communication interface 75, a change machine interface 76, a plurality of device interfaces 771-775, an output port 78 and a system transmission line 79. The system transmission line 79 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The self-service POS terminal 30 is formed into a computer by connecting the processor 71 with the main memory 72, the auxiliary storage device 73, the clock 74, the communication interface 75, the change machine interface 76, a plurality of device interfaces 771-775 and the output port 78 through the system transmission line 79.

[0071] The processor 71 is equivalent to the core part of the above-mentioned computer. The processor 71 controls each part according to the operating system or application program to realize various functions of the self-service POS terminal 30. The processor 71 is, for example, a CPU.

[0072] The main memory 72 is equivalent to the main storage part of the above-mentioned computer. The main memory 72 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 72 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 72 can store data required for the processor 71 to perform processing for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 72 uses the volatile memory area as a work area for the processor 71 to rewrite data as appropriate. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0073] The auxiliary storage device 73 is equivalent to the auxiliary storage part of the above-mentioned computer. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 73. The auxiliary storage device 73 stores data used when the processor 71 performs various processes, or data produced by the processing of the processor 71. The auxiliary storage device 73 sometimes also stores the above-mentioned application program.

[0074] The clock 74 counts the date and time. The processor 71 processes the date and time counted by the clock 74 as the current date and time.

[0075] The communication interface 75 is a circuit for performing data communication with external devices connected via the communication network 60. The terminal controller 20, the waiter terminal 40, the store server 50, etc. correspond to the external devices.

[0076] The change machine interface 76 is a circuit for data communication with the automatic change machine 36. For example, the change machine interface 76 receives the total amount of banknotes and coins inserted into the banknote insertion port 361 and the coin insertion port 363 of the automatic change machine 36, that is, the input amount data. In addition, the change machine interface 76 sends the change data of the change amount calculated based on the input amount and the payment amount to the automatic change machine 36. In the automatic change machine 36 that receives the change data, banknotes and coins equivalent to the change amount are paid out from the banknote dispensing port 362 and the coin dispensing port 364.

[0077] The device interface 771 is connected to the touch panel 31. The device interface 771 outputs image display data to the touch panel 31. The device interface 771 inputs a detection signal of a touch operation from the touch panel 31.

[0078] The device interface 772 is connected to the card reader 32. The device interface 772 inputs the card data read by the card reader 32.

[0079] The device interface 773 is connected to the printer 33. The device interface 773 outputs print data to the printer 33 to be printed on receipt paper.

[0080] The device interface 774 is connected to the scanner 324 . The device interface 774 inputs data of a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code read by the scanner 34 .

[0081] The device interface 775 is connected to the handheld scanner 325. The device interface 774 inputs data of a machine-readable code, such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code read by the handheld scanner 325.

[0082] The output port 78 is connected to the warning light 37 and the speaker 38. The output port 78 outputs an alarm signal and the like to the warning light 37 and the speaker 38.

[0083] The self-service POS terminal 30 of this configuration uses a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 72 as an area for the transaction file 721. The transaction file 721 is a data file for storing data related to a commodity transaction processed in the self-service POS terminal 30.

[0084] Figure 6 721 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure stored in the transaction file 721. Figure 6 As shown, the transaction file 721 stores data such as transaction number, purchased product data, total number of items, total amount, discount amount, and settlement amount. The transaction number is a series of numbers issued each time a product transaction is started at the self-service POS terminal 30.

[0085] The purchased product data is data generated for each purchased product bought and sold in the product transaction identified by the transaction number. The purchased product data is composed of items such as the product code, product name, price, number of pieces, amount, category flag, etc. The number of pieces is the number of purchases of the product identified by the product code. The amount is the amount corresponding to the number of purchases. The category flag is a 1-bit data used to identify whether it is the purchased product data of the product registered in the self-service POS terminal 30 or the purchased product data of the product registered in the information terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the category flag indicating the purchased product data of the product registered by the self-service POS terminal 30 is set to "0", and the category flag indicating the purchased product data of the product registered by the information terminal 10 is set to "1".

[0086] The transaction file 721 can store multiple purchase commodity data. Specifically, the transaction file 721 can store the purchase commodity data of the commodity registered in the self-service POS terminal 30 and the purchase commodity data of the commodity registered in the information terminal 10 as the purchase commodity data of one transaction. The storage of such data can occur in the case of a commodity transaction in which the commodity registered in the self-service POS terminal 30 is added to the commodity registered in the information terminal 10. Of course, the transaction file 721 can also store only the purchase commodity data of the commodity registered in the self-service POS terminal 30, or only the purchase commodity data of the commodity registered in the information terminal 10. The former event can occur in the case of settling only the commodity transaction of the commodity registered in the self-service POS terminal 30. The latter event can occur in the case of settling only the commodity transaction of the commodity registered in the information terminal 10.

[0087] The total number is the number of items obtained by adding up the number of items in each purchased product data. The total amount is the amount obtained by adding up the amounts in each purchased product data. The discount amount is the amount obtained by reducing the total amount. The settlement amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the total amount.

[0088] Back to Figure 5 Description.

[0089] The self-service POS terminal 30 is installed with a settlement program 731 so that the processor 71 has the functions of a first acquisition unit 711, a second acquisition unit 712, a receiving unit 713, an invalidation unit 714, a notification unit 715, a settlement unit 716, and a control unit 717. The settlement program 731 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 73. The settlement program 731 can be installed in the main memory 72. The method of installing the settlement program 731 in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73 is not particularly limited. The settlement program can be recorded in a removable storage medium, or the settlement program 731 can be distributed by communication via a network and installed in the main memory 72 or the auxiliary storage device 73. The storage medium is not limited in form as long as it can store a program like an SD memory card, a USB memory, etc., and the device can read it.

[0090] The first acquisition unit 711 is a function of acquiring information about the goods purchased by the customer based on data input by the customer operating an input device such as the scanner 34, the handheld scanner 35, or the touch panel 31. The second acquisition unit 712 is a function of acquiring information about the goods purchased by the customer stored in the shopping file 21 based on data input by the customer operating the information terminal 10 from the terminal controller 20. The receiving unit 713 is a function of receiving identification information for identifying information about the goods stored in the shopping file 21 of the terminal controller 20. The checkout code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10 is equivalent to the identification information. The second acquisition unit 712 acquires information about the goods identified by the identification information received by the receiving unit 713 from the terminal controller 20.

[0091] The invalidation unit 714 has a function of not accepting the customer's operation of the input device while the second acquisition unit 712 acquires the product information from the terminal controller 20. The notification unit 715 has a function of notifying that the second acquisition unit 712 acquires the product information from the terminal controller 20.

[0092] The settlement unit 716 is a function of settling commodity transactions based on the commodity information acquired by the first acquisition unit 711 and the second acquisition unit 712. The control unit 717 is a function of making the image displayed on the touch panel 31 different when the settlement of the settlement unit 716 is completed, when the commodity information is acquired from the terminal controller 20 by the second acquisition unit 712 and when the commodity information is not acquired.

[0093] In the description of the operation of the self-checkout system 100 , the functions of the first acquisition unit 711 , the second acquisition unit 712 , the acceptance unit 713 , the invalidation unit 714 , the notification unit 715 , the settlement unit 716 , and the control unit 717 will be described in detail.

[0094] (Operation description of the self-checkout system)

[0095] First, use Figure 7 to Figure 10 The flowchart of FIG. 1 illustrates the operation of the self-checkout system 100 when a customer uses the information terminal 10 to self-register information on purchased goods in a store.

[0096] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 according to the self-registration program 131. Figure 8 to Figure 10 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the terminal controller 20 in response to the information processing executed by the information terminal 10. It should be noted that the steps and contents of the information processing described below are just examples. If the same result can be obtained, the steps and contents are not particularly limited.

[0097] When the self-registration program 131 is started, the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 starts Figure 7 The information processing of the steps shown in the flowchart. As ACT1, the processor 11 waits for receiving the instruction to start shopping. For example, on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10 started by the automatic registration program 131, a shopping start button is displayed as a display element. A customer who uses the information terminal 10 to register for the purchase of goods by himself first touches the purchase start button.

[0098] When the processor 11 detects that the shopping start button is touched, it determines that the shopping start is instructed. The processor 11 proceeds from ACT 1 to ACT 2. As ACT 2, the processor 11 controls the wireless unit 16 to output the shopping start notification command to the terminal controller 20. Through this control, the shopping start notification command is sent from the wireless unit 16. The shopping start notification command is received at the access point 61 and sent to the terminal controller 20 via the communication network 60. The terminal ID of the information terminal 10 is included in the shopping start notification command.

[0099] Figure 8 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the shopping start notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller 20. After receiving the shopping start notification command, the terminal controller 20 detects the terminal ID from the shopping start notification command as ACT 21. Then, as ACT 22, the terminal controller 20 creates a shopping file 21 including the terminal ID in the storage unit. In addition, as ACT 23, the terminal controller 20 sets the deletion flag of the shopping file 21 to a value "0" indicating a non-deleted state. Then, as ACT 24, the terminal controller 20 sends a permission response command to the information terminal 10 that sent the shopping start notification command. As described above, the terminal controller 20 ends the shopping start notification command reception process.

[0100] The permission response command includes the terminal ID included in the shopping start notification command. The permission response command is wirelessly transmitted via the access point 61 of the communication network 60. The permission response command is received by the information terminal 10 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

[0101] Back to Figure 7 Description.

[0102] As ACT 3, the information terminal 10 that has sent the shopping start notification command waits for receiving the permission response command. When the permission response command is received via the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT 3 to ACT 4. As ACT 4, the processor 11 uses the screen of the touch panel 14 as a registration screen. The registration screen is a screen having an area for displaying the product name, price, quantity, etc. of the products registered by the information terminal 10 in a list form.

[0103] The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 that displays the registration screen waits for receiving the input of the product code as ACT5 or the checkout instruction as ACT6. For example, when the barcode of the product is photographed by the camera 15 and the product code is detected from the barcode, the processor 11 recognizes that the product code is input. The processor 11 proceeds from ACT5 to ACT7. As ACT7, the processor 11 controls the wireless unit 16 to output the product registration notification command to the terminal controller 20. Through this control, the product registration notification command is sent from the wireless unit 16. The product registration notification command is received by the access point 61 and sent to the terminal controller 20 via the communication network 60. The product registration notification command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 10 and the input product code.

[0104] Fig. 9 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the commodity registration notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller 20. When the terminal controller 20 receives the commodity registration notification command, it detects the terminal ID from the commodity registration notification command as ACT 31. Then, the terminal controller 20 sets the shopping file 21 storing the terminal ID to an open state as ACT 32.

[0105] As ACT 33, the terminal controller 20 detects the commodity code from the commodity registration notification command. Then, as ACT 34, the terminal controller 20 accesses the store server 50 via the communication network 60, and obtains commodity data such as commodity name and price from the commodity record containing the commodity code. As ACT 35, the terminal controller 20 that has obtained the commodity data creates registration commodity data with the commodity code, commodity name, price, number of pieces, amount, etc., and stores it in the shopping file 21 in the open state.

[0106] Then, the terminal controller 20 transmits a permission response command to the information terminal 10 that sent the commodity registration notification command as ACT 36. In addition, the terminal controller 20 closes the opened shopping file 21 as ACT 37. As described above, the terminal controller 20 ends the reception process of the commodity registration notification command.

[0107] The permission response command includes the terminal ID included in the commodity registration notification command. In addition, the permission response command also includes the commodity name, price, quantity, etc. of the registered commodity data. The permission response command is wirelessly transmitted via the access point 61 of the communication network 60. The permission response command is received in the information terminal 10 set with the terminal ID included in the command.

[0108] Back to Figure 7 Description.

[0109] As ACT 8, the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 that has sent the commodity registration notification command waits for the acceptance of the permission response command. When the permission response command is received via the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT 8 to ACT 9. As ACT 9, the processor 11 updates the registration screen to display the commodity name, price, quantity, etc. included in the permission response command. After that, the processor 11 returns to the waiting state of ACT 5 and ACT 6.

[0110] In the waiting state of ACT5 and ACT6, when the next commodity code is input, the processor 11 executes the processing of ACT7 to ACT9 in the same manner as described above. The terminal controller 20 executes the reception processing of the commodity registration notification command in the same manner as described above. As a result, the registered commodity data of the commodity whose barcode is photographed by the camera 15 is newly stored in the shopping file 21 including the terminal ID of the information terminal 10.

[0111] Thus, the customer can register the purchased goods by himself by pointing the barcode of the purchased goods to the camera 15 of the information terminal 10 to read it. Then, the customer who has completed the registration of the purchased goods touches the checkout button displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10.

[0112] In the waiting state of ACT5 and ACT6, when the checkout button is detected to be touched, the processor 11 recognizes that the checkout is instructed. The processor 11 proceeds from ACT6 to ACT10. As ACT10, the processor 11 controls the wireless unit 16 to output the checkout notification command to the terminal controller 20. Through this control, the checkout notification command is sent from the wireless unit 16. The checkout notification command is received at the access point 61 and sent to the terminal controller 20 via the communication network 60. The checkout notification command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 10.

[0113] Fig.10 4 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the checkout notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller 20. When the terminal controller 20 receives the checkout notification command, it detects the terminal ID from the checkout notification command as ACT 41. Then, the terminal controller 20 sets the shopping file 21 storing the terminal ID to an open state as ACT 42.

[0114] As ACT 43, the terminal controller 20 creates a checkout code. For example, the terminal controller 20 combines the terminal ID and the current date to create a unique checkout code. As ACT 44, the terminal controller 20 that has created the checkout code stores the checkout code in the shopping file 21 that is in an open state. In addition, as ACT 45, the terminal controller 20 sends a permission response command to the information terminal 10 that is the source of the checkout notification command. In addition, as ACT 46, the terminal controller 20 closes the shopping file 21 that is in an open state. As described above, the terminal controller 20 ends the reception process of the checkout notification command.

[0115] The permission response command includes the terminal ID included in the transaction notification command. In addition, the permission response command also includes the transaction code created in ACT 44. The permission response command is wirelessly transmitted via the access point 61 of the communication network 60. The permission response command is received by the information terminal 10 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

[0116] Back to Figure 7 Description.

[0117] As ACT 11, the processor 11 of the information terminal 10 that has sent the transaction notification command waits for receiving a permission response. When receiving the permission response command via the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT 11 to ACT 12. As ACT 12, the processor 11 obtains a transaction code from the permission response command and causes the touch panel 14 to display a barcode corresponding to the transaction code.

[0118] After that, the processor 11 waits for receiving the end notification command as ACT 13. The end notification command is a command received from the terminal controller 20 when the settlement of the purchased goods specified by the registered goods data stored in the shopping file 21 in which the terminal ID of the information terminal 10 is set is completed. When the processor 11 receives the end notification command via the wireless unit 16, it proceeds from ACT 13 to ACT 14. As ACT 14, the processor 11 erases the barcode of the checkout code displayed on the touch panel 14. As described above, the processor 11 ends the information processing according to the self-registration program.

[0119] Then, after finishing shopping at the store, the customer who has touched the checkout button of the information terminal 10 moves to the checkout location where the self-service POS terminal 30 is installed. Then, the customer operates the self-service POS terminal 30 to pay for the purchased goods. At this time, a barcode equivalent to the checkout code is displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10. On the other hand, the customer does not necessarily have to use the information terminal 10. A customer who does not use the information terminal 10 finishes shopping in the store without self-registering the purchased goods and moves to the checkout location. Then, the customer operates the self-service POS terminal 30 to self-register the purchased goods and pay for the goods. Next, use Figures 11 to 23 The operation of the self-checkout system 100 when a customer operates the self-service POS terminal 30 to pay for purchased goods will be described.

[0120] Figure 11 to Figure 13 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 according to the settlement program 731. Fig.14 1 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the terminal controller 20 in response to information processing executed in the self-service POS terminal 30. Figures 15 to 22 3 is a schematic diagram showing various screens displayed on the touch panel 31 of the self-service POS terminal 30. It should be noted that the steps and contents of the information processing described below are examples. If the same result can be obtained, the steps and contents are not particularly limited. In addition, Figures 15 to 22 The screen shown is just an example, and the displayed information and its layout can be changed as appropriate.

[0121] like Fig.11 As shown in ACT 51, the processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 sets the screen of the touch panel 31 as the start screen SCa (see Fig.15 Then, as ACT 52 , the processor 71 determines whether the customer uses the information terminal 10 .

[0122] Fig.15 This is a display example of the start screen SCa. Fig.15 As shown, in the start screen SCa, an image of a first soft key Ka with a text "Yes" and an image of a second soft key Kb with a text "No" are displayed together with a text asking whether the customer has registered the purchase of goods in the store using the information terminal 10. A customer who registers the purchase of goods in the store by himself using the information terminal 10 touches the first soft key Ka. A customer who finishes shopping in the store without using the information terminal 10 touches the second soft key Kb.

[0123] The processor 71 detects that the second soft key Kb is touched by the signal from the touch panel 31, and determines that there is no customer using the information terminal 10. The processor 71 proceeds from ACT 52 to the existing process. The so-called existing process refers to the process in which the customer operates the self-service POS terminal 30 to register the purchased goods and pay the money by himself. Since this process is well known, the description is omitted here.

[0124] The processor 71 detects that the first soft key Ka is touched by the signal from the touch panel 31, and determines that the customer is using the information terminal 10. The processor 71 proceeds from ACT 52 to ACT 53. As ACT 53, the processor 71 issues a new transaction number. Then, as ACT 54, the processor 71 generates a transaction file 721, and stores the new transaction number in the transaction file 721. Then, as ACT 55, the processor 71 displays the screen of the touch panel 31 as the bag selection screen SCb (refer to Fig.16 ). Then, as ACT56, the processor 71 waits for receiving whether a shopping bag is selected.

[0125] Fig.16 This is a display example of the bag selection screen SCb. Fig.16 As shown, on the bag selection screen SCb, together with the image of the third soft key Kc having the text "[Shopping Bag]" and the image of the fourth soft key Kd having the text "[Eco-friendly Bag or Bag Not Required]", text indicating the customer's operation of the third soft key Kc or the fourth soft key Kd is displayed.

[0126] The customer who has confirmed the bag selection screen SCb decides whether to purchase the shopping bag. Then, the customer who purchases the shopping bag touches the third soft key Kc and aligns the barcode of the shopping bag prepared at the checkout location with the reading window of the scanner 34. Alternatively, the customer brings the handheld scanner 35 close to the barcode of the shopping bag. The barcode of the shopping bag is a barcode that represents a unique identification code set for the shopping bag.

[0127] The processor 71 detects that the third soft key Kc is touched by the signal from the touch panel 31, and determines that the shopping bag is selected. The processor 71 proceeds from ACT56 to ACT57. As ACT57, the processor 71 waits for the scanning of the machine-readable code by the scanner 34 or the hand-held scanner 35. When scanning is performed, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT57 to ACT58. As ACT58, the processor 71 confirms whether the scanned machine-readable code is the barcode of the shopping bag. In the case where the machine-readable code is not the barcode of the shopping bag, the processor 71 returns from ACT58 to ACT56. The processor 71 waits again for whether the shopping bag is selected.

[0128] When the machine-readable code scanned by the scanner 34 or the handheld scanner 35 is a barcode of a shopping bag, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT 58 to ACT 59. As ACT 59, the processor 71 accesses the store server 50 via the communication network 60, and obtains shopping bag data including the identification code, name, and price of the shopping bag. The shopping bag data is also stored in the product database 51 in the same manner as the product data. The shopping bag data may also be stored in a storage unit other than the product database 51.

[0129] As ACT 60, the processor 71 that obtains the shopping bag data creates the purchased commodity data using the identification code, name, price, number of pieces, amount, etc. of the shopping bag. At this time, as ACT 61, the processor 71 sets the category flag of the purchased commodity data to "0". Then, as ACT 62, the processor 71 stores the purchased commodity data with the category flag set to "0" in the transaction file 721.

[0130] On the other hand, a customer who does not purchase a shopping bag touches the fourth soft key Kd on the bag selection screen SCb. The processor 71 detects that the fourth soft key Kd is touched by a signal from the touch panel 31 and determines that a shopping bag is not selected. The processor 71 skips the above-mentioned processes of ACT 57 to ACT 62.

[0131] The processor 71 that executes or skips the processes of ACT57 to ACT62 proceeds to ACT63. In ACT63, the processor 71 sets the screen of the touch panel 31 as the registration screen SCc (see Fig.17 ). Then, as Fig.12 In ACT71, the processor 71 waits for a scan to be received by the scanner 34 or the handheld scanner 35.

[0132] Fig.17 This is a display example of the registration screen SCc. Fig.17 As shown, an area for displaying a list of purchased goods and a total amount is formed on the registration screen SCc. In addition, an image of the fifth soft key Ke containing the text [Checkout] is displayed. However, at the current time point when the purchased goods have not been registered, the fifth soft key Ke is gray and the input becomes invalid. In addition, as an example of a group of goods without bar codes, an image of a soft key for selecting "vegetables", "fruits", and "fish and shellfish" is also displayed. For example, by selecting the soft key for "vegetables", a list of vegetables without bar codes is displayed on the touch panel 31, so it is well known that goods without bar codes can be registered from the list, needless to say.

[0133] The customer checks whether there are any unregistered purchased items in the information terminal 10. A customer who has no unregistered purchased items scans the barcode of the checkout code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10 with the scanner 34 or the handheld scanner 35. A customer who has unregistered purchased items scans the barcode of the checkout code after scanning the barcode of the unregistered purchased items. The customer may scan the barcode of the checkout code first and then scan the barcode of the unregistered purchased items.

[0134] In the waiting state of ACT 71, when the scanning by the scanner 34 or the handheld scanner 35 is detected, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT 71 to ACT 72. The processor 71 checks whether the scanned machine-readable code is a barcode of the checkout code. In the case of not being a barcode of the checkout code, the processor 71 confirms whether the scanned machine-readable code is a barcode of the commodity code as ACT 73. If it is not a barcode of the commodity code, the processor 71 performs other processing. As for other processing, since it is not the gist of this embodiment, the description is omitted.

[0135] When the barcode of the product code is scanned, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT73 to ACT74. As ACT74, the processor 71 accesses the store server 50 via the communication network 60, and obtains product data such as product name and price from the product record containing the product code. Then, as ACT75, the processor 71 creates purchase product data with the product code, product name, price, number of pieces, amount, etc. At this time, as ACT76, the processor 71 sets the category flag of the purchase product data to "0". Then, as ACT77, the processor 71 stores the purchase product data with the category flag of "0" in the transaction file 721. Here, the processor 71 realizes the function of the first acquisition unit 711 through the processing of ACT73 to ACT77.

[0136] On the other hand, when the barcode of the checkout code is scanned, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT 72 to ACT 78. As ACT 78, the processor 71 does not accept the customer's operation on the input device. Specifically, the processor 71 grays out all the soft keys of the touch panel 31 to make them invalid. In addition, the processor 71 invalidates all data signals from the scanner 34 and the handheld scanner 35.

[0137] As ACT 79, the processor 71 controls the communication interface 75 to send an inquiry command for the shopping file 21. Through this control, the inquiry command for the shopping file 21 is sent via the communication interface 75. The inquiry command is sent to the terminal controller 20 via the communication network 60. The inquiry command includes a checkout code. At this time, Fig.18 As shown, the processor 71 displays a pop-up image PUa for notifying the customer that the product data is being obtained in an overlapping manner on the registration screen SCc.

[0138] The terminal controller 20 that receives the inquiry command starts Fig.14 The receiving process of the steps shown in the figure. As ACT 101, the terminal controller 20 detects the checkout code from the inquiry command. Then, as ACT 102, the terminal controller 20 selects the shopping file 21 including the checkout code.

[0139] As ACT 103, the terminal controller 20 that has selected the shopping file 21 transmits the data of the shopping file 21 to the self-service POS terminal 30 that is the source of the inquiry command. In addition, as ACT 104, the terminal controller 20 wirelessly transmits an end notification command including the terminal ID stored in the shopping file 21 from the access point 61. Furthermore, as ACT 105, the terminal controller 20 rewrites the deletion flag of the shopping file 21 to a value "1" indicating the deletion state. As described above, the terminal controller 20 ends the reception process of the inquiry command from the self-service POS terminal 30.

[0140] The information terminal 10 for which the terminal ID included in the end notification command is set is the information terminal 10 for which the barcode indicating the checkout code is read by the scanner 34 of the self-service POS terminal 30 or the manual scanner 35. In the information terminal 10, as described above, the processor 11 executes Figure 7 That is, the processor 11 deletes the barcode representing the checkout code in response to receiving the selection end notification command.

[0141] Back to Fig.12 Description.

[0142] As ACT80, the processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 that has sent the inquiry command for the shopping file 21 waits for receiving the data of the shopping file 21. When the data of the shopping file 21 is received via the communication interface 75, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT80 to ACT81. As ACT81, the processor 71 accepts the customer's operation on the input device. Specifically, the processor 71 enables all the soft keys of the touch panel 31. In addition, the processor 71 enables all the data signals from the scanner 34 and the handheld scanner 35. At this time, the processor 71 eliminates the pop-up image PUa. Here. The processor 71 realizes the function of the invalidation unit 714 through the processing of ACT78 to ACT81.

[0143] As ACT 82, the processor 71 starts a notification operation for notifying the customer who has registered to purchase the product using the information terminal 10. Specifically, the processor 71 turns on the warning lamp 37 in a predetermined color. Here, the processor 71 realizes the function of the notification unit 715 by processing ACT 82.

[0144] As ACT83, the processor 71 extracts all the registered commodity data from the data of the shopping file 21. Then, as ACT84, the processor 71 adds a category mark to each of the extracted registered commodity data as purchased commodity data. At this time, as ACT85, the processor 71 sets the category mark to "1". Then, as ACT86, the processor 71 stores all the purchased commodity data with the category mark "1" in the transaction file 721. Here, the processor 71 realizes the function of the second acquisition unit 712 through the processing of ACT79, ACT80, and ACT83 to ACT86.

[0145] When the purchased commodity data with the category flag "0" is stored in the transaction file 721 in ACT 77, or the purchased commodity data with the category flag "1" is stored in the transaction file 721 in ACT 86, the processor 71 proceeds to ACT 87. As ACT 87, the processor 71 updates the purchased commodity list and the total amount of the registration screen SCc based on the data stored in the transaction file 721. In addition, the processor 71 enables the fifth soft key Ke of the registration screen SCc.

[0146] Then, the processor 71 waits for acceptance of further scanning as ACT88, or input of the fifth soft key Ke as ACT89. In the waiting state for acceptance of ACT88 and ACT89, when the machine-readable code is scanned by the scanner 34 or the handheld scanner 35, the processor 71 returns from ACT88 to ACT72. That is, the processor 71 identifies whether the checkout code or the product code is scanned. When the product code is scanned, the processor 71 performs the processing of ACT74 to ACT77 and ACT87 in the same manner as described above. When the checkout code is scanned, the processor 71 performs the processing of ACT78 to ACT86 and ACT87 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, the product code can be scanned before the scanning of the checkout code, or the checkout code can be scanned after the scanning of the checkout code.

[0147] Fig.19It is an example of a registration screen SCc in which the list of purchased goods and the total amount are updated. The registration screen SCc is an example of storing the purchase commodity data of five types of goods, namely, shopping bags, goods A, goods B, goods C, goods D, and goods E, in the transaction file 721. Here, the purchase commodity data of commodity A is the purchase commodity data stored in the transaction file 721 by scanning the commodity code before scanning the checkout code, that is, the purchase commodity data with a category mark of "0". On the other hand, the purchase commodity data of goods B, goods C, and goods D are the purchase commodity data based on the registration commodity data of the shopping file 41 transferred from the terminal controller 20 according to the scanning of the checkout code, that is, the purchase commodity data with a category mark of "1". In addition, the purchase commodity data of commodity E is the purchase commodity data stored in the transaction file 721 by scanning the commodity code after scanning the checkout code, that is, the purchase commodity data with a category mark of "0".

[0148] like Fig.19 As shown, in the registration details of the commodity name, price, number of pieces, and amount corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "1", for example, a star-shaped mark is displayed. On the other hand, in the registration details of the commodity name, price, number of pieces, and amount corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "0", no mark is displayed. In this way, in the registration screen SCc, the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "1" and the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "0" can be identified by the presence or absence of the mark.

[0149] In the waiting state of ACT88 and ACT89, when it is detected that the fifth soft key Ke is touched by a signal from the touch panel 31, the processor 71 proceeds to Fig.13 As ACT91, the processor 71 displays the screen of the touch panel 31 as the payment screen SCd (refer to Fig. 20 ) Then, as ACT92, the processor 71 waits for instructions to accept payment.

[0150] Fig. 20 This is a display example of the payment screen SCd. Fig. 20 As shown, in the payment screen SCd, the image of the sixth soft key Kf with the text "Cash", the image of the seventh soft key Kg with the text "Credit Card", the image of the eighth soft key Kh with the text "Electronic Money", and the image of the ninth soft key Ki with the text "Return" are displayed together with the total amount. A customer who pays the total amount in cash touches the sixth soft key Kf. A customer who pays the total amount by credit card touches the seventh soft key Kg. A customer who pays the total amount by electronic money touches the eighth soft key Kh. A customer who temporarily stops paying the total amount touches the ninth soft key Ki.

[0151] When the processor 71 detects that the ninth soft key Ki is touched by a signal from the touch panel 31, the processor 71 returns from ACT 92 to ACT 94. Fig.12 ACT 87. The processor 71 returns the screen of the touch panel 31 to the previous registration screen SCc. Thereafter, the processor 71 executes the processing after ACT 87 in the same manner as described above.

[0152] When it is detected that the ninth soft key Ki is not touched, but any one of the sixth to eighth soft keys is touched, the processor 71 proceeds from ACT92 to ACT93. As ACT93, the processor 71 performs settlement processing. That is, when the sixth soft key Kf is touched, the processor 71 controls the automatic change machine 36 to perform the settlement processing of cash transactions. When the seventh soft key Kg is touched, the processor 71 controls the card reader 32 to perform the settlement processing of credit card transactions. When the eighth soft key Kh is touched, the processor 71 controls the card reader 32 or the handheld scanner 35 to perform the settlement processing of electronic money transactions. These settlement processing of cash transactions, credit card transactions, and electronic money transactions are well-known processes, so the description is omitted here. Here, the processor 71 realizes the function as a settlement unit 716 through the processing of ACT91 to ACT93.

[0153] The processor 71 that has finished the settlement process proceeds to ACT 94. As ACT 94, the processor 71 creates the print data of the receipt based on the data stored in the transaction file 721, and outputs it to the printer 33 so that the receipt is issued. It should be noted that the receipt can also be issued as an electronic receipt instead of a paper receipt. In addition, in the receipt, the registration details corresponding to the purchase commodity data with a category mark of "1" and the registration details corresponding to the purchase commodity data with a category mark of "0" can also be identified by the presence or absence of a mark.

[0154] The processor 71 that controls the issuance of the receipt proceeds to ACT 95. As ACT 95, the processor 71 checks whether there is purchased commodity data with a category flag of "1" in the transaction file 721. If there is no purchased commodity data with a category flag of "1", the processor 71 proceeds from ACT 95 to ACT 96. As ACT 96, the processor 71 displays the screen of the touch panel 31 as the first checkout end screen SCe (see Fig.21 ).

[0155] On the other hand, if there is purchased product data with a category flag of "1", the processor 71 proceeds from ACT 95 to ACT 97. As ACT 97, the processor 71 sets the screen of the touch panel 31 as the second checkout completion screen SCf (see Fig. 22). In addition, the processor 71 ends the notification operation as ACT98. As a result, the warning light 37 is turned off. Alternatively, the warning light 37 emits light in a color other than the prescribed color.

[0156] Fig.21 This is a display example of the first checkout completion screen SCe. Fig. 22 This is a display example of the second checkout completion screen SCf. Fig.21 and Fig. 22 As shown, a text notifying the completion of checkout is displayed on both the first checkout completion screen SCe and the second checkout completion screen SCf. In addition, a text instructing the user to present the receipt to the staff at the exit is displayed on the second checkout completion screen SCf.

[0157] If there is no purchased product data with a category flag of "1" in the transaction file 721, the first checkout completion screen SCe is displayed. That is, the first checkout completion screen SCe is displayed for customers who have self-registered all purchased products using the self-service POS terminal 30. Therefore, customers who have completed shopping without using the information terminal 10 can leave the store directly after confirming the first checkout completion screen SCe.

[0158] On the other hand, if the purchased product data with the category flag "1" exists in the transaction file 721, the second checkout completion screen SCf is displayed. That is, the second checkout completion screen SCf is displayed for the customer who self-registers the purchased product using the information terminal 10 in the store. Therefore, the customer who self-registers using the information terminal 10 shows the receipt to the staff at the exit, such as the waiter, and the purchased product is inspected.

[0159] Here, the processor 71 realizes the function as the control unit 717 through the processing of ACT95 to ACT97.

[0160] The processor 71 that has displayed the first checkout completion screen SCe or the second checkout completion screen SCf proceeds to ACT 99. As ACT 99, the processor 71 stores the transaction file 721 in the auxiliary storage device 73. In the above, the processor 71 completes the information processing after the first soft key Ka of the start screen SCa is operated.

[0161] (How the self-service checkout system works)

[0162] As described above, the self-service POS terminal 30 of the self-service checkout system 100 can be used not only as a settlement device corresponding to the existing fully self-service system, but also as a settlement device for the self-service registration system using the information terminal 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately install a settlement device for the self-service registration system in the checkout place where the self-service POS terminal 30 is installed. Therefore, it is not necessary to expand the checkout place. In addition, the maintenance cost of the settlement device will not increase.

[0163] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 30 can include not only the purchased goods registered by the information terminal 10, but also the purchased goods registered by the self-service POS terminal 30 as a commodity transaction for settlement. Therefore, a customer who has registered the purchased goods by the information terminal 10 in the store can also add the purchased goods that are not registered in the information terminal 10 for settlement through the self-service POS terminal 30 when checking out at the checkout place.

[0164] However, the processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 scans the checkout code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10, and the transaction ends. Fig.12 After the processing of ACT78 to ACT87, the processor 71 is also in the waiting state for ACT72 and ACT73. Then, for example, when the checkout code displayed on the touch panel 14 of another information terminal 10 is scanned, the processor 71 executes the processing of ACT78 to ACT87 again. Therefore, the self-service POS terminal 30 can collect and settle the purchased goods registered by two or more information terminals 10 as one commodity transaction. Such a function is effective, for example, in the case of collecting and settling the purchased goods registered by the family at the store using the information terminal 10 at the checkout place.

[0165] In addition, the processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 Fig.12 In the processing of ACT78 and ACT81, during the period when the terminal controller 20 obtains the information of the purchased goods registered by the customer using the information terminal 10 by self-service, the input from the touch panel 31, the scanner 34 and the handheld scanner 35 is not accepted. If there is input when the information of the purchased goods is obtained from the terminal controller 20, an error may occur and the acquisition of data may be interrupted. However, since the self-service POS terminal 30 does not accept input from the input device during data acquisition, such a concern does not arise.

[0166] The processor 71 of the self-service POS terminal 30 Fig.12 In the processing of ACT82, when the information of the purchased goods registered by the customer using the information terminal 10 is obtained from the terminal controller 20, the luminous color of the warning light 37 is replaced with the prescribed color. And, the notification action is as follows Fig.13As described in the processing of ACT 98 of , it continues until the checkout is completed. Therefore, the staff such as the waiter needs to confirm the receipt of the customer who self-registered the purchased goods using the information terminal 10, but it is sufficient to confirm the receipt of the customer who has completed the checkout at the self-service POS terminal 30 notified by the warning light, so the confirmation operation becomes simple, and the second checkout completion screen is displayed for the customer who used the information terminal 10. In the second checkout completion screen, a text is displayed that instructs the staff to show the receipt at the exit. Therefore, the customer can be strongly aware of the receipt confirmation when leaving the store.

[0167] On the other hand, Fig.13 The transaction file 721 stored in the auxiliary storage device 73 during the processing of ACT 99 can be collected and analyzed by the store server 50. Through this analysis, for example, by finding the ratio of the purchased product data with the category flag "0" to the purchased product data with the category flag "1", the approximate ratio of customers who use the information terminal 10 and customers who do not use the information terminal 10 can be known.

[0168] (Variation Example)

[0169] In the above embodiment, when the information of the purchased goods registered by the customer using the information terminal 10 is obtained from the terminal controller 20, the luminous color of the warning light 37 is replaced by the prescribed color. In this regard, the waiter terminal 40 can also be used to inform the staff of the existence of the self-service POS terminal 30 that obtains the purchased goods information from the terminal controller 20.

[0170] Fig.23 This is an example of a screen when the waiter terminal 40 is used for notification. This example is a case where the waiter terminal 40 monitors the status of four self-service POS terminals 30. It shows that two self-service POS terminals 30, namely cash register No. 001 and cash register No. 004, are checking out customers who are not using the information terminal 10, and two self-service POS terminals 30, namely cash register No. 002 and cash register No. 003, are checking out customers who are using the information terminal 10. When a customer is using the information terminal 10, a pop-up image PUb is displayed. In addition, "terminal in use" is displayed as usage announcement information. When a customer is not using the information terminal 10, a pop-up image PUb is not displayed. In addition, "terminal not in use" is displayed as usage announcement information. With such an image, the waiter can easily recognize whether the customer who is checking out is using the information terminal 10. It should be noted that it goes without saying that a greater effect can be obtained by using the notification by the waiter terminal 40 and the notification by the warning light 37 together.

[0171] Alternatively, the processor 71 of the waiter terminal 40 may display the receipt to the staff member by voice notification from the speaker 38 when the second checkout completion screen SCf is displayed.

[0172] In the above embodiment, in the registration screen SCc, the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "1" and the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "0" can be distinguished by the presence or absence of the mark. In this regard, it is also possible to distinguish by the difference in the type of mark. Alternatively, it is also possible to distinguish by displaying the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "1" and the registration details corresponding to the purchased commodity data with the category mark "0".

[0173] The settlement device of the above embodiment can also be expressed as follows.

[0174] (1) A settlement device comprising:

[0175] a first acquisition unit for acquiring information on a product purchased by a customer based on data input by the customer operating an input device;

[0176] a second acquisition unit that acquires, from the external system, information on the merchandise purchased by the customer, which is stored in the external system based on data input by the customer through an operation of the information terminal; and

[0177] The settlement unit performs settlement based on the information of the product acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

[0178] (2) The settlement device according to (1), further comprising:

[0179] a receiving unit that receives identification information for identifying the information of the commodity stored in the external system,

[0180] The second acquisition unit acquires, from the external system, information on the commodity identified by the identification information received by the reception unit.

[0181] (3) The settlement device according to (1) or (2), further comprising:

[0182] A disabling unit that does not accept an operation of the input device by a customer while the information of the product is being acquired from the external system by the second acquiring unit.

[0183] (4) The settlement device according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising:

[0184] The notifying unit notifies that the information on the product has been acquired from the external system by the second acquiring unit.

[0185] (5) The settlement device according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising:

[0186] A control unit that makes the image displayed on the display device different when the settlement unit completes the settlement, when the second acquisition unit acquires the information of the product from the external system and when the second acquisition unit does not acquire the information of the product.

[0187] (6) A settlement program for causing a computer of a settlement device to function as the following units:

[0188] a first acquisition unit for acquiring information on a product purchased by a customer based on data input by the customer operating an input device;

[0189] a second acquisition unit that acquires, from the external system, information on the merchandise purchased by the customer, which is stored in the external system based on data input by the customer through an operation of the information terminal; and

[0190] The settlement unit performs settlement based on the information of the product acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

[0191] The program of this embodiment can be transferred in a state of being stored in an electronic device, or it can be transferred in a state of not being stored in the electronic device. In the latter case, the program can be transferred via a network, or it can be transferred in a state of being stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium can be any medium such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, etc. that can store programs and can be read by a computer, regardless of its form.

[0192] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention are described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the main purpose of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A settlement device, characterized in that: have: A first acquisition unit acquires information about the product purchased by the customer based on data input by the customer operating the input device; a second acquisition unit that acquires from an external system information on a product purchased by the customer and stored in the external system based on data input by the customer through an operation of the information terminal; as well as The settlement unit performs settlement based on the information of the product acquired by the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit.

2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein: Also available: a receiving unit that receives identification information for identifying the information of the commodity stored in the external system, The second acquisition unit acquires, from the external system, information on the commodity identified by the identification information received by the reception unit.

3. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein: Also available: The invalidation unit does not accept an operation of the input device by a customer while the second acquisition unit is acquiring the product information from the external system.

4. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein: Also available: The notifying unit notifies that the second acquiring unit has acquired the information of the product from the external system.

5. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein: Also available: The control unit makes the image displayed on the display device different when the settlement by the settlement unit is completed, when the second acquisition unit acquires the information of the product from the external system and when the second acquisition unit does not acquire the information of the product.

6. A storage medium storing a settlement program, wherein the settlement program enables a computer of a settlement device to implement the following functions: A first acquisition function acquires information about the goods purchased by the customer based on data input by the customer operating the input device; a second acquisition function of acquiring, from an external system, information on the merchandise purchased by the customer, which is stored in the external system based on data input by the customer through an operation of the information terminal; and The settlement function performs settlement based on the information of the commodity acquired by the first acquisition function and the second acquisition function.

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