Product sales data processing device and program

Abstract

To efficiently perform tax exemption procedures.SOLUTION: A commodity sales data processing device includes registration means, display control means and tax exemption processing means. The registration means registers a commodity. The display control means allows display of commodity information indicating the commodity registered by the registration means. The tax exemption processing means performs tax exemption processing for the commodity registered by the registration means. The display control means controls to display a duty-free target commodity and prevent display of a duty-free non-target commodity when the tax exemption processing is performed by the tax exemption processing means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device, a product sales data processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, products purchased by foreign tourists and the like are exempt from consumption tax (hereinafter referred to as "tax-free") when they are taken out of the country. Tax-free products are classified into tax-free categories, for example, consumables category and general goods category. Products classified into the consumables category are products (goods) that are consumed domestically, such as food and beverages. Products classified into the general goods category are products other than consumables, such as products (goods) used in everyday life, such as clothing and home appliances.

[0003] Products that fall into either the consumables category or the general goods category are eligible for tax exemption if they meet certain conditions set for each tax exemption category. For example, products classified as consumables are eligible for tax exemption if the daily purchase amount is within a certain amount and they are packaged in a specified way so that they are not consumed within Japan.

[0004] There are also some products that are not tax-free. Specifically, products that are not tax-free include service charges and repair fees. When carrying out the tax-free procedure, tax-free processing is carried out. In the tax-free processing, the POS (Point Of Sales) register displays products by tax-free category, and the store clerk can operate it to change the tax-free category.

[0005] A related technology is a cash register that registers products into tax-free categories for consumables and general goods, and prints the tax-free category of the product information on a receipt by decoding the barcode attached to the product (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-232773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the conventional technology has a problem that it is possible that products that should not be tax-free may be exempted from tax, and tax-free procedures cannot be carried out efficiently. For example, in the tax-free process, the salesperson may exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption from tax. In addition, for example, when a customer has taken the trouble to purchase a product that is prohibited from being brought into a country, the salesperson may exempt the product that should not be tax-free from tax.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables efficient tax exemption procedures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a product sales data processing device that comprises a registration means for registering products, a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means, and a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on the products registered by the registration means, wherein when the tax exemption processing is performed by the tax exemption processing means, the display control means controls the display of tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption, while controlling the display of non-tax exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schematic external view of a POS register 3. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a POS register 3. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a product master 400. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a product registration process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the POS register 3 when a subtotal key is pressed. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a tax exemption process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a first tax-free zone change process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a second tax-free zone change process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a passport information input process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 when registering a product. [Figure 12] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of the tax-free category when the total price of products in the consumables category exceeds the tax-free amount. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change acceptance screen in the case where, if an exclusion candidate is excluded from the consumables category, the amount is no longer subject to tax exemption. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed when a confirmation button 1204 is pressed when there is a tax exemption category that is not subject to tax exemption. [Figure 15] 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed when inputting passport information and a screen displayed thereafter. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 when registering a product. [Figure 17]13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of the tax-free category when the total price of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free target amount. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 shows an example of a screen that appears after the tax-free category is changed when the total price of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 when registering a product. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of the tax-free category when the total price of general goods does not reach the tax-free amount. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sub-planning screen 2100 after tax exemption processing. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a prohibited product table 2200 indicating prohibited products. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a prohibited commodity discrimination process performed by the POS register 3 according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the POS system 1 includes a store controller 2, a POS register 3, and each device connected by wire or wirelessly via a communication line 6 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Although Fig. 1 shows a plurality of POS registers 3, the number of POS registers 3 may be one.

[0012] The store controller 2 is a management device that performs administrative processes such as managing product information, tallying up sales records at the store (duty-free shop), and managing customer information. The store controller 2 also stores a product master 400 (see FIG. 4) that stores member information and product information for each product. The product information stored in the product master 400 is described in detail below, but is, for example, information that associates product codes, product names, prices, etc. of each product.

[0013] The POS register 3 is an example of a product sales data processing device. The POS register 3 is a cash register device that includes a product registration processing unit and a settlement processing unit. The product registration processing unit executes a product registration process to register products. Specifically, the product registration processing unit generates registration information indicating products to be purchased by a customer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "purchased products"). The settlement processing unit executes a settlement process to settle the total amount of the purchased products (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "purchase amount") based on the registration information generated by the product registration processing unit.

[0014] Here, transactions include normal transactions on which consumption tax is imposed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "non-tax-exempt transactions"), and tax-exempt transactions on which consumption tax is exempt. Tax-exempt transactions are transactions that are exempt from tax when a non-resident staying temporarily in Japan purchases a product, for example, on the condition that the product is taken out of the country. Non-residents include foreign tourists and Japanese nationals who have temporarily returned to Japan. Non-residents possess a passport or similar document. When a non-resident purchases a product at a store in Japan, depending on the product, the product may be exempt from tax if the purchase amount is a specified amount (hereinafter referred to as "tax-exempt amount").

[0015] Products (goods) that are eligible for tax exemption are classified into one of the tax exemption categories. Tax exemption categories include, for example, the consumables category and the general goods category. Products classified into the consumables category include, for example, food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, and other products. Tax exemption conditions for products in the consumables category to be tax exempt include, for example, that the total purchase amount of the consumables category by the same non-resident (such as a foreign purchaser) at the same store in one day is the tax exemption amount for the consumables category (within the range of 5,000 yen or more and 500,000 yen or less).

[0016] In addition, the condition for exemption from tax for products in the consumables category is that they are specially packaged in a specified manner so that they cannot be consumed within Japan. Special packaging means, for example, sealing the product with a sticker that makes it possible to visually determine if it has been opened, or attaching a purchase record ticket (stick-on receipt) that shows the contents of the packaged product.

[0017] Moreover, goods (items) classified in the general goods category are goods other than those classified in the consumable goods category, and are, for example, goods that are mainly used in everyday life. Specifically, for example, goods classified in the general goods category include home appliances, kimonos, clothes, bags, etc. The conditions for tax exemption for general goods include the condition that the total amount of sales of the general goods category to the same non-resident (foreign purchaser, etc.) at the same store on one day is the tax exemption target amount for the general goods category (5,000 yen or more).

[0018] In addition, products classified as general goods can be reclassified to the consumable goods category if certain conditions are met. Specifically, even if a product is classified as general goods, it can be reclassified to the consumable goods category if the total price of the product and a product classified as consumable goods is more than 5,000 yen and less than 500,000 yen.

[0019] The POS register 3 can perform not only normal product registration processing (non-tax-exempt processing) that imposes the consumption tax rate, but also tax-exempt processing, which is product registration processing by tax exemption. In the tax-exempt processing, processing according to the tax-exempt category is performed.

[0020] Furthermore, in tax-free transactions, the POS register 3 generates and prints tax-free documents. Tax-free documents include receipts to be attached to the product packaging and documents to be attached to passports (purchase record slips and purchaser pledges). However, if the store transmits information equivalent to the purchase record slip to a prescribed institution (e.g. the National Tax Agency), it is not necessary to issue a purchase record slip. Also, if the store explains the necessary matters (matters that consumables will not be disposed of within the country) to the purchaser, it is not necessary to issue a purchaser pledge. In this embodiment, neither the purchase record slip nor the purchaser pledge is issued.

[0021] Any of the multiple POS registers 3 in the POS system 1 may be used as a service counter terminal. The service counter terminal accepts shipments and returns of products purchased by customers, orders for products, sales of gift certificates, etc. For example, the service counter terminal receives and manages transaction information indicating the products and amounts for each transaction at each POS register 3 from each POS register 3. The service counter terminal also manages transaction information related to tax-free transactions carried out at each POS register 3. Tax-free transactions may be carried out at the service counter terminal rather than at each POS register 3.

[0022] The POS system 1 may also include a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet device carried by a store clerk. The mobile terminal may be lent to each store clerk, or may be owned by each store clerk. In response to a call request from the POS register 3 (including the service counter terminal), the mobile terminal notifies the request or receives the call.

[0023] (Example of the appearance of the POS register 3) Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schematic external appearance of the POS register 3. In this embodiment, Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the POS register 3 as seen from the operator (store clerk) side. Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the POS register 3 as seen from the customer side. As shown in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the POS register 3 comprises a store clerk display unit 21, a key operation unit 22, a customer display unit 23, a card payment unit 24, and a printing unit 25.

[0024] The clerk display unit 21 is a touch display operated by the clerk. The clerk display unit 21 displays preset keys and the like, displays various information to the clerk, and accepts various inputs from the clerk.

[0025] The key operation unit 22 is a keyboard provided with various keys. The key operation unit 22 accepts various inputs from the store clerk. The various keys are operation keys (hardware keys or buttons) such as numeric keys for inputting the quantity and price, keys corresponding to products for registering products, and a closing key for closing the transaction.

[0026] The customer display unit 23 is a touch display that displays various information to the customer. The customer display unit 23 displays various information to the customer and accepts various inputs from the customer. For example, when a product that requires age verification is registered, the customer display unit 23 displays an age verification screen and accepts an operation from the customer indicating that the customer is over the target age.

[0027] The card payment unit 24 is a payment mechanism that uses a contact type card (e.g., a magnetic card). The card payment unit 24 includes a reading device that reads cart information, and performs payment using the information read by the reading device. Cards that are read by the card payment unit include credit cards, point cards, prepaid cards, etc. The card payment unit 24 also includes a payment mechanism that uses a non-contact type card (IC card). The reading device included in the card payment unit 24 may be an externally connected device.

[0028] The printing unit 25 is a printer device that prints out a detailed list of purchased items as various forms (receipts). In addition to receipts, the printing unit 25 also prints tax-free documents in tax-free transactions.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the POS register 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the POS register 3 includes, in addition to the components shown in Fig. 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a communication unit 34, a scanner unit 35, and a drawer 36. The components shown in Fig. 3 are connected to each other via an internal bus and a communication line.

[0030] The CPU 31 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS register 3 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 . The ROM 32 is a read-only memory, and stores various programs such as the product sales data processing program according to this embodiment, as well as various types of information used by the CPU 31.

[0031] The RAM 33 is a readable and writable memory, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 33 stores information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing. The information acquired from the outside is, for example, product information 401 acquired from a product master 400 (see FIG. 4) stored in the store controller 2. The information generated during processing includes, for example, registration information generated during product registration processing and settlement information generated during settlement processing. In addition to the RAM 33, the POS register 3 may include other memories such as a hard disk.

[0032] The communication unit 34 transmits and receives information between the store controller 2 and other POS registers 3.

[0033] The scanner unit 35 optically reads code information (for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code) attached to a product, or a store clerk code attached to a store clerk's name tag. The scanner unit 35 also reads code information written on a product catalog or a product order sheet. In addition to the above, the scanner unit 35 can also read accounting coupons (registered trademark) in which registration information generated in another POS register 3 is coded, gift coupons, and codes printed on various cards.

[0034] The drawer 36 is a storage section for storing bills and coins. The drawer 36 is designed to be pulled out in response to the operation of the key operation section 22. The audio output unit 37 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 37 outputs a sound when the scanner unit 35 reads a product, an operation sound when the key operation unit 22 is operated, a predetermined warning sound, audio guidance, and the like.

[0035] The POS register 3 may also include an automatic change machine (not shown). The automatic change machine is a mechanism for making settlements with cash. The automatic change machine has a deposit slot for banknotes and coins, and a change outlet for banknotes and coins. The automatic change machine calculates the amount of money inserted into the deposit slot, and the change amount, which is the difference between the amount inserted and the purchase amount, and discharges the calculated change amount from the change outlet. The deposit slot and change outlet may be positioned facing the customer, i.e., the customer may insert cash and take out the change themselves.

[0036] (About the data structure of Product Master 400) 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product master 400. The product master 400 is a table that stores product information for each product. The product master 400 is stored in the store controller 2, for example.

[0037] 4, product master 400 includes items such as product code, product name, tax-free category, price, and whether the tax-free category can be changed. By setting information in each item, product information 401 is stored as a record. Note that the items in product master 400 shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples, and other items may be included, such as an item indicating the product classification, an item indicating the discount rate if a discount is applicable, and an item indicating whether age verification is required.

[0038] The product code is identification information that is uniquely assigned to a product. The product name is the name of the product. For example, the product code "12345678" is assigned to the product name "XX lotion" indicated in the product information 401a.

[0039] The tax-free category includes a consumables category and a general goods category. For example, the product name "XX lotion" shown in product information 401a indicates the consumables category, and the product name "XX metal bat" shown in product information 401b indicates the general goods category. In addition, the product name "shoe sole repair" (labor costs) shown in product information 401c indicates a product that is not subject to tax-free exemption and does not fall into any of the tax-free categories. Since the product that is not subject to tax-free exemption is obviously consumed domestically, it does not fall into any of the tax-free categories. The products that are not subject to tax-free exemption include products that indicate the provision of a service such as "shoe sole repair," as well as products that indicate the provision of services such as accommodation and food and drink, and other products.

[0040] The price is the selling price of the product (or the provision of the service). For example, the price of the product name "XX lotion" indicated in the product information 401a is 500,000 yen. Note that the price shown in FIG. 4 does not include tax.

[0041] The item for whether or not the tax-free category can be changed shows either "○" which indicates that the tax-free category can be changed, or "×" which indicates that the tax-free category cannot be changed. For example, a product in the consumables category cannot be changed to the general goods category. For example, the product name "XX lotion" shown in product information 401a cannot be changed to a tax-free category. Furthermore, a product in the general goods category can be changed to a consumables category. For example, the product name "XX metal bat" shown in product information 401b can be changed to a consumables category. Furthermore, the product "shoe sole repair", which does not fall into any of the tax-free categories, cannot be changed to a tax-free category.

[0042] 4, all products in the general goods category can be changed to the consumable goods category. However, although not shown, products that cannot be changed to the consumable goods category are also stored in the product master 400. Specific examples of general goods that cannot be changed to the consumable goods category include products priced at 500,000 yen or more and products that cannot be packed together with consumable goods due to their large size.

[0043] (Functional configuration of POS register 3) Next, the functional configuration of the POS register 3 will be described. The POS register 3 includes a registration unit, a tax exemption processing unit, a display control unit, an exclusion reception unit, and a change reception unit. Each unit is realized by the CPU 31. That is, the CPU 31 executes a sales data processing program stored in the ROM 32 to realize the function of each unit.

[0044] The registration unit performs a product registration process to register products. The product registration process performs a non-tax-exempt process to register products by imposing consumption tax. The display control unit displays product information indicating the products registered by the registration unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "registered products"). Specifically, the display control unit displays product information indicating the registered products on the store clerk display unit 21 and the customer display unit 23.

[0045] The tax-free processing unit performs tax-free processing on registered products. Tax-free processing is processing for registering registered products without imposing consumption tax according to each tax-free category. The tax-free processing unit performs tax-free processing when an instruction to start a tax-free transaction is given. Specifically, the tax-free processing unit performs tax-free processing when a button to start a tax-free transaction (tax-free declaration button) is pressed. When tax-free processing is performed, the display control unit causes the store clerk display unit 21 to display a dedicated screen indicating that tax-free processing is being performed (screen showing tax-free processing in progress).

[0046] (Regarding control over display of tax-free and non-tax-free products) The display control unit controls displaying tax-free products that are subject to tax exemption when tax-free processing is performed by the tax-free processing unit. On the other hand, the display control unit prevents displaying non-tax-free products that are not subject to tax exemption when tax-free processing is performed. Tax-free products are products that can be tax-free. Specifically, tax-free products include general goods category products whose tax-free classification can be changed, and consumable goods category products whose tax-free classification cannot be changed. The consumable goods category is an example of the first tax-free category. The general goods category is an example of the second tax-free category. Non-tax-free products are products that indicate the provision of services such as "shoe sole repair", products that indicate the provision of services such as accommodation and food and drink, and other products.

[0047] (Regarding control over display of general goods category products and consumable goods category products) The display control unit controls the display of products in the general goods category and the display of products in the consumable goods category when tax-free processing is performed by the tax-free processing unit. Specifically, when tax-free processing is performed by the tax-free processing unit, the display control unit controls the display of products in each tax-free category based on the total amount of each tax-free category of the general goods category and the consumable goods category and the tax-free amount of each tax-free category. The tax-free amount of the general goods category is an amount that is 5,000 yen or more. The tax-free amount of the consumable goods category is an amount that is 5,000 yen or more and 500,000 yen or less. The control of the display of products in each tax-free category will be specifically described below.

[0048] (When the total amount of consumables exceeds 500,000 yen) When the total amount of the consumable goods category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount for the consumable goods category (500,000 yen), the display control unit performs control not to display products in the general goods category from the viewpoint of not changing products in the general goods category to the consumable goods category. Also, when the total amount of the consumable goods category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount for the consumable goods category (500,000 yen), the display control unit performs control to display products in the consumable goods category from the viewpoint of notifying the fact and details. Note that the display control unit may extract products that exceed 500,000 yen and display those products.

[0049] Furthermore, if the total amount of the consumable category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount for the consumable category (500,000 yen), the exclusion receiving unit accepts an operation to exclude the products in the consumable category displayed by the display control unit from the tax-free amount. Specifically, the exclusion receiving unit accepts an operation to exclude the products in the consumable category so that the total amount of the consumable category falls within the tax-free amount (below 500,000 yen). Excluding from the tax-free amount includes at least one of deleting from registered products and making them non-tax-free.

[0050] (When the total amount of either the general goods category or the consumables category is less than 5,000 yen) The display control unit performs control not to display products in the consumables category from the viewpoint that products in the consumables category will not be changed to the general goods category when at least one of the total amount of the general goods category and the total amount of the consumables category is less than the lower limit (5,000 yen). Also, the display control unit performs control to display products in the general goods category from the viewpoint that products in the general goods category may be changed to the consumables category when at least one of the total amount of the general goods category and the total amount of the consumables category is less than the lower limit (5,000 yen).

[0051] For example, when the total amount of the general goods category is less than the lower limit (5,000 yen), if there is a general goods category product (change candidate) that will become tax-exempt by changing it to the consumable goods category, the display control unit may display the general goods category product (change candidate).On the other hand, if there is no change candidate, the display control unit may not display the general goods category product.

[0052] In addition, when the total amount of the consumable goods category is less than the lower limit (5,000 yen), if there is a general goods category product (change candidate) that will become a tax-exempt item by changing it to the consumable goods category, the display control unit may display the general goods category product (change candidate).On the other hand, if there is no change candidate, the display control unit may not display the general goods category product.

[0053] The change receiving unit receives an operation to change the general goods category displayed by the display control unit to the consumable goods category. Specifically, the change receiving unit receives an operation to change the general goods category to the consumable goods category so that the total amount of the consumable goods category or the total amount of the general goods category becomes the tax-exempt amount. When there is a change candidate, the change receiving unit receives an operation to change the change candidate to the consumable goods category.

[0054] In addition, when the exclusion acceptance unit accepts exclusion from tax exemption targets, or when the change acceptance unit accepts a change candidate, the display control unit releases the display restriction on products in the general goods category or consumables category. In other words, the display control unit displays all tax exemption-related products (excluding products not eligible for tax exemption) at the time when the tax exemption-related treatment is confirmed for the products that are subject to the tax exemption treatment.

[0055] In addition, the display control unit controls the display of tax-free products and non-tax-free products after the tax-free processing is completed by the tax-free processing unit. Specifically, when the tax-free processing is completed by the tax-free processing unit, the display control unit closes the tax-free processing in progress screen and displays a normal product registration screen on the store clerk display unit 21.

[0056] (An example of the process performed by the POS register 3) Next, the process performed by the POS register 3 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] (An example of product registration processing) Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a product registration process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 5, the POS register 3 judges whether or not a product code has been input (step S501). The product code is input, for example, by reading a barcode attached to the product with the scanner unit 35. The barcode referred to here is, for example, a PLU code (price look up code), a JAN code (Japanese Article Number code), an in-store code, etc. Furthermore, the product code can be input by tapping a preset key displayed on the store clerk display unit 21, operating the key operation unit 22, etc., in addition to scanning with the scanner unit 35.

[0058] The POS register 3 waits until a product code is input (step S501: NO). When a product code is input (step S501: YES), the POS register 3 refers to the product information 401 (see FIG. 4), identifies the price of the product indicated by the product code, and calculates the amount multiplied by the consumption tax rate (step S502). The POS register 3 then refers to the product information 401 (see FIG. 4), identifies the tax-free category of the product, and calculates the total amount for each tax-free category (step S503). Next, the POS register 3 registers the product (step S504). The POS register 3 then displays the registered product at the price multiplied by the consumption tax rate (step S505), and ends the series of processes.

[0059] The total amount for each tax-free category calculated in step S503 is not displayed if tax-free processing is not performed (if tax-free declaration is not accepted). Also, if tax-free processing is not performed, the process of step S503 may not be performed.

[0060] (An example of processing when the subtotal key is pressed) Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing performed by the POS register 3 when the subtotal key is pressed. In Fig. 6, the POS register 3 judges whether the subtotal key (or the subtotal button) has been pressed (step S601). The POS register 3 waits until the subtotal key is pressed (step S601: NO). When the subtotal key is pressed (step S601: YES), the POS register 3 displays the subtotal screen (step S602).

[0061] The POS register 3 then judges whether or not a tax exemption declaration has been accepted (step S603). Accepting a tax exemption declaration means, for example, pressing the tax exemption declaration button. If the tax exemption declaration has not been accepted (step S603: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether or not settlement has started (step S604). Starting settlement means, for example, pressing the settlement button. If settlement has not started (step S604: NO), the POS register 3 returns to step S603.

[0062] If it is time to start settlement (step S604: YES), the POS register 3 performs settlement processing (step S605) and ends the series of processing. The settlement processing includes accepting the payment type, inputting the amount received from the customer, and displaying the input amount. The settlement processing also prints a receipt and the number of tax-free documents accepted in the tax-free processing.

[0063] In step S603, if the tax exemption declaration is accepted (step S603: YES), the POS register 3 executes the tax exemption process (see FIG. 7) (step S606). Then, the POS register 3 executes the passport information input process (see FIG. 10) and returns to step S602.

[0064] (An example of tax exemption processing) Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of tax exemption processing performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 7, the POS register 3 hides products not eligible for tax exemption (step S701). Then, the POS register 3 judges whether the total amount of the consumables category exceeds 500,000 yen (tax exemption amount) (step S702). If the total amount of the consumables category exceeds 500,000 yen (step S702: YES), the POS register 3 displays a message that the consumables category exceeds the tax exemption amount and the amount of the excess (difference) (step S703).

[0065] Then, the POS register 3 hides the general goods category (step S704), performs the first tax-free category change process (see FIG. 8) to accept an operation to exclude expendable goods category products from the tax-free category (step S705), and ends the process. After completing the series of processes shown in this flowchart, the POS register 3 proceeds to the passport information input process (see FIG. 10).

[0066] In step S702, if the total amount of the consumables category does not exceed 500,000 yen (step S702: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether the total amount of the consumables category is less than 5,000 yen (step S706). If the total amount of the consumables category is less than 5,000 yen (step S706: YES), the POS register 3 displays a message that the consumables category is less than the tax exemption amount and the amount of the shortfall (the difference) (step S707).

[0067] Then, the POS register 3 hides the products in the consumables category (step S708), and performs a second tax-free category change process (see FIG. 9) to change the products in the general goods category to the consumables category (step S709), thereby completing the series of processes.

[0068] In step S706, if the total amount of the consumables category is not less than 5,000 yen (step S706: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether the total amount of the general goods category is less than 5,000 yen (step S710). If the total amount of the general goods category is less than 5,000 yen (step S710: YES), the POS register 3 displays a message that the general goods category is less than the tax exemption amount and the amount of the shortfall (the difference) (step S711), and proceeds to step S708.

[0069] On the other hand, if the total amount of the general goods category is not less than 5,000 yen (step S710: NO), that is, if each tax-free category is the tax-free amount, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S710. In this case, it may be displayed that each tax-free category is the tax-free amount. Even in this case, it may be possible to accept a change in the tax-free category.

[0070] Next, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the end of the tax-free process has been accepted (step S712). Accepting the end of the tax-free process means, for example, accepting the pressing of a button (the confirmation button 1204 in FIG. 12(A)) for accepting the confirmation of the tax-free transaction. The POS register 3 waits until the end of the tax-free process is accepted (step S712: NO), and when the end of the tax-free process is accepted (step S712: YES), the series of processes ends.

[0071] (An example of the first tax-free category change process) Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the first tax-free category change process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 8, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the selection of a candidate (product) to be excluded from the consumable category has been accepted (step S801). If the selection of a candidate to be excluded from the consumable category has not been accepted (step S801: NO), the POS register 3 proceeds to step S804.

[0072] When the selection of a candidate to be excluded from the consumables category is accepted (step S801: YES), the POS register 3 calculates and displays the total amount (the total amount of each of the consumables category and the general goods category) when the candidate (candidate to be excluded) is excluded (step S802).The POS register 3 then displays a display to accept changes to the candidate to be excluded, specifically, displays a delete button 1208 (see FIG. 12(A)) to accept the deletion of the candidate to be excluded and a non-tax exemption button 1209 (see FIG. 12(A)) to accept the selection of taxing the candidate to be excluded (not exempt from tax) (step S803).

[0073] If excluding the exclusion candidate from the consumables category causes the total amount of the consumables category to be less than 5,000 yen, i.e., if the amount is no longer eligible for tax exemption, a warning to that effect may be displayed. Also, if excluding the exclusion candidate from the consumables category causes the total amount of the consumables category to be less than 5,000 yen, the exclusion candidate may not be displayed in advance.

[0074] Then, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the press of the delete button (confirm button) has been accepted (step S804). If the press of the delete button has been accepted (step S804: YES), the POS register 3 deletes the relevant product (candidate for removal) (step S805) and proceeds to step S808.

[0075] If the deletion button is not pressed (step S804: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether the non-tax-free button (confirm button) is pressed (step S806). If the non-tax-free button is pressed (step S806: YES), the POS register 3 applies consumption tax to the product (candidate for exclusion) and displays it (step S807).

[0076] Next, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the end of the tax-free process has been accepted (step S808). Accepting the end of the tax-free process means, for example, accepting the pressing of a button (the confirmation button 1204 in FIG. 12(A)) for accepting the confirmation of the tax-free transaction. If the POS register 3 does not accept the end of the tax-free process (step S808: NO), it returns to step S801. That is, the POS register 3 can execute the process including steps S801 to S807 until it accepts the end of the tax-free process. On the other hand, if it accepts the end of the tax-free process (step S808: YES), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes.

[0077] If the non-tax-free button is not pressed (step S806: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether or not the cancellation of the tax-free declaration has been accepted (step S809). If the cancellation of the tax-free declaration has not been accepted (step S809: NO), the POS register 3 returns to step S801. If the cancellation of the tax-free declaration has been accepted (step S809: YES), the POS register 3 proceeds to step S602 in FIG. 6.

[0078] In step S805, the product may not only be deleted from the registered products, but also the text representing the product may be crossed out to indicate that the product has been deleted. In step S807, the product may be marked as non-tax-free (for example, "Non"), or the product may be deleted from the list.

[0079] (An example of the second tax-free category change process) Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of the second tax-free category change process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 9, it is determined whether or not a commodity in the general goods category is registered (step S901).

[0080] If no general goods category product is registered (step S901: NO), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes. After completing the series of processes shown in this flowchart, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S710 in FIG. 7. If a general goods category product is registered (step S901: YES), the POS register 3 determines whether or not there is a general goods category product that cannot be changed to the consumables category (step S902). Products that cannot be changed to the consumables category are products whose total price in the consumables category would exceed 500,000 yen if they were changed to the consumables category, or large-sized products that cannot be packed together with products in the consumables category.

[0081] If there is no product that cannot be changed to the consumables category (step S902: NO), that is, if all registered general goods can be changed to the consumables category, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S904. If there is a product that cannot be changed to the consumables category (step S902: YES), the POS register 3 hides the product (step S903).

[0082] Then, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the selection of a candidate for category change among the general goods category products has been accepted (step S904). If the selection of a candidate for category change has not been accepted (step S904: NO), the POS register 3 proceeds to step S907.

[0083] When the selection of a candidate for category change is accepted (step S904: YES), the POS register 3 calculates and displays the total price (total price of each of the consumables category and the general goods category) when the candidate is changed (step S905).Then, the POS register 3 displays a display to accept the category change of the product, and specifically displays a category change button (for example, the category change button 1701 in FIG. 17(A)) to accept the category change of the product (step S906).

[0084] Then, the POS register 3 judges whether or not confirmation of the category change (for example, pressing the category change button 1701 in FIG. 17(A)) has been received (step S907). If confirmation of the category change has been received (step S907: YES), the POS register 3 registers and displays the product in the consumables category according to the received content (step S908).

[0085] Next, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the end of the tax-free process has been accepted (step S909). Accepting the end of the tax-free process means, for example, accepting pressing of a button for accepting confirmation of the tax-free transaction (the Confirm button 1204 in FIG. 18(A) or the Confirm button 1204 in FIG. 20(B)). If the POS register 3 does not accept the end of the tax-free process (step S909: NO), it returns to step S904. That is, the POS register 3 can execute the process including steps S904 to S908 until it accepts the end of the tax-free process. On the other hand, if it accepts the end of the tax-free process (step S909: YES), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes.

[0086] On the other hand, if the confirmation of the classification change is not accepted in step S907 (step S907: NO), the POS register 3 judges whether or not the cancellation of the tax exemption process (tax exemption declaration) has been accepted (step S909). If the cancellation of the tax exemption process is not accepted (step S909: NO), the POS register 3 returns to step S904. If the cancellation of the tax exemption process is accepted (step S909: YES), the POS register 3 returns to step S602 in FIG. 6.

[0087] (An example of passport information entry processing) Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of passport information input processing performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 10, the POS register 3 judges whether or not there is a tax-free category that does not satisfy the tax-free conditions (step S1001). If there is no tax-free category that does not satisfy the tax-free conditions (step S1001: NO), that is, if each tax-free category satisfies the tax-free conditions, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S1004. If there is a tax-free category that does not satisfy the tax-free conditions (step S1001: YES), the POS register 3 displays a confirmation screen (see Figs. 14(A) to (C)) (step S1002).

[0088] The POS register 3 then judges whether or not to perform tax exemption processing for the product in the tax exemption category that does not satisfy the tax exemption conditions (step S1003). If tax exemption processing is not to be performed for the product in the tax exemption category that does not satisfy the tax exemption conditions (step S1003: NO), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes. When the series of processes shown in this flowchart ends, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S602 in FIG. 6.

[0089] When tax-free processing is to be performed on a product in a tax-free category that does not satisfy the tax-free conditions (step S1003: NO), specifically, when a selection is received to perform tax-free processing on a product in a tax-free category that does not satisfy the tax-free conditions, the POS register 3 reads the passport information of the passport presented by the customer (step S1004).Then, the POS register 3 reflects the read passport information on the screen (step S1005).

[0090] Furthermore, the POS register 3 judges whether or not a correction to the passport information has been accepted (step S1006). If a correction to the passport information has not been accepted (step S1006: NO), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes. If a correction to the passport information has been accepted (step S1006: YES), the POS register 3 reflects the correction (step S1007) and ends the series of processes.

[0091] (An example of the screen displayed on the POS register 3 during tax exemption processing) Next, an example of a screen displayed on the clerk display unit 21 of the POS register 3 during the tax exemption process will be described. Note that the image displayed on the clerk display unit 21 described below may also be displayed on the customer display unit 23. The language displayed on the customer display unit 23 may be a language appropriate to the customer (the customer's native language). The language appropriate to the customer may be specified by the clerk through the clerk display unit 21, or may be specified by the customer through the customer display unit 23. When the language appropriate to the customer is specified, a screen for receiving the language specification may be displayed on the clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23.

[0092] (Screen transition when processing tax exemption) Next, the transition of the screen displayed on the clerk display unit 21 of the POS register 3 when tax exemption processing is performed will be described. First, with reference to Figs. 11 to 13, the screen transition when the tax exemption category is changed when the total amount of products in the consumables category exceeds the tax exemption amount will be described. Note that the screen transition when the total amount of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax exemption amount will be described later with reference to Figs. 16 to 18. Also, the screen transition when the total amount of products in the general goods category does not reach the tax exemption amount will be described later with reference to Figs. 19 to 21.

[0093] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for registering a product, which is displayed on the store clerk display unit 21. Fig. 11(A) shows a product registration screen 1100. The product registration screen 1100 is a screen including a registered product display area 1101, a registered product list area 1102, a total display area 1103, a subtotal button 1104, and a tax exemption declaration button 1105.

[0094] The registered product display area 1101 is an area that displays the product name and price of the most recently registered product. The registered product list area 1102 is an area that displays a list of the registered products. In the registered product list area 1102, the products registered earlier are displayed at the bottom, and the products registered later are displayed at the top. That is, in chronological order, the products registered later are displayed higher up. The total display area 1103 is an area that displays the total points and total price of the registered products.

[0095] For the prices displayed in each of the areas 1101 to 1103, the character "including tax" is displayed in association therewith. The display of "including tax" indicates that it is the price including tax. Note that the prices displayed in each of the areas 1101 to 1103 may be displayed as the price excluding tax. In this case, the character "excluding tax" indicating that it is the price excluding tax may be displayed in association with the prices displayed in each of the areas 1101 to 1103. Whether to use the notation of the price including tax or the notation of the price excluding tax may be made switchable according to the operation of the store clerk.

[0096] The subtotal button 1104 is a button that accepts the calculation of the subtotal amount. The tax exemption declaration button 1105 is a button that accepts the start of a tax-exempt transaction. Note that in FIG. 11(A), the tax exemption declaration button 1105 is displayed in a grayed-out state, indicating that the button is invalid. When the product registration is completed on the product registration screen 1100 and the subtotal button 1104 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 11(B) is transitioned to.

[0097] FIG. 11(B) shows the sub-plan screen 1110. The sub-plan screen 1110 is a screen including a registered product list area 1111, a total display area 1112, a settlement button 1113, an estimated tax-free amount display area 1114, and a tax-free declaration button 1105. The registered product list area 1111 is an area that displays a list of registered products. The total display area 1112 is an area that displays the total number of registered products and the total amount. The contents displayed in the total display area 1112 include the total taxable amount (amount excluding tax) and the total tax amount. Note that the amount displayed in the registered product list area 1111 and the total amount in the total display area 1112 are displayed inclusive of tax (amount including tax).

[0098] The settlement button 1113 is a button for accepting the start of settlement. When the settlement button 1113 is pressed, a screen is displayed for accepting the selection of a payment type such as cash payment or card payment, and the settlement process is started. In addition, in the settlement process, it is possible to print a receipt and tax-free documents.

[0099] The estimated tax-free amount display area 1114 shows the estimated tax-free amount (estimated tax-free amount) if a tax-free transaction is made. In the figure, the estimated tax-free amount display area 1114 shows "51,300 yen." This is the estimated tax-free amount when "XX lotion," "XX battery," and "XX metal bat" are tax-free. The POS register 3 selects the optimal product (candidate) for tax-free and calculates the estimated tax-free amount. However, without being limited to this, the POS register 3 may display the tax-free amount when all products that can be tax-free (all products in the general goods category and the consumables category) are tax-free as the estimated tax-free amount.

[0100] On the subtotal screen 1110, the tax exemption declaration button 1105 is no longer grayed out on the product registration screen 1100 (FIG. 11(A)), indicating that pressing the button is valid. That is, when the subtotal button 1104 is pressed on the product registration screen 1100 of FIG. 11(A), the tax exemption declaration button 1105 becomes valid. When the tax exemption declaration button 1105 is pressed on the subtotal screen 1110, the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 12(A).

[0101] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of tax-free category when the total price of products in the consumables category exceeds the tax-free amount. Fig. 12(A) shows a category change acceptance screen 1200 when the total price of products in the consumables category exceeds the tax-free amount. The category change acceptance screen 1200 is a screen including a list area 1201 of products to be changed, a total display area 1202, a warning display 1203, a confirm button 1204, a tax-free release button 1205, a guide display 1206, a trial calculation display 1207, a delete button 1208, and a non-tax-free button 1209.

[0102] Of the registered products, only products in the consumables category (OO lotion, OO seaweed, OO rice cracker) are displayed in the change target product list area 1201. In other words, products for which the tax-free category can be changed are not displayed in the change target product list area 1201, and specifically, products in the general goods category (OO battery and OO metal bat) and products not eligible for tax-free (shoe sole repairs) are not displayed. Furthermore, in the change target product list area 1201, each product is displayed with the word "exempt" indicating that it is tax-free, and the word "consumable" indicating the consumables category. Furthermore, the amount displayed in the change target product list area 1201 indicates the tax-free amount.

[0103] The total display area 1202 shows the total amount for each tax-free category, the consumables category and the general goods category. In Fig. 12(A), the total amount for the consumables category is "¥522,000", which means that it is not eligible for tax-free. The total amount for the general goods category is "¥13,000", which means that it is eligible for tax-free.

[0104] The warning display 1203 indicates that the consumables category is not eligible for tax exemption and shows the amount (difference) that exceeds the tax exemption amount. Specifically, the warning display 1203 indicates that the total amount of the consumables category exceeds the upper limit of the tax exemption amount of 500,000 yen by 22,000 yen.

[0105] The Confirm button 1204 is a button that accepts confirmation of the tax-free transaction with the contents displayed on the category change reception screen 1200. When the Confirm button 1204 is pressed with the contents shown in Fig. 12(A), the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 14. The Tax-Free Cancel button 1205 is a button that accepts cancellation of the tax-free transaction. When the Tax-Free Cancel button 1205 is pressed, the screen transitions to the sub-screen shown in Fig. 11(B).

[0106] The guidance display 1206 displays a message that the consumable goods category will become the tax-free amount by removing from the consumable goods category the product corresponding to the amount that exceeds the tax-free amount. The cursors 1210 (1210a, 1210b) are operated by the store clerk to point to candidates (products) to be removed from the consumable goods category. The guidance display 1206 indicates that the consumable goods category will become the tax-free amount by removing the product indicated by the cursor 1210. Specifically, the guidance display 1206 indicates that the consumable goods category will become the tax-free amount by deleting or taxing the product "XX seaweed" indicated by the cursor 1210a and the product "XX rice cracker" indicated by the cursor 1210b. The cursor 1210 may be configured to automatically indicate the candidate in advance by having the POS register 3 select the most suitable candidate. Specifically, the POS register 3 may select the cheapest combination of products among the excess products (for example, XX seaweed and XX rice crackers) and point it with the cursor 1210.

[0107] When a candidate indicated by cursor 1210 is selected, trial calculation display 1207 shows a trial calculation when that product is excluded from the consumables category. Specifically, when the product (candidate) "XX nori" and the product (candidate) "XX rice cracker" are selected from the products in the consumables category shown in change target product list area 1201, trial calculation display 1207 shows the amount of the consumables category (500,000 yen) when "XX nori" (20,000 yen) and "XX rice cracker" (2,000 yen) are excluded from the consumables category. Note that in FIG. 12(A), the amount of "total amount of consumables category" shown in total display area 1202 may also be changed and displayed to an amount according to the selected candidate.

[0108] In FIG. 12(A), when the product "XX seaweed" is pressed, the selection by the cursor 1210a is cancelled, and when the product "XX rice cracker" is pressed, the selection by the cursor 1210b is cancelled.

[0109] The delete button 1208 is a button that accepts the deletion of a product (candidate: product indicated by cursor 1210) selected in the change target product list area 1201 from among the registered products. When the delete button 1208 is pressed on the category change reception screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12(A), the products "XX nori" and "XX rice cracker" are deleted from the display screen from among the registered products. Note that pressing the delete button 1208 is not limited to deleting the product to be deleted from the display screen, and may also indicate that the product has been deleted by applying a strikethrough to the text indicating the product to be deleted.

[0110] The non-tax-free button 1209 is a button that accepts taxation (non-tax-free) of the product (for example, XX seaweed and XX rice cracker) selected in the change target product list area 1201. When the non-tax-free button 1209 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 12(B).

[0111] FIG. 12(B) shows an example of a screen after the tax-free category has been changed. In the change completion screen 1220 shown in FIG. 12(B), all tax-free items (excluding items not eligible for tax-free) are displayed because the items selected in the change target item list area 1201 in FIG. 12(A) (for example, XX seaweed and XX rice cracker) are confirmed to be taxable (non-tax-free). To specifically explain the change completion screen 1220 shown in FIG. 12(B), the change completion screen 1220 is a screen including a registered item list area 1211, a total display area 1202, and a change completion display 1212. In the registered item list area 1211, items are displayed excluding items not eligible for tax-free (shoe sole repair). In the registered item list area 1211, the character display "free" indicating that the item is tax-free, and either "consumables" or "general goods" indicating the tax-free category of either the consumables category or the general goods category are displayed for each item.

[0112] In addition, the display mode of the products classified in the consumables category and the display mode of the products classified in the general goods category may be different in the registered product list area 1211. The different display modes may be, for example, different colors for the characters or background, or different fonts.

[0113] Also, in the registered product list area 1211, for the products "XX nori" and "XX rice cracker", instead of the character "free" indicating that they are tax-free, "non" indicating that they are not tax-free is displayed. Furthermore, although the products "XX nori" and "XX rice cracker" are classified as consumable products, "Consumables → Taxable products" is displayed indicating that they are not tax-free. Note that for the products "XX nori" and "XX rice cracker", the character "non" indicating that they are not tax-free may not be displayed, and the character "non" may simply be hidden.

[0114] The total price of the consumables category in the total display area 1202 is "500,000 yen", which indicates the tax-free amount. The taxable amount of consumables in the total display area 1202 is "22,000 yen", which indicates the total price excluding tax of the products "XX seaweed" and "XX rice cracker".

[0115] The change completion display 1212 indicates that the products "XX seaweed" and "XX rice cracker" are now taxable, and that the amount of the consumable goods category has become the tax-exempt amount. In this way, even if the total amount of the products in the consumable goods category exceeds the tax-exempt amount, the total amount of the products in the consumable goods category can be set to the tax-exempt amount.

[0116] When the delete button 1208 is pressed on the category change reception screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12(A), the products "XX Nori" and "XX Senbei" are deleted (or crossed out). In this case as well, the total amount of the consumables category in the total display area 1202 in Fig. 12(B) becomes "500,000 yen", and a screen is displayed indicating that this is an amount eligible for tax exemption. Furthermore, by confirming the deletion of "XX Nori" and "XX Senbei", all products related to tax exemption (products excluding those not eligible for tax exemption) are displayed.

[0117] In the change completion screen 1220, the total amount of the consumables category is 500,000 yen, which is the upper limit of the tax exemption amount, so the category cannot be changed from the general goods category to the consumables category, but if the total amount of the consumables category falls below 500,000 yen, a category change from the general goods category to the consumables category may be accepted. For example, a button for accepting category change may be displayed on the change completion screen 1220, and when the button is pressed, the products to be changed from the general goods category to the consumables category may be accepted.

[0118] (An example of a case where the tax exemption amount would be exceeded if the exemption candidate was excluded from the consumables category.) Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a change acceptance screen in the case where the tax exemption target amount is no longer applicable if the exclusion candidate is excluded from the consumable classification. In the classification change acceptance screen 1300 shown in Fig. 13, two products, "XX seaweed" and "XX lotion", are selected as candidates to be excluded from the consumable classification, as shown by cursors 1210a and 1210c, due to an incorrect operation by the store clerk or a request from the customer. When the products "XX seaweed" and "XX lotion" are selected, the estimated calculation display 1207 displays the amount (2,000 yen) of the consumable classification when "XX seaweed" (20,000 yen) and "XX lotion" (500,000 yen) are excluded from the consumable classification.

[0119] Here, the tax-free amount for the consumables category is between 5,000 yen and 500,000 yen. Therefore, if "XX seaweed" and "XX lotion" are deleted or made non-tax-free, the purchase amount for the consumables category will be 2,000 yen, which is outside the tax-free amount range. Therefore, when the products "XX seaweed" and "XX lotion" are selected, the POS register 3 displays a warning, as shown in the guidance display 1206, indicating that the amount will no longer be tax-free.

[0120] When the delete button 1208 is pressed while the two products "XX nori" and "XX lotion" are selected, the products "XX nori" and "XX lotion" are deleted (or a line is drawn through them) from the registered products. When the non-tax-free button 1209 is pressed, the products "XX nori" and "XX lotion" become non-tax-free. In addition, when the area showing either the product "XX nori" or "XX lotion" in FIG. 13 is pressed, the selection made by the cursor 1210 is cancelled, and the total price of the consumable category corresponding to the cancelled product is displayed in the trial calculation display 1207.

[0121] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the total price of consumable goods exceeds the tax-free amount, only consumable goods are displayed, and general goods and non-tax-free goods (shoe sole repairs) are not displayed. This prevents the store clerk from mistakenly selecting general goods or non-tax-free goods, making the tax-free procedure more efficient.

[0122] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen when the Confirm button 1204 is pressed when there is a tax-free category that is not eligible for tax exemption. Fig. 14(A) shows a confirmation screen 1400 when the total amount of products in the consumables category is not eligible for tax exemption and the total amount of products in the general goods category is eligible for tax exemption. Fig. 14(B) shows a confirmation screen 1410 when neither the total amount of products in the consumables category nor the total amount of products in the general goods category is eligible for tax exemption. Fig. 14(C) shows a confirmation screen 1420 when the total amount of products in the general goods category is not eligible for tax exemption and the total amount of products in the consumables category is eligible for tax exemption.

[0123] The confirmation screens 1400, 1410, and 1420 each include a guidance display 1401, a back button 1402, a tax exemption rejection button 1403, and a tax exemption acceptance button 1404. The guidance display 1401 indicates that the total price of the products in the consumables category or the general goods category is not the tax exemption eligible amount.

[0124] The back button 1402 is a button that accepts returning to the previous screen (for example, the classification change acceptance screen 1200 in FIG. 12(A)). The tax exemption rejection button 1403 is a button that accepts settlement without tax exemption. When the tax exemption rejection button 1403 is pressed, the tax exemption is cancelled and, for example, the screen transitions to the sub-plan screen 1110 shown in FIG. 11(B).

[0125] The tax exemption approval button 1404 is a button that accepts tax exemption. Here, we will explain why tax-free transactions can be made even if the amount is not within the tax-free amount. Products in the consumables category can be eligible for tax exemption if they meet the tax-free condition that the total amount of the consumables category in one day at one store is more than 5,000 yen and less than 500,000 yen. Therefore, even if the total amount of the consumables category in this transaction does not reach the tax-free amount, it may reach the tax-free amount depending on subsequent transactions on the same day. For this reason, tax-free transactions can be made even if the amount is not within the tax-free amount.

[0126] When the tax exemption approval button 1404 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 15(A). When the tax exemption approval button 1404 is pressed, predetermined warning information may be output. The predetermined warning information may be output, for example, by displaying the difference between the total amount for each tax exemption category and the tax exemption amount on the clerk display unit 21 or printing it on the receipt. This makes it possible to notify the customer that the amount is not tax exempt and of the difference, thereby encouraging the customer to make purchases up to the difference.

[0127] If there is a tax-free category that is not eligible for tax exemption, a hold button may be displayed, and the transaction may be temporarily suspended when the hold button is pressed. During this suspension, the customer may return to the sales floor and pick up an item to make the amount eligible for tax exemption. When the customer brings back a new item, the suspension may be released, and the item may be registered and the tax exemption process may be performed. In this way, if there is a tax-free category that is not eligible for tax exemption, the customer may be encouraged to make a purchase, and the amount may be made eligible for tax exemption before the tax exemption process is performed.

[0128] Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen when inputting passport information and a screen thereafter. Fig. 15(A) shows a passport information input screen 1500. On the passport information input screen 1500, input items such as "type of passport, etc." indicating the type of personal identification such as a passport, "number" indicating the identification number of the passport, etc., the "purchaser's name," "date of birth," and "nationality," as well as "status of residence," and "date of landing," are displayed.

[0129] On the passport information input screen 1500, when the code printed on the passport is read by the scanner unit 35, the information is input into the input items. If the input information needs to be corrected, the input contents can be corrected by operating the input item by pressing the input item. When information is entered into each input item and the Confirm button 1501 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 15(B).

[0130] FIG. 15(B) shows a sub-plan screen 1510. The sub-plan screen 1510 is a screen including a registered product list area 1111, a total display area 1112, a checkout button 1113, and a tax-exemption declaration button 1105. All registered products are displayed in the registered product list area 1111. That is, products that are not eligible for tax exemption ("shoe sole repair") and products that are excluded from tax exemption ("xx seaweed", "xx rice cracker") are also displayed. In the registered product list area 1111, the word "exempt" is displayed for products that are eligible for tax exemption, and the amount without consumption tax is displayed. Furthermore, the amount including tax is displayed for products that are not eligible for tax exemption and products that are excluded from tax exemption.

[0131] The contents displayed in the total display area 1112 include the total taxable amount (amount excluding tax), the total tax amount, the total amount of the consumables category, and the total amount of the general goods category. When the settlement button 1113 is pressed on the small-scale planning screen 1510, the settlement process is carried out with the contents shown on the small-scale planning screen 1510. Note that on the small-scale planning screen 1510 in Fig. 15(B), the estimated tax-free amount display area 1114 (see Fig. 11(B)) is not displayed because the tax-free process has been completed.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 15(B), the sub-plan screen 1510 displays all products, including products that are not eligible for tax exemption and products that are excluded from tax exemption. Therefore, the store clerk can check all registered products. Therefore, even though products that are not eligible for tax exemption are not displayed in the tax exemption process, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of operations related to product registration and settlement.

[0133] (Screen transition when the total amount of consumables does not reach the tax-free amount) Next, with reference to Figs. 16 to 18, screen transitions when the total amount of the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount will be described. Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the clerk display unit 21 when registering a product. Fig. 16(A) shows a product registration screen 1600. In the product registration screen 1600, different products are registered compared to the product registration screen 1100 (see Fig. 11). Specifically, products that may be subject to tax exemption ("○○ rice crackers", "○○ shirts", "○○ towels", "○○ road bikes") and products that are not subject to tax exemption ("shoe sole repairs") are registered. Note that "○○ rice crackers" is a product classified in the consumables category, and "○○ shirts", "○○ towels", and "○○ road bikes" are products classified in the general goods category. When the product registration is completed on the product registration screen 1600 and the subtotal button 1104 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 16(B).

[0134] Fig. 16(B) shows a minor planning screen 1610. The tax exemption declaration button 1105 is enabled on the minor planning screen 1610. When the tax exemption declaration button 1105 is pressed on the minor planning screen 1610, the screen transitions to a screen shown in Fig. 17(A).

[0135] Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of tax-free category when the total amount of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount. Fig. 17(A) shows a category change acceptance screen 1700 when the total amount of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount.

[0136] In the category change reception screen 1700, only general goods category products (XX shirts, XX towels) are displayed in the change target product list area 1201 out of the registered products. In other words, products that cannot be changed in category are not displayed in the change target product list area 1201, and specifically, products in the consumables category (XX rice crackers) and products not eligible for tax exemption (shoe sole repairs) are not displayed.

[0137] Also, on the category change reception screen 1700, the general goods category "XX Road Bike" is not displayed in the change target product list area 1201. This is because although the "XX Road Bike" is a general goods category product, its price is 499,000 yen, and if it were to be reclassified into the consumables category, that is, if the price was added to the price of the XX rice crackers (2,000 yen), it would exceed the upper limit of 500,000 yen for tax exemption in the consumables category.

[0138] In addition, in the change target product list area 1201, the word "exempt" indicating that the product is tax-exempt, or the word "general product" indicating the general product category is displayed for each product. Also, the amount displayed in the change target product list area 1201 indicates the tax-exempt amount.

[0139] The total display area 1202 shows the total amount for each tax-free category of consumables and general goods. In Fig. 17(A), the total amount for the consumables category is "2,000 yen", which means that it is not eligible for tax-free. The total amount for the general goods category is "508,000 yen", which means that it is eligible for tax-free.

[0140] The warning display 1203 indicates that the consumables category is not eligible for tax exemption and indicates the amount (difference) that does not reach the eligible amount for tax exemption. Specifically, the warning display 1203 indicates that the total amount of the consumables category is 3,000 yen short of the lower limit of the eligible amount for tax exemption (5,000 yen).

[0141] The cursor 1210 is operated by the store clerk to indicate a candidate (item) for changing the general goods category to the consumable goods category. The guidance display 1206 indicates that by changing the product "XX towel" indicated by the cursor 1210 to a consumable item, the consumable goods category can be changed to the tax-exempt amount. The cursor 1210 may automatically indicate a candidate for changing from the general goods category to the consumable goods category. Specifically, the POS register 3 may select a product (or a combination of products) with an amount that can be used to replenish the shortfall so that the consumable goods category becomes the tax-exempt amount, and may indicate this with the cursor 1210.

[0142] When a candidate indicated by cursor 1210 is selected, trial calculation display 1207 shows a trial calculation when the product is changed from the general goods category to the consumable goods category. Specifically, when a product (candidate) "XX towel" is selected from the general goods category products shown in change target product list area 1201, trial calculation display 1207 shows the total amount (5,000 yen) of the consumable goods category, which is the sum of "XX rice cracker" (2,000 yen) and "XX towel" (3,000 yen: 1,000 yen x 3). In FIG. 17(A), the "total amount of consumable goods category" and "total amount of general goods category" shown in total display area 1202 may also be changed to the amount according to the selected candidate and displayed.

[0143] The category change button 1701 is a button for accepting a category change of a product selected in the change target product list area 1201. When the category change button 1701 is pressed on the category change acceptance screen 1700 shown in Fig. 17(A), the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 17(B).

[0144] Fig. 17(B) shows quantity designation screen 1710 that accepts the designation of the quantity of the product to be changed to the consumables category. Quantity designation screen 1710 includes quantity designation display 1711. Quantity designation display 1711 accepts the quantity of "XX towels" to be changed to the consumables category. In the figure, a quantity of "3" has been input. When the quantity is accepted and decision button 1712 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 18(A).

[0145] The unit price of "XX towel" is 1000 yen. Since the total amount of the consumables category is 3,000 yen short of the lower limit of the tax-free amount of 5,000 yen, if the quantity of "XX towel" specified in the quantity specification display 1711 is "2" or less, the total amount of the consumables category will not reach the lower limit of the tax-free amount even if "XX towel" is changed to the consumables category. Therefore, if the quantity of "XX towel" is "2" or less, pressing of the decision button 1712 may be invalidated, or a warning indicating that the total amount of the consumables category will not reach the lower limit of the tax-free amount may be displayed when the decision button 1712 is pressed. Also, it may be made impossible to input the quantity of "XX towel" to "2" or less. Also, "3" may be input in advance as the quantity of "XX towel" in the quantity specification display 1711. Also, a notification may be made to encourage the specification of a quantity of "3" or more.

[0146] Also, after the quantity specification on the quantity specification screen 1710 is completed, the product to be subject to the change of the tax-free category may be modified. Specifically, the product to be subject to the change of the tax-free category may be modified from "XX towel" to "XX shirt". Specifically, even after the quantity specification on the quantity specification screen 1710 is completed, "XX shirt" may be displayed as selectable. Then, when "XX shirt" is selected, the guidance display 1206 and the trial calculation display 1207 for when "XX shirt" is selected may be displayed, and the modification may be completed by accepting the pressing of the category change button 1701.

[0147] FIG. 18 shows an example of a screen after changing the tax-free category when the total amount of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount. In the change completion screen 1800 shown in FIG. 18(A), all products related to tax-free (products excluding products not eligible for tax-free) are displayed because the change of category of three "XX shirts" to the consumables category has been confirmed. To specifically explain the change completion screen 1800 shown in FIG. 18(A), for example, the registered product list area 1211 displays products excluding products not eligible for tax-free (shoe sole repair). In the registered product list area 1211, in addition to the character display "exempt" indicating that the product is tax-free, the character display "consumables" indicating the consumables category and the character display "general goods" indicating the general goods category are displayed for each product.

[0148] In addition, in the registered product list area 1211, the product "XX towel" is displayed with "General goods → Consumables" indicating that the tax-free category has been changed from the general goods category to the consumables category. Furthermore, the tax-free amount for the consumables category in the total display area 1202 is "5,000 yen", indicating that this is the tax-free amount. The change completion display 1212 indicates that the "XX towel" has been reclassified to the consumables category and that the amount for the consumables category has become the tax-free amount. In this way, even if the total amount for the consumables category is less than the tax-free amount, by reclassifying the products in the general goods category, the total amount for the products in the consumables category can be made the tax-free amount.

[0149] In addition, since the total amount of the consumable goods category is less than 500,000 yen on the change completion screen 1800, and other general goods categories (e.g., ____ shirts) are also tax-exempt even if they are changed to the consumable goods category, a change in category for general goods category products to the consumable goods category may be accepted. For example, a button for accepting the category change may be displayed on the change completion screen 1800, and when the button is pressed, the product to be changed from the general goods category to the consumable goods category may be accepted.

[0150] When the confirm button 1204 is pressed on the change completion screen 1800, passport information is entered, and when the entry of the passport information is completed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG. 18(B).

[0151] Fig. 18(B) shows the small print screen 1810 after the tax exemption process. In the small print screen 1810, all registered products are displayed in the registered product list area 1111. That is, products that are not subject to tax exemption (for example, "shoe sole repair") are also displayed. In addition, the word "exempt" is displayed on tax-exempt products, indicating that they are tax-exempt.

[0152] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, when the total amount of consumable goods does not reach the tax-free amount, only general goods are displayed, and consumable goods and non-tax-free goods (shoe sole repairs) are not displayed. This prevents the store clerk from mistakenly selecting consumable goods or non-tax-free goods, making the tax-free procedure more efficient.

[0153] (Screen transition when the total amount of general goods does not reach the tax exemption amount) Next, with reference to Figs. 19 to 21, screen transitions when the total amount of the general goods category does not reach the tax-free amount will be described. Fig. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed on the clerk display unit 21 when registering goods. Fig. 19(A) shows a product registration screen 1900. In the product registration screen 1900, different goods are registered compared to the product registration screen 1100 (see Fig. 11). Specifically, goods that may be tax-free ("xx seaweed", "xx shirt") and goods that are not tax-free ("shoe sole repair") are registered. Note that "xx seaweed" is a product classified in the consumables category, and "xx shirt" is a product classified in the general goods category. When the product registration is completed on the product registration screen 1900 and the subtotal button 1104 is pressed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 19(B).

[0154] Fig. 19(B) shows a minor planning screen 1910. The tax exemption declaration button 1105 is enabled on the minor planning screen 1910. When the tax exemption declaration button 1105 is pressed on the minor planning screen 1910, the screen transitions to a screen shown in Fig. 20(A).

[0155] Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for accepting a change of tax-free category when the total amount of general goods does not reach the tax-free amount. Fig. 20(A) shows a category change acceptance screen 2000 when the total amount of general goods does not reach the tax-free amount.

[0156] In the category change reception screen 2000, only the general goods category product (XX shirt) among the registered products is displayed in the change target product list area 1201. In other words, the change target product list area 1201 does not display products that cannot be changed in category, and specifically, it does not display products in the consumables category (XX seaweed) or products that are not eligible for tax exemption (shoe sole repair).

[0157] In addition, the word "non" indicating that the product is not tax-exempt or the word "general product" indicating the general product category is displayed on the products displayed in the change target product list area 1201. In addition, the amount displayed in the change target product list area 1201 indicates the amount including consumption tax.

[0158] The total display area 1202 shows the total amount for each tax-free category of consumables and general goods. In Fig. 20(A), the total amount for the consumables category is "20,000 yen", which means that it is an amount eligible for tax-free. The total amount for the general goods category is "3,000 yen", which means that it is not an amount eligible for tax-free.

[0159] The warning display 1203 indicates that the general goods category is not the tax-exempt amount and indicates the amount (difference) that does not reach the tax-exempt amount. Specifically, the warning display 1203 indicates that the total amount of the general goods category is 2,000 yen short of the lower limit of the tax-exempt amount (5,000 yen).

[0160] The cursor 1210 is operated by a store clerk to indicate a candidate (item) for changing from the general goods category to the consumable goods category. The guidance display 1206 indicates that by changing the product "XX shirt" indicated by the cursor 1210 to a consumable item, the general goods category will become the tax exemption eligible amount. The guidance display 1206 may be displayed on the sub-plan screen 1910 of FIG. 19(B), and in this case, may be displayed as is even after moving to the category change reception screen 2000. The cursor 1210 may automatically indicate a candidate for changing from the general goods category to the consumable goods category. Specifically, the POS register 3 may select a product (or a combination of products) with an amount that can replenish the unsatisfied amount so that the general goods category becomes the tax exemption eligible amount, and point it with the cursor 1210. As shown in the change target product list area 1201 shown in FIG. 20(A), since only one product is registered, the cursor 1210 may be configured to point to the change candidate ("XX shirt") without requiring any operation (selection) by the store clerk.

[0161] When a candidate indicated by cursor 1210 is selected, trial calculation display 1207 shows a trial calculation when the product is changed from the general goods category to the consumable goods category. Specifically, when a product (candidate) "XX shirt" is selected from the general goods category products shown in change target product list area 1201, trial calculation display 1207 shows the total amount (5,000 yen) of the consumable goods category, which is the sum of "XX seaweed" (2,000 yen) and "XX shirt" (3,000 yen). In FIG. 20(A), the "total amount of consumable goods category" and "total amount of general goods category" shown in total display area 1202 may also be changed to the amount according to the selected candidate and displayed.

[0162] The category change button 1701 is a button for accepting a category change of a product selected in the change target product list area 1201. When the category change button 1701 is pressed on the category change acceptance screen 2000 shown in Fig. 20(A), the screen transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 20(B).

[0163] FIG. 20(B) shows an example of a screen after changing the tax-free category when the total amount of products in the consumables category does not reach the tax-free amount. In the change completion screen 2010 shown in FIG. 20(B), all products related to tax-free (products excluding products not eligible for tax-free) are displayed because the change of category of three "XX shirts" to the consumables category has been confirmed. To specifically explain the change completion screen 2010 shown in FIG. 20(B), for example, the registered product list area 1211 displays products excluding products not eligible for tax-free (shoe sole repair). In the registered product list area 1211, each product is displayed with the text "exempt" indicating that it is tax-free, the text "consumables" indicating the consumables category, and, if there is a product in the general goods category, the text "general goods" indicating the general goods category.

[0164] In addition, in the registered product list area 1211, the product "XX shirt" is displayed with "General goods → Consumables", indicating that the tax-free category has been changed from the general goods category to the consumables category. Furthermore, the tax-free amount for the general goods category in the total display area 1202 is "￥0", indicating that there are no products eligible for tax-free in the general goods category. The change completion display 1212 indicates that the "XX shirt" has been reclassified to the consumables category and that the product "XX shirt" is now eligible for tax-free. In this way, even if the total amount of the general goods category does not reach the tax-free amount, the general goods category product can be made eligible for tax-free by reclassifying it to consumables.

[0165] Before transitioning from the category change acceptance screen 2000 in FIG. 20(A) to the change completion screen 2010 in FIG. 20(B), a screen for accepting the specification of the quantity of the product to be changed in category, which corresponds to the quantity specification screen 1710 in FIG. 17(B), may be displayed.

[0166] When the confirm button 1204 is pressed on the change completion screen 2010, passport information is entered, and when the entry of the passport information is completed, the screen transitions to the screen shown in FIG.

[0167] 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a small-scale shopping page 2100 after tax exemption processing. In the small-scale shopping page 2100, all registered products are displayed in the registered product list area 1111. That is, products that are not subject to tax exemption (for example, "shoe sole repair") are also displayed. In addition, the word "exempt" is displayed on tax-exempt products, indicating that they are tax-exempt.

[0168] As shown in Figures 19 to 21, when the total amount of general goods does not reach the tax-free amount, only general goods are displayed, and consumables and non-tax-free items (shoe sole repairs) are not displayed. This prevents the store clerk from mistakenly selecting consumables or non-tax-free items, making the tax-free procedure more efficient.

[0169] As described above, the POS register 3 of this embodiment controls the display of tax-free products when tax-free processing is performed, while controlling the display of non-tax-free products. This makes it possible to prevent non-tax-free products from being displayed during tax-free processing, thereby preventing the store clerk from mistakenly selecting non-tax-free products as tax-free products. This allows the tax-free procedure to be performed efficiently.

[0170] In addition, when performing tax exemption processing, the POS register 3 of this embodiment controls the display of products in the consumables category and the general goods category based on the total amount of each of the consumables category and the general goods category and the tax exemption amount of each tax exemption category. This makes it possible to prevent the display of products in the consumables category when changing a general goods category product to the consumables category, and to prevent the display of products in the general goods category when excluding products in the consumables category. This makes it possible to prevent products other than candidates for change or excluding from being displayed, and to prevent the clerk from erroneously selecting the product. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operations when changing the category of the product or excluding it from tax exemption, and to efficiently carry out the tax exemption procedure.

[0171] Furthermore, in the POS register 3 of this embodiment, when the total amount of the consumables category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount, the products in the consumables category are displayed, but the products in the general goods category are not displayed. This makes it possible to prevent the display of products in the general goods category when excluding products in the consumables category. This makes it possible to prevent products in the general goods category from being displayed, and to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting products in the general goods category. This therefore makes it possible to prevent operational errors when excluding products in the consumables category from the tax-free target, and to efficiently carry out the tax-free procedure.

[0172] In addition, the POS register 3 of this embodiment is adapted to accept an operation to exclude consumable goods from tax exemption. This allows the consumable goods to be easily excluded from tax exemption in response to an operation by a store clerk when the consumable goods exceed the upper limit of the tax exemption amount.

[0173] Furthermore, in the POS register 3 of this embodiment, when at least one of the total amount of the consumable goods category and the total amount of the general goods category is below the lower limit, the POS register 3 controls to display the general goods category products, but does not display the consumable goods category products. This makes it possible to prevent the display of the consumable goods category products when changing the general goods category products to the consumable goods category. This makes it possible to prevent the display of the consumable goods category products, and to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting the consumable goods category products. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation when changing the category of general goods products, and to efficiently carry out the tax exemption procedure.

[0174] In addition, the POS register 3 of this embodiment is adapted to accept an operation to change a general item to a consumable item. This allows a store clerk to easily change a general item to a consumable item when at least one of the total amount of the consumable item and the total amount of the general item is below the lower limit.

[0175] In addition, the POS register 3 of this embodiment is configured to display tax-free and non-tax-free items after the tax-free process is completed. This allows the store clerk to check all registered items. Therefore, even though the non-tax-free items are not displayed during the tax-free process, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the efficiency of operations related to product registration and payment.

[0176] (Modification of the embodiment) Next, modified examples of the embodiment will be described. In each of the following modified examples, the contents described in the above-mentioned embodiment will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, each of the following modified examples and the above-mentioned embodiment can be combined with each other.

[0177] (Variation 1) First, a first modified example of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which products prohibited from being brought into each country are not particularly considered when performing tax-free processing. In the first modified example, in addition to or instead of such a configuration, a configuration will be described in which products prohibited from being brought into each country are considered when performing tax-free processing.

[0178] Prohibited items (hereinafter referred to as "prohibited items") are items that are prohibited from being brought into each country due to the laws or religious reasons of that country. The store controller 2 according to the first modified example stores a prohibited item table 2200 that indicates the prohibited items. Note that the prohibited item table 2200 does not necessarily have to be stored in the store controller 2, but may also be stored in the POS register 3 or an external device (e.g., an external server).

[0179] 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a prohibited product table 2200 showing prohibited products. The prohibited product table 2200 includes fields for data number, product code, product name, and country of prohibited import. By setting information in each field, import prohibition information 2201 is stored as a record.

[0180] The data number is identification information for identifying the import prohibition information 2201. The product code corresponds to the product code stored in the product master 400 (see FIG. 4). The product name is the name of the product. The prohibited countries indicate the names of countries where the product is prohibited from being brought in. As an example, the import prohibition information 2201a is information indicating that the data number is "0001", the product code is "12345678", and the product name is "XX roast pork", and that the product is prohibited from being brought into Iran.

[0181] The POS register 3 according to the first modification includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output control unit in addition to the functional units described in the embodiment. The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the country into which the product is to be brought (hereinafter referred to as "country of arrival information"). The country of arrival information is acquired from passport information. Specifically, the acquisition unit acquires information indicating the country of residence and nationality indicated in the passport information as the country of arrival information. The country of arrival information may be acquired by operational input.

[0182] The determination unit determines whether the products subject to tax-free processing include products that are prohibited from being brought into the country indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Specifically, when the acquisition unit acquires the passport information, the determination unit refers to the prohibited product table 2200 and determines whether the products subject to tax-free processing include products that are prohibited from being brought into the country indicated by the passport information (prohibited products).

[0183] The output control unit outputs the judgment result by the judgment unit. The judgment result includes a judgment result indicating the presence of prohibited items and a judgment result indicating the absence of prohibited items. The output control unit outputs the judgment result to the store clerk display unit 21, thereby causing the store clerk display unit 21 to display the judgment result. Furthermore, if the judgment determines that there are prohibited items, the output control unit notifies the store clerk display unit 21 that there are prohibited items. On the other hand, if the judgment determines that there are no prohibited items, the output control unit may notify the store clerk that there are no prohibited items, or may not notify anything at all.

[0184] In this embodiment, the process of determining whether or not there is a prohibited product is performed after the passport information input process (see step S607 in FIG. 6). If the determination process is performed after the passport information input process, the output control unit may display the determination result by the determination unit in the language obtained by the passport information input process.

[0185] However, the determination process may be performed before the passport information input process, or may be performed during the tax-free process (see step S606 in FIG. 6). To be more specific, when the tax-free process is started, the acquisition unit acquires the carry-in country information by an operation input. Then, in the tax-free process, if prohibited items are included in the tax-free items, the prohibited items may be notified of this. To be more specific, for example, on a screen such as FIG. 12(A), the prohibited items may be displayed with the word "free" and the word "prohibited" indicating that they are prohibited items. Also, an operation to exclude the prohibited items from the tax-free items may be accepted. This allows the prohibited items to be excluded from the tax-free items in the tax-free process.

[0186] Next, the process performed by the POS register 3 according to the modified example 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of a prohibited commodity discrimination process performed by the POS register 3 according to the modified example 1. Note that the process shown in Fig. 23 is performed, for example, after step S607 (passport information input process) in Fig. 6.

[0187] 23, the POS register 3 judges whether the input of the passport information is completed (step S2301). The POS register 3 waits until the input of the passport information is completed (step S2301: NO), and when the input of the passport information is completed (step S2301: YES), the POS register 3 regards the country indicated by the passport information as the country of the import destination and identifies the country of the import destination (step S2302).

[0188] The POS register 3 then refers to the prohibited item table 2200 (step S2303) and determines whether or not the tax-exempt items include any prohibited items (step S2304). If the tax-exempt items include no prohibited items (step S2304: NO), the POS register 3 ends the series of processes. After ending the series of processes, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S602 in FIG. 6.

[0189] If the tax-free items include prohibited items (step S2304: YES), the POS register 3 notifies the user that the prohibited items are included (step S2305). The POS register 3 then performs tax-free exclusion processing (step S2306) and ends the series of processing. In the tax-free exclusion processing in step S2306, a screen is displayed that accepts the exclusion of the prohibited items from the tax-free items, and the prohibited items are excluded from the tax-free items. Specifically, the tax-free exclusion processing accepts whether the prohibited items should be made non-tax-free or deleted from the registration, and processing is performed according to the content of the acceptance.

[0190] According to the first modification, prohibited goods purchased to be brought into one's own country can be prevented from being tax-free. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessary tax-free procedures, and therefore makes the tax-free procedures more efficient. It also makes it possible to prevent customers from mistakenly purchasing prohibited goods, thinking that they can be brought into their own country.

[0191] (Regarding Modification 2) Next, a second modification of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which a passport information input process is performed after the tax exemption process has been described. In the second modification, a configuration in which a passport information input process is performed before the tax exemption process in addition to or instead of the above configuration will be described.

[0192] In the second modification, the POS register 3 does not allow the tax-free classification change process to be performed until the passport information input process is completed. Specifically, the POS register 3 may hide or disable the tax-free declaration button 1105 (see FIG. 11) until the passport information input process is completed. Then, after the passport information input process is completed, the tax-free declaration button 1105 may be enabled.

[0193] In the second modification, the language displayed on the customer display unit 23 during the tax exemption process may be a language based on the passport information. The language based on the passport information is the language of the customer's country of residence (or nationality) obtained from the passport information.

[0194] According to the second modification, the tax-free procedure can be carried out after the customer presents the passport. This prevents the tax-free procedure from going to waste, for example, when the customer starts the tax-free procedure but does not have the passport and is unable to complete the procedure. This allows the tax-free procedure to be carried out efficiently.

[0195] (Regarding Modification 3) Next, a third modification of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which products not eligible for tax exemption (e.g., "shoe sole repair") are not displayed during tax exemption processing (see FIG. 12). In the third modification, a configuration will be described in which products not eligible for tax exemption are displayed during tax exemption processing in addition to or instead of such a configuration.

[0196] In the third modification, the POS register 3 displays the non-tax-exempt item (shoe sole repair) on, for example, the category change acceptance screen 1200 (see FIG. 12(A)) or the change completion screen 1220 (see FIG. 12(B)). In this case, however, the product name and quantity may be displayed but the amount may not be displayed. Furthermore, the non-tax-exempt item may be displayed in a sorted order so as not to interfere with the operations related to the tax-exemption process. Furthermore, the non-tax-exempt item may be displayed in characters that are less visible (for example, smaller characters) than the tax-exempt item. Furthermore, the non-tax-exempt item may be displayed to the effect that it is not subject to tax-exemption.

[0197] According to the third modification, the store clerk can check the non-tax-free products even during the tax-free process. This makes it possible to make the non-tax-free products less noticeable during the tax-free process, which prevents the store clerk from mistakenly selecting non-tax-free products as tax-free products. This allows the tax-free procedure to be carried out efficiently.

[0198] The embodiments will be summarized below. [Name of invention] Product sales data processing device, product sales data processing method, and program TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device, a product sales data processing method, and a program. [Background technology] Conventionally, products purchased by foreign tourists and the like are exempt from consumption tax (hereinafter referred to as "tax-free") when they are taken out of the country. Tax-free products are classified into tax-free categories, for example, consumables category and general goods category. Products classified into the consumables category are products (goods) that are consumed domestically, such as food and beverages. Products classified into the general goods category are products other than consumables, such as products (goods) used in everyday life, such as clothing and home appliances. Products that fall into either the consumables category or the general goods category are eligible for tax exemption if they meet certain conditions set for each tax exemption category. For example, products classified as consumables are eligible for tax exemption if the daily purchase amount is within a certain amount and they are packaged in a specified way so that they are not consumed within Japan. There are also some products that are not tax-free. Specifically, products that are not tax-free include service charges and repair fees. When carrying out the tax-free procedure, tax-free processing is carried out. In the tax-free processing, the POS (Point Of Sales) register displays products by tax-free category, and the store clerk can operate it to change the tax-free category. A related technology is a cash register that registers products into tax-free categories for consumables and general goods, and prints the tax-free category of the product information on a receipt by decoding the barcode attached to the product (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-232773 A [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, the conventional technology has a problem that it is possible that products that should not be tax-free may be exempted from tax, and tax-free procedures cannot be carried out efficiently. For example, in the tax-free process, the salesperson may exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption from tax. In addition, for example, when a customer has taken the trouble to purchase a product that is prohibited from being brought into a country, the salesperson may exempt the product that should not be tax-free from tax. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables efficient tax exemption procedures.

[0199] [Means for solving the problem] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing device which is one aspect of the present invention comprises a registration means for registering products, a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means, and a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on the products registered by the registration means, and the display control means controls the display of tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption (products in the consumables category and products in the general goods category) when the tax exemption processing is performed by the tax exemption processing means, while controlling the display of non-tax exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption (for example, products that indicate the provision of a service such as "shoe sole repair"). This product sales data processing device is characterized in that it comprises: a registration means for registering products, a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means, and a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on the products registered by the registration means, and the display control means controls the display of tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption (products in the consumables category and products in the general goods category) when the tax exemption processing is performed by the tax exemption processing means, while controlling the display of non-tax exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption (for example, products that indicate the provision of a service such as "shoe sole repair"). According to the above configuration, since it is possible to prevent non-tax-exempt products from being displayed during the tax-exemption process, it is possible to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting a non-tax-exempt product as a tax-exempt product, thereby making it possible to efficiently carry out the tax-exemption procedure.

[0200] In the above configuration, the tax-free products include products in a first tax-free category (e.g., consumables category) whose tax-free category cannot be changed, and products in a second tax-free category (e.g., general goods category) whose tax-free category can be changed, and when the tax-free processing is performed, the display control means may control the display of the products in the first tax-free category and the display of the products in the second tax-free category based on the total amount of each of the first and second tax-free categories ("5,000 yen or more" for the general goods category, and "a range of 5,000 yen or more and 500,000 yen or less" for the consumables category) and the tax-free amount of each of the tax-free categories.

[0201] According to the above configuration, when changing a product in the second tax-free category to the first tax-free category, it is possible to prevent the product in the first tax-free category from being displayed, and when excluding a product in the first tax-free category, it is possible to prevent the product in the second tax-free category from being displayed. This makes it possible to prevent products other than the candidates for change or exclusion from being displayed, and to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting the product. This prevents erroneous operation when changing the category of the product or excluding it from tax-free items, and allows the tax-free procedure to be carried out efficiently.

[0202] In the above configuration, when the total amount of the first tax-free category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount for the first tax-free category (e.g., 500,000 yen), the display control means may perform control to display products in the first tax-free category, while performing control not to display products in the second tax-free category. According to the above configuration, when excluding products in the first tax-free category, products in the second tax-free category can be prevented from being displayed. This prevents products in the second tax-free category from being displayed, and prevents the store clerk from mistakenly selecting products in the second tax-free category. This prevents erroneous operation when excluding products in the first tax-free category from tax-free items, and allows the tax-free procedure to be carried out efficiently.

[0203] In the above configuration, an exclusion reception means may be provided for receiving an operation to exclude the first tax-free category product displayed by the display control means from the tax-free items (to make it taxable or to delete it from the registered items). According to the above configuration, when the amount of a commodity in the first tax-free category exceeds the upper limit of the tax-free amount, the commodity in the first tax-free category can be easily excluded from the tax-free amount in response to an operation by a store clerk.

[0204] In the above configuration, the display control means may be configured to control the display of products in the second tax-free category while controlling the display of products in the first tax-free category when at least one of the total amount of the first tax-free category and the total amount of the second tax-free category is below a lower limit (for example, less than 5,000 yen). According to the above configuration, when changing a product in the second tax-free category to the first tax-free category, it is possible to prevent the product in the first tax-free category from being displayed. This makes it possible to prevent the product in the first tax-free category from being displayed, and to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting the product in the first tax-free category. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operation when changing the category of a product in the first tax-free category, and to efficiently carry out the tax-free procedure.

[0205] In the above configuration, the display device may further comprise a change acceptance means for accepting an operation to change the second tax-free category product displayed by the display control means to the first tax-free category product. According to the above configuration, when at least one of the total price of the consumables category and the total price of the general goods category is below the lower limit, products in the general goods category can be easily changed to the consumables category in response to a store clerk's operation.

[0206] In the above configuration, the display control means may perform control to display the tax-exempt products and the tax-exempt products after the tax-exemption process is completed. According to the above configuration, the store clerk can check all registered products. Therefore, even if non-tax-exempt products are not displayed during the tax-exemption process, it is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency related to product registration and payment.

[0207] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing method which is another aspect of the present invention is a product sales data processing method performed by a product sales data processing device, and includes a registration step of registering a product, a display control step of displaying product information indicating the product registered in the registration step, and a tax exemption processing step of performing tax exemption processing on the product registered in the registration step, characterized in that in the display control step, when the tax exemption processing is performed in the tax exemption processing step, control is performed to display tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption, while control is performed not to display non-tax exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption. According to the above configuration, since it is possible to prevent non-tax-exempt products from being displayed during the tax-exemption process, it is possible to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting a non-tax-exempt product as a tax-exempt product, thereby making it possible to efficiently carry out the tax-exemption procedure.

[0208] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer used in a product sales data processing device to function as a registration means for registering products, a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means, and a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on the products registered by the registration means, and the display control means, when the tax exemption processing is performed by the tax exemption processing means, performs control to display tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption, while performing control to not display tax exempt products that are not eligible for tax exemption. According to the above configuration, since it is possible to prevent non-tax-exempt products from being displayed during the tax-exemption process, it is possible to prevent the store clerk from mistakenly selecting a non-tax-exempt product as a tax-exempt product, thereby making it possible to efficiently carry out the tax-exemption procedure.

[0209] In addition, a product sales data processing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: A registration means for registering a product; a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on the products registered by the registration means; A means for obtaining information indicating the country into which the goods are to be brought (e.g., from passport information); a determination means for determining whether or not the goods subject to the tax-free processing include goods that are prohibited from being brought into the country indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition means; an output means for outputting a result of the determination made by the determination means (e.g., a notification that a prohibited item is present); The present invention relates to a product sales data processing device. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent products that are prohibited from being brought into one's own country from being tax-free. This makes it possible to avoid unnecessary tax-free procedures, and therefore to efficiently carry out the tax-free procedures. It is also possible to prevent customers from mistakenly purchasing products that are prohibited from being brought into their own country, thinking that they can be brought into their own country.

[0210] In the above description, the registration unit, the tax exemption processing unit, the display control unit, the exclusion reception unit, the change reception unit, the acquisition unit, the determination unit, and the output control unit are configured to be included in the POS register 3. These functional units may be included in other computer devices. For example, these functional units may be included in the store controller 2, or may be included in a computer device other than the store controller 2 (for example, a monitoring terminal or an external server). In addition, the number of computer devices in which these functional units are included is not limited to one, and may be multiple. For example, some of the functional units may be included in one computer device, and other functional units may be included in another computer device. In the above description, the product master 400 and the prohibited product table 2200 are configured to be recorded in the store controller 2, but this is not limited thereto, and they may be recorded in other computer devices (such as the POS register 3 or an external server).

[0211] The program for implementing the POS system 1 and the POS register 3 described above may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read into a computer system for execution. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to storage devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be for implementing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0212] 1. POS system 2. Store controller 3. POS register 21...Display section for clerk 22...Key operation section 23...Customer display section 24…Card payment department 25…Printing Department 31…CPU 32...ROM 33…RAM 34…Communications Department 35…Scanner section 36…Drawer 37...Audio output section

Claims

1. A registration means for registering a product; a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means; a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption among the products registered by the registration means; Equipped with The display control means controls to display, on the same screen, a list of the tax-exempt products and the non-tax-exempt products registered by the registration means, and an estimated tax-exemption amount when the tax-exemption process is performed on the tax-exempt products. A product sales data processing device comprising:

2. The display control means controls display of the tax amount in the case where the tax exemption process is not performed for the tax exempt product registered by the registration means.

2. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1.

3. The display control means controls to display a taxable amount indicating a total amount of taxable goods on the same screen.

3. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the product sales data processing device is a data processing device for processing a product sales data.

4. When the tax-free processing is performed by the tax-free processing means, the display control means controls so that the tax-free items can be displayed, while controlling so that the tax-exempt items are not displayed.

4. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1,

5. A computer used in a product sales data processing device, a registration means for registering the product; a display control means for displaying product information indicating the products registered by the registration means; a tax exemption processing means for performing tax exemption processing on tax exempt products that are eligible for tax exemption among the products registered by the registration means; Function as a The display control means controls to display, on the same screen, a list of the tax-exempt products and the non-tax-exempt products registered by the registration means, and an estimated tax-exemption amount when the tax-exemption process is performed on the tax-exempt products. A program characterized by:

Images