Article sales data processor and program

Abstract

To grant benefits to customers as appropriate.SOLUTION: An article sales data processor includes first acquisition means, retention control means, transaction processing means, writing means, and display control means. The first acquisition means acquires membership information from a medium. The retention control means allows the retention means to retain the membership information. The transaction processing means is capable of processing multiple transactions. If the membership information is retained in the retention means when the transaction is completed, the writing means writes the privilege information to be granted to the member to the medium. The display control means is capable of displaying information in active display, which indicates that it is operable with respect to one of the transactions, and in inactive display, which indicates that it is inoperable with respect to other transactions other than the one transaction. The retention control means removes the membership information from the retention means if the membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction of a customer in the active display is displayed in the inactive display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a merchandise sales data processing device, a merchandise sales data processing system, a registration device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to increase the frequency of customers' visits to stores, various stores have been providing services that provide benefits such as points. For example, a customer is given a membership card (point card), and is prompted to present the membership card when making a transaction. Points are then awarded to the membership card, and the customer can make a transaction using the awarded points.

[0003] As a related technique, a method for managing reward points has been disclosed in which a customer can accumulate points by using his / her personal information processing device even after purchasing a product (for example, see Patent Document 1). In recent years, POS registers that can switch between and process multiple transactions or process multiple transactions simultaneously in parallel have become widespread. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-141405 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, when multiple transactions are processed, points may be awarded to a customer other than the customer to whom the points should be awarded, and therefore points may not be awarded appropriately. For example, if multiple transactions are processed when a second customer starts a transaction while the first customer is presenting a membership card and the second customer is making a transaction, there is a risk that the points that should be awarded to the second customer may be awarded to the first customer.

[0006] 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 can appropriately give benefits to customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first acquisition means for acquiring membership information from a medium, a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means, a transaction processing means capable of processing multiple transactions, a writing means for writing to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member when membership information is stored in the storage means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, and a display control means for displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the multiple transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state, wherein the storage control means deletes the membership information from the storage means when membership information is stored in the storage means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [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] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a member information table 400 stored in the management server Sv. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a product master 500 stored in a store controller 2. FIG. [Figure 6]2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of an operation example in the POS system 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a new transaction start process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a product registration process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a multiple transaction process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a settlement start process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a point giving process performed by the POS register 3. [Figure 12] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 17] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. [Figure 18] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receipt issued by a POS register 3. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system 1900 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an instruction slip. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a POS terminal device 20. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of operation in the self-payment mode. [Diagram 23] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a point giving process performed by a registered POS terminal device 20a. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a settlement process performed by a settlement POS terminal device 20b. [Diagram 25] A schematic diagram explaining an outline of operation in the face-to-face settlement specification. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a multiple transaction process performed by the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 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. The POS system 1 is an example of a product sales data processing system. As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a management server Sv, a store controller 2, and a POS register 3. The devices are connected to each other via a communication line 6, either wired or wirelessly. The communication line 6 is a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The management server Sv and the POS register 3 communicate with each other via the store controller 2. However, this is not limited to the above, and the management server Sv and the POS register 3 may communicate with each other directly. Although FIG. 1 shows a plurality of POS registers 3, the number of POS registers 3 may be one.

[0010] The management server Sv is an example of a management device. The management server Sv is a server device that manages various information such as information on customers, information on stores St, and information on products. The information on customers includes, for example, membership information on registered customers. The membership information includes customer information on customers and point information awarded (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, the information on stores St managed by the management server Sv includes information such as sales and number of customers visiting each store St. Furthermore, the information on products managed by the management server Sv includes information such as the number of products in stock and the number of products sold for each store St.

[0011] The store controller 2 is a management device that performs administrative processes such as managing products in the store St, tallying up sales results, and managing customers. The store controller 2 stores a product master 500 (see FIG. 5) that stores member information and product information for each product. The product master 500, which will be described in detail later, is a data table that stores product information that associates product codes, product names, prices, and the like for each product.

[0012] The POS register 3 is an example of a product sales data processing device. The POS register 3 is a cash register device equipped with a product registration processing unit that performs product registration processing, and a settlement processing unit that performs settlement processing for the registered products. The product registration processing unit registers products to be purchased by a customer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "purchased products") and generates registration information. The settlement processing unit executes settlement processing to settle the total amount of the purchased products (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "purchase amount") using the registration information generated by the product registration processing unit.

[0013] The POS system 1 may include a portable terminal device carried by a store clerk. The portable terminal device is, for example, a smartphone or a mobile phone. In response to a call request from the POS register 3, the portable terminal device notifies the store clerk of the call or receives the call. This enables the store clerk to quickly support the customer in the POS system 1. The portable terminal device may be lent to each store clerk or may be owned by each store clerk.

[0014] (Example of the appearance of the POS register 3) Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a general external view of the POS register 3. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the POS register 3 as seen from the store clerk (operator) 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, a printing unit 25, and a card reading and writing terminal 26.

[0015] The store clerk's display unit 21 is a touch display operated by the store clerk. The store clerk's display unit 21 displays preset keys and the like, displays various information to the store clerk, and accepts various inputs from the store clerk.

[0016] The key operation unit 22 is a keyboard provided with various keys. The various keys are operation keys (hardware keys or buttons) such as numeric keys for inputting quantities and prices, keys corresponding to products for registering products, and a closing key for closing the transaction. The key operation unit 22 accepts various inputs from store clerks.

[0017] The customer-side display unit 23 is a touch display that displays various information to the customer. The customer-side 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-side display unit 23 displays an age verification screen and accepts an age verification operation from the customer.

[0018] The card payment unit 24 is a payment mechanism that performs payment using a contact card (e.g., a magnetic card). The cards that are read by the card payment unit 24 are, for example, credit cards and prepaid cards. For example, the card payment unit 24 can read card information and perform payment using the read information.

[0019] The printing unit 25 is a printer device that prints out detailed statements of the purchased items as various forms (receipts). The printing unit 25 can also print out various documents such as invoices in addition to receipts.

[0020] The card reading and writing terminal 26 is a payment mechanism that performs payment using a contactless card (e.g., an IC card). Cards that are read by the card reading and writing terminal 26 include, for example, credit cards, membership cards Mc, and prepaid cards. The membership cards Mc store the number of points that have been awarded (point information). The card reading and writing terminal 26 is capable of, for example, reading the cumulative number of points stored in the membership cards Mc, and writing an updated number of points to the membership cards Mc. The card reading and writing terminal 26 also includes a display and an operation unit. The display displays the number of points and the remaining balance. The operation unit accepts the number of points to be used.

[0021] In this embodiment, the POS register 3 may integrate the card settlement unit 24 and the card reading and writing terminal 26 into one functional unit. That is, one of the functional units may be provided in the other.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The RAM 33 is a read / write 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 501 acquired from a product master 500 (see FIG. 5) stored by the store controller 2, and point information acquired from a membership card Mc. The information generated during processing is, for example, registration information generated during product registration processing and settlement information generated during settlement processing. The POS register 3 may include other memories such as a hard disk in addition to the RAM 33.

[0025] The communication unit 34 transmits and receives information between the store controller 2 and other POS registers 3.

[0026] The scanner unit 35 optically reads code information (for example, barcodes or two-dimensional codes) attached to products, membership codes on membership cards, and store clerk codes attached to store clerk nametags. The scanner unit 35 also reads code information written on order sheets for products. In addition to the above, the scanner unit 35 also reads accounting coupons (registered trademarks) in which registration information generated in other POS registers 3 is coded, gift coupons, and codes printed on various cards.

[0027] The drawer 36 is a storage unit that stores bills and coins received from a customer. The drawer 36 is designed to be pulled out in response to the operation of the key operation unit 22. The audio output unit 37 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 37 outputs a sound when a product is read, an operation sound of the key operation unit 22, a warning sound, audio guidance, and the like.

[0028] 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 remove the change.

[0029] (An example of a member information table) Next, an example of the member information table 400 stored by the management server Sv will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the member information table 400 stored by the management server Sv. As shown in Fig. 4, the member information table 400 includes items such as customer identification information, customer name, phone number, customer rank, and number of points.

[0030] The customer identification information is identification information that uniquely identifies a customer, and is, for example, a membership number. The customer identification information is, for example, information that is assigned when a customer registers as a member. The customer name is the customer's name, nickname, or the like. The telephone number may be a landline telephone number installed at the customer's home or a telephone number of a smartphone or the like owned by the customer.

[0031] Customer rank is a rank according to a customer's purchasing history. Customer rank is expressed, for example, in three levels, from "A" to "C." Customer rank is determined, for example, according to the purchase amount within a specified period and the frequency of visits to the store. For example, customer rank "A" indicates a member with the highest quality. Customer rank "C" indicates a member with the lowest quality. Customer rank "B" indicates a member with a lower quality than customer rank "A" but a higher quality than customer rank "C."

[0032] The number of points is the total number of points given to a customer for shopping. The number of points is given according to, for example, the purchase amount or frequency of purchase. In addition, different values ​​of points may be given according to, for example, the day of the week, the date, the product purchased, etc.

[0033] In addition to the above items, the member information table 400 may also include items such as address, email address, and date of birth, as well as items of purchase history such as purchase amount and purchased items.

[0034] Member information 401 (401a, 401b, ...) is stored as records by entering information in each item shown in member information table 400. As an example, member information 401a indicates that customer identification information is "C0000001", customer name is "Teraoka Taro", telephone number is "090-7777-4444", customer rank is "A", and points are "3850".

[0035] In this embodiment, the member information 401 is also stored in a member card Mc. Specifically, for example, the member information 401a is also stored in a member card Mc held by a customer named "Taro Teraoka." Similarly, the member information 401b is also stored in a member card Mc held by a customer named "Jiro Terayama."

[0036] (About the data structure of product master data) Next, the product master 500 stored in the store controller 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product master 500 stored in the store controller 2. The product master 500 is a table that stores product information of each product for each membership rank.

[0037] The product master 500 includes fields for member rank, product code, product name, and price (member price or price by member rank). By setting information in each field, product information 501 is stored as a record. Note that each field shown in the product master 500 is merely an example, and other fields may be included, such as a field indicating the product classification, a field indicating the discount rate if a discount is applicable, and a field indicating whether age verification is required.

[0038] Membership rank indicates either "A," "B," or "C," or non-membership. Product code is identification information uniquely assigned to a product. Product name is the name of the product. Price for member rank A indicates the price applicable to customers with member rank A. As an example, product information 501a is applicable to a customer with product rank "A," and indicates that the product code is "12345678," the product name is "Lettuce," and the price is "198 yen."

[0039] Note that we will provide some additional information regarding the prices of each product shown in Figure 5. The price of the product name "Lettuce" is a flat rate of "198 yen" regardless of membership rank. Specifically, this shows that "Lettuce" is the same price (non-member price) for members and non-members alike. The price of the product name "Milk" is different for members and non-members. Specifically, this shows that the price of "Milk" is a member price of "190 yen" and a non-member price of "200 yen". The price of the product name "Pumpkin" is different depending on the membership rank. Specifically, this shows that the price of "Pumpkin" is different for members and non-members, and furthermore, that the price differs for each membership rank: "A", "B", and "C".

[0040] (Example of operation in POS system 1) Next, the process flow in the POS system 1 and the actions of people (store clerks and customers) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of an example of operation in the POS system 1. As shown in FIG. 6(A), the POS register 3 accepts an operation by a store clerk and performs a registration process of purchased items. The POS register 3 also accepts an operation by a store clerk and performs a settlement process using the registration information generated in the registration process. In the settlement process, settlement is performed according to the payment type. For example, in the case of a cash payment, the store clerk inputs the cash received from the customer and calculates the change. In the case of a credit card payment, the credit card is inserted into a connected payment terminal, the card number is read, and the read card number is encrypted and transmitted.

[0041] Here, the POS register 3 can switch between multiple transactions. Specifically, the POS register 3 can register the purchases of the next customer (hereinafter referred to as the "next customer") while processing the settlement of the previous customer (hereinafter referred to as the "previous customer").

[0042] In addition, the POS register 3 displays a tab corresponding to the transaction (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a "transaction tab"). For example, when the POS register 3 is performing a registration process for the purchased items of the previous customer or a settlement process for the previous customer, the POS register 3 actively displays a transaction tab corresponding to the transaction of the previous customer.

[0043] Here, the tab indicates the transaction screen currently being processed, and indicates an operable state. The tab also includes a display area for checking whether there are other transactions that are temporarily waiting (put on hold) during registration. The tab also has a function of accepting an operation to switch between an active (main) transaction area on the screen and an inactive (other) transaction area. The tab also displays whether a transaction is currently being processed or is on hold so that it can be visually confirmed. In this embodiment, multiple transactions are displayed on the screen as tabs, but this is not limited to this. For example, multiple transactions may be divided and displayed on their own screens. However, even in this case, it is sufficient that one transaction among the multiple transactions is displayed as active and the other transactions are displayed as inactive, so that they can be distinguished, and the display can be switched between them by pressing the area in which the transaction is displayed or a mechanical key.

[0044] Furthermore, if the previous customer has a membership card Mc, the previous customer (or a store clerk) has the membership card Mc read by the card reading and writing terminal 26. In this embodiment, in principle, a transaction is carried out with the membership card Mc placed on the card reading and writing terminal 26 from the start to the end of the transaction. When the card reading and writing terminal 26 reads the point information stored on the membership card Mc, it displays the number of points on the customer side display unit 23 or the store clerk side display unit 21, and accepts the number of points to be used in the transaction.

[0045] When the previous customer's payment process is complete, the POS register 3 writes updated point information on the membership card Mc, including the number of points awarded and the number of points used in this transaction. The previous customer then finishes their shopping, being careful not to forget to remove the membership card Mc that is being held over the card reading and writing terminal 26. After this, the POS register 3 similarly starts the registration process and payment process for the next customer. When the POS register 3 starts the registration process for the items purchased by the next customer, it holds, for example, the membership information 401 of the next customer, and actively displays the transaction tab corresponding to the next customer's transaction as the main transaction tab.

[0046] Since the POS register 3 can switch between multiple transactions, for example, as shown in Fig. 6(B), if the previous customer is having difficulty removing cash from his wallet, the store clerk may start the registration process for the next customer. At this time, the POS register 3 displays the tab corresponding to the previous customer's transaction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "previous customer transaction tab") inactive, and displays the tab corresponding to the next customer's transaction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "next customer transaction tab") active. The next customer's transaction may be started in the middle of registering the products of the previous customer's transaction, or may be started by carrying out a provisional closing process for the previous customer's transaction.

[0047] The next customer transaction tab may be displayed from the beginning. Specifically, when another tab (any of the multiple tabs) is pressed during the registration of the previous customer, the previous customer transaction tab may be put on hold (displayed inactive) and the pressed tab may be displayed as the next customer transaction tab in an active state. Also, without being limited to this, the next customer transaction tab may be displayed as an active state by generating a transaction screen by receiving an operation instruction (pressing a touch key, a mechanical key, etc.) indicating "register next customer" during the registration of the previous customer. Also, the previous customer transaction tab and the next customer transaction tab can be switched when a previous customer transaction that has not been settled is temporarily put on hold, or when a process that has been completed up to the subtotal is put on hold (temporarily closed).

[0048] (If points are not awarded properly) Here, there are cases where points are not awarded appropriately. To explain this, assume that the POS register 3 starts the registration process for the next customer, as shown in FIG. 6(B), and switches between processing multiple transactions. In this case, for example, if the membership card of the previous customer is read by the card reading / writing terminal 26, there is a risk that points that should be awarded to the next customer will be awarded to the previous customer. As a result, point information may be written to the membership card Mc of a customer other than the customer to whom the points should be awarded. Below, a detailed description will be given of how the POS system 1 according to this embodiment makes it possible to award points appropriately.

[0049] (Functional configuration of POS register 3) First, the functional configuration of the POS register 3 will be described. The POS register 3 comprises a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, an input reception unit, a storage control unit, a transaction processing unit, a writing unit, a transmission control unit, a display control unit, and a request unit. Each unit is realized by the CPU 31 of the POS register 3. That is, the CPU 31 of the POS register 3 executes a predetermined program (a product sales data processing program) to realize the function of each unit. The POS register 3 also comprises a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a "member information storage unit"). The member information storage unit is realized by, for example, the RAM 33.

[0050] The first acquisition unit acquires member information 401 from a medium. The medium stores the member information 401. The medium is, for example, a member card Mc. However, the medium is not limited to a member card Mc, and may be a portable terminal device (for example, a smartphone) that stores the member information 401.

[0051] The retention control unit causes the member information retention unit to retain the member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit. Note that retaining the member information 401 means temporarily storing the member information 401. In this embodiment, the member information retention unit is capable of retaining only one piece of member information, and does not retain multiple pieces of member information 401. When member information 401 is acquired by the first acquisition unit, the retention control unit causes the member information retention unit to retain the member information 401.

[0052] The transaction processing unit is capable of processing multiple transactions. The multiple transactions are, for example, two transactions, one with the previous customer and one with the next customer. Note that the multiple transactions are not limited to two transactions, and may be three or more transactions. For example, the transaction processing unit can process three transactions, one with the previous customer, one with the next customer, and one with the customer after that. In this case, three transaction tabs will be displayed.

[0053] The writing unit writes the benefit information on the member card Mc. The benefit information is, for example, point information (number of points) to be awarded. However, the benefit information is not limited to this, and may be information indicating a discount or information indicating an item to be provided. In this embodiment, the benefit information is described as point information. If member information 401 is held in the member information holding unit when a transaction is completed by the transaction processing unit, the writing unit writes the point information to be awarded to the member on the member card Mc. In the case of card payment (credit card, electronic money, code payment, etc.), the writing unit may write the point information on the member card Mc when the card payment is completed.

[0054] The display control unit displays transaction tabs corresponding to each of the multiple transactions on the store clerk display unit 21, and can display each transaction tab in an active display or an inactive display. The active display is a display that indicates that one of the multiple transaction tabs is in an operable state. The inactive display is a display that indicates that transaction tabs other than the one transaction tab are in an inoperable state.

[0055] The display control unit may change a transaction tab that is being displayed as active to an inactive display. For example, when the previous customer transaction tab is displayed as active and payment is being made, the previous customer may have difficulty removing cash from his / her wallet, and the registration process for the next customer may begin. In this case, the display control unit changes the previous customer transaction tab to an inactive display and displays the next customer transaction tab as active. The transaction tabs may be switched between active and inactive display automatically in response to the start of the registration process for the next customer, or may be switched manually in response to an operation by a store clerk.

[0056] When a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control unit is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 is stored in the storage unit, the storage control unit deletes the member information 401 from the storage unit. Specifically, when a transaction tab that is actively displayed by the display control unit is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is the member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit, the storage control unit deletes the member information 401 from the member information storage unit. This makes it possible to prevent points from being awarded to the member card Mc when a transaction to be processed is changed among multiple transactions. This makes it possible to prevent point information from being written to a member card Mc of a member other than the member to whom points should originally be awarded.

[0057] The timing for deleting member information 401 is when the next customer transaction tab becomes active (the next customer registration screen is enabled), and specifically, for example, when the next customer registration button is pressed or when another transaction tab is pressed. Furthermore, without being limited to this, the timing for deleting member information 401 may be when the next customer transaction tab becomes active and the first product is registered in the next customer transaction. Specifically, the timing for deleting member information 401 may be when next customer registration becomes enabled and registration of one product begins, such as when a product is registered with a preset key or a product barcode is scanned.

[0058] (When retrieving member information 401 from the management server Sv) If the customer does not have a membership card Mc, the second acquisition unit acquires the membership information 401 from the management server Sv. This will be described in detail. The second acquisition unit acquires the membership information 401 from the management server Sv that manages the membership information 401 for each membership card Mc. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the membership information 401 is associated with a membership number and a telephone number. It is sufficient that the membership information 401 is associated with at least one of the membership number and the telephone number.

[0059] The input acceptance unit accepts input of either a membership number or a telephone number. The input acceptance unit accepts the input from, for example, the store clerk's display unit 21. For example, the store clerk asks the customer for their telephone number, and inputs the telephone number answered by the customer through operation of the store clerk's display unit 21. The input acceptance unit may also accept the input through operation of the customer's display unit 23. The input acceptance unit is not limited to accepting the input through operation input, and may also accept the input through voice input.

[0060] The information accepted by the input accepting unit may be any information that can be used to narrow down the member information. That is, the information accepted by the input accepting unit is not limited to a member number and a telephone number, but may be, for example, a date of birth, an address, a postal code, an email address, etc. However, if the information accepted by the input accepting unit is to be information entered from a numeric keypad, it is preferable that the information is a combination of numbers only.

[0061] The second acquisition unit acquires member information 401 from the management server Sv based on the input accepted by the input acceptance unit. Specifically, when the input is accepted by the input acceptance unit, the second acquisition unit makes an inquiry to the management server Sv using the input information. The management server Sv identifies the member information 401 including the input information. The management server Sv transmits the identified member information 401 to the POS register 3. This enables the second acquisition unit to acquire the member information 401 from the management server Sv.

[0062] When member information 401 is acquired by the second acquisition unit, the retention control unit retains the member information 401 in the member information retention unit. That is, the retention control unit retains member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit in the member information retention unit of RAM 33. When a transaction tab that is actively displayed by the display control unit is inactively displayed, the retention control unit retains the member information 401 as is in the member information retention unit if the member information 401 retained in the member information retention unit is member information 401 acquired by the second acquisition unit. That is, the retention control unit retains the member information 401 as is in the member information retention unit because the member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv is not intended for the granting of points to the member card Mc in the first place.

[0063] (Regarding sending member information 401 to the management server Sv) The POS register 3 transmits the updated member information 401 to the management server Sv so that the management server Sv manages the latest member information 401. Specifically, when a transaction by the transaction processing unit is completed, the transmission control unit transmits to the management server Sv point information to be granted to the member identified by the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit. Whether the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit is member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit or member information 401 acquired by the second acquisition unit, the transmission control unit transmits the point information to the management server Sv. When the management server Sv receives the point information, it updates the number of points in the corresponding member information 401.

[0064] (Regarding not writing member information 401 to the member card Mc) In addition, the POS register 3 may not write the member information 401 to the member card Mc due to the member card being displayed as inactive. This will be specifically described. When a transaction of a customer that is displayed as active by the display control unit is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is the member information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the writing unit does not write point information to the member card Mc. This is because the member information 401 acquired by the second acquisition unit is stored in the member information storage unit when it is assumed that the member card Mc is not in possession of the member card Mc in the first place, and therefore the possibility that the member card Mc is held over the card reading and writing terminal 26 is low. Furthermore, even if the member card Mc is read by the card reading and writing terminal 26, there is a high possibility that the member card Mc is the member card Mc of a customer (e.g., a subsequent customer) different from the customer to whom the points are to be awarded.

[0065] In addition, not writing means that writing is prohibited or writing is invalidated. For example, in the case where a write button that accepts writing is displayed, not writing may mean that writing is prohibited even if the write button is pressed, or the write button may be hidden or grayed out to invalidate pressing of the button. In addition, when the current total key (closing key) is pressed while the member card Mc is read by the card reading and writing terminal 26, point information may be written to the member card Mc. For example, as in this embodiment, when a member card Mc that does not have a member number matching function is read by the card reading and writing terminal 26, writing may be performed on any member card Mc. On the other hand, when the member card Mc is not read by the card reading and writing terminal 26, point information cannot be written, so an error message such as "Please place the card" may be displayed.

[0066] (Regarding the request to obtain member information 401) The POS register 3 may request the acquisition of member information 401. This will be described in detail. The request unit requests the acquisition of member information 401 after the start of a transaction. The request unit requests the acquisition of member information 401 before settlement is started, specifically, before the settlement start button is pressed. The settlement start button is, for example, a "current total key" or a "non-cash settlement start button". This allows the member price and a price according to the member rank to be reflected in the settlement. The request unit makes a request by an announcement on the customer side display unit 23, such as "Please have your membership card read by the card reader" or "Please leave your membership card in the card reader until settlement is completed." The request by the request unit may include a voice.

[0067] The POS register 3 may acquire the member information 401 after the settlement is started. In this case, the POS register 3 may perform settlement (recalculation) again to reflect the member price or a price according to the member rank.

[0068] (Regarding the request to obtain member information 401 when the page is displayed as active again) The POS register 3 may request to obtain member information 401 when displaying the tab as active again. This will be described in detail. The display control unit may make a transaction tab that is displayed as inactive active again. For example, when the next customer transaction tab is displayed as active and a product is being registered, the previous customer's payment preparation may be completed and the payment process for that previous customer may begin. In this case, the display control unit, in response to the clerk's operation, displays the previous customer transaction tab as active and displays the next customer transaction tab as inactive.

[0069] The request unit requests the first acquisition unit to acquire the membership information 401 when a transaction that was displayed as inactive by the display control unit is displayed as active again after the membership information 401 is deleted by the retention control unit. For example, the request unit requests the first acquisition unit to acquire the previous customer's membership information 401 when the previous customer's transaction is displayed as active again by the display control unit after the membership information 401 of the previous customer is deleted by the retention control unit. Specifically, the request unit makes a request by notifying the customer side display unit 23, for example, "Points will be awarded after settlement is completed, so please have your membership card read by the card reader."

[0070] Even if a transaction that was displayed as inactive by the display control unit is displayed as active again, it is assumed that the member information 401 has not been deleted by the retention control unit, that is, it is assumed that the member information 401 has been obtained from the management server Sv. In this case, the request unit may not request the member information 401.

[0071] (An example of a new transaction start process performed by the POS register 3) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a new transaction start process performed by the POS register 3. In FIG. 7, the POS register 3 judges whether or not a new transaction is to be started (step S701). The start of a new transaction is, for example, the pressing of the member card reading button 1207 (see FIG. 12). However, the start of a new transaction is not limited to this, and may also be the pressing of a button indicating the start of registration, the scanning of a product, etc. The POS register 3 waits until the start of a new transaction (step S701: NO).

[0072] When a new transaction is to begin (step S701: YES), the POS register 3 issues a notification encouraging the user to hold the membership card Mc over the card reading and writing terminal 26 (step S702). The POS register 3 then determines whether the membership card Mc has been held over (step S703). If the membership card Mc has been held over (step S703: YES), the POS register 3 determines whether the unupdated flag is ON (step S704). The unupdated flag is a flag indicating that the point information stored in the membership card Mc has not been updated to the latest point information because the membership card Mc was not in possession of the user in a past transaction (e.g., the previous transaction).

[0073] If the unupdated flag is OFF (step S704: NO), that is, if the point information stored in the membership card Mc has been updated to the latest point information, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, if the unupdated flag is ON (step S704: YES), that is, if the point information stored in the membership card Mc has not been updated to the latest point information, the POS register 3 uses the membership number obtained from the membership card Mc to make a request to the management server Sv to send the latest point information (step S705).

[0074] Then, the POS register 3 receives the latest point information from the management server Sv and updates the point information on the membership card Mc (step S706). Next, the POS register 3 acquires the member information 401 from the membership card Mc (step S707) and proceeds to step S711.

[0075] In step S703, if the member card Mc is not held up (step S703: NO), specifically, for example, if the member card Mc is not held up and it is received that the member card Mc will not be read, the POS register 3 judges whether or not it has received a request to acquire the member information 401 from the management server Sv (step S708). If it has not received a request to acquire the member information 401 from the management server Sv (step S708: NO), that is, for example, if the customer who is making the transaction is a non-member, the POS register 3 proceeds to step S712. On the other hand, if it has received a request to acquire the member information 401 from the management server Sv (step S708: YES), that is, if the customer who is making the transaction is a member and does not have the member card Mc, the POS register 3 receives an input of a telephone number or a member number, and requests the management server Sv to transmit the member information (step S709).

[0076] The POS register 3 then receives the member information 401 from the management server Sv, thereby acquiring the member information 401 (step S710). Next, the POS register 3 stores the member information 401 in the member information storage unit of the RAM 33 (step S711). The POS register 3 then makes the tab indicating a new transaction active (step S712), and ends the new transaction start process.

[0077] (An example of product registration processing performed by the POS register 3) Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a product registration process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 8, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the product has been scanned (step S801). Scanning the product means, for example, reading a barcode attached to the product by the scanner unit 35, or pressing a button corresponding to the product on the store clerk side display unit 21 or key operation unit 22.

[0078] The POS register 3 waits until the product is scanned or the like (step S801: NO). When the product is scanned or the like (step S801: YES), the POS register 3 judges whether the customer performing the transaction is a member, specifically, whether the member information 401 is held in the member information holding unit (step S802). If the member information 401 is not held in the member information holding unit (step S802: NO), that is, if the customer performing the transaction is a non-member, the POS register 3 refers to the product master 500, registers the product at a non-member price (step S803), and ends the product registration process.

[0079] In step S802, if the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit (step S802: YES), that is, if the customer making the transaction is a member, the POS register 3 refers to the product master 500 and determines whether the price of the product is the member price (step S804). If the price of the product is not the member price (step S804: NO), for example, if the product master 500 lists "Lettuce: 198 yen," the POS register 3 proceeds to step S803. If the price of the product is the member price (step S804: YES), the POS register 3 determines whether there is a price according to the member rank (step S805).

[0080] If there is a price according to the membership rank (step S805: YES), for example, if the product is "pumpkin" in the product master 500, the POS register 3 registers the product at the price according to the membership rank (step S806) and ends the product registration process. On the other hand, if there is no price according to the membership rank (step S805: YES), for example, if the product is "milk" in the product master 500, that is, if the price is a uniform price applied to all members (member price), the POS register 3 registers the product at the member price (step S807) and ends the product registration process.

[0081] (An example of multiple transaction processing performed by the POS register 3) Fig. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a multiple transaction process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 9, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the active display of the transaction tab has been switched (step S901). The active display of the transaction tab is switched when an active display switching operation is received or when registration of the next customer is started. The POS register 3 waits until the active display of the transaction tab is switched (step S901: NO).

[0082] Before the process of step S901, the POS register 3 may determine whether or not multiple transactions are being processed. Processing multiple transactions means, for example, switching between processing the previous customer (payment processing or registration processing) and processing the next customer (registration processing). The POS register 3 may wait until multiple transactions are being processed, and when multiple transactions are being processed, start the process of step S901.

[0083] When an operation to switch the active display of a transaction tab is performed (step S901: YES), the POS register 3 performs a process to switch the transaction tab between active display and inactive display (step S902). Then, the POS register 3 judges whether the member information holding unit holds the member information 401 (step S903). If the member information holding unit does not hold the member information 401 (step S903: NO), that is, if the customer corresponding to the inactively displayed transaction tab is a non-member or if the held member information 401 has already been deleted, the POS register 3 ends the multiple transaction process.

[0084] On the other hand, if the member information storage unit holds member information 401 (step S903: YES), that is, if the customer corresponding to the inactive transaction tab is a member, the POS register 3 determines whether the member information 401 is the member information 401 obtained from the member card Mc (step S904).

[0085] If the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S904: YES), the POS register 3 deletes the member information 401 from the member information holding unit (step S905) and ends the multiple transaction processing. On the other hand, if the member information 401 is not the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S904: NO), that is, if the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit is the member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv, the POS register 3 holds the member information 401 as is (step S906) and ends the multiple transaction processing.

[0086] (An example of a settlement start process performed by the POS register 3) Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a settlement start process performed by the POS register 3. In Fig. 10, the POS register 3 judges whether or not it is time to start settlement (step S1001). The start of settlement means, for example, pressing a settlement start button (e.g., a subtotal button) displayed on the store clerk display unit 21. The POS register 3 waits until it is time to start settlement (step S1001: NO).

[0087] When the settlement is started (step S1001: YES), the POS register 3 executes the settlement process (step S1002). In the settlement process, for example, a payment type is selected, and a settlement is made according to the selected payment type. For example, if the payment type of cash is accepted, the settlement is made by cash, and if the payment type of credit card is accepted, the settlement is made by credit card.

[0088] The POS register 3 then determines whether the member in this transaction is a member who has a membership card (step S1003). If the member is a member who has a membership card (step S1003: YES), the POS register 3 issues a receipt for the member who has the membership card (receipt 1800 for the member in question in FIG. 18(A)) (step S1004), and ends the series of processes.

[0089] On the other hand, if the member does not have a membership card (step S1003: NO), that is, if the member does not have a membership card, the POS register 3 issues a receipt for members who do not have a membership card (the receipt for members who do not have a membership card in FIG. 18(B)) (step S1005), and ends the series of processes. A message is printed on the receipt for members who do not have a membership card to the effect that points will be awarded at a later date.

[0090] (An example of a point allocation process performed by the POS register 3) FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a point allocation process performed by the POS register 3. In FIG. 11, the POS register 3 determines whether or not the settlement is complete (step S1101). The completion of the settlement means that the payment is completed. For example, if the payment type is cash, this is when the cash total key is pressed. Also, if the payment type is credit card, this is when the POS register 3 communicates with the credit card server and the payment by credit card is completed. Note that the completion of the settlement is not limited to this, and may also be when a receipt is issued, or when change is dispensed if an automatic change dispenser is used.

[0091] The POS register 3 waits until the settlement is complete (step S1101: NO). When the settlement is complete (step S1101: YES), the POS register 3 judges whether or not the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit (step S1102). If the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit (step S1102: YES), the POS register 3 judges whether or not the member information 401 is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S1103).

[0092] If the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S1103: YES), the POS register 3 writes point information including the points to be awarded this time to the member card Mc held over the card reading and writing terminal 26 (step S1104).Then, the POS register 3 transmits the point information to the management server Sv (step S1105) and ends the point awarding process.

[0093] In step S1103, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is not the member information 401 obtained from the member card Mc (step S1103: NO), that is, if the member information 401 is the member information 401 obtained from the management server Sv, the POS register 3 does not write the point information to the member card Mc (step S1106). This makes it possible to prevent the previous customer's point information from being written to the member card Mc even if the next customer's member card Mc is held over the card reading and writing terminal 26.

[0094] Furthermore, the POS register 3 turns on the not-updated flag (step S1107) and proceeds to step S1105. The not-updated flag is a flag indicating that the point information stored in the membership card Mc has not been updated to the latest point information, in other words, a flag for updating the point information to the latest point information in the next transaction using the membership card Mc.

[0095] In step S1102, if the member information 401 is not stored in the member information storage section of the RAM 33 (step S1102: NO), it is determined whether the member information 401 has already been deleted in this transaction (step S1108). If the member information 401 has not already been deleted in this transaction (step S1108: NO), that is, if the customer performing the transaction is a non-member, the POS register 3 ends the point granting process without writing point information.

[0096] If the member information 401 has already been deleted in this transaction (step S1108: YES), that is, if the customer making the transaction is a member and the transaction tab has been switched from active to inactive, the POS register 3 makes a request to acquire the previous customer's member information 401 (step S1109). In this acquisition request, the POS register 3 issues a notification, for example, urging the card reader / writer 26 to read the previous customer's member card Mc.

[0097] Then, the POS register 3 judges whether or not the member information 401 has been acquired from the member card Mc (step S1110). The POS register 3 waits until the member information 401 has been acquired (step S1110: NO). If the card reading and writing terminal 26 does not read the member information 401 for a certain period of time after the POS register 3 requests the member information 401 to be acquired, the POS register 3 may end the point processing as it is, that is, may end the point granting processing without writing the point information. If the member information 401 has been acquired in step S1110 (step S1110: YES), the POS register 3 causes the acquired member information 401 to be stored in the member information storage unit (step S1111) and proceeds to step S1104.

[0098] (POS register 3 screen example) Next, examples of screens of the POS register 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the clerk display unit 21 or the customer display unit 23. FIG. 12(A) shows a registration start screen 1200. In FIG. 12(A), a previous customer transaction tab TB1 showing a transaction of a customer (previous customer) is actively displayed on the registration start screen 1200. The registration start screen 1200 includes a registered product display area 1201, a registered product list area 1202, a price display area 1203, preset keys 1204, a subtotal button 1205, a next customer registration button 1206, and a membership card read button 1207.

[0099] The registered product display area 1201 is an area that displays the products most recently registered by the sales clerk. The registered product list area 1202 is an area that displays a list of products registered by the sales clerk. The price display area 1203 is an area that displays the total price of the registered products. The preset keys 1204 are provided with keys corresponding to a plurality of products, and when a sales clerk presses each key, the corresponding product is registered. The preset keys 1204 also have tabs for each type, such as vegetables, fruits, and meat, and when each tab is pressed (selected), it switches to the key corresponding to the pressed type. FIG. 12(A) shows a state in which the vegetable type tab is selected.

[0100] The subtotal button 1205 is a button that accepts the end of product registration. The subtotal button 1205 is pressed by the store clerk when the registration of all products is completed. The next customer registration button 1206 is a button that accepts switching between the transaction of the previous customer and the transaction of the next customer by starting the registration of the next customer.

[0101] The member card read button 1207 is a button that accepts the start of reading of member information from a member card Mc held over the card reading and writing terminal 26. In this embodiment, the member card read button 1207 is pressed at the start of new registration. When the member card read button 1207 is pressed, a notification image 1210 shown in Fig. 12(B) is displayed on the clerk display unit 21, and a notification screen 1300 shown in Fig. 13 is displayed on the customer display unit 23.

[0102] In FIG. 12(B), notification image 1210 shows a notification encouraging the customer to hold membership card Mc over card reading and writing terminal 26. Suppose that the store clerk asks the customer to present membership card Mc, and the customer states that he or she does not have membership card Mc. If the customer is a member, the store clerk presses non-member button 1211. When non-member button 1211 is pressed, the screen moves to one shown in FIG. 16(B) or FIG. 17(A), where it is possible to obtain member information 401 from management server Sv by searching for a phone number or a membership number. On the other hand, if the customer is not a member, the store clerk presses non-member button 1212. In this case, the transaction is carried out without the customer being given any benefits.

[0103] 13(A) shows a notification screen 1300 displayed on the customer-side display unit 23. The notification screen 1300 shows a notification that prompts the customer to hold the membership card Mc over the card reading and writing terminal 26. When the customer holds the membership card Mc over the card reading and writing terminal 26, the POS register 3 reads the membership information 401.

[0104] FIG. 13(B) shows registration screen 1310 on store clerk display unit 21 when member information 401 has been read and a product has been registered. Registration screen 1310 includes member information display 1311. Member information display 1311 is a display based on member information 401 read from member card Mc. Member information display 1311 is a display including, for example, the customer name and the number of points. Member information display 1311 indicates that member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit. Furthermore, in registration screen 1310, registered product display area 1201 and registered product list area 1202 indicate that "pumpkin" has been registered. The price display area 1203 displays the price of "pumpkin."

[0105] Here, it is assumed that the next customer registration button 1206 is pressed, and a switch is made to the transaction of the next customer. A switch to the transaction of the next customer may occur, for example, when a customer (previous customer) making a transaction shown in the registration screen 1310 goes to the sales floor to pick up an additional product to purchase. Another example of a switch to the next customer transaction may be when the previous customer takes time to remove cash at the time of payment. When the next customer registration button 1206 is pressed, for example, a transition to the next customer registration start screen 1400 shown in FIG. 14(A) is made.

[0106] 14(A) shows a next customer registration start screen 1400. In the next customer registration start screen 1400, a next customer transaction tab TB2 showing the transaction of the next customer is displayed as active, and a previous customer transaction tab TB1 showing the transaction of the previous customer is displayed as inactive. In the next customer registration start screen 1400, like the previous customer registration start screen 1200, each display area 1201-1203 and each button 1204-1207 are displayed.

[0107] Fig. 14(B) shows the next customer registration screen 1410. On the next customer registration screen 1410, the registered product display area 1201 and the registered product list area 1202 show that "lettuce" is registered. The price display area 1203 shows the price of "lettuce." When the previous customer transaction tab TB1 is pressed on the next customer registration screen 1410, the screen transitions to a registration screen 1500 shown in Fig. 15(A).

[0108] The registration screen 1500 shown in FIG. 15(A) is different from the registration screen 1310 shown in FIG. 13(B) in the contents displayed in the member information display 1311. Specifically, the registration screen 1500 shown in FIG. 15(A) displays that the member information display 1311 has been deleted. This is because the previous customer transaction tab TB1 has been switched from active display to inactive display, and the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit has been deleted. Note that nothing may be displayed in the member information display 1311 in the registration screen 1500 shown in FIG. 15(A). When the subtotal button 1204 is pressed on the registration screen 1500, the notification image 1510 shown in FIG. 15(B) is displayed on the clerk-side display unit 21, and the notification screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the customer-side display unit 23.

[0109] In FIG. 15(B), notification image 1510 shows a notification encouraging the customer to hold membership card Mc over card reading and writing terminal 26. Notification image 1510 differs from notification image 1210 shown in FIG. 12(B) in that not-member button 1211 and non-member button 1212 are not displayed. This is because there is a history of the previous customer's membership information 401 being deleted, making it clear that the previous customer holds membership card Mc. Notification image 1510 may also be configured to display not-member button 1211 and non-member button 1212. When a customer holds membership card Mc over card reading and writing terminal 26, POS register 3 reads membership information 401.

[0110] 16(A) shows a transaction completion screen 1600 that is displayed on the customer display unit 23 when the member information 401 is read and the settlement is completed. The transaction completion screen 1600 displays the points that have been granted to the member card Mc and the total number of points. This allows the customer to know that the granted points have been stored in the member card Mc.

[0111] FIG. 16(B) shows a search screen 1610 for searching member information 401 using a telephone number. On the search screen 1610, tab 1204a of preset key 1204 is selected, and member information call button 1204b is displayed. When member information call button 1204b is pressed, for example, the POS register 3 accepts input of a telephone number (11 digits) from key operation unit 22. The store clerk asks the customer for his / her telephone number and inputs the customer's answer. The input telephone number is displayed in amount display area 1203. When the telephone number is input and member information call button 1204b is pressed again, the POS register 3 transmits the telephone number to management server Sv and inquires about member information 401.

[0112] The management server Sv refers to the member information table 400, searches for member information 401 using the telephone number (11 digits), and transmits the search results to the POS register 3. If the search results are for one person, the POS register 3 displays the member information 401 of the customer indicated by the search results. Furthermore, if the search results are for multiple people (e.g., family members), the POS register 3 displays the names of the multiple people. The store clerk then asks the customer their name, and selects one according to the customer's answer from the multiple names displayed. The POS register 3 then displays the member information 401 of the selected customer.

[0113] FIG. 17(A) shows a search screen 1700 for searching member information 401 using a member number. On the search screen 1700, tab 1204a of preset keys 1204 is selected, and member information call button 1204b is displayed. When member information call button 1204b is pressed, for example, the POS register 3 accepts input of a member number (8 digits) from key operation unit 22. The store clerk asks the customer for the member number and inputs the customer's answer. The input member number is displayed in amount display area 1203. When the member number is input and member information call button 1204b is pressed again, the POS register 3 transmits the member number to management server Sv and queries member information 401.

[0114] The management server Sv refers to the member information table 400, searches for the member information 401 using the member number (8 digits), and transmits the search result to the POS register 3. If the search result is for one person, the POS register 3 displays the member information 401 of the customer indicated by the search result.

[0115] 17(B) shows a transaction completion screen 1710 that is displayed on the customer display unit 23 when settlement is completed in a case where member information 401 has been acquired from the management server Sv. The transaction completion screen 1710 displays that the points awarded this time have not been stored on the member card Mc (they have not been recorded), that the member card Mc should be presented at the next purchase, and the total number of points. This allows the customer to understand that the awarded points are stored in the management server Sv but not on the member card Mc.

[0116] (Regarding receipts issued by POS register 3) Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a receipt issued by the POS register 3. Figure 18(A) shows a receipt 1800 for possession that is issued when points are stored on the membership card Mc. Figure 18(B) shows a receipt 1801 for non-possession that is issued when points have not been recorded on the membership card Mc.

[0117] The possession receipt 1800 and the non-possession receipt 1801 include general information 1810 and membership information 1811. The general information 1810 includes, for example, details such as the purchase date and time, the store clerk's name, the product name, the price, the tax amount, and details of the amount given or received during settlement.

[0118] The member information 1811 also includes the member number, the total number of points accumulated up to the previous time, the number of points awarded today, and the updated total number of points. In the non-possessed receipt 1801 shown in Figure 18 (B), the member information 1811 also includes the number of points that have not yet been recorded. The non-possessed receipt 1801 also includes notification information 1812. The notification information 1812 indicates that points will be awarded at a later date.

[0119] By issuing such a receipt for possession 1800 and a receipt for non-possession 1801, the customer can know his / her own membership number and can also check the number of points. Also, if points have not been recorded on the membership card Mc, a message to that effect is printed as shown in the receipt for non-possession 1801, so that the customer can be prompted to update the membership information 401 on the membership card Mc the next time they make a transaction.

[0120] As described above, the POS register 3 of this embodiment is configured to delete the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc from the member information storage unit of the RAM 33 when the transaction tab that is currently displayed as active is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit of the RAM 33. This prevents the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the member card Mc of the previous customer, even if the registration process for the next customer is started after the settlement process for the previous customer has started. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should actually be awarded points.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the transaction tab of a customer that is currently displayed as active is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv, the POS register 3 stores the member information 401 as is. This makes it possible to prevent the member information 401 of the member card Mc of a next customer from being stored in the member information storage unit, even if the member card Mc of the next customer is held over the card reading / writing terminal 26. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer, and to appropriately award points to the previous customer.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a transaction tab that is currently displayed as active is displayed as inactive, the POS register 3 does not write point information to the member card Mc if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is the member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc even if the member card Mc of a next customer is held over the card reading and writing terminal 26. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer, and to appropriately award points to the previous customer.

[0123] In this embodiment, the POS register 3 requests the previous customer's member information 401 to be acquired when the previous customer's transaction tab is actively displayed again after the previous customer's member information 401 is deleted. This allows the previous customer's member information 401 to be stored again in the member information storage unit. Therefore, the previous customer's point information can be appropriately written to the previous customer's member card Mc.

[0124] In this embodiment, the POS register 3 is adapted to receive at least one of a membership number and a phone number, and obtains the membership information 401 from the management server Sv based on the input of either one. This allows the points given to a customer to be properly managed even if the customer does not have a membership card Mc.

[0125] (Other embodiments and modifications) Other embodiments and modifications will be described below. In addition, in the other embodiments and each modification, the contents described in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, it is also possible to combine the configurations shown in each embodiment and each modification. Specifically, for example, it is possible to have a configuration that includes all of each embodiment and each modification, or to have a configuration that combines two or more of each embodiment and each modification.

[0126] (Embodiment 2) First, a description will be given of embodiment 2. In the above embodiment 1, a POS system 1 using a POS register 3 that performs settlement processing by operation of a store clerk has been described. In embodiment 2, a description will be given of a POS system 1900 that performs settlement processing (self-payment) by operation of a POS terminal device 20 dedicated to settlement instead of or in addition to the POS register 3.

[0127] FIG. 19 is a network configuration diagram of a POS system 1900 according to the second embodiment. The POS system 1900 is an example of a product sales data processing system. As shown in FIG. 19, the POS system 19 includes a management server Sv, a store controller 2, and a plurality of POS terminal devices 20. Each device is connected via a communication line 6 by wire or wirelessly. The management server Sv and the POS terminal devices 20 communicate with each other via the store controller 2. However, this is not limited to the above, and the management server Sv and the POS terminal devices 20 may communicate with each other directly.

[0128] In the second embodiment, a plurality of POS terminal devices 20 are provided. The POS terminal devices 20 are capable of switching between different operation modes. The operation modes include, for example, a registration mode in which product registration is performed and a settlement mode in which settlement is performed. A store clerk is stationed at the POS terminal device 20 in the registration mode (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "registration POS terminal device 20a"), and the store clerk registers products. At the POS terminal device 20 in the settlement mode (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "settlement POS terminal device 20b"), a customer settles the bill using registration information generated at the POS terminal device 20 in the registration-only mode. The registration POS terminal device 20a is an example of a registration device. The settlement POS terminal device 20b is an example of a settlement device.

[0129] (Example of configuration of POS terminal device 20) Next, the configuration of the POS terminal 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. Figure 20 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the POS terminal device 20. Figure 20(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal device 20 as seen from the store clerk side, and Figure 20(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal device 20 as seen from the customer side. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the POS terminal device 20. In Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0130] Below, each component of the POS terminal device 20 shown in Fig. 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. The POS terminal device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card settlement unit 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, a communication unit 215, a camera 216, and a card reading and writing terminal 217. These components can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0131] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the POS terminal device 20 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 202. The various programs include a product sales data processing program according to this embodiment. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0132] The RAM 203 is a readable and writable memory, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing. This information includes, for example, registration information generated during a registration process for registering an ordered product, and settlement information generated during a settlement process for settling the registered product.

[0133] The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 stores imaging results (e.g., video) captured by the camera 216. The hard disk 204 may store various programs such as a product sales data processing program executed by the CPU 201, instead of the ROM 202. Also, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

[0134] The customer display unit 205 is a touch display for customers. The customer display unit 205 displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers. The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customers, and optically reads various information. For example, the customer-side scanner unit 206 optically reads barcodes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) printed on bills (registered trademarks). In addition to the above, the customer-side scanner unit 206 may read codes (barcodes, two-dimensional codes, etc.) printed on gift certificates (gift certificates, coupons, and complimentary coupons) and various cards (e.g., membership cards, point cards, etc.). Note that product registration is not limited to registration by reading codes by the customer-side scanner unit 206. For example, a preset key (a button for ordering a product) corresponding to a product may be displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, and the product may be registered by operating (pressing) the preset key by the customer.

[0135] The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism that uses various cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, point cards, etc.). The card payment unit 208 is equipped with a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit. The card recognition unit magnetically or electrically reads information from various cards. The read information is used to pay for the purchased items. The card recognition unit is also capable of recognizing information to be used in the payment for the current purchased items, for example, when using points held on a point card. The card recognition unit is also capable of recognizing information that is not used in the payment for the current purchased items, for example, when points are awarded to a point card.

[0136] The card payment unit 208 of this embodiment includes a card recognition unit, a display unit, and an operation unit, but is not limited thereto and may include at least a card recognition unit. The card recognition unit of this embodiment is capable of recognizing both contact cards (IC cards, magnetic cards) and non-contact cards (IC cards), but may recognize at least one of them.

[0137] The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a mechanism for settlement by cash. The change machine 209 faces the customer side and accepts various operations and cash insertion from the customer. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the change machine 209 includes a bill insertion slot 209a, a coin insertion slot 209b, a change return lever 209c, a bill ejection slot 209d, and a coin ejection slot 209e. The change machine 209 calculates the total amount of inserted bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 209a and coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 209b, calculates the change amount which is the difference between the total amount inserted and the purchase amount, and, upon accepting the operation of the change return lever 209c, ejects change from the bill ejection slot 209d or the coin ejection slot 209e.

[0138] The store clerk display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk. The store clerk display unit 210 displays various information to the store clerk and accepts various inputs from the store clerk. For example, a preset key (a button for ordering a product) corresponding to a product is displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, and the product is registered by the store clerk operating (pressing) the preset key.

[0139] The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for store clerks, and optically reads various information. For example, the store clerk scanner unit 212 optically reads barcodes attached to products and store clerk codes attached to store clerk nametags. In addition to the above, the store clerk scanner unit 212 may also read codes printed on bills, gift certificates, and various cards.

[0140] The registration of a product is not limited to registration by reading a code using the store clerk's scanner unit 212. For example, the POS terminal device 20 may be provided with a key operation unit, in which a key corresponding to a product is arranged, and the product may be registered by the store clerk operating (pressing) the key.

[0141] The printing unit 213 prints and outputs various documents such as payment slips (receipts, invoices, meal tickets) and instruction slips.

[0142] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance, notification sounds, etc. The audio guidance and notification sounds include sounds related to product registration and settlement, as well as sounds related to issuing an instruction slip. The communication unit 215 is an interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from other devices (the store controller 2 and other POS terminal devices 20).

[0143] Camera 216 is attached to the upper right of customer display unit 205 when viewed from the customer side. Camera 216 is a camera that continuously captures moving or still images. A CCD (charge coupled device) camera or a CMOS (charge coupled device) camera can be used as camera 216. Camera 216 captures images of the customer's operational status during the payment procedure. Specifically, camera 216 captures images of bills and coins held by the customer, change dispenser 209, hand movements, and the like.

[0144] The card reading and writing terminal 217 is a payment mechanism that performs payment using a contactless card (e.g., an IC card). Cards that are read by the card reading and writing terminal 217 include, for example, credit cards, membership cards Mc, and prepaid cards. The card reading and writing terminal 217 is capable of, for example, reading the cumulative number of points stored in the membership card Mc, and writing an updated number of points to the membership card Mc. The card reading and writing terminal 217 also includes a display and an operation unit. The display displays the number of points. The operation unit accepts the number of points to be used.

[0145] (Self-payment operation) Next, the operation of the POS system 1900 in the self-payment mode will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of the operation in the self-payment mode. Specifically, Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the process flow and the actions of people (store clerks, customers) in the self-payment mode. Fig. 22 explains the case where the POS terminal 20-1 is in the registration mode (registration POS terminal 20a) and the POS terminals 20-2 and 20-3 are in the payment mode (payment POS terminals 20b and 20c).

[0146] As shown in Fig. 22(A), the registration POS terminal device 20a registers merchandise purchased by a customer (previous customer) on the store clerk side. Also, when the registration POS terminal device 20a is registering merchandise purchased by the previous customer, it actively displays a previous customer transaction tab.

[0147] Furthermore, if the previous customer has a membership card, while the registration process is being carried out, the previous customer (or a store clerk) has the card reading and writing terminal 217 read the membership card Mc. When the card reading and writing terminal 217 reads the membership information 401 from the membership card Mc, it displays the number of points on the customer side display unit 23 and the store clerk side display unit 21, and accepts the number of points to be used. Furthermore, while a store clerk is registering a product in the registration POS terminal device 20a, the settlement POS terminal devices 20b, 20c are in a standby state.

[0148] When the registration process is completed, the registration POS terminal device 20a transmits registration information to the settlement POS terminal devices 20b, 20c in response to an operation by a store clerk, as shown in Fig. 22(B). For example, the registration POS terminal device 20a receives a designation of one of the settlement POS terminal devices 20b, 20c (for example, the settlement POS terminal device 20b) from the store clerk.

[0149] When the settlement POS terminal device 20b receives the registration information from the registration POS terminal device 20a, it displays the total price of the purchased items, etc. on the customer side display unit 205. Then, the customer (previous customer) moves to the settlement POS terminal device 20b as shown in Fig. 22(B) and settles the bill there. Specifically, the customer selects a payment type and settles the bill by inserting cash into the change dispenser 209, inserting a credit card into the card payment unit 208, or holding an IC card (electronic money) over the customer side scanner unit 206 or the card reading and writing terminal 217.

[0150] The registration POS terminal device 20a can also issue a receipt on which the registration information is coded and printed. For example, when a customer has the settlement POS terminal device 20b read the receipt, the settlement POS terminal device 20b displays the total price of the purchased items on the customer side display unit 205.

[0151] After outputting (sending or printing) the registration information, the registration POS terminal device 20a writes updated point information on the membership card Mc, including the number of points awarded and the number of points used in this transaction. The customer then finishes his / her shopping, being careful not to forget to remove the membership card Mc that is being held over the card reading / writing terminal 217. Thereafter, the registration POS terminal device 20a similarly starts the registration process for the items purchased by the next customer. When the registration POS terminal device 20a starts the registration process for the items purchased by the next customer, it actively displays the next customer transaction tab (see FIG. 22(B)).

[0152] (Regarding cases where points are not properly awarded in embodiment 2) Here, even in the second embodiment, there are cases where points are not appropriately awarded. To explain this, the registered POS terminal device 20a is capable of switching between and processing multiple transactions. For example, suppose that a previous customer goes to the sales floor to pick up an additional product during the registration process for that previous customer. In this case, the store clerk starts the registration of the next customer. This causes the registered POS terminal device 20a to switch between and process the transaction of the previous customer and the transaction of the next customer.

[0153] When the registered POS terminal device 20a switches between multiple transactions and processes them, for example, if the membership card of the previous customer is held over the card reading and writing terminal 217, there is a risk that points that should be awarded to the next customer will be awarded to the previous customer. As a result, point information may be written to the membership card Mc of a customer other than the customer to whom the points should be awarded. The following describes in detail how the POS system 1900 according to the second embodiment makes it possible to appropriately award points.

[0154] (Functional Configuration of the Registration POS Terminal 20a According to the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the registration POS terminal device 20a includes each functional unit (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit, input reception unit, storage control unit, transaction processing unit, writing unit, transmission control unit, display control unit, request unit) included in the POS register 3 of the first embodiment. In addition to these, the registration POS terminal device 20a also includes an instruction reception unit and a transmission unit. The settlement POS terminal device 20b also includes a receiving unit and a printing unit. Each unit is realized by the CPU 201 of the POS terminal device 20. That is, the CPU 201 of the POS terminal device 20 executes a predetermined program (product sales data processing program) to realize the function of each unit. The registration POS terminal device 20a also includes a member information storage unit. The member information storage unit is realized by, for example, the RAM 203.

[0155] In embodiment 2, as in embodiment 1, when a customer transaction that is displayed as active by the display control unit is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 read from the member card Mc is stored in the member information storage unit, the storage control unit deletes the member information 401 from the storage unit.

[0156] (Regarding printing on receipts that points will be awarded at a later date) The transmission unit transmits information necessary for settlement to the settlement POS terminal device 20b. When the member information 401 is acquired by the second acquisition unit, the transmission unit transmits the information necessary for settlement and information indicating that the member information 401 has been acquired by the second acquisition unit. The information indicating that the member information 401 has been acquired by the second acquisition unit is, for example, information indicating that the member card Mc is not in possession.

[0157] The receiving unit of the settlement POS terminal device 20b receives the information transmitted by the transmitting unit. If the information received by the receiving unit includes information indicating that the member card Mc is not in possession, the printing unit prints such information. Specifically, the printing unit prints notification information 1812 indicating that points will be awarded at a later date, as shown on the non-possessed receipt 1801 in FIG. 18(B).

[0158] (Regarding the timing of writing point information) The registration POS terminal device 20a outputs the registration information when it writes the point information to the member card Mc. This will be described in detail. The instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to output the registration information. The registration information is output, for example, by sending it to the settlement POS terminal device 20b. The instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to output the registration information, for example, by pressing the subtotal button or the send button. However, the output of the registration information is not limited to this, and it may be output by issuing a bill, may be output to a storage medium such as a memory card, or may be output by sending it to another device (for example, a smartphone).

[0159] The writing unit writes the point information to the member card Mc when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to output the registration information. That is, in the second embodiment, the writing unit writes the point information to the member card Mc before the settlement performed at the settlement POS terminal device 20b is completed. In this way, in the case of self-payment according to the second embodiment, points are not awarded when the settlement is completed, but when the subtotal button or the send button is pressed (when the registration information is sent).

[0160] It should be noted that the settlement POS terminal device 20b does not necessarily have to include the card reading and writing terminal 217. In other words, it is sufficient that only the registration POS terminal device 20a has the card reading and writing terminal 217.

[0161] (Regarding the request to obtain member information 401) The registration POS terminal device 20a requests to obtain the member information 401 before writing the point information. This will be described in detail. In the second embodiment, the point information is written to the member card Mc by receiving an instruction to output the registration information by the instruction receiving unit. Therefore, if the member card Mc has not been read by the card reading and writing terminal 217 when the instruction to output the registration information is received, the point information cannot be written to the member card Mc. In particular, if the point information is not written to the member card Mc and the customer requests to write the information later, the card will have to be returned to a state where it can be registered again (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "registered status"), which is troublesome for the store clerk. In the following, the return of the status in the transaction to the registered status will sometimes be referred to as "recall."

[0162] The request unit requests acquisition of the member information if the member information 401 is not stored in the member information storage unit before the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to output the registration information. Specifically, the request unit requests the first acquisition unit to acquire the member information, or the second acquisition unit to acquire the member information.

[0163] Here, suppose that the registration information has been sent from the registration POS terminal device 20a to the settlement POS terminal device 20b, but before the settlement is completed, the customer requests, for example, that there is an additional product to be purchased or that there is an item to be cancelled. In this case, the registration POS terminal device 20a recalls the registration information. That is, in this case, the status of the transaction returns from the settlement status to the registration status again. When the registration POS terminal device 20a is registering the next customer, it switches between and processes multiple transactions. That is, when the next customer transaction tab is displayed as active, it is possible to make the next customer transaction tab inactive and make the previous customer transaction tab active again.

[0164] When the registration information of the previous customer is transmitted from the registration POS terminal device 20a to the settlement POS terminal device 20b, the previous customer transaction tab is displayed as inactive, and is erased when the settlement is completed. However, when the registration information of the previous customer is transmitted from the registration POS terminal device 20a to the settlement POS terminal device 20b, the previous customer transaction tab is not limited to being displayed as inactive, and may be erased. In this configuration in which the previous customer transaction tab is erased, the registration POS terminal device 20a needs to identify the registration information of the previous customer transaction in order to redisplay the previous customer transaction tab. For example, the registration POS terminal device 20a may accept the registration information of the previous customer transaction from the registration information of the unsettled list, or may accept the machine number designation of the settlement POS terminal device 20b to which the registration information was transmitted, and identify the registration information corresponding to the machine designation. In addition, the display of the unsettled list is not limited to being, and for example, a tab of "inactive unsettled" may be displayed, and the previous customer transaction tab may be displayed as active by accepting the press of the corresponding tab by the store clerk.

[0165] When a transaction tab that is displayed as active by the display control unit is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 (member information 401 of the next customer) stored in the member information storage unit is the member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit, the storage control unit deletes the member information 401 from the member information storage unit. Therefore, when the transaction to be processed is changed among multiple transactions, it is possible to prevent point information from being granted to the member card Mc of the next customer. This makes it possible to prevent points from being granted to the member card Mc of a member other than the member to whom the points should originally be granted.

[0166] When the registration process for the previous customer is performed by recalling the card, the instruction receiving unit again receives an instruction to output the registration information. Furthermore, the writing unit writes the point information to the membership card Mc in response to the instruction receiving unit receiving the instruction to output the registration information. This makes it possible to update the point information already written before the card was recalled. Specifically, a membership number is associated with the recalled transaction (transaction information). Therefore, by obtaining the membership number from the membership card Mc, it is possible to identify the transaction information for which points have already been assigned. This makes it possible to subtract the number of points and assign the final, confirmed number of points. In other words, since it is possible to assign the difference in points to a card that has already had points assigned, it is possible to prevent duplicate points from being assigned.

[0167] It should be noted that when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to output the registered information, the previous customer's member information 401 has already been deleted from the member information storage unit. Therefore, the request unit only needs to request the first acquisition unit to acquire the previous customer's member information. In other words, after the storage control unit deletes member information 401, the request unit requests the first acquisition unit to acquire the member information when a transaction that was displayed as inactive by the display control unit is displayed as active again. This makes it possible to grant the customer point information corresponding to the change, even if a change occurs in the registered information before the settlement is completed.

[0168] (Processing performed by the registered POS terminal device 20a) Next, each process performed by the registered POS terminal device 20a will be described. The registered POS terminal device 20a performs the same processes as the "new transaction start process" (see FIG. 7), "product registration process" (see FIG. 8), and "multiple transaction process" (see FIG. 9) shown in embodiment 1, but does not perform the "settlement process" (see FIG. 10). As for the "points granting process" (see FIG. 11), the registered POS terminal device 20a performs a process different from that in embodiment 1. The points granting process performed by the registered POS terminal device 20a will be described below.

[0169] (An example of a point giving process performed by the registered POS terminal device 20a) Fig. 23 is a flow chart showing an example of a point granting process performed by the registration POS terminal device 20a. In Fig. 23, the registration POS terminal device 20a judges whether or not registration is complete (step S2301). Completion of registration means pressing a button indicating completion of registration (for example, a subtotal button). Completion of registration is not limited to pressing the subtotal button, but may also be pressing a send button for transmitting registration information to the settlement POS terminal device 20b. The send button may also be a button that has both a function of receiving a subtotal and a function of receiving transmission of registration information.

[0170] The registration POS terminal device 20a waits until registration is complete (step S2301: NO). When registration is complete (step S2301: YES), the registration POS terminal device 20a judges whether or not the member information 401 is held in the member information holding unit (step S2302). If the member information 401 is held in the member information holding unit (step S2302: YES), the registration POS terminal device 20a judges whether or not the member information 401 is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S2303).

[0171] If the member information 401 is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S2303: YES), the registration POS terminal 20a writes point information, including the points to be awarded this time, to the member card Mc held over the card reading and writing terminal 217 (step S2304). Then, the registration POS terminal 20a transmits the point information to the management server Sv (step S2305). Furthermore, the registration POS terminal 20a determines whether or not the settlement POS terminal 20b to which the registration information is to be transmitted has been accepted (step S2306).

[0172] The registration POS terminal device 20a waits until it receives the settlement POS terminal device 20b to which the registration information is to be sent (step S2306: NO). When the registration POS terminal device 20a receives the settlement POS terminal device 20b to which the registration information is to be sent (step S2306: YES), it transmits the registration information to the settlement POS terminal device 20b (step S2307) and ends the point granting process.

[0173] On the other hand, in step S2303, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is not the member information 401 obtained from the member card Mc (step S2303: NO), that is, if the member information 401 is the member information 401 obtained from the management server Sv, the registration POS terminal device 20a does not write the point information to the member card Mc (step S2308). This makes it possible to prevent the member information 401 from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer, even if the member card Mc of that customer is held up to the card reading and writing terminal 217.

[0174] Furthermore, the registered POS terminal device 20a turns on the not-updated flag (step S2309) and proceeds to step S2305. The not-updated flag is a flag indicating that the point information stored in the membership card Mc has not been updated to the latest point information, in other words, a flag for updating the point information to the latest point information in the next transaction using the membership card Mc.

[0175] In step S2302, if the member information 401 is not stored in the member information storage unit of the RAM 203 (step S2302: NO), the registration POS terminal device 20a makes a request to acquire the previous customer's member information 401 (step S2310). In the request, the registration POS terminal device 20a issues a notification to encourage the card reading / writing terminal 217 to read the previous customer's member card Mc, or a notification to acquire the member information 401 from the management server Sv, for example.

[0176] Then, the POS terminal device 20 judges whether or not the member information 401 has been acquired from the member card Mc (step S2311). The POS terminal device 20 waits until the member information 401 has been acquired (step S2311: NO). If the card reading and writing terminal 217 does not read the member information 401 for a certain period of time after the POS terminal device 20 requests the member information 401, the POS terminal device 20 may end the point processing as it is, that is, may end the point granting processing without writing the point information. If the member information 401 has been acquired in step S2311 (step S2311: YES), the acquired member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit (step S2312), and the process proceeds to step S2303.

[0177] (An example of a settlement process performed by the settlement POS terminal device 20b) Fig. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of a settlement process performed by the settlement POS terminal device 20b. In Fig. 24, the settlement POS terminal device 20b judges whether or not settlement has started (step S2401). The start of settlement means, for example, receiving registration information from the registration POS terminal device 20a. However, the start of settlement is not limited to this, and may also be the pressing of a settlement start button displayed on the customer side display unit 205 or the reading of a bill.

[0178] The settlement POS terminal device 20b waits until settlement starts (step S2401: NO), and when settlement starts (step S2401: YES), it executes settlement processing (step S2402). In the settlement processing, a payment type is selected, and a payment is made according to the selected payment type. For example, if the payment type of cash is accepted, the payment is made by cash, and if the payment type of credit card is accepted, the payment is made by credit card.

[0179] Furthermore, the settlement POS terminal device 20b judges whether the settlement is complete (step S2403). When the settlement is complete (step S2403: YES), the settlement POS terminal device 20b proceeds to step S2406. When the settlement is complete, a notice to that effect (a settlement completion notice) may be sent to the management server Sv. In this case, the management server Sv may manage the fact that the settlement is complete. Specifically, for example, in the case where the member card Mc is not in possession, the number of points in the member information 401 may be officially confirmed when the settlement is complete. Also, the settlement completion notice is not limited to being sent from the settlement POS terminal device 20b to the management server Sv, but may also be sent to the management server Sv via the registration POS terminal device 20a.

[0180] If the settlement is not completed (step S2403: NO), the settlement POS terminal device 20b judges whether or not there is a callback request (step S2404). If there is no callback request (step S2404: NO), the settlement POS terminal device 20b returns to step S2403.

[0181] If there is a request for a call back (step S2404: YES), the settlement POS terminal device 20b transmits settlement interruption information to the registration POS terminal device 20a in order to perform the call back (step S2405). The settlement interruption information may be transmitted to other devices such as the management server Sv or a transaction management device (not shown). The subject that performs the call back is the registration POS terminal device 20a, but it may also be a transaction management device (not shown). When the settlement interruption information is transmitted to other devices, it is not limited to transmitting the settlement interruption information from the settlement POS terminal device 20b to other devices, but the settlement interruption information may be transmitted to other devices via the registration POS terminal device 20a.

[0182] Then, the settlement POS terminal device 20b judges whether the member in this transaction is a member who has a membership card (step S2406). If the member is a member who has a membership card (step S2406: YES), the settlement POS terminal device 20b issues a receipt for the member who has the membership card (receipt for possession 1800 in FIG. 18(A)) (step S2407), and ends the series of processes.

[0183] On the other hand, if the member does not have a membership card (step S2406: NO), that is, if the member does not have a membership card, the settlement POS terminal device 20b issues a receipt for the member who does not have a membership card (the receipt for the member who does not have a membership card in FIG. 18(B)) (step S2408), and ends the series of processes. A message is printed on the receipt for the member who does not have a membership card that points will be awarded at a later date.

[0184] As described above, the registered POS terminal device 20a according to the second embodiment is configured to delete the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc from the member information storage unit of the RAM 203 when the transaction tab displayed as active is displayed as inactive, if the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit of the RAM 203. This prevents point information to be given to the next customer from being written to the member card Mc of the previous customer, even if the registration process for the next customer is started before the registration process for the previous customer is completed. Also, if the registration process for the previous customer is resumed while the registration process for the next customer is being performed, it prevents point information to be given to the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately given to customers who should be given points.

[0185] When the information received from the registration POS terminal 20a includes information indicating that the member card Mc is not in possession of the customer, the settlement POS terminal 20b prints out a message to that effect, which can prompt the customer to update the member information 401 of the member card Mc in the next transaction.

[0186] In addition, the registration POS terminal device 20a according to the second embodiment writes the point information to the member card Mc by receiving an instruction to output the registration information. This makes it easy to write the point information because the point information is written to the member card Mc when the payment is considered to be officially settled and the product registration is completed.

[0187] Furthermore, the registered POS terminal device 20a according to the second embodiment is configured to request acquisition of member information if member information 401 is not stored in the member information storage unit before receiving an instruction to output the registered information. If a customer requests that point information be written after payment is completed, the store clerk will have to go through the trouble of searching for the customer's transactions. According to the second embodiment, points can be awarded before payment begins, reducing the time and effort required for such searches.

[0188] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment described above, a POS system 1900 was described in which a customer performs a settlement process (self-settlement) at the settlement POS terminal device 20b. In the third embodiment, instead of or in addition to the above configuration, a POS system 1900 will be described in which a customer performs a settlement process (face-to-face settlement) in person at the POS terminal device 20 where the clerk performs registration. In the third embodiment, it is possible to use both face-to-face settlement and self-settlement, and for example, depending on the congestion situation, it is possible to transmit product information to the settlement POS terminal device 20b to perform self-settlement, or to perform face-to-face settlement at the POS terminal device 20.

[0189] (Operation in face-to-face settlement specifications) Next, the operation of the POS system 1900 in the face-to-face settlement mode will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram for explaining an outline of the operation in the face-to-face settlement mode. Specifically, Fig. 25 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of the process and the operation of people (store clerks, customers) in the face-to-face settlement mode. In Fig. 25, the POS terminal device 20 operates in the face-to-face settlement mode.

[0190] 25(A), the POS terminal device 20 allows the store clerk to register the purchased items of a customer (previous customer). When the POS terminal device 20 is registering the purchased items of the previous customer, the POS terminal device 20 actively displays the Previous Customer Transaction tab.

[0191] Furthermore, if the previous customer has a membership card, while the registration process is being carried out, the previous customer (or a store clerk) has the membership card Mc read by the card reading and writing terminal 217. When the card reading and writing terminal 217 reads the point information from the membership card Mc, it displays the number of points on the customer side display unit 23 or the store clerk side display unit 21, and accepts the number of points to be used.

[0192] The POS terminal 20 displays the total price of the purchased items on the customer display unit 205. As shown in FIG. 25(A), the POS terminal 20 performs a settlement process in response to the customer's operation. The POS terminal 20 can also start the settlement process while the registration process is being performed. Specifically, the settlement process can be executed after one item is registered, for example. The settlement process can also be executed after the registration process is completed. In the settlement process, the customer selects a payment type and performs settlement by inserting cash into the change machine 209, inserting a credit card into the card settlement unit 208, or holding an IC card (electronic money) over the card reading and writing terminal 217.

[0193] When the settlement is complete, the POS terminal 20 writes updated point information, including the number of points awarded and the number of points used in this transaction, to the membership card Mc. The customer then finishes their shopping, being careful not to forget to remove the membership card Mc that is being held over the card reading / writing terminal 217. After this, the POS terminal 20 similarly starts the registration process and settlement process for the items purchased by the next customer. The POS terminal 20 starts the registration process for the items purchased by the next customer.

[0194] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 25(B), the POS terminal device 20 can process multiple transactions simultaneously in parallel. Specifically, the POS terminal device 20 can register the purchases of the next customer even before the customer completes the settlement (even before the change is taken out or the receipt is printed). In other words, the POS terminal device 20 can register the purchases of the next customer while the settlement process is being performed on the device itself.

[0195] The POS terminal device 20 processes the transactions of the next customer in a registration status and the previous customer in a settlement status, and processes each transaction simultaneously in parallel. Specifically, in the settlement process of the previous customer, in the case of cash payment, the "Settlement Complete" button is displayed (enabled) when the customer finishes depositing more than the purchase amount. Therefore, even if the member information 401 is stored in the storage unit during the deposit from the state of waiting for deposit, it is not discarded. The same is true for non-cash payment, and specifically, when the customer side display unit 205 displays a screen for selecting a payment method or when the customer side display unit 205 displays a screen for the settlement process of the previous customer, the member information 401 is stored. On the other hand, when the settlement of the previous customer is interrupted (put on hold), the display screen of the customer side display unit 205 switches to the registration information of the next customer. At this time, the POS terminal device 20 deletes the member information 401 of the previous customer.

[0196] (Regarding cases where points are not properly awarded in embodiment 3) Here, even in the third embodiment, there are cases where points are not appropriately awarded. To explain this, the POS terminal device 20 is capable of processing multiple transactions in parallel. For example, when processing the settlement process of the previous customer and the registration process of the next customer in parallel, if a cancellation of a product is accepted from the previous customer, the transaction of the previous customer is returned from the settlement status to the registration status, and cancellation (registration process) is performed.

[0197] That is, the POS register 3 processes multiple transactions (transactions of the previous customer and the next customer) simultaneously. At this time, for example, if the membership card of the next customer is read by the card reading / writing terminal 217, there is a risk that points that should have been awarded to the previous customer will be awarded to the next customer by performing the registration process for the previous customer. As a result, points may be written to the membership card Mc of a customer other than the customer to whom the points should actually be awarded. Below, a detailed description will be given of how the POS system 1900 according to the third embodiment makes it possible to appropriately award points.

[0198] (Functional Configuration of the POS Terminal 20 According to the Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the POS terminal 20 includes each functional unit (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit, input reception unit, storage control unit, transaction processing unit, writing unit, transmission control unit, display control unit, request unit) included in the POS register 3 of the first embodiment. In addition to these, the POS terminal 20 also includes a storage unit. Each unit is realized by the CPU 201 of the POS terminal 20. That is, the CPU 201 of the POS terminal 20 executes a predetermined program (product sales data processing program) to realize the function of each unit. The POS terminal 20 also includes a member information storage unit. The member information storage unit is realized, for example, by the RAM 203.

[0199] In the third embodiment, the storage control unit does not delete member information 401 from the member information storage unit when a transaction is displayed as inactive, but deletes member information 401 from the member information storage unit when a transaction is put on hold by the holding unit. This will be explained in detail below.

[0200] The hold unit puts one of multiple transactions processed by the transaction processing unit on hold. Specifically, a hold state is a state in which the registration process is temporarily put on hold when there are multiple transactions in registration status. For example, when the previous customer goes to the sales floor to pick up an additional item, the store clerk puts the previous customer's transaction on hold and starts the registration process for the next customer. A transaction tab that is on hold is displayed as inactive. On the other hand, the transaction tab for which registration process is being performed (a transaction tab that is not on hold) is displayed as active.

[0201] Here, the transaction is not put on hold while the transaction is being processed. A specific explanation is given below. The POS terminal device 20 is capable of simultaneously processing the transaction and the registration process in parallel. If the transaction for the previous customer is being processed while the registration process for the next customer is being processed, the previous customer transaction tab is displayed as inactive on the store clerk display unit 210. Also, if the transaction for the previous customer is being processed, a screen for the transaction is displayed on the customer display unit 205, and the transaction is processed according to the customer's operation. Therefore, the transaction is not put on hold while the transaction is being processed.

[0202] When the holding unit puts the transaction on hold, if member information 401 is held in the member information holding unit, the holding control unit deletes the member information 401 from the member information holding unit. Specifically, when the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit when the holding unit puts the transaction on hold is member information 401 acquired by the first acquisition unit, the holding control unit deletes the member information 401 from the member information holding unit. On the other hand, when the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit when the holding unit puts the transaction on hold is member information 401 acquired by the second acquisition unit, the holding control unit does not delete the member information 401 from the member information holding unit, but rather holds it as is.

[0203] In addition, if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit when the transaction is put on hold by the holding unit is the member information acquired by the second acquisition unit, the writing unit does not write point information to the member card Mc.

[0204] In addition, the request unit requests the first acquisition unit to acquire the member information when the transaction put on hold by the holding unit is released from the hold state after the member information 401 has been deleted by the retention control unit. The release of the hold state means that the registration process is performed again.

[0205] (Processes performed by the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment) Next, each process performed by the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment will be described. Among the processes shown in the first embodiment, the "multiple transaction process" (see FIG. 9) is different in the third embodiment. That is, the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment performs the same processes as the "new transaction start process" (see FIG. 7), the "product registration process" (see FIG. 8), the "multiple transaction process" (see FIG. 9), and the "payment process" (see FIG. 10) shown in the first embodiment. The multiple transaction process performed by the POS terminal device 20 will be described below.

[0206] (An example of multiple transaction processing performed by the POS terminal device 20) FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a multiple transaction process performed by the POS terminal 20 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 26, the POS terminal 20 judges whether or not there is a transaction to be put on hold among the multiple transactions (step S2602). A transaction to be put on hold is a transaction that is displayed as inactive among the multiple transactions with a registration status. The POS terminal 20 waits until there is a transaction to be put on hold (step S2601: NO). Before the process of step S2601, the POS terminal 20 may judge whether or not multiple transactions are being carried out simultaneously. Multiple transactions being carried out simultaneously means, for example, that the process of the previous customer (payment process or registration process) and the process of the next customer (registration process) are carried out in parallel.

[0207] The POS terminal 20 may wait until multiple transactions are being carried out simultaneously, and when multiple transactions are being carried out simultaneously, start the process of step S2601. If there is a transaction to be put on hold in step S2601 (step S2601: YES), the POS terminal 20 judges whether the member information holding unit holds the member information 401 (step S2602). If the member information holding unit does not hold the member information 401 (step S2602: NO), that is, if the customer corresponding to the transaction to be put on hold is a non-member or if the held member information 401 has already been deleted, the POS terminal 20 ends the multiple transaction process.

[0208] On the other hand, if the member information storage unit holds member information 401 (step S2602: YES), that is, if the customer corresponding to the inactive transaction tab is a member, the POS terminal device 20 determines whether the member information 401 is the member information 401 obtained from the member card Mc (step S2603).

[0209] If the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit is the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S2603: YES), the POS terminal 20 deletes the member information 401 from the member information holding unit (step S2604) and ends the multiple transaction processing. On the other hand, if the member information 401 is not the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc (step S2603: NO), that is, if the member information 401 held in the member information holding unit is the member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv, the POS terminal 20 holds the member information 401 as is (step S2605) and ends the multiple transaction processing.

[0210] As described above, the POS terminal device 20 of the third embodiment is configured to delete the member information 401 acquired from the member card Mc from the member information storage unit of the RAM 203 when the transaction is put on hold and the member information 401 is stored in the member information storage unit of the RAM 203. This prevents the point information to be given to the next customer from being written to the member card Mc of the previous customer even if the transaction of the previous customer is put on hold and the registration process of the next customer is started. Also, even if the registration process of the previous customer is resumed and the transaction of the next customer being registered is put on hold, it prevents the point information to be given to the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately given to customers who should be given points.

[0211] Furthermore, when a transaction is put on hold, the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment is configured to retain the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit if the member information 401 is obtained from the management server Sv. This prevents the member information 401 of the member card Mc of a next customer from being stored in the member information storage unit, even if the member card Mc of the next customer is held over the card reading / writing terminal 217. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer, and allows points to be appropriately awarded to the previous customer.

[0212] Furthermore, when a transaction is put on hold, the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment does not write point information to the member card Mc if the member information 401 stored in the member information storage unit is the member information 401 acquired from the management server Sv. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc even if the member card Mc of a next customer is held over the card reading and writing terminal 217. This makes it possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the member card Mc of the next customer, and to appropriately award points to the previous customer.

[0213] Furthermore, the POS terminal device 20 according to the third embodiment is configured to request acquisition of the previous customer's membership information 401 when the pending state is released after the previous customer's membership information 401 has been deleted. This allows the previous customer's membership information 401 to be stored again in the membership information storage unit. Therefore, the point information of the previous customer can be appropriately written to the previous customer's membership card Mc.

[0214] (Variation 1) Next, a first variation of the first to third embodiments will be described. In the first to third embodiments described above, a configuration has been described in which, in principle, a transaction is performed with the membership card Mc placed on the card reading and writing terminal 26 from the start to the end of the transaction. In the first variation, a configuration will be described in which a declaration of whether or not the user is a member is accepted at the start of a transaction, and the membership card Mc is read by the card reading and writing terminal 26 and written only when the transaction is completed. Note that, in the first variation, a POS register 3 will be used as an example, but the same applies to the POS terminal device 20.

[0215] In the first modification, the POS register 3 accepts a declaration as to whether or not the customer is a member at the start of a transaction. The declaration may be accepted from the store clerk display unit 210 or the customer display unit 205. The declaration may be selected from one of three options: "member," "non-member," or "member without a membership card."

[0216] When "member" or "member without a membership card" is selected (hereinafter referred to as "member declaration"), the POS register 3 may reflect the member price and perform product registration and payment processing. When a member is declared, the POS register 3 may display the member price and the non-member price on the customer side display unit 205. For example, if milk is registered with a member price of 190 yen and a non-member price of 200 yen, the POS register 3 will display both prices.

[0217] Furthermore, if a member is not identified at the time of payment, the POS register 3 may notify the user that the price will be a non-member price (that the purchase price will be higher). Cases where a member is not identified include when the member card Mc is not presented or when the member information 401 cannot be obtained from the management server Sv. For example, if a user declares that they are a member but is actually a non-member, the POS register 3 may notify the user that the purchase price will be higher.

[0218] When the settlement is completed, the card reading and writing terminal 26 reads the membership card Mc and updates the membership information 401. In the case of a "member without a membership card," when the settlement is completed, the POS register 3 only needs to accept input of a telephone number, etc., and obtain the membership information 401 from the management server Sv.

[0219] Furthermore, the POS register 3 may not only accept a declaration of whether or not the customer is a member at the start of a transaction, but may also accept the customer's member rank. This allows the registration process and the settlement process to be carried out at a member price that reflects the customer's member rank. Even in this case, if the customer's member rank is not verified at the time of settlement, the price for a lower member rank or the non-member price (indicating that the purchase price will be higher) may be notified. In other words, if the customer declares that they are an A-rank customer but is actually a C-rank customer, the customer may be notified that the purchase price will be higher.

[0220] The embodiments will be summarized below. [Technical field] Product sales data processing device, product sales data processing system, registration device, and program The present invention relates to a merchandise sales data processing device, a merchandise sales data processing system, a registration device, and a program. [Background technology] In recent years, in order to increase the frequency of customers' visits to stores, various stores have been providing services that provide benefits such as points. For example, a customer is given a membership card (point card), and is prompted to present the membership card when making a transaction. Points are then awarded to the membership card, and the customer can make a transaction using the awarded points. As a related technique, a method for managing reward points has been disclosed in which a customer can accumulate points by using his / her personal information processing device even after the customer has purchased a product (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, POS registers that can process multiple transactions simultaneously have become widespread in recent years. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-141405 A [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the conventional technology, when multiple transactions are processed simultaneously in parallel, points may be awarded to a customer other than the customer to whom they should be awarded, and points may not be awarded appropriately. For example, if a second customer starts a transaction while the first customer is already presenting his / her membership card and multiple transactions are processed simultaneously in parallel, there is a risk that the points that should be awarded to the second customer may be awarded to the first customer. 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 can appropriately give benefits to customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0221] (1) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first acquisition means for acquiring membership information from a medium, a retention control means for causing a retention means to retain the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means, a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions, a writing means for writing to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member when membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, and a display control means for displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the plurality of transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state, wherein the retention control means deletes the membership information from the retention means when membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive. According to the above configuration, even if the registration process for the next customer is started after the settlement process for the previous customer, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should be awarded points.

[0222] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, a second acquisition means is provided for acquiring membership information from a management device which manages membership information for each medium, and the retention control means causes the retention means to retain the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means or the second acquisition means, and when a customer transaction which is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactively, the membership information retained in the retention means is the membership information acquired by the second acquisition means, and the retention means may retain the membership information as is. According to the above configuration, even if the membership card Mc of the next customer is held over the card reading and writing terminal 26, it is possible to prevent the membership information 401 of that membership card Mc from being stored in the membership information storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the next customer, and it is possible to appropriately award points to the previous customer.

[0223] (3) In the configuration of (2) above, the writing means may be configured not to write the bonus information to the medium when the member information stored in the storage means when a customer transaction currently being actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive is the member information acquired by the second acquisition means. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written onto the membership card Mc of the next customer, even if the membership card Mc of the next customer is held over the card reading and writing terminal 26. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the point information of the previous customer from being written onto the membership card Mc of the next customer, and it is possible to appropriately award points to the previous customer.

[0224] (4) In any of the configurations (1) to (3) above, the system may further include a request means for requesting acquisition of member information by the first acquisition means when a transaction that has been displayed as inactive by the display control means is displayed as active again after member information has been deleted by the retention control means. According to the above configuration, the member information storage unit can store the previous customer's member information 401 again. Therefore, the point information of the previous customer can be appropriately written to the previous customer's member card Mc.

[0225] (5) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a product sales data processing system according to another aspect of the present invention is a product sales data processing system comprising: a registration device which registers products by operation of a store clerk; and a plurality of settlement devices which settle the payment for products by operation of a customer using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, wherein the registration device comprises a first acquisition means which acquires member information from a medium; a second acquisition means which acquires member information from a management device which manages the member information for each medium; a storage control means which causes a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means or the second acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a display control means for displaying each transaction in an active state, or in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is inactive and that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is inactive and that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is inactive and that the transaction is in an inactive state indicating that the transaction is inactive and that the transaction is in an inactive state According to the above configuration, even if the registration process for the next customer is started before the registration process for the previous customer is completed, it is possible to prevent point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Furthermore, if the registration process for the previous customer is resumed while the registration process for the next customer is being performed, it is possible to prevent point information to be awarded to the previous customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should actually be awarded points. It is also possible to encourage updating of the membership information 401 on the membership card Mc in the next transaction.

[0226] (6) In the above configuration (5), the registration device may include an instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to output the registration information, and the writing means may write the bonus information to the medium when the instruction is received by the instruction receiving means. According to the above configuration, the point information is written to the membership card Mc when the payment is deemed to have been officially settled and the product registration is completed, so that the point information can be written easily.

[0227] (7) In the configuration of (6) above, if the membership information is not stored in the storage means before the instruction receiving means receives the instruction, a request means may be provided to request acquisition of the membership information by the first acquisition means. If a customer requests that point information be written after completing settlement, the store clerk would have to take the time to search for that customer's transactions. However, with the above configuration, points can be awarded before settlement begins, reducing the time required for such searches.

[0228] (8) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a registration device which is another aspect of the present invention is a registration device for a product sales data processing system which includes a registration device which registers products by operation of a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices which settle the payment for products by operation of a customer using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, the registration device comprising: a first acquisition means which acquires membership information from a medium; a retention control means which causes the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means to be retained in a retention means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means which, if membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, writes to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member; and a display control means which is capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the plurality of transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state, and the retention control means deletes the membership information from the retention means if membership information is retained in the retention means when a customer transaction which is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive. According to the above configuration, even if the registration process for the next customer is started after the settlement process for the previous customer, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should be awarded points.

[0229] (9) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a product sales data processing device that registers products through the operation of a store clerk and settles for products through the operation of a customer, and is characterized in that it comprises a first acquisition means for acquiring membership information from a medium, a retention control means for causing the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means to be retained in a retention means, a transaction processing means capable of processing multiple transactions, a writing means for writing to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member if the membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, and a holding means for putting one of the multiple transactions by the transaction processing means on hold, and the holding control means deletes the membership information from the holding means if the membership information is retained in the retention means when the transaction is put on hold by the holding means. According to the above configuration, even if the transaction of the previous customer is put on hold and the registration process of the next customer is started, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Also, even if the registration process of the previous customer is resumed and the transaction of the next customer during the registration process is put on hold, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the previous customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should originally be awarded points.

[0230] (10) 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 first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium, a retention control means for causing the member information acquired by the first acquisition means to be retained in a retention means, a transaction processing means capable of processing multiple transactions, a writing means for writing to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member when member information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, and a display control means for displaying each transaction with an active display indicating that one of the multiple transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state, and the retention control means is a program that, if member information is retained in the retention means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive, deletes the member information from the retention means. According to the above configuration, even if the registration process for the next customer is started after the settlement process for the previous customer, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should be awarded points.

[0231] (11) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another aspect of the present invention is a program for a product sales data processing system having a registration device that registers products through operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices that settle the payment for products through operation by customers using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, the program causing a computer used in the registration device to function as: a first acquisition means that acquires membership information from a medium, a retention control means that causes the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means to be retained in a retention means, a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions, a writing means that, if membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, writes to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member, and a display control means that is capable of displaying each transaction with an active display indicating that one of the plurality of transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state, and the retention control means is characterized in that, when a customer transaction that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed inactive, if membership information is retained in the retention means, the retention control means deletes the membership information from the retention means. According to the above configuration, even if the registration process for the next customer is started before the registration process for the previous customer is completed, it is possible to prevent point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Also, if the registration process for the previous customer is resumed while the registration process for the next customer is being performed, it is possible to prevent point information to be awarded to the previous customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should actually be awarded points.

[0232] (12) 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, which registers products through the operation of a store clerk and settles for products through the operation of a customer, to function as a first acquisition means for acquiring membership information from a medium, a retention control means for causing the membership information acquired by the first acquisition means to be retained in a retention means, a transaction processing means capable of processing multiple transactions, a writing means for writing to the medium bonus information to be granted to the member if membership information is retained in the retention means when a transaction by the transaction processing means is completed, and a holding means for putting one of the multiple transactions by the transaction processing means on hold, and the holding control means deletes the membership information from the holding means if membership information is retained in the retention means when the transaction is put on hold by the holding means. According to the above configuration, even if the transaction of the previous customer is put on hold and the registration process of the next customer is started, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the next customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the previous customer. Also, even if the registration process of the previous customer is resumed and the transaction of the next customer during the registration process is put on hold, it is possible to prevent the point information to be awarded to the previous customer from being written to the membership card Mc of the next customer. Therefore, points can be appropriately awarded to customers who should originally be awarded points.

[0233] In addition, all or part of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) of each device described above (POS register 3, POS terminal device 20, etc.) may be realized in another device other than the device described as the entity that executes the function.

[0234] Specifically, in the above description, the POS register 3 is configured to include a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, an input reception unit, a storage control unit, a transaction processing unit, a writing unit, a transmission control unit, a display control unit, and a request unit. Also, the POS terminal device 20 is configured to include these functional units, a transmission unit, a reception unit, a printing unit, an instruction reception unit, and a reservation unit. All or a part of these functional units may be included in another computer device. For example, all or a part of these functional units may be included in the store controller 2, the management server Sv, or a computer device other than these, such as a cloud server (not shown). Also, the computer device in which these functional units are included is not limited to being multiple, and may be one. For example, all of these functional units may be included in one computer device.

[0235] Specifically, for example, the store controller 2 or a cloud server (not shown) may store information (registration data) after product registration, instead of the POS register 3 or the POS terminal 20. Also, for example, the store controller 2 or a cloud server may execute various processes such as the point allocation process (see FIGS. 11 and 23) instead of the POS register 3 or the POS terminal 20. That is, for example, in step S1104 of the flowchart in FIG. 11, the process of writing member information 401 to the member card Mc, which has been described as being executed by the POS register 3, may be executed by the store controller 2 or a cloud server.

[0236] In relation to the above, the POS register 3 and the POS terminal device 20 may function as a so-called thin client specialized in the input / output interface portion with respect to product registration. In other words, the POS register 3 and the POS terminal device 20 may accept various inputs (operation by an operator, detection by a device such as a scanner), transmit the input information (operation information, scan information, etc.) to a cloud server, receive the processing results of the cloud server based on the input information (update screen information, device control information, etc.), and perform various outputs (display on a display unit, control of a device).

[0237] The programs for implementing the POS system 1, 1900, POS register 3, and POS terminal device 20 described above may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs may be read into a computer system and executed. 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 above-mentioned 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 above-mentioned 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]

[0238] 1, 1900... POS system, 3... POS register, 20... POS terminal device, 21, 210... store clerk display unit, 23, 205... customer display unit, 24, 208... card payment unit, 26, 217... card reading and writing terminal, 31, 201... CPU, 32, 202... ROM, 33, 203... RAM, 36... drawer, 209... change machine.

Claims

1. A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means when a transaction is completed by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a display control means capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state; Equipped with The retention control means When a customer transaction that is being actively displayed by the display control means is displayed as inactive, if member information is stored in the storage means, the member information is deleted from the storage means. A product sales data processing device comprising:

2. a second acquisition means for acquiring member information from a management device that manages member information for each medium; The retention control means causing the member information acquired by the first acquisition means or the second acquisition means to be stored in the storage means; when the member information stored in the storage means when the customer transaction that is being actively displayed by the display control means is being inactively displayed is the member information acquired by the second acquisition means, the member information is stored as is in the storage means; 2. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1.

3. The writing means includes: when the customer transaction that is being actively displayed by the display control means is being inactively displayed, if the member information stored in the storage means is the member information acquired by the second acquisition means, the special information is not written to the medium.

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

4. and a request means for requesting acquisition of the member information by the first acquisition means when a transaction that has been inactively displayed by the display control means is again actively displayed after the member information has been deleted by the retention control means.

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

5. A product sales data processing system including a registration device that registers products by operation of a store clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that perform payment for products by operation of a customer using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, The registration device includes: A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; A second acquisition means for acquiring member information from a management device that manages member information for each medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means or the second acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means when a transaction is completed by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a display control means capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the transactions is in an operable state, and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state; A transmitting means for transmitting information necessary for settlement to the settlement device; The retention control means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed as inactive, if the member information stored in the storage means is the member information acquired by the first acquisition means, the member information is deleted from the storage means; When the member information is acquired by the second acquisition means, the transmission means transmits information necessary for the settlement and information indicating that the member information has been acquired by the second acquisition means; The settlement device includes: a receiving means for receiving the information transmitted by the transmitting means; a printing means for printing information indicating that the member information has been acquired by the second acquisition means when the information received by the receiving means includes information indicating that the member information has been acquired by the second acquisition means; A product sales data processing system comprising:

6. The registration device includes: an instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to output the registration information; the writing means writes the bonus information onto the medium in response to the instruction being accepted by the instruction accepting means; 6. The product sales data processing system according to claim 5.

7. a request means for requesting acquisition of the member information by the first acquisition means when the member information is not stored in the storage means before the instruction acceptance means accepts the instruction, 7. The product sales data processing system according to claim 6.

8. A registration device of a product sales data processing system including: a registration device that registers products by operation of a store clerk; and a plurality of payment devices that perform payment for products by operation of a customer using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means when a transaction is completed by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a display control means capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the transactions is in an operable state, and in an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state; Equipped with The retention control means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed as inactive, if member information is stored in the storage means, the member information is deleted from the storage means; A registration device comprising:

9. A product sales data processing device that registers products through an operation by a store clerk and settles the purchase of products through an operation by a customer, A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means when a transaction is completed by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a hold means for putting any one of a plurality of transactions processed by said transaction processing means into a hold state; Equipped with The retention control means when the transaction is put on hold by the holding means, if member information is held in the holding means, the member information is deleted from the holding means; A product sales data processing device comprising:

10. A computer used in a product sales data processing device, A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means upon completion of a transaction by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a display control means capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the plurality of transactions is in an operable state and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state; Function as a The retention control means When a customer transaction that is being actively displayed by the display control means is displayed as inactive, if member information is stored in the storage means, the member information is deleted from the storage means. A program characterized by:

11. A product sales data processing system including a registration device that registers products by operation of a store clerk, and a plurality of payment devices that perform product payment by operation of a customer using registration information indicating the products registered by the registration device, comprising: a computer used in the registration device; A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means upon completion of a transaction by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a display control means capable of displaying each transaction in an active display indicating that one of the plurality of transactions is in an operable state and an inactive display indicating that transactions other than the one transaction are in an inoperable state; Function as a The retention control means when a transaction of a customer that is actively displayed by the display control means is displayed as inactive, if member information is stored in the storage means, the member information is deleted from the storage means; A program characterized by:

12. A computer used in a product sales data processing device which registers products through an operation by a store clerk and settles the purchase of the products through an operation by a customer, A first acquisition means for acquiring member information from a medium; a storage control means for causing a storage means to store the member information acquired by the first acquisition means; a transaction processing means capable of processing a plurality of transactions; a writing means for writing, when member information is stored in the storage means upon completion of a transaction by the transaction processing means, information about a privilege to be given to the member into the medium; a holding means for holding any one of a plurality of transactions executed by said transaction processing means; Function as a The retention control means when the transaction is put on hold by the holding means, if member information is held in the holding means, the member information is deleted from the holding means; A program characterized by:

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