Product sales data processing system, registration device, and program

Abstract

To provide a product sales data processing system including a registration device and a settlement device that efficiently calls back registration data from the settlement device to the registration device.SOLUTION: A product sales data processing system comprises: a registration device for registering products; a settlement device for processing settlement in response to customer's operations on the basis of registration data related to the products registered by the registration device; display means for displaying an in-use sign indicating an in-use settlement device in which settlement processing based on the obtained registration data is not settled; and call-back controlling means for performing control so as to be able to call back the registration data from the in-use settlement device to the registration device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art POS (Point Of Sales) systems are known that include a registration device that registers products and a payment device that settles the payment for the products registered by the registration device. Furthermore, among the above POS systems, some are known that are capable of a process called recall. As an example, recall is performed as follows. After the registration data for a certain transaction is output from the registration device to the settlement device, a customer may request a change to the registered contents, such as adding an item. In such a case, the store clerk operating the registration device performs a recall operation to instruct the registration device to recall the registration data corresponding to the transaction.

[0003] In response to the recall operation, the settlement process based on the registration data corresponding to the transaction in the settlement device is temporarily canceled, and the registration data corresponding to the transaction is recalled from the settlement device to the registration device. By recalling the registration data to the registration device in this manner, the store clerk can make corrections to the recalled registration data, such as adding or canceling products.

[0004] The above-mentioned recall operation is performed, for example, as follows. The store clerk operating the registration device first displays an unsettled list screen showing a list of transactions for which settlement processing has not been completed among those corresponding to the registration data output to the settlement device. The store clerk selects a transaction corresponding to the registration data to be recalled from the list of transactions shown on the displayed unsettled list screen, and then performs an operation to instruct execution of the recall (for example, pressing a button). In response to the operation to instruct execution of the recall, the registration data corresponding to the selected transaction is output to the registration device so as to be returned from the settlement device (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-91185 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Currently, there are POS systems in which, even when the settlement device is processing a settlement using one registered data, there is no particular limit on the number of registered data that the settlement device can accept for subsequent settlement processing, or the upper limit on the number of registered data that the settlement device can accept is loosely set to a relatively large number. In such POS systems, the number of unsettled registered data sent from the registration device to the settlement device becomes quite large. In such cases, the above-mentioned recall operation is effective because it makes it easy to identify the transaction to be corrected from among the many unsettled transactions shown on the unsettled transaction list screen.

[0007] However, experience in operating POS systems has led to the realization that, for example, limiting the number of registration data that a settlement device can accept from a registration device makes accounting smoother. For this reason, there is currently a trend to limit the number of registration data that a settlement device can accept from a registration device to, for example, one. Generally, one registration device corresponds to at most three settlement devices. In this case, if the upper limit of the number of registration data that a settlement device can accept from a registration device is one, the number of registration data that is unprocessed on the settlement device side corresponding to one registration device will also be a maximum of three. If the number of unprocessed registration data is this small, the store clerk can remember which transaction's registration data was output to which settlement device. Considering the above, the recall operation of displaying the unsettled list screen and selecting the transaction to be corrected results in a wasteful procedure in a POS system in which the settlement device limits the number of registration data that it can accept from the registration device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to enable efficient recall of registration data from a settlement device to a registration device in a product sales data processing system equipped with a registration device and a settlement device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing system that includes a registration device in which products are registered, and a settlement device that performs settlement processing based on registration data related to products registered by the registration device in response to a customer's operation, and that includes a display means that displays an in-use indicator that indicates a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a call-back control means that controls the recall of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to an operation on the in-use indicator.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a registration device that includes a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to registered products to a settlement device that performs settlement processing based on the registration data in response to a customer's operation, a display means for displaying an in-use indicator that indicates a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a call-back control means for controlling the call-back of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to an operation on the in-use indicator.

[0011] Moreover, one aspect of the present invention is a program for a product sales data processing system that causes a first computer to function as a registration device where products are registered, and causes a second computer to function as a settlement device that performs settlement processing based on registration data related to products registered by the registration device in response to a customer's operation, the program causing the first computer to function as a display means that displays an in-use indication indicating a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on acquired registration data, and as a call-back control means that controls the call-back of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to an operation on the in-use indication, and causes the second computer to function as a registration data output means that outputs registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to control of the call-back control means.

[0012] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer acting as a registration device in which products are registered to function as a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to registered products to a settlement device which performs settlement processing based on the registration data in response to a customer's operation, a display means for displaying an in-use indicator which indicates a settlement device which is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a recall control means for controlling the recall of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to an operation on the in-use indicator. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, in a product sales data processing system including a registration device and a settlement device, it is possible to obtain an effect that the registration data can be efficiently recalled from the settlement device to the registration device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a registration device and a settlement device in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a registration device in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a settlement device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process procedure executed by the registration device in relation to a recall in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a settlement tab in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device in relation to displaying the settlement tab in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device in the second embodiment in relation to recalling registration data. [Figure 10] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen corresponding to corrected registration data in the eighth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a POS system 1 (an example of a product sales data processing system) according to this embodiment. The POS system 1 shown in the figure includes a management device 10, one registration device 20, and two settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2, they will be referred to as settlement device 30. The management device 10, the registration device 20, and the settlement device 30 are connected to each other via a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

[0016] The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is just an example. For example, the POS system 1 may include two or more registration devices 20, or one or three or more settlement devices 30. The POS system 1 of this embodiment may not include the management device 10. In addition, if the configuration of the POS system 1 does not include the management device 10, another device (for example, if there are multiple registration devices 20, a single representative registration device 20) may be made to function as the management device 10.

[0017] The management device 10 is an information processing device that manages the POS system 1, and manages the registration devices 20 and the settlement devices 30 in the POS system 1, and manages various information such as a product master. The management device 10 appropriately transmits the latest product master to the registration devices 20 and each settlement device 30. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN code), product name (product name, item name), sales price, discount information, etc. for each product. The management device 10 acquires a product master reflecting the latest product information from an external source (for example, a server at the headquarters or a removable storage medium) and transmits the product master to the registration device 20 and each settlement device 30 as appropriate.

[0018] The registration device 20 executes a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased. Product registration is performed, for example, by using a scanner to read a barcode attached to the product or by operating a preset button or the like displayed on a product registration screen. The registration device 20 also generates and stores data related to the registered products and information used for settlement (hereinafter referred to as registration data).

[0019] The registration data includes registration data identification information for identifying the registration data, registration date and time, product identification information for each registered product, product name, sales price, discount information, transaction points (purchase points) indicating the number of products to be purchased, and total price (total amount) of the products to be purchased. The registration data may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration device 20 that generated the registration data (i.e., the registration device 20 that registered the products related to the registration data). When the POS system 1 has a plurality of registration devices 20, the registration device identification information is used, for example, when the settlement device 30 identifies the registration device 20 with which it is to communicate.

[0020] The registered data is used for settlement processing in the settlement device 30. The settlement processing is a process in which the price of registered products is paid and settled selectively using cash, electronic money, credit card, etc.

[0021] In this embodiment, there are multiple settlement devices 30, and any one of the multiple settlement devices executes the settlement process using the product registration data generated by the registration device 20. The following first and second designation modes can be used to specify the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process from among the multiple settlement devices 30.

[0022] The first designation manner is a manner in which a store clerk uses the registration device 20 to designate the settlement device 30 that is to execute the settlement process. That is, the store clerk performs an operation to specify a settlement device 30 on the registration device 20, thereby specifying one of the multiple settlement devices 30 that is to execute the settlement process. In addition, the registration device 20 may be configured to display operation information indicating the operating status of each settlement device 30, so that when a store clerk selects a settlement device 30, the operation status of each settlement device 30 can be checked on the registration device 20.

[0023] When a store clerk designates a settlement device 30, registration data including the product registration data generated in the registration device 20 is transmitted to the designated settlement device 30 via the LAN 11. In other words, when a settlement device 30 is designated following a product registration process, the registration device 20 transmits to the designated settlement device 30 registration data including the product registration data based on the product registration process. In this embodiment, the registration device 20 transmits the registration data directly to the settlement device 30, but the registration data may be transmitted to the settlement device 30 via the management device 10.

[0024] The second designated mode is a mode in which a medium for payment processing (a receipt (registered trademark)) is issued from the registration device 20, and the receipt handed to the customer by a store clerk is read by one payment device 30. That is, the customer designates one of the multiple payment devices 30 that will carry out the payment process by having the payment device 30 read the bill handed to him by the store clerk. On the receipt, a registration device ID indicating the registration device 20 that issued the receipt and the registration data are printed in the form of a code, either a barcode (one-dimensional code) or a two-dimensional code. When the settlement device 30 reads the code on the receipt, it obtains the product registration data from the registration data indicated by the read code.

[0025] In the following, a case will be described as an example in which the POS system 1 in this embodiment is designed to specify the settlement device 30 that is to execute the settlement process in the first specification mode.

[0026] The settlement device 30 executes settlement processing in response to the customer's operation. Furthermore, when the settlement processing is completed, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of the completion of the settlement processing.

[0027] Next, examples of the configuration of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 will be described with reference to Figs. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration device 20. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the settlement device 30.

[0028] 3, the registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a storage unit 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a store clerk display unit 205, a customer display unit 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0029] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the registration device 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 202 . The storage unit 202 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 201, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0030] The RAM 203 is a main storage device of the CPU 201 and stores various information, for example, the RAM 203 stores product master data acquired from the management device 10, registration data generated after product registration processing, and the like. The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.

[0031] The store clerk display unit 205 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information for the store clerk. For example, the store clerk display unit 205 displays a product registration screen on which preset buttons associated with product information (product code, etc.) are arranged.

[0032] The customer display unit 205a displays various information for customers. For example, the customer display unit 205a displays the price of registered products, etc. The customer display unit 205a may be a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel).

[0033] The operation unit 206 includes various operation buttons (such as a subtotal key, a running total key, a number entry key, a correction key, and a preset key) for operating the registration device 20. For example, when an operation button (preset key) is operated, the operation unit 206 accepts an operation input regarding product information (such as a product code) that is set and registered in advance in the preset key.

[0034] The communication unit 207 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 . The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound when it is necessary for a store clerk to confirm an operation. The printing unit 209 prints and issues media as necessary. For example, the printing unit 209 can print and issue bills.

[0035] The card reader 210 is a device that reads information from an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​tag in the form of, for example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an example of the external appearance of a registration device 20 including a scanner unit 204, a display unit for store clerks 205, an operation unit 206, a printing unit 209, and a card reader 210.

[0037] 4, the settlement device 30 includes a CPU 301, a memory unit 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, a settlement unit 310, a sign pole 311, a human detection sensor 312, and a card reader 313. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0038] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit, and controls the operation of the settlement device 30 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 302 . The storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 301, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 301, including programs.

[0039] The RAM 303 is a main storage device of the CPU 301 and stores various information, for example, the product master acquired from the management device 10 and the registration data acquired from the registration device 20. The scanner unit 304 optically reads, for example, a code (a barcode or a two-dimensional code) printed on a bill or a code (a membership code) attached to a membership card or the like.

[0040] Display unit 305 is a touch panel (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel) and displays various information. For example, display unit 305 displays a settlement screen on which the total amount is displayed.

[0041] The operation unit 306 includes various operation buttons (such as a correction key and a preset key) for operating the settlement device 30. For example, the operation unit 306 accepts corrections to operation inputs by operating an operation button (correction key).

[0042] The communication unit 307 communicates with other devices via the LAN 11 . When an error or the like occurs, the buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound to notify the user of the error. The printing unit 309 prints and issues media. For example, when the payment process (i.e., the payment of the purchase amount of the product) is completed, the printing unit 309 prints and issues a payment-completed receipt for the customer to take home.

[0043] The settlement unit 310 performs processing related to settlement (clearance). In this embodiment, the settlement unit 310 can handle at least one of the following types of settlement: cash settlement, credit card settlement, and electronic money settlement. To accommodate settlement with cash, the settlement unit 310 is equipped with a change machine. The change machine is equipped with a banknote slot for inserting and ejecting banknotes, a coin slot for inserting coins, and a change outlet for ejecting change. The settlement unit 310 executes settlement with cash using the change machine, and outputs the result of the execution of the settlement (for example, information indicating whether the settlement has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus. Furthermore, in the case where payment is made by credit card, the payment unit 310 is provided with a credit card reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the credit card reader. Furthermore, in the case where payment is made using electronic money, the settlement unit 310 includes an electronic money reader and performs settlement processing using information read by the electronic money reader.

[0044] The sign pole 311 has indicator lights of multiple colors, and by turning on or blinking these indicator lights, it notifies the user that the settlement device 30 is the device designated by the store clerk or that it can be operated. The human detection sensor 312 is a sensor that detects the presence of a person (customer) within a specified range in front of the settlement device 30.

[0045] The card reader 313 is a device that reads information from an RFID tag in the form of an IC card, for example.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the external configuration of settlement device 30, which includes scanner unit 304, display unit 305, operation unit 306, printing unit 309, settlement unit 310, sign pole 311, card reader 313, and the like.

[0047] The POS system 1 of this embodiment, which includes the registration device 20 and settlement device 30 as described above, is configured to be able to recall registration data. Recalling registration data means that after sending registration data to the settlement device 30, the settlement process that the settlement device 30 should execute based on the registration data is suspended or stopped, and the transmitted registration data is returned to the registration device 20. Recalling is generally performed in response to, for example, canceling a product registered by the registration device 20 or registering an additional product for further purchase.

[0048] The recall operation performed by the store clerk to recall the registered data in this embodiment will be described below. 5 shows an example of a product registration screen displayed on the clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20. Note that the settlement machine list button BT2 and the last call back button BT3 shown in the figure are arranged in accordance with a modified example described later, and therefore will not be described in this embodiment. The product registration screen in the figure has a structure in which sheets (product registration sheets) showing the product registration details corresponding to each transaction are stacked. Each product registration sheet has a tab (product registration tab: an example of a heading area). In the figure, three product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 are displayed. The product registration screen in the figure has a structure in which these three product registration sheets are stacked. The product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display numbers indicating the registration order numbers. The registration order numbers indicate the order in which product registration began. In the figure, the product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, and TAB1-3 display registration order numbers "1," "2," and "3," respectively. This indicates that the order in which product registration began was the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1, followed by the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-2, and then the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-3. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual product registration tabs TAB1-1, TAB1-2, TAB1-3, etc., they will be referred to as product registration tab TAB1.

[0049] In this embodiment, the fact that three product registration tabs TAB1 are displayed as shown in the figure indicates that there are three transactions for which product registration has not yet been completed (product registration in progress) in the registration device 30. The store clerk can register the product for the corresponding transaction by operating the product registration sheet that is placed at the forefront among these three product registration sheets. The product registration for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet placed below the forefront is in a state where the product registration is pending. By performing an operation (touch operation) on the product registration tab TAB1, the store clerk can move the product registration sheet with the operated product registration tab TAB1 to the front and perform product registration for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet moved to the front. In other words, the store clerk can select the product registration sheet corresponding to any one of multiple registered transactions by operating the product registration tab TAB1 to be active, and perform product registration operation for the transaction corresponding to the active product registration sheet.

[0050] In the figure, a product registration sheet with a product registration tab TAB1-1 is shown in an active state. In the active product registration sheet, a product button area AR10 is arranged. In the product button area AR10, a product button corresponding to each product is arranged. For example, the product name indicating the corresponding product is displayed on the product button. In the product registration operation, the sales clerk can specify the product to be registered by operating the product button. Specifically, when a sales clerk wants to specify a product with the product name "Product B" as the product to be registered, the sales clerk can operate the product button labeled "Product B" among the product buttons arranged in the product button area AR10. By operating the product button for "Product B," "Product B" is specified as the product to be registered. Next, the sales clerk can perform an operation to input, for example, the quantity of "Product B." The sales clerk can register products sequentially by performing the above operations for each purchased product.

[0051] The product registration sheet in the figure shows that two products have been registered at the current stage. Specifically, the registered product list area AR11 in the product registration sheet in the figure shows that two products have been registered in the order of "Product A" and "Product B". The registered product area AR12 shows information about "Product B", which was registered last. The total amount area AR13 shows that the total number of products registered so far is "2", and that the total amount of these two products is 1,900 yen.

[0052] In addition, on the product registration screen, settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 are arranged. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 correspond to the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2, respectively, and are buttons for performing an operation (settlement device designation operation) to designate the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process. In addition, when there is no particular distinction between the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2, they will be referred to as settlement device designation button BT1.

[0053] The settlement device designation button BT1 shows the current status of the corresponding settlement device 30. In the figure, a badge displaying "Waiting" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates that the settlement device 30-1 is waiting for the start of settlement processing. In other words, the settlement device 30-1 at this time does not store any unprocessed registered data, and is waiting to receive new registered data. Furthermore, a badge displaying "In Use" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-2, and a lane line is drawn around the characters "Settlement Machine 2" on the settlement device designation button BT1-2. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-2 indicates that the settlement device 30-2 is in a state where settlement processing based on the acquired registration data has not been completed (an example of an in-use state). A state where settlement processing has not been completed refers to a state where settlement processing has been started with the acquired registration data as the processing target but the settlement processing has not yet been completed, or a state where registration data has been acquired from the registration device 20, but settlement processing with the acquired registration data as the processing target has not yet been started. In addition, depending on the state of the settlement device 30 as described above, for example, the color, pattern, etc. of the settlement device designation button BT1 itself may be displayed so as to change.

[0054] For example, when the operation of registering all products for a transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 in the figure is completed, the store clerk selects the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process based on the registration data corresponding to the transaction. At this time, the store clerk can see by looking at the settlement device designation button BT1 that settlement device 30-1 is in a standby state and settlement device 30-2 is in a used state.

[0055] In this embodiment, a case will be taken as an example where the upper limit number of registration data that the settlement device 30 can accept is "1". Therefore, even if new registration data is transmitted from the registration device 20 while the settlement device 30 is executing settlement processing based on one registration data received from the registration device 20, the settlement device 30 will not accept the transmitted registration data as a processing target.

[0056] In this case, since settlement device 30-1 is in use, registration data cannot be sent to settlement device 30-1. Meanwhile, settlement device 30-2 is in a standby state. In a standby state, settlement device 30-2 can accept the registration data sent to it. Therefore, in this case, the store clerk selects settlement device 30-2 as the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process. Then, as a settlement device designation operation, the store clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT1-2 corresponding to settlement device 30-2.

[0057] In response to an operation performed on the settlement device designation button BT1-2 as a settlement device designation operation, the registration device 20 transmits registration data for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 to the settlement device 30-2 and instructs the settlement processing. In response to the transmission of the registration data to the settlement device 30-2 as described above, the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 displayed on the registration device 20 up until now may be erased from the product registration screen. Instead, a product registration sheet with, for example, the product registration tab TAB1-2 may be displayed in the foreground. In addition, when the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-2 is displayed in the foreground in this manner, the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 advances from "2" to "1," and the registration order number displayed in the product registration tab TAB1-2 advances from "3" to "2."

[0058] The recall operation in this embodiment includes an operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged on the above-mentioned product registration screen. That is, the settlement device designation button BT1 in this embodiment is used to designate the settlement device 30 that executes the above-mentioned settlement process, as well as to select the settlement device 30 to which the registration data to be recalled is to be sent.

[0059] A specific example of the recall operation in the state of the product registration screen in the figure is as follows. In the state of the product registration screen in the figure, the settlement device 30-2 is in an unfinished state (during settlement processing, or before settlement processing has started) for the registration data transmitted from the registration device 20. Then, a store clerk receives a request to register additional products or cancel some of the registered products from a customer of a transaction corresponding to the registration data currently being processed by the settlement device 30-2. The store clerk who receives the request operates the settlement device designation button BT1-2 corresponding to the settlement device 30-2 to which the registration data is to be sent, in order to correct the corresponding registration data. Here, the settlement device designation button BT1-2 in the figure is shown to be in the "in use" state. In this embodiment, the operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 in the "in use" state is one operation included in the recall operation, and is an operation to select the settlement device 30 to which the registration data to be recalled is output (recall target selection operation). In the example of the figure, the settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates "standby" (waiting), and the settlement device designation button BT1-2 indicates "in use". For this reason, the settlement device designation button BT1-2 is the only option for the recall target selection operation. However, for example, if both the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 indicate "in use", both the settlement device designation buttons BT1-1 and BT1-2 are options for the recall target selection operation.

[0060] In response to the recall target selection operation being performed using the settlement device designation button BT1-2 as described above, a recall confirmation dialogue box is displayed so as to be superimposed on the product registration screen. The recall confirmation dialog box is a dialog box for confirming with the store clerk whether or not to execute the recall process. Although not shown in the figure, the recall confirmation dialog box displays a message prompting the store clerk to confirm whether or not to execute the recall of the registered data from the settlement device 30 selected by the store clerk through the recall target selection operation. In addition, the recall confirmation dialogue box may have, for example, a "Yes" button and a "No" button. The "Yes" button is a button that the store clerk operates when instructing the execution of the recall of the registered data. The "No" button is a button that the store clerk operates when canceling the execution of the recall of the registered data.

[0061] When the store clerk sees the recall confirmation dialog box displayed, if the clerk determines that the settlement device 30 selected by the recall target selection operation is correct and that it is OK to perform the recall, he or she presses the “Yes” button (recall instruction operation). In response to the above-mentioned recall instruction operation, the registration device 20 executes the recall process. That is, in this case, the registration device 20 transmits a request to return the registered data to the settlement device 30-2 corresponding to the settlement device designation button BT1-2 for which the recall target selection operation was performed. In response to receiving the return request, the settlement device 30-2 transmits the unprocessed registered data to the registration device 20 that sent the return request. The settlement device 30-2 deletes the registered data transmitted in response to the return request, or excludes it from the settlement process. In this way, the registration data transmitted to be returned from the settlement device 30 is received by the registration device 20, thereby performing the recall.

[0062] The registration device 20, which has acquired the registration data recalled from the settlement device 30 as described above, uses the recalled registration data to display a transaction correction screen. The store clerk can make corrections such as adding products or canceling some of the products by operating the transaction correction screen. When the correction is completed, the registration device 20 transmits the registration data reflecting the corrected contents to the settlement device 30, which is the sender of the recalled registration data. The settlement device 30 starts settlement processing based on the newly received registration data. The registration data may be automatically transmitted to the settlement device 30 by the registration device 20, or may be transmitted in response to a store clerk's operation to instruct transmission. The destination settlement device 30 may be the settlement device 30 that transmitted the recalled registration data, or may be determined by the registration device 20 in response to a store clerk's operation to instruct the settlement device, the status of the settlement device 30, etc.

[0063] On the other hand, if, for example, due to an operational error, the store clerk mistakenly selects the item to be recalled (operating the "in use" settlement device designation button BT1), or if the customer withdraws their request to correct the transaction while the recall confirmation dialog box is displayed, the store clerk can simply operate the "No" button in the recall confirmation dialog box. In response to the operation of the "No" button, the registration device 20 closes the recall confirmation dialog box and returns to the state of the product registration screen before the recall confirmation dialog box was displayed.

[0064] In the above-described recall operation, the store clerk can specify the settlement device 30 to which the registered data is to be recalled by operating the settlement device designation button BT1, which indicates the "in use" status. In other words, in the recall operation of this embodiment, the store clerk can declare the recall of registered data and specify the registered data to be recalled by operating the settlement device designation button BT1, which indicates the "in use" status. This eliminates the need for the store clerk to perform, as a recall operation, for example, an operation of displaying an unsettled list screen showing a list of transactions corresponding to registration data for which processing has not been completed, and an operation of selecting the transaction to be corrected from the displayed unsettled list screen. In other words, in this embodiment, the operational procedure performed by the store clerk as a recall operation is simplified, and the recall operation is performed efficiently.

[0065] An example of a process procedure executed by the registration device 20 in this embodiment in relation to a recall will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S101: The registration device 20 waits for an operation to be performed on the settlement device designation button BT1 indicating the "in use" state while the product registration screen is displayed. In other words, the registration device 20 waits for a recall target selection operation to be performed. Step S102: In response to the recall target selection operation, the registration device 20 controls the store clerk display unit 205 to display a recall confirmation dialogue box superimposed on the product registration screen. Step S103: While the recall confirmation dialog box is displayed, the registration device 20 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the "Yes" button arranged in the recall confirmation dialog box, that is, whether or not a recall instruction operation has been performed.

[0066] Step S104: When a recall instruction operation is performed, the registration device 20 performs a process of recalling the registration data. That is, the registration device 20 transmits a request for returning the registration data to the settlement device 30 selected by the recall target selection operation in step S101, and receives the registration data transmitted from the settlement device 30 in response to the return request. Step S105: The registration device 20, which has acquired the registration data through the recall process in step S104, erases the recall confirmation dialog box displayed in step S102. Step S106: The registration device 20 also displays a transaction correction screen using the recalled registration data. After displaying the transaction correction screen, the registration device 20 can change the contents of the recalled registration data in response to an operation for correcting a transaction (such as adding a product or canceling a part of a product) performed on the transaction correction screen, and transmit the changed registration data to the settlement device 30 to instruct the settlement process.

[0067] Step S107: On the other hand, if the "No" button arranged in the call back confirmation dialog box is operated to cancel the call back declaration, the registration device 20 determines that the call back instruction operation was not performed in step S103. In this case, the registration device 20 erases the call back confirmation dialog box displayed in step S102, and returns the display on the store clerk display unit 205 to the state of the product registration screen with the contents before the call back confirmation dialog box was displayed.

[0068] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. An example of a recall operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. This figure shows an area where the product registration tab TAB1 is displayed on the product registration screen of this embodiment. Note that the other parts of the product registration screen of this embodiment other than those shown in this figure may be the same as those in Fig. 5.

[0069] In the registration device 20 of this embodiment, the operation of registering a product corresponding to one transaction and the settlement device designation operation (operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 indicating the “standby” state) performed upon completion of the registration of a product in one transaction may be similar to that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, in response to a settlement device designation operation being performed, a settlement tab (an example of a heading area) indicating that the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation is in use is displayed on the product registration screen.

[0070] An example of the display of the payment tab is shown in Fig. 7. In the figure, one product registration tab TAB1-1 and two payment tabs TAB2-1 and TAB2-2 are displayed. As described in the first embodiment above, the product registration tab TAB1-1 is a tab attached to a product registration sheet corresponding to a transaction in which a product is being registered in the registration device 20. In the example shown in the figure, the product registration tab TAB1-1 is selected, and the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 attached is displayed in the foreground. For example, if, from the state shown in the figure, an operation is performed to put on hold the product registration of the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1 and to register a product for another transaction, in addition to the product registration tab TAB1-1, settlement tabs TAB2-1, and TAB2-2 shown in the figure, the product registration tab TAB1 corresponding to the other transaction will be displayed.

[0071] The settlement tab TAB2-1 shows that the settlement device 30-1 is in use, as the guide display GD of "Settlement Machine 1" indicating the settlement device 30-1 is displayed. The settlement tab TAB2-2 shows that the settlement device 30-2 is in use, as the guide display GD of "Settlement Machine 2" indicating the settlement device 30-2 is displayed. That is, the example in the figure shows that both the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2 are currently in use. In the following explanation, when there is no need to distinguish between the individual settlement tabs TAB2-1, TAB2-2, etc., they will be referred to as settlement tab TAB2.

[0072] The settlement tab TAB2 displayed as described above is erased when the settlement process in the corresponding settlement device 30 is completed.

[0073] In this embodiment, when performing a recall operation to recall registered data, the store clerk first operates the settlement tab TAB2 corresponding to the settlement device 30 that was the destination of the registered data to be recalled. Specifically, in the example shown in the figure, when the store clerk is trying to recall registered data from settlement device 30-1, the store clerk operates the settlement tab TAB2-1 corresponding to settlement device 30-1. When the store clerk is trying to recall registered data from settlement device 30-2, the store clerk operates the settlement tab TAB2-2 corresponding to settlement device 30-2. That is, in this embodiment, an operation for selecting a target to be recalled (declaration of recall of registered data and specification of registered data to be recalled) is performed by an operation on the settlement tab TAB2.

[0074] In response to an operation on the settlement tab TAB2, a call back confirmation dialogue box is displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 so as to be superimposed on the product registration screen. The display format of the call back confirmation dialogue box may be the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the call back confirmation dialogue box of this embodiment also displays a confirmation message and has a "Yes" button and a "No" button. If the store clerk is happy to recall the registered data, he or she operates the "Yes" button (recall instruction operation). In response to the recall instruction operation, the registration device 20 executes the recall process as in the first embodiment, displays a transaction correction screen using the recalled registered data, and handles the correction of the transaction. On the other hand, if the store clerk wishes to cancel the recall of the registration data, he or she operates the "No" button. The registration device 20 then closes the recall confirmation dialog box and returns to the state of the product registration screen before the recall confirmation dialog box was displayed.

[0075] With this type of recall operation, as in the first embodiment, the store clerk does not need to perform the operations of displaying the unsettled transaction list screen showing a list of transactions corresponding to the unprocessed registered data and selecting the transaction to be corrected from the displayed unsettled transaction list screen. This simplifies the operation procedure performed by the store clerk as the recall operation, and the recall operation is performed efficiently.

[0076] According to the above description, in this embodiment, there is no particular need for the sheet with the settlement tab TAB2 to be moved to the forefront and displayed on the product registration screen. For this reason, the sheet with the settlement tab TAB2 does not need to include significant information like the product registration sheet. Specifically, the settlement tab TAB2 may be provided with a sheet with only a background, for example. Alternatively, only the settlement tab TAB2 may be displayed and no sheet may be provided to the settlement tab TAB2.

[0077] Alternatively, as a variation of this embodiment, a sheet bearing the settlement tab TAB2 may be configured to display a transaction correction screen based on the recalled registered data when the registered data from the corresponding settlement device 30 is recalled. In this case, the following display should be made in response to the operation of the "Yes" button in the recall confirmation dialog box (recall instruction operation) following the operation of the settlement tab TAB2 (recall target selection operation). In other words, the sheet with the settlement tab TAB2 is moved to the front, and the transaction correction screen based on the recalled registration data is displayed on the frontmost sheet.

[0078] An example of a process procedure executed by the registration device 20 of this embodiment in relation to displaying the settlement tab will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an example of a process procedure executed by the registration device 20 in relation to starting the display of the settlement tab TAB2 will be described. Step S201: The registration device 20 waits for a settlement device designation operation (operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 indicating "standby") to be performed. Step S202: In response to the clerk performing a settlement device designation operation in response to the completion of registration of a product corresponding to one transaction, the registration device 20 transmits registration data corresponding to one transaction in which registration of the product has been completed to the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation. Step S203: The registration device 20 also displays a settlement tab TAB2 on the product registration screen, which indicates that the settlement device 30 to which the registration data was sent in step S202 is "in use."

[0079] Next, with reference to the same figure, an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device 20 in relation to erasing the displayed settlement tab TAB2 will be described. Step S301: The registration device 20 waits for the settlement process corresponding to one transaction to be completed in the settlement device 30. Each time the settlement process corresponding to one transaction is completed, the settlement device 30 transmits a notification to that effect (a settlement process completion notification) to the registration device 20. When the settlement process completion notification is received, the registration device 20 can determine that the settlement process has been completed in the settlement device 30 to which the received settlement process completion notification was sent. Step S302: When the registration device 20 determines that the settlement process has been completed at the settlement device 30, it erases the settlement tab TAB2 corresponding to the settlement device 30 for which the settlement process has been completed from the product registration screen.

[0080] Next, an example of a process procedure executed by the registration device 20 in relation to recalling registration data will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Step S401: The registration device 20 waits for an operation to be performed on any of the payment tabs TAB2 displayed on the product registration screen, that is, an operation to select a recall target. Step S402: In response to the recall target selection operation, the registration device 20 controls so that a recall confirmation dialogue box is displayed superimposed on the product registration screen. Step S403: While the recall confirmation dialog box is displayed, the registration device 20 determines whether or not an operation (recall instruction operation) has been performed on the "Yes" button arranged in the recall confirmation dialog box.

[0081] Step S404: When a recall instruction operation is performed, the registration device 20 performs a process of recalling the registration data. Step S405: The registration device 20, which has acquired the registration data by the recall process in step S404, erases the recall confirmation dialog box displayed in step S402. In addition, as a result of the registration data being recalled, the settlement device 30 that sent the registration data to be recalled changes from a "in use" state to a settlement process pending or "standby" state. Therefore, the registration device 20 also erases the settlement tab TAB2 on which the operation was performed in response to step S401. Step S406: The registration device 20 displays a transaction correction screen using the recalled registration data.

[0082] Step S407: On the other hand, if an operation is performed on the “No” button located in the callback confirmation dialog box, the registration device 20 determines that a callback instruction operation was not performed in step S403, and closes the callback confirmation dialog box displayed in step S402.

[0083] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the following description of this embodiment, FIG. 7 will be referred to, as in the second embodiment. In the product registration screen of this embodiment, settlement tabs TAB2-1 and TAB2-2 corresponding to the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2 are constantly displayed. In this embodiment, the display mode of the settlement tab TAB2 changes depending on the status of the corresponding settlement device. That is, when the corresponding settlement device 30 is in a "standby" status, the settlement tab TAB2 is displayed in a predetermined mode corresponding to this status, and when in a standby "in use" status, the settlement tab TAB2 is displayed in a predetermined mode corresponding to this status. By changing the display mode in this way, the settlement tab TAB2 can indicate the current status of the corresponding settlement device 30, such as whether it is on standby or in use.

[0084] Then, in this embodiment, as a settlement device designation operation performed in response to the completion of product registration, an operation is performed on the settlement tab TAB2 indicating the "standby" state. As a specific example, when a store clerk completes the registration of products for one transaction, the store clerk checks the state of the settlement tab TAB2 to confirm that the settlement device 30 is in the "standby" state. Here, since the settlement tab TAB2-1 corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 was in the standby state, the store clerk decided that the settlement device 30 to execute the settlement process is the settlement device 30-1. In this case, the store clerk performs an operation on the settlement tab TAB2-1 corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 among the settlement tabs TAB2. In this way, in response to a settlement device designation operation being performed on the settlement tab TAB2-1 in the "standby" state, the registration device 20 transmits registration data corresponding to the product registration for the current transaction to the settlement device 30-1 corresponding to the operated settlement tab TAB2-1. In addition, in response to the transmission of the registration data, the settlement tab TAB2-1, which has been operated as a settlement device designation operation, changes from a state indicating the previous "standby" state to a state indicating "in use."

[0085] According to the above description, in this embodiment, the settlement device can be designated by operating the settlement tab TAB2. In this embodiment, the status of each settlement device 30 is also shown by the display mode of the settlement tab TAB2. For this reason, in this embodiment, for example, the settlement device designation button BT1 arranged on the product registration screen of FIG. 5 may be omitted.

[0086] In addition, in this embodiment, the registered data can be recalled by operating the settlement tab TAB2, which indicates the "in use" state. As a specific example, when a customer of a transaction corresponding to the registration data currently being processed by settlement device 30-1 requests correction of the product registration details, such as registering additional products or canceling some of the registered products, the following occurs. When a request to correct the registered details is received, the settlement tab TAB2-1 corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 indicates the "in use" state and is in a state where it can accept the recall target selection operation. Therefore, in this case, the store clerk operates the settlement tab TAB2-1 to recall the registered data corresponding to the customer who requested the correction of the product registration details. In this embodiment, in response to an operation on the settlement tab TAB2-1, a recall confirmation dialog box is displayed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. The store clerk performs a recall instruction operation by operating the "Yes" button in the recall confirmation dialog box, and causes the registration device 20 to recall the registered data from the settlement device 30-1. When the registered data is recalled, a transaction correction screen is displayed, and the store clerk can perform an operation to change the registered contents of the product.

[0087] <Modification> A modification of this embodiment will now be described. [First Modification] In the above-described embodiment, when there are multiple sheets with tabs, the sheets are arranged so as to be stacked. However, for example, the multiple sheets may be arranged one by one in a planar direction so that they can be simultaneously viewed on the screen.

[0088] [Second modified example] The transmission of registration data from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30 in response to the settlement device designation operation may be performed via another information processing device such as the management device 10. Similarly, the transmission and reception of information between the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 regarding the recall of registration data may also be performed via another information processing device.

[0089] [Third Modification] In each of the above embodiments, the recall operation is performed to recall the registration data corresponding to the registration device 20. In other words, the registration data that one registration device 20 can recall is the registration data that it has performed the product registration process and transmitted to the settlement device 30, and the registration data that another registration device 20 has performed the product registration process and transmitted to the settlement device 30 is not recalled. However, a recall operation for one registration device 20 may be configured to recall to the one registration device not only the registration data transmitted from that one registration device to the settlement device 30, but also the registration data transmitted to the settlement device 30 by other registration devices 20. This allows a store clerk to respond to a request from a customer who has registered a product on a registration device other than the one he or she operates, and to correct the registration data by recalling the registration data on the spot.

[0090] In this modified example, a cashier list button BT2 may be arranged on the product registration screen as shown in Fig. 5. When the store clerk wishes to recall registration data corresponding to a registration device 20 other than the registration device 20 that the store clerk is operating, the cashier list button BT2 is operated. In response to the operation of the settlement machine list button BT2, the registration device 20 displays a list of settlement device designation buttons corresponding to each of the other registration devices 20 (settlement machine list screen). The settlement device designation buttons displayed on the settlement machine list screen also show the current status of the corresponding settlement device 30. That is, if the settlement device is on standby, a "standby" badge is displayed, and if the registration data has been received but the settlement process has not yet been completed, a "in use" badge is displayed. Looking at such a settlement machine list screen, the store clerk operates the settlement device designation button corresponding to the registration data that needs to be corrected. In response to the operation of the settlement device designation button, the corresponding registration data is transmitted from the designated settlement device 20 to the registration device 20 operated by the store clerk. The registration device 20 displays a transaction correction screen based on the received registration data. The store clerk can correct the registration data by operating the displayed transaction correction screen. In this way, one registration device 20 can recall and correct the registration data corresponding to the other registration devices 20.

[0091] The above example corresponds to the case where this modified example is applied to the first embodiment. In contrast, when this modified example is applied to the second or third embodiment, a settlement tab TAB2 corresponding to each of the other registration devices 20 may be displayed in response to an operation of the settlement machine list button BT2. The clerk can operate the settlement tab TAB2 corresponding to the registered data that needs to be corrected from among the displayed settlement tabs TAB2 to display a transaction correction screen for the registered data that needs to be corrected on the registration device 20 that he or she operates, and correct the registered data.

[0092] [Fourth Variation] A registered machine list button (not shown) may be arranged on the product registration screen. When the clerk operates the registered machine list button, a registered machine list screen showing a list of other registration devices 20 is displayed. The clerk operates the registration device designation button for the other registration devices 20 that performed the product registration corresponding to the registration data to be corrected, among the registration device designation buttons presented on the displayed registered machine list screen. In response to the operation of the registration device designation button, a settlement machine list screen corresponding to each of the other registration devices 20 is displayed, for example, as in the third modified example above. The clerk operates the settlement device designation button corresponding to the registration data to be corrected, among the settlement device designation buttons presented on the settlement machine list screen, to display the transaction correction screen, and can perform correction operations on the transaction correction screen.

[0093] [Fifth Modification] In addition, a store clerk may perform an operation to select another store clerk (operator) operating another registration device 20, so that the registration data transmitted to the settlement device 30 by the other registration device 20 operated by the selected other store clerk can be recalled to the registration device 20 operated by the store clerk and corrected.

[0094] [Sixth Modification] Furthermore, on the product registration screen, a button for recalling registered data corresponding to a transaction (last transaction) for which product registration has been completed at the registration device 20 but settlement has not been completed at the settlement device 30 may be arranged. As such a button, an example of a Last Recall button BT3 is shown in FIG. 5. If the transaction for which a correction has been requested is the last transaction corresponding to the registration device 20 that the store clerk operates the Last Recall button BT3. In response to the operation of the Last Recall button BT3, the registration device 20 recalls the registration data corresponding to the last transaction and displays a transaction correction screen. The recall refers to registration data transmitted from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30, and is not yet processed by the settlement device 30. For this reason, recall is often performed for the transaction in which product registration was last completed by the registration device 20, i.e., the immediately preceding transaction. Thus, by making it possible to recall registration data corresponding to the immediately preceding transaction with a single button operation, as in this modified example, the efficiency of the recall operation is improved.

[0095] [Seventh Variation] The recall operation may be prohibited if, after the settlement device 30 transmits the registration data to be corrected, product registration for a new transaction is in progress (for example, a subtotal operation has not yet been performed since product registration began). This prevents product registration for a new transaction from being interrupted, reducing the possibility of a store clerk making an operational error when registering products for a new transaction.

[0096] [Eighth Modification] For example, when a customer has put purchased items in two baskets and is having the items registered, the store clerk may mistakenly think that the item registration for one transaction has been completed for the first basket, and may perform a settlement device selection operation when the registration of the items in the first basket is completed, only to later realize that there was a second basket. In response to such a case, for example, when a recall is performed, the store clerk may be allowed to select whether or not to combine the transaction currently being registered with the transaction corresponding to the registration data to be corrected. In this case, if an operation to select the sum is performed, the registration device 20 executes a correction to the recalled registration data so as to integrate the results of the current product registration process. In other words, in this case, for example, the transactions of the first basket and the second basket can be integrated into one transaction. As an example, in a case where the same customer has two baskets and has undergone product registration, the first basket contains two products, product A and product B. The clerk completes the registration of the two products, product A and product B, in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 5 for the first basket, performs the settlement device designation operation, and transmits the registration data to the settlement device 30. After this, the clerk realizes that the transaction for which product registration is currently being performed is a transaction for the same customer as the transaction for which product registration was completed immediately before, when the clerk has completed the registration of products C and D among the products in the second basket for the same customer. In this case, the clerk performs an operation to recall the registration data corresponding to the first basket from the settlement device 30. The registration device 20 displays a correction screen for the recalled registration data. The clerk performs an operation on the correction screen to select the integration of the registration contents corresponding to the transaction for the second basket currently being registered with the registration data to be corrected (i.e., the transaction corresponding to the first basket). In response to the operation, the registration device 20 executes a process of correcting the transaction by integrating information about the product currently registered in the registration data to be corrected and corresponding to the transaction currently being registered, to create product registration data corresponding to one transaction. After executing such a correction process, the registration device 20 displays a product registration screen reflecting the integrated product registration data.

[0097] Fig. 10 shows a product registration screen reflecting the integrated product registration data in the above example. In the product registration screen in the figure, the integrated product registration data is reflected as follows. That is, the registered product list area AR11 shows that, as a result of the registration of products up to now, following the first "product A" and the second "product B" corresponding to the first cart, "product C" has been registered as the third product corresponding to the second cart, and further "product D" has been registered as the fourth product. In addition, as shown in the figure, in the registered product list area AR11, the display mode may be changed, for example by using different background colors, between the item of the product corresponding to the registration data to be corrected recalled from the settlement device 30 (i.e. the product registered corresponding to the first basket) and the item of the product registered under the transaction in which the product is being registered (i.e. the product registered corresponding to the second basket). By changing the display mode in this way, the store clerk can easily distinguish between the product corresponding to the registration data recalled from the settlement device 30 and the products that have been registered so far under the transaction in which the product is being registered. In the example shown in the figure, the order of the product items in the registered product list area AR11 is the order of the product registered corresponding to the first basket, followed by the product registered corresponding to the second basket, following the chronological order (oldest first) of the transactions in which the products were registered. However, the order of the product items in the registered product list area AR11 may be reversed to the above, following the order of the most recent transactions in which the products were registered, such as the product registered corresponding to the second basket, followed by the product registered corresponding to the first basket. In this case, the product items may be arranged so that the order of product registration through the first and second baskets is reversed, or the order of the group of products registered corresponding to the first basket and the group of products registered corresponding to the second basket may be reversed, and the order of the product items in each group may be arranged according to the registration order. Additionally, the registered product area AR12 shows information about the most recently registered "product D." The total amount area AR13 shows that the total number of products registered so far is "4," and that the total amount of these four products is 3,000 yen. With the product registration screen of the figure displayed, the store clerk can proceed to register unregistered products in the second basket. As a result, when the registration of the products in the second basket is completed, product registration data is obtained in which the products in the first basket and the products in the second basket are combined into one transaction. Then, the registration data including this product registration data is processed by the settlement device 30, so that the customer can settle the purchases in the first and second baskets as one transaction.

[0098] [Ninth Variation] In each of the above embodiments, the manner in which a settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process is designated from among the multiple settlement devices 30 includes a manner in which a store clerk designates the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process using the registration device 20 (first designation manner), and a manner in which a settlement receipt to be handed to a customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the customer has one settlement device 30 read the settlement receipt handed to them by the store clerk (second designation manner). However, the manner in which a settlement device 30 is designated is not limited to the above-mentioned manner. For example, the settlement device 30 may be designated as follows. In one embodiment, in response to an operation performed on the send button displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 upon completion of product registration (or an operation that declares the completion of product registration), the registration device 20, for example, inquires about the status of the settlement devices 30 to recognize settlement devices 30 that are capable of settlement processing (for example, no failures have occurred and the settlement devices 30 are not in use), and selects one settlement device 30 from among the settlement devices 30 that are not in use according to a predetermined rule (for example, in order of settlement device number).The registration device 20 then transmits settlement information to the selected settlement device 30 and instructs it to execute the settlement processing. As another embodiment, the priority order of the settlement process is set in advance for the settlement devices 30. Then, in response to the completion of the product registration, the clerk display unit 205 displays a display that enables the operation of a send button that instructs the settlement device 30 to send settlement information. In response to the operation of the send button, the registration device 20 checks whether the settlement device 30 is capable of settlement process in the order according to the set priority order, and if it is not confirmed that the settlement process is possible, it checks the settlement device 30 with the next highest priority. Then, the registration device 20 transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 30 that was first confirmed to be capable of settlement process, and instructs it to execute the settlement process.

[0099] <Overview of the embodiment> As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system (e.g., POS system 1) comprising a registration device 20 in which products are registered, and a settlement device 30 in response to a customer's operation and performing settlement processing based on registration data related to the products registered by the registration device 20, and comprising a display means for displaying an in-use indicator (e.g., a settlement device designation button BT1 or a settlement tab TAB2) indicating that the settlement device 30 is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a recall control means for controlling the recall of registration data from the in-use settlement device 30 to the registration device 20 in response to an operation on the in-use indicator. According to the above configuration, when recalling registered data, for example, it is not necessary to perform an operation to display the unsettled transaction list screen and an operation to select the transaction to be corrected from the unsettled transaction list screen, and the operation procedure performed by the store clerk as the recall operation is simplified. This allows the registered data to be recalled efficiently.

[0100] Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned product sales data processing system, in which the display means displays a button (for example, a settlement device designation button BT1) indicating a settlement device that is in use as an in-use indication. According to the above configuration, the recall operation can be performed on the button displayed to indicate a settlement device that is in use, making the recall operation easier.

[0101] Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned product sales data processing system, in which the above-mentioned button is a settlement device designation button BT1 for performing a settlement device designation operation to designate the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process, and the display means changes to a mode indicating that the settlement device designation button BT1 for which the settlement device designation operation has been performed is in use. According to the above configuration, the settlement device designation button BT1, which is provided for the operation of designating the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process, can also be used for the operation of recalling. This makes it possible to provide an easy-to-operate operation screen.

[0102] Moreover, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned product sales data processing system, in which the display means, as an in-use indication, displays a settlement device 30 that is in use based on the registration data of the corresponding transaction in a heading area (e.g., settlement tab TAB2) corresponding to the sheet on a product registration screen including a sheet corresponding to each transaction. According to the above configuration, an operation for recalling registered data can be performed on a tab attached to a sheet arranged corresponding to each transaction on the product registration screen.

[0103] Furthermore, one aspect of this embodiment is the above-mentioned product sales data processing system, in which, in response to a settlement instruction operation (e.g., a settlement device designation operation) that instructs a settlement process being performed on a product registration screen including a sheet to which a heading area corresponding to each settlement device 30 is associated, the display means changes the heading area in which the settlement instruction operation was performed to a state indicating that the corresponding settlement device 30 is in use, and the call-back control means controls the recall of registration data from the settlement device 30 in use to the registration device 20 in response to an operation on the in-use indication. According to the above configuration, the settlement tab TAB2 corresponding to each settlement device is displayed, and the settlement tab TAB2 allows the store clerk to identify whether each settlement device 30 is in use or not. In addition, the settlement tab TAB2 can be operated to recall registered data.

[0104] One aspect of this embodiment is a registration device that includes a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to registered products to a settlement device 30 that performs settlement processing based on the registration data in response to customer operation, a display means for displaying an in-use indicator that indicates a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a call-back control means for controlling the recall of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to operation on the in-use indicator.

[0105] One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer of a product sales data processing system equipped with a registration device 20 where products are registered and a settlement device 30 that performs settlement processing based on registration data related to products registered by the registration device 20 in response to customer operation to function as a display means for displaying an in-use indicator that indicates a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and as a recall control means for controlling the recall of registration data from the settlement device 30 in use to the registration device 20 in response to operation on the in-use indicator.

[0106] One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer acting as a registration device where products are registered to function as a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to registered products to a settlement device that performs settlement processing based on the registration data in response to customer operation, a display means for displaying an in-use indicator indicating a settlement device that is in use and has not yet completed settlement processing based on the acquired registration data, and a recall control means for controlling the recall of registration data from the settlement device in use to the registration device in response to operation on the in-use indicator.

[0107] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned registration device 20 or the settlement device 30 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform the processing of the above-mentioned registration device 20 or the settlement device 30. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer system that can be accessed from a distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by a terminal device. That is, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes a program that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. The program may also be a program for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 POS system, 10 management device, 11 LAN, 20 registration device, 30 (30-1, 30-2) settlement device 301 CPU, 202 memory unit, 203 RAM, 204 scanner unit, 205 clerk display unit, 205a customer display unit, 206 operation unit, 207 communication unit, 208 buzzer, 209 printing unit, 210 card reader, 301 CPU, 302 memory unit, 303 RAM, 304 scanner unit, 305 display unit, 306 operation unit, 307 communication unit, 308 buzzer, 309 printing unit, 310 settlement unit, 311 sign pole, 312 human detection sensor, 313 card reader

Claims

1. A product sales data processing system including a registration device for registering products in response to an operation by a store clerk, and a payment device for performing a payment process in response to an operation by a customer based on registration data related to the products registered by the registration device, The registration device includes a call-back control means for executing call-back control so that registration data is called back from the settlement device in use to the registration device; a display control means for displaying a screen corresponding to an operation for registering a commodity, in such a manner that a first operator for causing the recall control means to recall the registration data of the immediately preceding transaction in which the commodity registration was last completed in the registration device in response to one operation being performed, and a second operator for performing an operation to specify a settlement device to be recalled; A product sales data processing system comprising:

2. a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to the products registered in response to an operation by a store clerk to a payment device which performs a payment process based on the registration data in response to an operation by a customer; a recall control means for executing recall control so that the registration data is recalled from the settlement device in an in-use state where settlement processing based on the acquired registration data has not been completed to the registration device; a display control means for displaying a screen corresponding to an operation for registering a commodity, in such a manner that a first operator for causing the recall control means to recall the registration data of the immediately preceding transaction in which the commodity registration was last completed in the registration device in response to one operation being performed, and a second operator for performing an operation to specify a settlement device to be recalled; A registration device comprising:

3. A computer as a registration device in a product sales data processing system including a registration device for registering products in response to an operation by a store clerk and a payment device for performing a payment process in response to an operation by a customer based on registration data related to the products registered by the registration device, a recall control means for executing recall control so as to recall registration data from the settlement device in a used state to the registration device; A display control means for displaying a screen corresponding to an operation for registering a commodity, in such a manner that a first operator, which causes the recall control means to recall the registration data of the immediately preceding transaction in which the commodity registration was last completed in the registration device in response to one operation being performed, and a second operator, which is used to perform an operation for designating a settlement device to be recalled, are arranged. A program to function as a

4. A computer as a registration device that registers products in response to operations by a store clerk, a registration data output means for outputting registration data relating to the registered products to a payment device which performs a payment process based on the registration data in response to an operation by a customer; a recall control means for executing recall control so as to recall the registration data from the settlement device in an in-use state where settlement processing based on the acquired registration data has not yet been completed to the registration device; A display control means for displaying a screen corresponding to an operation for registering a commodity, in such a manner that a first operator, which causes the recall control means to recall the registration data of the immediately preceding transaction in which the commodity registration was last completed in the registration device in response to one operation being performed, and a second operator, which is used to perform an operation for designating a settlement device to be recalled, are arranged. A program to function as a

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