Adjustment device

Abstract

To provide an adjustment device with a small installation space.SOLUTION: The adjustment device includes: an enclosure; a cash settlement section included in an enclosure and including a coin changer and a bill changer; a cover that opens / closes an opening formed in the enclosure and provided to be movable between a position that covers the cash settlement section and a position that exposes the cash settlement section; a settlement terminal that performs cashless settlement; and a guide section that guides a plurality of settlement methods for an operator. The coin changer and the bill changer are disposed at positions overlapping each other in plan view. The coin changer and the bill changer each include an intake port and a dispensing port at their front ends. The front end of one of the coin changer and the bill changer that is located in a lower stage is located to protrude forward with respect to the front end of the other that is located in an upper stage. The cover has a step-wise shape corresponding to the upper stage and the lower stage, and has an opening that exposes the intake port and the dispensing port. The settlement terminal is supported at a position adjacent to a portion of the cover that corresponds to the upper stage. The guide section is supported to be located above the settlement terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a settlement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the case of sales data processing, a system has been adopted in which the registration process for registering information on products purchased by customers and the settlement process for the registered products are performed by separate devices (for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, the device in charge of the settlement process (settlement device) is operated by the customer.

[0003] In the above operation, when a customer is unfamiliar with the device, the payment device may be occupied for a long time. For this reason, more payment devices are often installed than registration devices (devices that perform the above-mentioned registration process) operated by store clerks. Naturally, the more devices there are, the more installation space is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a payment device that requires a small installation space. Another problem is to provide a payment device that can reduce the time that a customer spends wondering how to operate it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The settlement device of the embodiment includes a housing, a cash settlement unit that is built into the housing and has a coin changer and a banknote changer and performs settlement by cash, a cover that functions as a part of the housing and opens and closes an opening formed in the housing and is provided movable between a position that covers the cash settlement unit and a position that exposes it, a settlement terminal that performs cashless settlement, and a guide unit that displays information to an operator and guides the operator to a plurality of payment methods. The coin changer and the banknote changer are arranged in overlapping positions in a plan view, and the coin changer and the banknote changer each have an inlet and a payout outlet at their front ends, and the front end of the coin changer and the banknote changer that are located in the lower tier are positioned to protrude forward more than the front end of the coin changer and the banknote changer that are located in the upper tier. The cover has a stepped shape corresponding to the upper tier and the lower tier and has an opening that exposes the inlet and the payout outlet. The payment terminal is supported at a position adjacent to a portion of the cover corresponding to the upper stage, and the guide portion is supported and positioned above the payment terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a registration and settlement apparatus 100 in the first embodiment, as viewed from the upper right front side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the registration and settlement device 100. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the registration and settlement apparatus 100 as viewed from an obliquely upward front position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6 and the code scanner 7. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged right side view showing the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6 and the code scanner 7. As shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the settlement terminal 6 as viewed from the front of the settlement terminal 3. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the movement trajectory of a credit card being passed through slit 64. As shown in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a card compatible with short-range wireless communication is held over payment terminal 6. As shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the registration and settlement device 100, showing the state in which the printer 9 is pulled out from the housing 31. As shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the registration and settlement device 100, showing the state in which the printer 9 is pulled out from the housing 31. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the registration and settlement device 100, showing the configuration of the cash settlement unit 8. As shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a right side view of the registration and settlement device 100 with the cover 83 open. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen 110 displayed on the store clerk display 42. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen 111 displayed on the customer display 5. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the payment processing screen 112 displayed on the customer display 5. As shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 101 in the first modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the registration and settlement device 101. As shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 102 in the second modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the registration and settlement device 102. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the checkout lane 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a registered settlement device 105 including a settlement terminal 30 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a first diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer display 50 of FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a second diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer display 50 of FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the sales data processing system 10 according to the third embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sales data processing system 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] (First embodiment) A first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a registration settlement device 100 in this embodiment, seen from the upper right of the front. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the registration settlement device 100. The registration settlement device 100 includes a settlement terminal 3 and a POS terminal 4.

[0008] 3 is a diagram showing the registered settlement device 100 as seen from an upward and forward position (an example of the eye position of an operator standing in front of the settlement terminal 3). The operator of the settlement terminal 3 is, for example, a customer. The settlement terminal 3 of this embodiment is used together with a POS terminal 4 operated by a store clerk.

[0009] The registration settlement device 100 is installed in a store and performs a product registration process to register product information based on product identification information (hereinafter, product code) that identifies the product purchased by a customer and is input by a reading device 2 (see FIG. 20) described later, and a settlement process for the registered product. The product information includes the product name and unit price (price), etc. The product information is stored in a product master in association with the product code. The product master is stored in a memory unit provided in the registration settlement device 100 or a memory unit accessible by the registration settlement device 100.

[0010] The registration and settlement device 100 includes a POS terminal 4 and a settlement terminal 3. The registration and settlement device 100 is an example of a registration device (POS terminal 4) and a settlement device (settlement terminal 3) in the present disclosure. The registration and settlement device 100 may be configured such that the registration device having a product registration function and the settlement device having a settlement function are separate entities. The registration and settlement device 100 may also be simply called a settlement device, as it is a terminal operated by a customer.

[0011] The settlement terminal 3 comprises a housing 31, a door 32, a basket stand 33, a customer display 5, a payment terminal 6, a code scanner 7, a cash payment section 8, and a printer 9.

[0012] The basket stand 33 is a stand for placing baskets containing merchandise, etc., and is attached to either the left or right side of the settlement terminal 3. The installation position of the basket stand 33 shown in Fig. 1 is suitable for a lane in which customers waiting to settle move from left to right facing the front of the settlement terminal 3, and is a position that is unlikely to disrupt the flow of customers.

[0013] The housing 31 is a box having an opening at the bottom of the front that is opened and closed by a door 32, and houses (builds in) the cash payment unit 8 and printer 9, and the POS terminal 4 is placed on an upper surface 311.

[0014] Housing 31 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped, with a stepped shape in which the upper edge of the front surface is recessed. The stepped portion is composed of top surface 311, which is the surface facing upward, front surface 312, which is the surface facing the front, and second top surface 313, which is the surface facing upward. Top surface 311 and front surface 312 are continuous at the front side edge of top surface 311 and the upper edge of front surface 312. Front surface 312 and second top surface 313 are continuous at the lower edge of front surface 312 and the rear side edge of second top surface 313.

[0015] A payment terminal 6, a code scanner 7, a deposit / withdrawal port of a cash payment unit 8, and a printer 9 are arranged in the portion of the housing 31 between the top surface 311 and the door 32. A customer display 5 is arranged above the payment terminal 6.

[0016] As shown in the plan view of Fig. 2, the POS terminal 4 is sized to fit substantially within the contour of the housing 31, and is installed at a position that does not protrude significantly beyond the contour of the housing 31. As shown in the plan view of Fig. 2, when the POS terminal 4 of this embodiment is placed, the side of the clerk display 42 (described later) is positioned so as to overlap the coin slot 811 (described later). However, since the two are sufficiently separated in the height direction (see Fig. 3), the clerk display 42 does not impair operability of the coin slot 811.

[0017] The POS terminal 4 (sales data processing device) is a device for registering products and processing the settlement of registered products by operation of a store clerk. In this embodiment, the settlement process is performed via the settlement terminal 3. It is the customer who operates the settlement terminal 3 in the settlement process.

[0018] The POS terminal 4 includes a main body 41, a store clerk display 42, a keyboard 43, etc. The main body 41 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, a storage unit, a peripheral device controller, etc. The CPU functions as a control unit that comprehensively controls the POS terminal 4 and peripheral devices connected to the POS terminal 4 by expanding into the RAM and executing programs stored in the ROM and storage unit, and executes various processes performed by the POS terminal 4. The peripheral device controller connects the peripheral devices to the main body 41 and controls the operation of the peripheral devices.

[0019] The peripheral devices in this embodiment include a store clerk display 42 and a keyboard 43, as well as a customer display 5, a payment terminal 6, a code scanner 7, a cash payment unit 8, and a printer 9. The control unit and the peripheral devices are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a peripheral device controller.

[0020] The display for salesperson 42 displays information for the salesperson operating the POS terminal 4 under the control of the control unit, for example, information on registered products.

[0021] The keyboard 43 occupies a part of the top surface of the main body 41, has many keys, and outputs a signal corresponding to an operated key to the control unit. The control unit accepts operations by the store clerk via the keyboard 43.

[0022] In addition, the clerk display 42 of the POS terminal 4 has a touch panel overlaid on its surface. The touch panel outputs signals corresponding to the controls displayed on the clerk display 42 to the control unit, and the control unit accepts operations by the clerk via the keyboard 43 and the touch panel.

[0023] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6, and the code scanner 7. Fig. 5 is an enlarged right side view of the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6, and the code scanner 7. Fig. 6 is a view of the payment terminal 6 as seen from the front of the settlement terminal 3.

[0024] The payment terminal 6 is a terminal device for performing cashless payment. The payment terminal 6 includes a display 61, an operation unit 62, an insertion port 63 (see FIG. 6), and a slit 64. The display 61 displays information for an operator (e.g., a customer). The operation unit 62 includes a plurality of keys and accepts operations by the operator.

[0025] Slot 63 is provided at the bottom end of payment terminal 6 and accepts insertion of an IC card. Figure 6 shows an IC card being inserted into payment terminal 6. Payment terminal 6 has a built-in reader that reads information stored in the IC chip.

[0026] Slit 64 is a groove for passing a credit card. Here, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the movement trajectory of a credit card being passed through slit 64. A credit card is a magnetic stripe card, and has a magnetic strip (magnetic tape) along one side. Payment terminal 6 has a built-in reader at the position where the magnetic tape passes, for reading information recorded on the magnetic tape.

[0027] The payment terminal 6 further includes a built-in reader for transmitting and receiving information by short-distance wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication). Fig. 8 shows a state in which a card compatible with short-distance wireless communication is held over the payment terminal 6. The payment terminal 6 receives information stored in a card that is close to the payment terminal 6 at a distance equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0028] The code scanner 7 is an example of a reading unit, and is disposed under the payment terminal 6 to read a code symbol placed adjacent to the upper surface portion of the lower section of the cover 83 (second upper surface portion 833). The code symbol is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The code scanner 7 outputs a value obtained by decoded the code symbol. When the settlement terminal 3 performs code payment, the code scanner 7 reads a code symbol displayed on a mobile terminal or the like carried by a customer, and transmits the decoded result to the payment terminal 6 (or POS terminal 4).

[0029] The code scanner 7, for example, reads a code symbol by emitting a laser beam and receiving the laser beam (reflected beam) reflected by the object to be read. The code scanner 7, while waiting to read, projects visible light from a slit-shaped emission hole onto the second upper surface 313 of the housing 31. As a result, a linear light is projected on the second upper surface 313. This linear light indicates (guides) the position where the code symbol to be read should be positioned, that is, it can be said to guide the position of irradiation of the laser beam. The customer can make the code scanner 7 read the code symbol by positioning the code symbol at a position where the linear light crosses. Note that the visible light projected to project the linear light on the second upper surface 313 may be the same as or different from the laser beam irradiated on the object to be read.

[0030] The payment terminal 6 is supported by support member 69, and the code scanner 7 is supported by support member 79 and is positioned adjacent to the portion corresponding to the upper section of cover 83, more specifically, located above the second upper surface 313 and protruding forward from the front surface 312.

[0031] The support member 79 is, for example, a metal plate bent into a shape that covers the code scanner 7, which is a handheld code reader, from above from the handle (grip) to the head, and protrudes forward from the front surface 312. The front surface 792 of the support member 79 is inclined at a predetermined angle, and the upper surface of the support member 79 is located approximately flush with the upper surface 311 of the housing 31.

[0032] The support member 69 is, for example, a metal plate bent into a shape that surrounds the payment terminal 6 from the side opposite the screen, and is attached to an inclined front surface 792 of the support member 79. The inclination of the front surface 792 is set at an angle that makes the screen of the display 61 of the payment terminal 6 easy to view for an expected representative operator.

[0033] Furthermore, support member 69 is provided with guide plate 68 at a position corresponding to the lower end of payment terminal 6. Guide plate 68 is intended to guide the card to be easily inserted into the slot provided at the lower end of payment terminal 6, and is, for example, marked with an arrow indicating the insertion direction, with the surface aligned with the insertion direction positioned near the edge of the slot.

[0034] The support member 69 and the support member 79 support the payment terminal 6 and the code scanner 7 in suitable positions. That is, the support member 69 positions the payment terminal 6 at a distance from the second upper surface 313 that does not impede the action of an operator inserting a card into the insertion port 63 of the payment terminal 6.

[0035] Furthermore, the support member 79 positions the code scanner 7 at a position where a sufficient space is secured for inserting a customer's mobile terminal or the like under the code scanner 7. If the distance from the irradiation position of the code scanner 7 to the front surface 312 is insufficient to read the code symbol displayed on the screen, taking into consideration the dimensions of a typical mobile terminal, for example, a recess may be provided in the front surface 312, or the entire front surface 312 may be inclined with the lower side of the front surface 312 recessed.

[0036] The customer display 5 is an example of a guide unit that displays information to an operator and guides the operator to a plurality of payment methods. The customer display 5 is supported by a support member 59 and is located above the payment terminal 6.

[0037] 4 and 5, support member 59 includes a planar base portion 591, an inclined columnar pillar portion 592, a pedestal-shaped base portion 593, and a tilt hinge portion 594. Base portion 591 is a portion that is placed and fixed in a continuous range from upper surface 311 of housing 31 to the upper surface of support member 79. Pillar portion 592 is inclined at approximately the same angle as the inclination angle of front surface 792 of support member 79, that is, it stands up approximately parallel to front surface 792.

[0038] The base portion 593 is provided at the top of the column portion 592, and has an upper surface that is approximately parallel to the base portion 591. The tilt hinge portion 594 rotatably attaches the rear surface of the customer display 5 to the base portion 593, and supports the customer display 5 so that it can tilt.

[0039] The customer display 5 is configured with a touch panel overlaid on the screen of a display device. The display device is a 7-inch liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor. The touch panel outputs signals corresponding to the controls displayed on the customer display.

[0040] The customer display 5 displays information for customers using the settlement terminal 3. For example, the customer display 5 displays product details and the total amount during the product reading process (or registration process), and guides the customer through selectable payment methods during the settlement process. The customer display 5 also displays controls for selecting a payment method and accepts operations.

[0041] The printer 9 is disposed at a position adjacent to the portion corresponding to the lower stage of the cover 83, and issues information relating to the settlement by printing it on a print medium.

[0042] More specifically, the printer 9 is disposed under the second upper surface 313 and configured to be removable from the housing 31. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the registered settlement device 100 showing the printer 9 removed from the housing 31. Fig. 10 is a right side view of the registered settlement device 100 showing the printer 9 removed from the housing 31.

[0043] The printer 9 has a built-in paper storage section for storing paper and a printing section for printing on paper pulled out from the paper storage section, and prints and issues receipts, etc. The receipt is a record of the details of the purchased items and the processing contents of the settlement process. The printer 9 is equipped with a front panel 91, an issuing port 92, a lock 95, a slide rail 96, etc.

[0044] The front panel 91 is adjacent to the second front portion 834 of the cover 83 when the printer 9 is stored in the housing 31, and functions as a second front surface of the housing 31. The issuing port 92 is an opening formed in the front panel 91, and ejects (issues) printed materials such as receipts printed by the printer 9.

[0045] The slide rails 96 support the printer 9 so that the printer 9 can be pulled out relative to the housing 31. The front panel 91 is connected to the front ends of the slide rails 96.

[0046] The lock 95 locks the front panel 91 when the printer 9 is stored in the housing 31, preventing the printer 9 from being removed. The lock 95 can be locked and unlocked with a key or an electronic lock.

[0047] When the printer 9 runs out of paper and needs to be replenished, for example, an operator (e.g., a store clerk) inserts a key into the lock 95 of the printer 9, turns it to unlock it, and pulls out the front panel 91 to expose the printer 9, and then performs tasks such as refilling paper.

[0048] When the work is completed, the operator moves the front panel 91 in the opposite direction to that in which it was pulled out, and places the printer 9 inside the housing 31. The operator then turns the key inserted into the lock 95 in the opposite direction to lock it.

[0049] As described above, the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6, the code scanner 7, and the printer 9 are arranged in a line from top to bottom. Next to these, the cash payment unit 8, which will be described next, is arranged.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 1, the cash settlement unit 8 will be described. The cash settlement unit 8 performs settlement by cash. When a customer performs cash settlement, the cash settlement unit 8 accepts inserted coins or banknotes and dispenses coins or banknotes as change. The cash settlement unit 8 includes a coin change machine 81, a banknote change machine 82, a cover 83, a hinge 84, and a lock 85.

[0051] The cover functions as part of the housing 31 and opens and closes an opening formed in the housing 31, and is arranged to be movable between a position that covers the cash payment unit 8 and a position that exposes it.

[0052] More specifically, the cover 83 is attached at its bottom side by a hinge 84 so as to be rotatable relative to the housing 31. With this rotation, the cover 83 opens and closes an opening provided in a part of the stepped portion of the housing 31. Furthermore, the lock 85 locks the cover 83 in a position where the opening of the housing 31 is closed. In the locked state, the cover 83 remains in a position where the opening of the housing 31 is closed. The lock 85 can be locked and unlocked by a key or an electronic lock.

[0053] Cover 83 is provided on a stepped portion of housing 31, and has a stepped shape in which upward-facing flat surfaces and forward-facing flat surfaces are alternately continuous. Cover 83 has an upper surface portion 831 adjacent to upper surface 311, a front surface portion 832 adjacent to front surface 312, a second upper surface portion 833 adjacent to second upper surface 313, and a second front surface portion 834 located above door 32.

[0054] The cover 83 is colored in a color different from that of the housing 31. This makes the position of the cash payment unit 8 easily visible to a customer who operates the cash payment unit 8.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the registration and settlement device 100 showing the configuration of the cash settlement unit 8. The cover 83 shown in Fig. 11 is in an open state. Here, Fig. 12 is a right side view of the registration and settlement device 100 with the cover 83 in an open state.

[0056] In this embodiment, the coin change machine 81 and the banknote change machine 82 are arranged in a position where they overlap in a plan view. The front end of the banknote change machine 82 arranged in the lower tier is positioned to protrude further forward than the front end of the coin change machine 81 arranged in the upper tier. The upper and lower tier relationship of this coin change machine 81 and the banknote change machine 82 corresponds to the upper and lower tiers of the stepped shape of the cover 83.

[0057] The coin change machine 81 is disposed above the banknote change machine 82, and is located at the rear of the front part 832 of the cover 83. The coin change machine 81 has a coin intake port 810, a coin dispensing outlet 812, and a foreign object discharge port 813 at its front end, and takes in coins through the coin intake port 810 and dispenses coins from the coin dispensing outlet 812 in accordance with instructions from the POS terminal 4. The foreign object discharge port 813 is an opening through which foreign objects that have mistakenly entered through the coin intake port 810 are discharged.

[0058] The coin intake port 810 opens upward. The coin dispensing port 812 protrudes from the front surface portion 832 of the upper stage of the cover 83, and is located above the second upper surface portion 833 of the lower stage of the cover 83.

[0059] A coin insertion port 811 is provided at a position above the coin intake port 810 on the upper surface portion 831 of the cover 83. The coin insertion port 811 assists the coin intake port 810 in taking in coins, and together with the coin intake port 810, constitutes an example of an intake port of the coin changer 81 in this embodiment.

[0060] The coin insertion port 811 has a funnel shape that opens widely upward and narrows toward the bottom end, and the bottom end is located above the coin intake port 810. In addition, the front part 832 of the cover 83 has openings for exposing the coin dispensing port 812 and the foreign object discharge port 813.

[0061] The banknote change machine 82 of this embodiment is disposed below the coin change machine 81, and is located at the rear of the second front surface 834 of the cover 83. The banknote change machine 82 has a banknote intake port 821, a banknote payout port 822, and a foreign object discharge port 823 at its front end, and takes in banknotes inserted into the banknote intake port 821, and pays out banknotes from the banknote payout port 822 in accordance with instructions from the POS terminal 4. The foreign object discharge port 823 is an opening through which foreign objects that have mistakenly entered through the banknote intake port 821 are discharged.

[0062] The banknote intake 821 and the banknote payout outlet 822 open upward. The foreign object discharge outlet 823 opens forward. The cover 83 has openings formed from the second upper surface portion 833 to the second front surface portion 834 for exposing the banknote intake 821, the banknote payout outlet 822, and the foreign object discharge outlet 823.

[0063] The cover 83 is opened during maintenance of the coin change machine 81 or the banknote change machine 82. The maintenance includes, for example, correcting a coin jam in the coin change machine 81 and replenishing and collecting coins, and correcting a banknote jam in the banknote change machine 82 and replenishing and collecting banknotes.

[0064] As described above in the explanation of each of the above-mentioned components (payment terminal 6, code scanner 7, printer 9, support member 69, and support member 79), cover 83 is adjacent to each of the above-mentioned components. In other words, each of the above-mentioned components and cover 83 are arranged side-by-side in the width direction of settlement terminal 3. This prevents each of the above-mentioned components and cover 83 from interfering with each other. In other words, access to each of the above-mentioned components and opening and closing of cover 83 can be performed simultaneously.

[0065] Next, the selection of the payment method and subsequent processing will be described. The payment terminal 6 makes a payment according to the operation of the operator (e.g., the customer). Specifically, the payment terminal 6 performs payment processing by cash payment or cashless payment (points payment, electronic money payment, credit card payment, code payment, or prepaid payment) according to the operator's instructions. The payment processing described in this embodiment is part of the settlement processing. The settlement processing includes various processes before and after the payment processing (e.g., acquisition of sales data information including the amount to be paid, processing related to selection of the payment method, processing related to printing of receipts, etc.).

[0066] Cash settlement is a payment method in which the operator pays with bills and coins that he or she possesses. When making a cash settlement, the customer instructs the settlement terminal 6 to make a cash payment, and then makes the payment through the cash settlement unit 8.

[0067] Point payment is a payment method in which points awarded according to the purchase amount at a store are used to pay for goods. When making a point payment, a customer, for example, has a code symbol (with the membership number encoded) displayed on the store's membership card read by the code scanner 7. The code scanner 7 sends the read membership number to a server device (not shown) connected to the payment terminal 6. The server device obtains the number of points for the relevant customer from the information stored in the customer master and outputs this to the payment terminal 6. The payment terminal 6 applies the obtained points to the payment of the goods to make the payment. At this time, if the point balance is insufficient to cover the payment amount, the customer can pay the shortfall using a different payment method.

[0068] Electronic money payment is a payment method in which payment is made with electronic money loaded onto, for example, an IC card. After instructing payment terminal 6 to make an electronic money payment, the customer makes the payment with the electronic money loaded onto the IC card, for example, by bringing the IC card close to payment terminal 6 and performing short-range wireless communication with payment terminal 6. Note that, instead of an IC card, payment may be made with electronic money loaded onto an electronic money app (app is an abbreviation for application software) implemented on a mobile terminal possessed by the customer. In this case, the customer starts up the electronic money app and causes a code symbol, such as a two-dimensional code, to be displayed on the mobile terminal. The customer then makes the payment with electronic money by having code scanner 7 read the displayed code symbol.

[0069] Credit card payment is a payment method that uses a credit card held by a customer. When making a credit card payment, the payment terminal 6 reads the credit card company information, identification information that identifies the customer, bank account information to which the money is to be withdrawn, and other information registered on the credit card held by the customer, and communicates with, for example, a server device of the credit card company (not shown in FIG. 1). The payment is then completed when approval of the payment is obtained from the server device. After instructing the payment terminal 6 to make a credit card payment, the customer has the payment terminal 6 read the registration information of the credit card held by the customer, thereby making the credit card payment be made.

[0070] Code payment is a payment method in which a code payment app pre-installed on a mobile device carried by a customer displays a code symbol that identifies the customer, and the displayed payment code is read by the code scanner 7. The code payment app launched on the mobile device displays a code symbol that uniquely identifies the customer. The customer holds the mobile device over the code scanner 7 to have the code symbol read. The settlement terminal 3 makes the payment to the customer identified by the read code symbol. The settled amount is later debited from the bank account that the customer registered in the code payment app.

[0071] Prepaid payment is a payment method in which payment is made from the amount charged to a rechargeable prepaid card or from the amount precharged to a non-rechargeable prepaid card. Prepaid cards come in various types, such as IC cards and magnetic cards, and the payment terminal 6 reads the remaining balance on the prepaid card in a manner appropriate for each type and makes the payment. The payment method using a rechargeable prepaid card is the same as the electronic money payment described above.

[0072] The payment terminal 6 may use a payment method other than those described here. For example, the payment terminal 6 may use a combination of multiple payment methods, such as paying part of the amount with electronic money and the rest with cash.

[0073] Next, we will introduce examples of what is displayed on various displays.

[0074] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen 110 displayed on the store clerk display 42. The payment screen 110 is displayed while the payment process is being performed by the payment terminal 3. The payment screen 110 displays the number of items 121, payment amount 122, remaining payment amount 123, payment method 125, selected payment method 126, guidance information 127, a cancel button 128, etc.

[0075] The number of items 121 is the number of items that are the subject of payment. The payment amount 122 is the total price of the items that are the subject of payment. The remaining payment amount 123 is the amount that is not yet paid out of the payment amount 122. When the payment is completed at the settlement terminal 3, 0 yen is displayed in the remaining payment amount 123 field.

[0076] Payment method 125 is an option that indicates available payment methods. Selected payment method 126 is the payment method selected by the operator (customer) at the settlement terminal 3. Note that FIG. 13 shows an example in which credit card payment is selected.

[0077] The guidance information 127 is guidance according to the selected payment method 126. In the example of Fig. 13, credit card payment has been selected, so the column for guidance information 127 displays how to operate the payment terminal 6 according to the type of credit card. If the customer's payment process at the checkout terminal 3 is delayed, the store clerk will refer to the information shown in guidance information 127 and speak to the customer, etc.

[0078] The cancel button 128 is a button for canceling the process being executed by the settlement terminal 3. For example, when a customer makes a credit card payment, the credit card information read by the settlement terminal 3 is output to an external server device. Then, the external server device obtains approval for the credit card payment. When the credit card payment is approved, the approval is transmitted to the settlement terminal 3, and the payment process is completed. At this time, if the credit card payment is not approved in the external server device, the approval is transmitted to the settlement terminal 3 together with the reason why the approval was not obtained. The reason why the approval was not obtained is, for example, "expiration of the credit card," "insufficient balance for payment," "payment request with an unusable credit card due to a loss report, etc." When the clerk operating the POS terminal 4 obtains information that the credit card payment is not approved, the clerk presses the cancel button 128 to forcibly cancel the payment operation. Then, the clerk explains the situation to the customer operating the settlement terminal 3 and encourages the customer to make a payment by another payment method.

[0079] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a payment method selection screen 111 displayed by the customer display 5. The payment method selection screen 111 is a screen on which the settlement terminal 3 presents options for payment methods to an operator (e.g., a customer) and asks the operator to select from the options and perform an operation accordingly. The payment method selection screen 111 includes a payment amount 132, a payment method selection button 135, a back button 138, a store clerk call button 139, etc.

[0080] The payment amount 132 corresponds to the payment amount 122 and is the total price of the products that are the subject of the payment. The payment method selection button 135 corresponds to the payment method 125 and is a choice indicating available payment methods, and is an operator that accepts a selection operation.

[0081] The payment method is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14. The customer can select a payment method not shown in Figure 14, for example, by swiping the payment method selection screen 111.

[0082] The back button 138 is a button for canceling the current operation and returning to the previous screen (the screen one level up).

[0083] The store clerk call button 139 is a button that can be pressed to call a store clerk when the user does not know how to operate the button.

[0084] The customer selects a payment method by pressing the payment method selection button 135 on the payment method selection screen 111. When the payment method is selected, the customer display 5 displays a payment processing screen 112, an example of which is shown in FIG.

[0085] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a payment processing screen 112 displayed by the customer display 5. The payment processing screen 112 is a screen on which the settlement terminal 3 displays to an operator (e.g., a customer) an operation method and payment amount according to the selected payment method, and requests the operator to execute the operation. The payment processing screen 112 includes payment information 134, guidance information 137, a back button 138, a store clerk call button 139, etc.

[0086] The store clerk call button 139 and the back button 138 are as described above (see FIG. 14). The guidance information 137 is the same as the guidance information 127 described with reference to FIG.

[0087] The payment information 134 is information related to the payment method. The payment information 134 includes information such as the payment amount and the payment method.

[0088] In this configuration, the store clerk places a basket containing products for which registration processing has been completed at the POS terminal 4 on the basket placement table 33 and performs the operation to execute the payment processing. The POS terminal 4 then transmits information required for the payment processing, such as the payment amount, to the customer display 5 of the payment terminal 3. The customer display 5 displays a payment method selection screen 111 including the received information, provides information on the payment methods, and accepts the selection operation. When the customer display 5 accepts the selection of cash payment, the POS terminal 4 waits for the completion of payment by the cash payment unit 8. When the customer display 5 accepts the selection of any cashless payment, the POS terminal 4 waits for the completion of payment by the selected payment method. While the POS terminal 4 is waiting for the completion of the payment, the payment terminal 6, code scanner 7, and cash payment unit 8 are in operation, and when an operation is performed by an operator (customer), the details of the operation and the results of its own processing are output to the POS terminal 4. When the payment is completed, the POS terminal 4 issues a receipt using the printer 9 and ends the sales data processing for the ongoing transaction.

[0089] In the registered settlement device 100 of this embodiment as described above, the customer display 5, settlement terminal 6, code scanner 7, cash settlement unit 8, and printer 9 of the settlement terminal 3 are contained within the width dimension of the housing 31. The width dimension of the housing 31 is equal to or less than the depth dimension of the POS terminal 4. In the settlement terminal 3 of this embodiment, other peripheral devices (customer display 5, settlement terminal 6, code scanner 7, printer 9) are stored vertically next to the cash settlement unit 8, which is arranged to minimize the width dimension (coin change machine 81 and banknote change machine 82 are arranged vertically), and in positions that do not interfere with opening and closing of the cover 83.

[0090] In other words, according to this embodiment, all peripheral devices used by the operator (customer) can be accommodated in the width direction dimension of the housing 31, which is smaller than the depth dimension of the POS terminal 4, thereby making it possible to keep the installation space for the settlement terminal 3 small (realizing space saving).

[0091] With the above configuration, in this embodiment, the dimensions of the registration settlement device 100 are reduced in the width direction of the settlement terminal 3 while preventing the settlement terminal 3 from interfering with the operation area of ​​the POS terminal 4, and also reduced in the depth direction of the settlement terminal 3 (width direction of the POS terminal 4). That is, in this embodiment, the customer display 5, payment terminal 6, and code scanner 7 are arranged in positions that do not interfere with the movement of the clerk who operates the clerk display 42 and keyboard 43. Specifically, by not arranging the customer display 5, payment terminal 6, and code scanner 7 on the top surface 311 of the housing 31, interference with the operation area of ​​the POS terminal 4 operated by the clerk is avoided, and the size of the registration settlement device 100 in the depth direction as viewed from the front of the settlement terminal 3 is reduced.

[0092] Furthermore, in the settlement terminal 3 of this embodiment, the customer display 5, payment terminal 6, code scanner 7, and printer 9 are arranged in a row from top to bottom on the left side as one faces the front of the housing 31. Also, in the settlement terminal 3 of this embodiment, the cash settlement unit 8 is arranged to the right of the customer display 5, payment terminal 6, code scanner 7, and printer 9. In other words, the cash settlement unit 8 is provided on the right side as one faces the front of the housing 31. In this way, the parts of the settlement terminal 3 that provide information to the operator and that the operator operates, that is, the user interface, are all collected in the stepped part of the housing 31. In addition, the part related to cash settlement, that is, the cash settlement unit 8, is indicated by the color of the cover 83 so that its range can be easily visually confirmed.

[0093] With the above-mentioned arrangement, the operator (typically a customer) only needs to focus on a limited area, and can operate the settlement terminal 3 without having to look around, even if the operator is unfamiliar with the terminal. This reduces the time the customer spends wondering how to operate the terminal, and shortens the time the settlement terminal 3 is occupied for one transaction.

[0094] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize a settlement terminal 3 that is not simply space-saving, but that is space-saving yet has good operability and visibility.

[0095] In this embodiment, the settlement terminal 3 is used with the POS terminal 4 placed thereon, but in practice, it may be used without the POS terminal 4. In this case, the settlement terminal 3 receives, for example, product information registered at a POS terminal 4 in another location and an amount calculated based on the information, and performs settlement processing.

[0096] Alternatively, in practice, the checkout terminal 3 may be configured as a self-service POS terminal where the customer performs the process from registering the product to the checkout process by himself / herself. In this case, the checkout terminal 3 further includes a control unit instead of the control unit of the POS terminal 4 in this embodiment, and in addition to the checkout process, it also performs the process of acquiring product information via product code input or accepting direct input (acquisition) of product information, and registering the accepted product information. In this case, it is more preferable to employ a customer display 50 with a large screen, as in the checkout terminal 30 described later as a third embodiment.

[0097] The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing a part of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices. Therefore, some modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. Note that the following mainly describes the differences from the above-described embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the common points with the contents already described, and detailed description is omitted. In addition, the modified examples described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0098] (First Modification of the First Embodiment) Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 101 in this modified example. Fig. 17 is a plan view of the registration and settlement device 101. In this modified example, the orientation of the POS terminal 4 and the mounting position of the basket stand 33 are different from those in the first embodiment.

[0099] In this modified example, the operator (store clerk) of the POS terminal 4 faces the store clerk display 42 on the right side of the settlement terminal 3. The basket stand 33 is basically placed on the side where the store clerk is located, and is therefore attached to the right side of the housing 31 of the settlement terminal 3. The POS terminal 4 and the basket stand 33 may be installed as shown in Figs. 16 and 17.

[0100] Even if the POS terminal 4 is placed in a different orientation from that of the first embodiment (facing right when viewed from the front of the settlement terminal 3) as in the registered settlement device 101, the customer display 5, settlement terminal 6, and code scanner 7 do not interfere with the clerk's operation area, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this modified example, as in the first embodiment, both the clerk and the customer can perform operations without interfering with each other's operations, and space can be saved.

[0101] (Second Modification of the First Embodiment) Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 102 in this modified example. Fig. 19 is a plan view of the registration and settlement device 102. In this modified example, the orientation of the POS terminal 4 and the mounting position of the basket placement table 33 are different from those in the first embodiment.

[0102] In this modified example, the operator (store clerk) of the POS terminal 4 faces the store clerk display 42 on the rear side of the settlement terminal 3. In this modified example, it is preferable to install the basket stand 33 upstream of the estimated customer movement direction at the installation location of the settlement terminal 3. The illustrated example is an example in which customers move from the right to the left facing the settlement terminal 3. The POS terminal 4 and basket stand 33 may be installed as shown in these figures.

[0103] Even if the POS terminal 4 is placed in a different orientation from that of the first embodiment (facing backwards when viewed from the front of the settlement terminal 3) as in the registered settlement device 102, the customer display 5, settlement terminal 6, and code scanner 7 do not interfere with the clerk's operation area, as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in this modified example, as in the first embodiment, both the clerk and the customer can perform operations without interfering with each other's operations, and space can be saved.

[0104] As in the two modified examples described above, even if the POS terminal 4 is installed in different directions other than directly in front of the checkout terminal 3, the operation area of ​​the POS terminal 4 is positioned so as not to interfere with the customer display 5, the payment terminal 6, and the code scanner 7.

[0105] The registration and settlement devices 100, 101, and 102 each achieve space saving while realizing an arrangement in which operations by a store clerk and operations by a customer do not interfere with each other. The registration and settlement devices 100, 101, and 102 can flexibly accommodate store layout design by selecting (changing) the orientation of the POS terminal 4.

[0106] (Regarding the settlement lane 1 including the reading device 2 and the registered settlement device 100, etc.) Here, an example of the checkout lane 1 configured with the registered checkout device 100 and other devices will be described. Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of the checkout lane 1. The checkout lane 1 is an example of a sales data processing system.

[0107] The checkout lane 1 includes two main tables 11, two sub tables 12, two reading devices 2, and three registered settlement devices 100-102 (checkout terminals 3 and POS terminals 4). The three registered settlement devices 100-102 are arranged so that the orientation of the POS terminals 4 when viewed from the front of the checkout terminal 3 is different. The sub table 12 is a table for placing baskets or the like containing products waiting for the reading device 2 to read their product codes. The main table 11 is a table for placing baskets or the like containing products while the reading device 2 is reading their product codes or after they have been read.

[0108] The reading device 2 is a device for performing a reading process to read information on the product purchased by the customer. The reading device 2 includes a vertical scanner 21, a store clerk display 22 (displaying information for store clerks), a customer display 23 (displaying information for customers), etc.

[0109] The vertical scanner 21 acquires information for identifying a product (feature of appearance or decoded result of code symbol) from an image obtained by capturing the appearance of the product. The reading device 2 outputs the information for identifying the product acquired by the vertical scanner 21 to the POS terminal 4. For example, when the vertical scanner 21 reads the code symbol of a product, the reading device 2 outputs the product code to the POS terminal 4 as information for identifying the product. The POS terminal 40 acquires product information from the product master based on the product code, and performs product registration by registering the acquired product information. The vertical scanner 21 also inputs information for identifying the product by designating the product via a preset key displayed on the store clerk display 22. When the vertical scanner 21 acquires feature of the appearance of a product shown in the captured image as information for identifying the product, the POS terminal 40 may recognize the product based on the acquired feature and identify the product information of the product from the product master, thereby performing registration processing. The vertical scanner 21 may also be a handy type scanner that a store clerk holds and operates.

[0110] The product master is not limited to the one stored in the storage unit of the POS terminal 4. For example, the product master may be stored in a storage unit of the reading device 2. In this case, the product information identified based on the information identifying the product in the reading device 2 may be output to the POS terminal 4. Alternatively, the product master may be stored in a server device (not shown) communicatively connected to the reading device 2. Also, the vertical scanner 21 may perform the product registration process on behalf of the POS terminal 40, and output the registered product information to the registration settlement devices 100-102 that execute the settlement process.

[0111] The clerk display 22 displays information for the operator (clerk) who operates the reading device 2. More specifically, the clerk display 22 is a monitor with a touch panel, and includes a display function for monitoring the reading results of products, and an operation function for inputting the number of products when multiple copies of the same product are purchased, inputting a reading completion declaration when product reading is completed (specifically, for example, by pressing the subtotal key), outputting product information to the POS terminal 4, and the like.

[0112] The customer display 23 displays information for customers who purchase the product whose information has been read by the reading device 2, for example, displaying information about the product read by the reading device 2. More specifically, the customer display 23 is a monitor with a touch panel, and in addition to a display function for monitoring the product reading results, etc., it also has an operation function for inputting age verification information when an age-restricted product is read.

[0113] The checkout lane 1 has two parallel rows of sets of sub-tables 12, main tables 11 and checkout terminals 3 lined up in a row from upstream to downstream in the direction of customer movement, with another checkout terminal 3 placed between them (more specifically, between the two checkout terminals 3), forming a roughly U-shape in plan view. The store clerk who operates the reading device 2 and POS terminal 4 is positioned inside the U-shape (at a position surrounded by the U), and the customer moves along the outside of the U-shape.

[0114] In this configuration, a customer places a basket containing products on the secondary table 12, and gradually moves closer to the reading device 2 as the customers ahead of them move in line. The store clerk then removes the products from the basket and has them read by the vertical scanner 21 (reading process). The store clerk places the products that have been read into the basket placed on the primary table 11.

[0115] When the reading process of all the products is completed, the store clerk operates an input operation key for declaring completion of reading on the reading device 2 or the POS terminal 4 to complete the product reading. The input operation key is an operation key for making the product registration information (or transaction information) registered in the registration settlement devices 100-102 based on the input product code available for settlement at the registration settlement devices 100-102. When the input operation key is operated, the reading device 2 outputs a command indicating completion of reading to the registration settlement devices 100-102 (POS terminal 4). When the POS terminal 4 of the registration settlement devices 100-102 receives the command indicating completion of reading, it makes the product registration information available for settlement at the settlement terminal 3. Then, the store clerk guides the customer to pay for the products at the specified settlement terminal 3. The customer who has been guided performs a settlement process for paying for the products at the specified settlement terminal 3.

[0116] The two reading devices 2, the three POS terminals 4, and the three registered settlement devices 100-102 are arranged in a configuration according to the layout of the settlement lane 1. Basically, they are arranged in a configuration that forms a customer flow line from one reading device 2 to the settlement terminal of the first registered settlement device 100, and a customer flow line from the other reading device 2 to the settlement terminal 3 of the second registered settlement device 101. The settlement terminal 3 of the third registered settlement device 102, which is sandwiched between the two registered settlement devices 100 and 101 along the flow line, is capable of guiding customers when there is a crowd of customers waiting to settle. With the arrangement as shown in the figure, even if the three settlement terminals 3 are operated by different customers at the same time, contact between the customers can be avoided.

[0117] In the above configuration, for example, the product code input to the reading device 2 is output from the reading device 2 to the registered settlement device 100. The registered settlement device 100 that acquires the product code performs product registration and transfers the product code to the third registered settlement device 102. The registered settlement device 102 that acquires the transferred product code registers product information based on the same product code as the product code registered in the registered settlement device 100. In this case, the registered settlement device 100 and the registered settlement device 102 generate the same product registration information, but the registered settlement device that becomes ready for settlement first, for example, the registered settlement device that first accepts an instruction from a store clerk or an operation from a customer, may start settlement processing, and the other registered settlement device that acquires a signal indicating that settlement processing has started from the registered settlement device that has started settlement processing may delete the product registration information.

[0118] It should be noted that the method of outputting the product code to the registration settlement device 100 and the registration settlement device 102 individually each time it is input to the reading device 2 is not limited to this, but may be such that when it is accepted that input of all product codes related to the transaction has been completed to the reading device 2, the product code is transmitted from the reading device 2 to the registration settlement device 100 and is also transferred from the registration settlement device 100 to the registration settlement device 102. It should be noted that the method of outputting the product code to the registration settlement device 102 is not limited to the above.

[0119] The number and arrangement of the readers 2, settlement terminals 3, and POS terminals 4 constituting the settlement lane 1 described above are not limited to those shown in the example of FIG.

[0120] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a registered settlement device 105 equipped with a settlement terminal 30 according to the second embodiment. The settlement terminal 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a customer display 50 instead of the customer display 5 equipped in the settlement terminal 3 of the first embodiment. The customer display 50 is, for example, a 12-inch liquid crystal monitor or organic EL monitor that has the same functions as the customer display 5.

[0121] Instead of the customer display 5 of the settlement terminal 3, the settlement terminal 30 is equipped with a larger customer display 50, so that information can be displayed to customers in a more easily understandable manner. Furthermore, the customer display 50 can display larger software keys (operators) used for various operations. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the operability of the settlement terminal 30 can be improved.

[0122] An example of a screen displayed on the customer display 50 will be described. Fig. 22 is a first diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer display 50 of Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a second diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the customer display 50 of Fig. 21.

[0123] A payment method selection screen 113 shown in FIG. 22, for example, is displayed on the customer display 50. The payment method selection screen 113 has the same function as the payment method selection screen 111 (see FIG. 14) displayed on the customer display 5. In other words, the payment method selection screen 113 is a screen on which the settlement terminal 30 presents an operator (e.g., a customer) with payment method options and requests the operator to select from the options and perform an operation accordingly. The payment method selection screen 113 includes a payment amount 132, a payment method selection button 135, a back button 138, a store clerk call button 139, etc.

[0124] Also, on the customer display 50, for example, a payment processing screen 114 shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. The payment processing screen 114 has the same function as the payment processing screen 112 (see FIG. 15) displayed on the customer display 5. That is, the payment processing screen 112 is a screen on which the settlement terminal 30 displays to an operator (e.g., a customer) an operation method and payment amount according to the selected payment method, and requests the operator to perform the operation. The payment processing screen 112 includes payment information 134, guidance information 137, a back button 138, a store clerk call button 139, etc.

[0125] Since the customer display 50 displays the same information as that displayed on the customer display 5, but in a larger size, customers can more easily recognize the displayed information.

[0126] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described below. Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a sales data processing system 10 according to the third embodiment.

[0127] The sales data processing system 10 includes a control unit 140, a storage unit 144, peripheral device controllers 145 and 147, an input / output interface 146 for receiving and transmitting information from various input / output devices included in the reading device 2, and a communication interface 148.

[0128] The control unit 140 controls the overall operation of the sales data processing system 10. The control unit 140 includes a CPU 141, a ROM 142, and a RAM 143. The CPU 141 comprehensively controls each unit of the sales data processing system 10. The ROM 142 stores various programs and data. The RAM 143 is a workspace in which the various programs and data are expanded.

[0129] The storage unit 144 stores a control program for controlling the product sales data processing system, a product master which is a master file that stores product information, and product information acquired from the reading device 2. The storage unit 144 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory.

[0130] The peripheral device controller 145 is connected to a store clerk display 42 and a keyboard 43. The peripheral device controller 145 transmits and receives information between the control unit 140 and the peripheral devices connected to the peripheral device controller 145.

[0131] The peripheral device controller 147 is connected to a customer display 5, a payment terminal 6, a code scanner 7, a cash payment unit 8, and a printer 9. The peripheral device controller 147 transmits and receives information between the control unit 140 and the peripheral devices connected to the peripheral device controller 147.

[0132] The input / output interface 146 is connected to the vertical scanner 21, the display for store clerk 22, and the display for customer 23 provided in the reading device 2.

[0133] The communication interface 148 controls communication between the settlement terminal 3 and an external server device (not shown). For example, when a customer makes a credit card payment at the payment terminal 6, the communication interface 148 allows communication between the settlement terminal 3 and an external server that performs the credit card payment.

[0134] Although it has been described herein that the control unit 140 controls the entire sales data processing system 10, each unit constituting the sales data processing system 10 may have its own independent control unit.

[0135] (Flow of processing performed by the sales data processing system) The flow of the processing performed by the sales data processing system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the sales data processing system 10.

[0136] First, the flow of the process performed by the reading device 2 will be described.

[0137] The reading device 2 inputs the product code (information for identifying the product, product identification information) by reading code information, for example, a product code, registered in a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product held over the vertical scanner 21, or by accepting the operation of a preset key to which a product code is previously associated (step S11).The reading device 2 then transfers the product code to the payment terminal 3 (step S12).

[0138] The reading device 2 determines whether the input of the product code is complete (step S13). If it is determined that the input of the product code is complete (step S13: Yes), the reading device 2 ends this process. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the input of the product code is complete (step S13: No), the process returns to step S11. In addition, the completion of the input of the product code is determined by, for example, pressing a subtotal button displayed on the clerk display 22.

[0139] 20, when there are multiple registered settlement devices 100-102, the store clerk operating the reading device 2 selects an available registered settlement device 100-102 and transfers the product code to the selected registered settlement device 100-102. The store clerk operating the reading device 2 also informs the customer of the location of the registered settlement device 100-102 to which the product code has been transferred. Alternatively, the reading device 2 may display on the customer display 23 the location of the registered settlement device 100-102 to which the product code has been transferred.

[0140] Next, the flow of processing performed by the settlement terminal 3 will be described.

[0141] The settlement terminal 3 acquires the product code from the reader 2 (step S21).

[0142] The settlement terminal 3 performs a product registration process to acquire and register product information associated with the acquired product code (step S22).

[0143] Next, the settlement terminal 3 displays a payment status monitor screen (see FIG. 12) on the clerk display 42. The settlement terminal 3 also displays a payment method selection screen (see FIG. 13) on the customer display 5 (step S23).

[0144] The settlement terminal 3 acquires the payment method selected by the customer through an operation on the payment method selection screen (step S24).

[0145] The settlement terminal 3 performs the settlement process using the selected payment method, or causes an external server device (not shown) to perform the settlement process (step S25).

[0146] After the settlement is completed, the settlement terminal 3 causes the printer 9 to print a receipt on which the settlement details are printed (step S26). The settlement terminal 3 then ends the process of FIG.

[0147] In the above example, after the product code is transferred to the settlement terminal 3 in step S12, it is determined in step S13 whether the input of the product code is complete, but this is not limited to this. For example, the order of steps S12 and S13 may be reversed, and it may be determined whether the input is complete each time a product code is input, and when it is determined that the input is complete, all the product codes input up to that point may be transferred together to the settlement terminal 3.

[0148] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 1 ... Checkout lane, 10...Sales data processing system 11...Main table, 12...Sub-table, 100...Registration and settlement device 110...Payment screen, 111: payment method selection screen, 112: payment processing screen, 113: payment method selection screen, 114: payment processing screen, 121...number of items, 122...payment amount, 123...remaining payment amount, 125...payment method, 126...Selected payment method, 127...Guide information, 128...Cancel button, 132...payment amount, 134...payment information, 135...payment method selection button, 137... Guidance information, 138... Back button, 139... Store attendant call button, 140: control unit, 141: CPU, 142: ROM, 143: RAM, 144...memory unit, 145, 147...peripheral device controller, 146...input / output interface, 148...communication interface, 2 ... reading device, 21 ... vertical scanner, 22 ... store clerk display, 23 ... customer display, 3,30…Payment terminal, 31 ... housing, 311 ... upper surface, 312 ... front surface, 313 ... second upper surface, 32 ... door, 33 ... cage stand, 4 ... POS terminal, 41 ... main body, 42 ... store clerk display, 43 ... keyboard, 5,50...Customer display, 59 ... supporting member, 591: base portion; 592: column portion; 593: pedestal portion; 594: tilt hinge portion; 6 … payment terminals, 61 ... display unit, 62 ... operation unit, 63 ... insertion port, 64 ... slit, 68 ... guide plate, 69 ... supporting member, 7 ... Code scanner, 79 ... support member, 792 ... front surface, 8 …Cash settlement department, 81 ... coin change machine, 810: coin inlet, 811: coin slot, 812: coin outlet, 813: foreign object outlet, 82 ... Banknote change machine, 821: bill inlet, 822: bill outlet, 823: foreign object outlet, 83 ... cover, 831...Top part, 832...Front part, 833...Second top part, 834...Second front part, 84 ... hinge, 85 … tablets, 9...Printer, 91...Front panel, 92...Issue port, 95...Lock, 96...Slide rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0150] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-068695 A

Claims

1. A housing and a cash settlement unit that is built into the housing, includes a coin changer and a bill changer, and performs settlement by cash; a cover that functions as a part of the housing and opens and closes an opening formed in the housing, the cover being movable between a position that covers the cash settlement unit and a position that exposes the cash settlement unit; A payment terminal for performing cashless payment; a guide unit that displays information to an operator and guides the operator to a plurality of payment methods; Equipped with the coin change machine and the banknote change machine are arranged in a position where they overlap in a plan view, the coin change machine and the banknote change machine each have an inlet and a payout outlet at a front end, and a front end of the coin change machine and the banknote change machine that are located in a lower tier is positioned to protrude forward further than a front end of the coin change machine and the banknote change machine that are located in an upper tier, The cover has a stepped shape corresponding to the upper and lower stages and has an opening exposing the inlet and the outlet, The payment terminal is supported at a position adjacent to a portion of the cover corresponding to the upper stage, The guide unit is positioned and supported above the payment terminal. Payment device.

2. The coin changer is located on the upper level, The coin changer has an inlet opening on an upper surface of the housing, The dispensing outlet of the coin change machine protrudes from the front surface of the upper stage and is located above the lower stage. The settlement device according to claim 1.

3. The bill change machine is located in the lower stage, The inlet and outlet of the banknote change machine are open upward. The settlement device according to claim 1.

4. A reading unit that is disposed under the payment terminal and that reads a code symbol placed adjacent to an upper surface portion of the lower section of the cover. The settlement device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. a printer that is disposed adjacent to a portion of the cover that corresponds to the lower section and prints information related to a payment on a print medium and issues the information; The settlement device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

Images