System, settlement device, and program

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of handling customers for an article sales data processing system equipped with a registration device and a settlement device.SOLUTION: A system includes: article registration means for registering an article corresponding to a transaction in response to a clerk's operation performed on a registration device; settlement-related operation acceptance means for accepting settlement-related operations corresponding to the transaction performed by a customer on a settlement device from a stage before settlement information is obtained; deposit control means for prohibiting the deposit of money into a change machine of the settlement device until predetermined conditions are met; and transaction control means for associating a transaction corresponding to registration of the article by the article registration means with a transaction corresponding to a settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation acceptance means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a POS system (product sales data processing system) that is equipped with a registration device that executes product registration processing in response to a product registration operation performed by a store clerk, and a settlement device that executes settlement processing in response to the product registration processing executed by the registration device in response to an operation by a customer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the case of a POS register configured to execute both product registration and payment processes on a single unit, a store clerk will carry out operations related to product registration and payment for each customer. On the other hand, in a POS register in which the registration device and settlement device are separate, as in Patent Document 1, the store clerk does not need to handle each customer individually and perform operations related to settlement during the accounting process from product registration to settlement, but can simply perform product registration operations, which makes customer handling more efficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-242839 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the registration device selects a settlement device to execute settlement processing according to the availability of the settlement device, in accordance with the priority order set in the settlement devices, thereby further improving the efficiency of customer handling. However, it is preferable to go beyond the configuration of Patent Document 1 and further improve the efficiency of customer handling in a POS register equipped with a registration device and a settlement device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve the efficiency of customer handling in a product sales data processing system equipped with a registration device and a settlement device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product sales data processing system comprising a registration device in which product registration is performed in response to operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operation by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, characterized in that the product sales data processing system comprises: a product registration means for registering products corresponding to a transaction in response to operation by a store clerk on the registration device; a settlement-related operation acceptance means for accepting settlement-related operations corresponding to a transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired; a deposit control means for controlling to prohibit deposits into the change machine of the settlement device until a specified condition is met; and a transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed by the product registration means with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation acceptance means.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a program for causing a registration device to function as a first computer and for causing the settlement devices to function as a second computer in a product sales data processing system having a registration device in which products are registered in response to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operations by customers to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, the program causing the first computer to function as product registration means for registering products corresponding to a transaction in response to operations by a store clerk performed on the registration device, settlement-related operation accepting means for accepting the start of a settlement-related operation corresponding to a transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired, and transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed by the product registration means with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation accepting means, and the program for causing the second computer to function as deposit control means for controlling the prohibition of depositing money into the change dispenser of the settlement device until a predetermined condition is met. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an effect is obtained in that the efficiency of customer handling can be improved in a product sales data processing system equipped with a registration device and a settlement device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [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] A figure showing an example of the display of the settlement device status in the first embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a settlement screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the settlement screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device and the settlement device in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a point allocation management table in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement layout of a POS system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment 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, two registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, and three settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, they will be referred to as the registration device 20. When there is no need to distinguish between the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, they will be referred to as the 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.

[0011] The configuration of the POS system 1 shown in the figure is an example. For example, in the POS system 1, the number of registration devices 20 and settlement devices 30 installed is not particularly limited, and it is sufficient that there is one or more of each. Also, the POS system 1 of this embodiment may be configured not to 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, one representative registration device 20 among the multiple registration devices 20) may be made to function as the management device 10.

[0012] 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.

[0013] The registration device 20 executes a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased. The operation for registering a product (product registration operation) 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. By such a product registration operation, for example, product identification information is input to the registration device 20, and the registration device 20 acquires product information corresponding to the input product identification information. Furthermore, the registration device 20 generates and stores information (hereinafter referred to as settlement information) used for settling the registered merchandise for each transaction.

[0014] The settlement information may include transaction identification information for identifying the corresponding transaction, settlement information identification information for identifying the settlement information, 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 amount (total price) of the products to be purchased. The settlement information may further include registration device identification information for identifying the registration device 20 that generated the settlement information (i.e., the registration device 20 that registered the products related to the settlement information). In this way, the settlement information has contents that reflect the product registration processing results corresponding to one transaction.

[0015] The settlement information 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.

[0016] In this embodiment, a plurality of settlement devices 30 are installed, and any one of the plurality of settlement devices 30 executes the settlement process using the settlement information generated in the registration device 20. The following first and second designation modes can be used to designate the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process from among the plurality of settlement devices 30.

[0017] 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.

[0018] When a store clerk designates a settlement device 30, the settlement information 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 settlement information reflecting the results of the product registration process. In this embodiment, the registration device 20 transmits the settlement information directly to the settlement device 30, but the settlement information may be transmitted to the settlement device 30 via the management device 10.

[0019] 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, registration device identification information indicating the registration device 20 that issued it and settlement information 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 settlement information indicated by the read code.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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, settlement information generated after the product registration process, and the like. The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The RAM 303 is a main storage device of the CPU 301 and stores various information. For example, the RAM 303 stores the product master acquired from the management device 10 and settlement processing information reflecting the result of executing the settlement processing based on the settlement information 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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).

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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 uses infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, or visible light to detect the presence of a person (customer) within a predetermined range in front of the settlement device 30. For example, in a configuration that uses visible light, the presence of a person is detected by an image captured by an imaging device. The detection output of the human detection sensor 312 is used, for example, when the settlement device 30 automatically displays a settlement screen in response to a person approaching the device, to determine whether or not a person has approached the device. However, the settlement device 30 may display the settlement screen in response to, for example, receiving settlement information or reading a barcode printed on a bill, and in this case, the human detection sensor 312 may be omitted.

[0039] The card reader 313 is a device that reads information from an RFID tag in the form of an IC card, for example.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The POS system 1 of this embodiment can be operated according to either the following first or second example as an accounting procedure from product registration to payment for one transaction. First, a first example of a transaction procedure in this embodiment will be described. A customer who wishes to make a payment approaches the registration device 20 with the purchased items and places them on the table where the registration device 20 is installed. The store clerk who operates the registration device 20 operates to register the purchased items placed on the table one by one by item type. In response to the registration operation, the registration device 20 executes a product registration process corresponding to one transaction. While the products are being registered in this way, the customer stands in front of the registration device 20 waiting for the product registration to be completed. When the registration of all the products purchased by the customer is completed, the store clerk performs a subtotal operation. In response to the subtotal operation, the product registration process for one transaction is completed.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20 is provided with a settlement device designation button for designating a settlement device 30 that will execute settlement processing for one transaction from among the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3. In the present embodiment, for example, three settlement device designation buttons may be provided corresponding to the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3. The store clerk selects one of the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3, for example one that is not currently processing a settlement and is on standby, as the settlement device 30 that should perform the settlement process for this transaction, and operates the settlement device designation button corresponding to the determined settlement device 30. In response to the operation of the settlement device designation button, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information including settlement information that reflects the product registration results performed in response to the current transaction to the settlement device 30 corresponding to the operated settlement device designation button. The settlement instruction information is information that instructs the settlement device 30 to execute a settlement process. The settlement information included in the settlement instruction information includes, for example, information on the total amount to be paid by the customer. The settlement information may also include information such as a breakdown of the registered products and the unit price and price of each product. Such information on registered products may be referred to as registered data. In addition, the store clerk who operated the settlement device designation button instructs the customer, for example verbally, to make the settlement at the settlement device 30 corresponding to the settlement device designation button that he or she operated.

[0043] The customer goes to the settlement device 30 that was notified to the store clerk. When the customer goes to the settlement device 30, the settlement device 30 has received the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20, and is in a standby state in which it can start settlement processing using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information.

[0044] When the customer goes to the settlement device 30, the customer performs an operation in response to the start of settlement processing (hereinafter, also referred to as a "settlement-related operation"). Examples of the settlement-related operation include the following operations. (1) Operation of the settlement start button displayed on the display unit 305 to instruct the start of settlement. (2) Press the Start Checkout button, and then select cash payment on the selection screen from which various payment methods can be selected. (3) The above selection screen is displayed from the beginning during standby mode, and the operation of selecting payment by cash on that selection screen. (4) The operation of reading a membership card. (5) The operation of inserting cash into a change machine when the only payment method is cash. In addition to the above, the following actions may also be considered as operations in response to the start of the settlement process. (6) A customer approaches the settlement device 30 so that the human presence sensor 312 of the settlement device 30 can detect the customer.

[0045] The settlement device 30 performs control to prohibit depositing money into the change dispenser provided in the settlement unit 310 until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and this predetermined condition may be that any of the settlement-related operations (1) to (6) above has been performed. Examples of control to prohibit depositing money include control to not drive a motor that transports cash deposited from a coin slot or a bill slot, and control to physically block the coin slot and bill slot with a shutter or the like. On the other hand, examples of control to permit depositing money include control to drive a motor that transports cash deposited from a coin slot or a bill slot, and control to open a shutter or the like that physically blocks the coin slot and bill slot.

[0046] By controlling to prohibit deposits, the states in which deposits can be made are more limited than when deposits are not prohibited, and this makes it possible to prevent customers from making erroneous deposits. Also, by controlling to permit deposits, the timing of deposits is more limited than when deposits are permitted at any time, making it easier to identify customers who have made deposits. Since advance deposits do not involve settlement after the settlement device has been confirmed as in the past, it is thought that more erroneous deposit-related operations will occur compared to the past. Therefore, by controlling to prohibit deposits or permit deposits as described above, it is possible to avoid erroneous deposit-related operations and the resulting confusion on site.

[0047] In addition, since the above-mentioned (3) may be operated by mistake by another customer, such as a previous customer, if there is a possibility that the customer performing the settlement-related operations at the settlement device 30 will be someone other than the expected customer, operation in (3) may not be performed.

[0048] The settlement device 30 executes settlement processing in response to the settlement-related operation started as described above. For example, in the case of payment by cash, the settlement device 30 waits until the total amount of the currency inserted as the deposit (deposit amount) becomes equal to or exceeds the payment amount (total amount). When the settlement device 30 detects that the deposit amount is equal to or exceeds the payment amount, it stops accepting the insertion operation of the currency as the deposit and calculates the change. When a significant amount is calculated as the change, the settlement device 30 ejects currency in the calculated change amount from the settlement unit 310. The settlement device 30 also causes the printing unit 309 to issue a receipt reflecting the result of this settlement processing. The customer receives the change ejected by the settlement device 30 and the issued receipt. In this manner, in the POS system 1 of this embodiment, a transaction can be carried out according to the first example of the transaction procedure.

[0049] Next, a second example of a transaction procedure that can be performed in the POS system 1 of this embodiment will be described. A customer places the purchased items on a table on which the registration device 20 is installed and asks a store clerk to register the items. The store clerk starts registering the purchased items and tells the customer that he or she may go to the settlement device 30 to perform settlement-related operations without waiting for the completion of registration of the purchased items. In this case, the customer will go to the settlement device 30 before the registration of his / her purchased items is complete. In this case, the customer may go to a settlement device 30 that is on standby among the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3. The customer then performs settlement-related operations at the settlement device 30 that he / she has arrived at. Even if the settlement device 30 of this embodiment is in a standby state in which settlement instruction information has not been received, it can accept a predetermined settlement-related operation if that settlement-related operation is performed.

[0050] In this way, in the second example of the accounting procedure, when a product corresponding to one transaction is being registered in the registration device 20, a settlement-related operation corresponding to the same transaction can be performed in the settlement device 30. In the following description, the deposit of cash in the settlement device 30 when a product corresponding to such a transaction is being registered is also referred to as "advance deposit." Here, the settlement device 30 notifies the registration device 20 of its own status, for example, in response to a status inquiry request from the registration device 20, or at regular time intervals. Then, when the settlement device 30 is in a standby state in which it has not yet received settlement instruction information as described above and a settlement-related operation has been performed, it transmits a status notification to each registration device 20 notifying that it is in a state in which it is not yet handling a transaction. The not yet handling a transaction state indicates that the settlement device 30 has accepted a settlement-related operation but has not yet acquired settlement information for the corresponding transaction, i.e., that the accepted settlement-related operation has not been associated with the corresponding transaction.

[0051] The registration device 20 that receives the status notification from the settlement device 30 displays, on the store clerk display unit 205, the settlement device status indicating the status of the settlement device 30 indicated by the received status notification. Fig. 5 shows an example of the state of the settlement device in this embodiment. In this figure, an example is given in which the settlement device state is displayed on a product registration screen that is displayed in response to the execution of a product registration process. In addition, this figure shows an example in which the settlement device 30 that is in a transaction-unavailable state due to the customer performing a settlement-related operation as described above is the settlement device 30-1.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 20. 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. Product registration is on hold for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet that is placed below the forefront. 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Also, on the product registration screen, settlement device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, and BT1-3 are arranged. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, and BT1-3 correspond to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3, 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.

[0057] The settlement device designation button BT1 displays a settlement device status that indicates the current status of the corresponding settlement device 30. In the figure, an example is shown in which the settlement device status display is performed by a badge BG arranged on each settlement device designation button BT1. Specifically, the figure shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "not supported" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. The state of this settlement device designation button BT1-1 indicates that the settlement device 30-1 is in a state in which it is not yet able to handle a transaction. In other words, in this case, the settlement device 30-1 has performed a settlement-related operation corresponding to a transaction by a customer, but the settlement-related operation has not yet been associated with a transaction corresponding to the registration of the product in the registration device 20 (settlement instruction information has not yet been received). The figure also shows an example in which a badge BG displaying "Waiting" is placed 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 waiting for the start of settlement processing. In other words, the settlement device 30-1 at this time is in a state in which no settlement-related operation is being performed and no settlement instruction information has been received. Also, an example is shown in which a badge BG displaying "In Use" is placed on the settlement device designation button BT1-3. Furthermore, the characters "Settlement Machine 3" on the settlement device designation button BT1-3 are crossed out. This state of the settlement device designation button BT1-3 indicates that the settlement device 30-3 is executing settlement processing based on the settlement information acquired by receiving settlement instruction information in response to a customer's operation. 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.

[0058] Depending on the settlement device status display, various states other than the above-mentioned "not available" (not available for transactions), "standby", and "in use" may be shown, such as near end, near full, or broken. The settlement device status display may be displayed in a manner other than the badge BG, such as by displaying characters or icons so as to fit within the settlement device designation button BT1, or by displaying in an area separate from the settlement device designation button BT1.

[0059] In addition, the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state may be displayed to show more detailed status of the "in use" state. For example, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a cash payment type, information on the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be displayed by the corresponding settlement device designation button BT1. In this case, the information on the amount of money deposited as a deposit may be, for example, the total amount of money deposited up to the present time in response to the deposit of currency into the settlement device 30. Alternatively, the confirmed amount of the deposit may be displayed when an amount equal to or greater than the total amount of the goods is deposited and the amount of the deposit is confirmed. In addition, when the settlement device 30 in the "in use" state is executing a settlement process corresponding to a payment type such as a credit card or electronic money, a display may be displayed indicating that a settlement process corresponding to a credit card or electronic money is being executed, such as "Card payment in progress" or "Electronic money payment in progress." The display indicating a more detailed state of the "in use" state as described above may be performed, for example, in FIG. 5, instead of the display indicating the "in use" state by the badge BG.

[0060] In the following description, an example will be given in which a transaction corresponding to a customer who has performed a settlement-related operation on the settlement device 30 is a transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 in the figure. When the store clerk has completed the registration of all products in the transaction corresponding to the product registration tab TAB1-1 product registration sheet, the store clerk checks which of the settlement devices 30-1 to 30-3 will execute the settlement process corresponding to the transaction. In this case, the store clerk can check which settlement device 30 will execute the settlement process corresponding to the transaction, for example, by visually checking which settlement device 30 currently has a corresponding customer. When the settlement device 30 is provided with an imaging device as described above, the captured image may be displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20 when it is determined that, for example, the same person has been continuously captured for a certain period of time based on the image captured by the imaging device. In this way, the store clerk can more accurately confirm which settlement device 30 the customer is attending to. Then, as a settlement device designation operation, the clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the confirmed settlement device 30. In correspondence with the example of FIG. 5, the settlement device designation button BT1 that is the target of the settlement device designation operation is the settlement device designation button BT1-1 that corresponds to the settlement device 30-1. Therefore, in this case, the clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT1-1 as a settlement device designation operation. Here, a badge BG indicating that the settlement device designation button BT1-1 is in a state in which a transaction is not supported is disposed on the settlement device designation button BT1-1. When operating the settlement device designation button BT1-1, the clerk can also confirm that the badge BG indicates that the settlement device designation button BT1-1 is in a state in which a transaction is not supported, and therefore, the clerk is prevented from accidentally operating a settlement device designation button BT1 other than the settlement device designation button BT1-1.

[0061] In response to an operation of the settlement device designation button BT1-1, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information including settlement instruction information for the transaction corresponding to the product registration sheet with the product registration tab TAB1-1 to the settlement device 30-1. In response to sending the settlement information to the settlement device 30-1 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."

[0062] The settlement device 30-1 not yet handling a transaction receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20 as described above. As will be understood from the above explanation, the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30-1 not yet handling a transaction corresponds to a transaction of a customer who performed a settlement-related operation on the settlement device 30-1. In other words, by receiving the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20, the settlement device 30-1 not yet handling a transaction can associate the transaction corresponding to the product registration performed on the registration device 20 with the settlement-related operation started by the customer.

[0063] When the settlement device 30-1, which is not yet ready for a transaction, receives the settlement instruction information transmitted from the registration device 20, the settlement device 30-1 is already in a state where a settlement-related operation has been performed by the customer. Here, an example of a settlement process that is executed by the settlement device 30-1 in a state where no transaction is being processed in response to receipt of settlement instruction information will be described, taking as an example a case where a customer pays the price in cash. After performing the settlement-related operations, the customer inserts currency as a deposit into the settlement unit 310 to pay the price in cash. When the settlement instruction information is received, the settlement device 30-1 recognizes the payment amount from the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information. Then, the settlement device 30-1 determines whether the amount inserted as the deposit at the current time is equal to or greater than the payment amount. If the amount inserted is less than the payment amount, the settlement device 30-1 waits for the amount inserted, which increases with subsequent coin insertion operations, to reach or exceed the payment amount. Then, when the amount inserted becomes equal to or greater than the payment amount, the settlement device 30-1 calculates the change, dispenses the change, issues a receipt, and so on.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows an example of a settlement screen displayed on the display unit 305 of the settlement device 30-1 that executes the settlement process as described above. The checkout screen in this figure is arranged with a registered product area AR21 and a checkout related information area AR22. In the registered product area AR21, information (registered product information) for each product registered in the registration device 20 in the corresponding transaction is displayed. The registered product information is displayed based on the settlement instruction information received from the registration device 20. When a transaction corresponding to the product registration made in the registration device 20 has not been associated with the settlement-related operation, the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR21. When the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR21, it may be displayed as "not supported", for example, to indicate that a transaction corresponding to the product registration made in the registration device 20 has not been associated with the current settlement-related operation. In the settlement-related information area AR22, a product registration result area AR221 is arranged. The product registration result area AR221 is an area that displays the product registration result for the corresponding transaction. In the example shown in the figure, the product registration result area AR221 displays the number of registered products and the total price of the registered products as the product registration result. The product registration result in the product registration result area AR221 is displayed based on the settlement instruction information received from the registration device 20. Therefore, the product registration result is in a hidden state at the stage where a transaction corresponding to the product registration performed in the registration device 20 is not associated with the settlement-related operation. Furthermore, in the settlement-related information area AR22, a deposit amount area AR222 is arranged. The deposit amount area AR222 displays the amount of the deposit made by the customer. The deposit amount is displayed when the customer starts to deposit coins as the deposit.

[0065] The settlement screen in Fig. 6 is one example when the settlement type supported by the settlement device 30 is limited to cash payments. In contrast, Fig. 7 shows an example of a settlement screen when the settlement device 30 can support multiple payment types.

[0066] 7A shows an example of a checkout screen that is initially displayed when a certain checkout-related operation is performed, for example, in response to the start of checkout. The checkout screen in FIG. 7A includes a registered product area AR31, a checkout-related information area AR32, and an operation area AR33.

[0067] The registered product area AR31 displays information (registered product information) for each product registered in the registration device 20 in the corresponding transaction. When a transaction corresponding to a product registration made in the registration device 20 has not been associated with a settlement-related operation, the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR31. When the registered product information is not displayed in the registered product area AR31, it may be possible to indicate that a transaction corresponding to a product registration made in the registration device 20 has not been associated with the current settlement-related operation.

[0068] The settlement-related information area AR32 displays the product registration results for the corresponding transaction. In the example shown in the figure, the number of registered products and the total price of the registered products are displayed as the product registration results. The product registration results are not displayed until a transaction corresponding to the product registration performed in the registration device 20 for the settlement-related operation is associated with the product registration.

[0069] The operation area AR33 is an area where the customer performs operations related to settlement. In the operation area AR33 in the figure, a "Yes" button BT21 and a "No" button BT22 are arranged together with a message asking the customer whether or not they have a membership card. If the customer has a membership card and intends to use the membership card for this payment, the customer operates the "Yes" button BT21. On the other hand, if the customer does not have a membership card, or has a membership card but does not intend to use it, the customer operates the "No" button BT22.

[0070] When the "Yes" button BT21 is operated, a message (not shown) is displayed in the operation area AR33, for example, to guide the customer to perform an operation to read the information recorded on the membership card. The customer follows the guidance and performs an operation to read the information recorded on the membership card using the scanner unit 304 or card reader 313.

[0071] After the member card information has been read, or in response to pressing the "No" button BT22, the checkout screen transitions to the state shown in Fig. 7(B). In the checkout screen in this figure, the state of the operation area AR33 has been changed from that in Fig. 7(A). That is, in the operation area AR33 in this figure, a "Yes" button BT31 and a "No" button BT32 are arranged together with a message asking the customer whether or not they have a point card.

[0072] If the customer has a point card and intends to use the point card for this payment, the customer operates the "Yes" button BT31. On the other hand, if the customer does not have a point card, or has a point card but does not intend to use it, the customer operates the "No" button BT32.

[0073] When the "Yes" button BT31 is operated, a message (not shown) is displayed in, for example, the operation area AR33, informing the customer that the information recorded on the point card should be read. The customer follows the message and performs an operation to read the information recorded on the point card using the scanner unit 304 or the card reader 313.

[0074] After the member card information has been read, or in response to the operation of the "No" button BT32, the settlement screen transitions to the state shown in FIG. 7(C). If the membership card also functions as a point card, the screen may transition to the settlement screen of FIG. 7(C) without displaying the settlement screen of FIG. 7(B).

[0075] In the operation area AR33 of the checkout screen in Fig. 7(C), a message is displayed informing the customer that they should select a payment type (payment method), and buttons corresponding to each selectable payment type are displayed. In the figure, an example is shown in which a "Cash" button BT41, a "Credit card button" BT42, and an "Electronic money" button BT43 are displayed as buttons corresponding to the payment types. In other words, depending on the operation on the operation area AR33 in the figure, the payment type can be selected from cash, credit card, and electronic money. The customer operates the button corresponding to the payment method he / she wishes to use from among the "Cash" button BT41, "Credit Card Button" BT42, and "Electronic Money" button BT43. When the button corresponding to the payment type is pressed, a settlement screen (not shown) is displayed that provides instructions and other information for making a settlement with the payment type selected according to the pressed button. The customer then performs settlement operations for the payment type he or she selected according to the settlement screen that is subsequently displayed. In this manner, in the POS system 1 of this embodiment, a transaction can also be carried out according to the second example of the transaction procedure. In the second example of the checkout procedure, the purchased items that have been registered at the registration device 20 may be placed in a basket or the like by a store clerk at a designated location near the registration device 20, and the customer may then pick them up after completing payment, for example.

[0076] In the first example of the checkout procedure, in one transaction, first, a store clerk performs product registration operations at the registration device 20, and then the customer performs settlement-related operations at the settlement device 30. That is, in the first example of the checkout procedure, settlement-related operations are performed after the product registration operations are completed. Meanwhile, in the second example of the payment procedure, in one transaction, while a store clerk is performing product registration operations at the registration device 20, the customer can start payment-related processing at the payment device 30. In other words, in the second example of the payment procedure, in one transaction, the period during which product registration operations are performed and the period during which payment-related operations are performed can partially overlap. As a result, by operating in the second example of the payment procedure, the time required per transaction can be shortened compared to the first example of the payment procedure, and the efficiency of customer handling can be improved.

[0077] As mentioned above, between the first and second accounting procedures, the second example is more advantageous in terms of customer handling efficiency. However, a store does not always need to operate according to the second accounting procedure. For example, the first payment procedure example has the aspect that customers are currently accustomed to and therefore are unlikely to be confused by it. Therefore, when there are few customers and there is little or no queue of customers waiting to receive their payment, the first payment procedure example is used. On the other hand, when the queue of customers begins to grow, the system may switch to the second payment procedure example.

[0078] Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 of this embodiment in response to the second example of the transaction procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Step S101: The registration device 20 judges whether or not a product registration operation has been performed on a product-by-product basis in one transaction. Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that a product registration operation has been performed, the registration device 20 executes a product registration process in response to the product registration operation.

[0079] Step S103: If it is determined in step S101 that no product registration operation is performed, or after the processing of step S102, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a status notification transmitted from the settlement device 30 has been received. In explaining the same figure, a case will be taken as an example in which the settlement device 30 transmits a status notification in response to a change in the status of the settlement device 30. Step S104: If it is determined in step S103 that a status notification has been received, the registration device 20 performs a settlement device status display showing the status of the settlement device 30 that is the sender of the received status notification. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the settlement device status may be displayed by a badge BG or the like placed on the settlement device designation button BT1.

[0080] Step S105: If it is determined in step S103 that the status notification has not been received, or after the process of step S104, the registration device 20 determines whether or not a subtotal operation has been performed. If it is determined that a subtotal operation is not to be performed, the process returns to step S101. Step S106: On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the subtotal operation has been performed, the registration device 20 waits for the settlement device designation operation to be performed. As described above, the settlement device designation operation is an operation on the settlement device designation button BT1 corresponding to the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process. Step S107: In response to the settlement device designation operation being performed, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information including settlement information reflecting the product registration results for this transaction to the settlement device 30 designated by the settlement device designation operation.

[0081] Next, the process of the settlement device 30 will be described. Step S201: The settlement device 30 waits for a settlement-related operation to be performed before settlement instruction information is received. Step S202: In response to a settlement-related operation being performed, the settlement device 30 starts processing corresponding to the settlement-related operation after it has been started (settlement-related operation response processing). For example, in a case where an operation of depositing currency into the settlement unit 310 is performed as a settlement-related operation in response to a cash payment, the settlement device 30 detects the total amount of currency inserted (deposit amount) as the settlement-related operation response processing in step S202. Furthermore, the settlement device 30 may display the detected deposit amount on the settlement screen of the display unit 305, for example. Although such a settlement-related operation response processing does not yet utilize settlement information, it may be treated as being included in the settlement processing.

[0082] Step S203: In addition, the settlement device 30 transmits a status notification to each of the registration devices 20 indicating that the transaction is not yet available, in response to a settlement-related operation being performed before the settlement instruction information is received.

[0083] Step S204: After step S203, the settlement device 30 waits for receipt of settlement instruction information while executing the settlement-related operation handling process started in step S202. Step S205: When the settlement instruction information is received, the settlement device 30 executes the subsequent settlement process using the settlement information included in the received settlement instruction information. Step S206: In addition, in response to receiving the settlement instruction information and starting the settlement process using the settlement information, the settlement device 30 transmits a status notification indicating that it is in use to each registration device 20. Step S207: The settlement device 30 waits for the settlement process executed in response to step S205 to end. Step S208: When the settlement process is completed, the settlement device 30 transmits a status notification to each of the registration devices 20, indicating that the settlement device 30 is in a standby state.

[0084] <Second embodiment> Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment. In a POS system including a registration device and a settlement device, the following can be given as one of the reasons why the time required for the transaction becomes long. In other words, if a customer about to make a payment is a member of the store and wishes to receive member benefits in response to this transaction, the customer must present his or her membership card to the store clerk operating registration device 20 when registering the product on registration device 20. The store clerk who receives the membership card uses the membership card to enter the customer's member identification information into registration device 20 and performs product registration operations. As a result, this transaction is managed as being associated with the member, and for example, by communication between registration device 20 and management device 10, a benefit such as points can be given to the customer.

[0085] Membership cards are often kept in wallets or similar items. For this reason, in order to present the membership card to a store clerk, the customer must remove their wallet or similar item at the stage where the product is registered at the registration device. However, customers tend to think that in the flow of the transaction, they remove their wallet or similar item only when they are performing settlement-related operations at the settlement device. For this reason, customers who are members tend to forget that they need to remove their wallet or similar item at the stage where the product is registered at the registration device, and may take time to remove their wallet or similar item, which can delay the presentation of the membership card. Such delays in presenting the membership card can hinder the improvement of efficiency in handling customers.

[0086] Therefore, in the POS system 1 of the present embodiment, the contents of the benefits given to a customer who is a member are made different depending on the timing when the customer who has his / her merchandise registered at the registration device 20 presents his / her membership card. In this embodiment, specifically, a plurality of processing stages are set corresponding to the product registration process of one transaction in the registration device 20. The number of points awarded is changed depending on which processing stage corresponds to the timing when the member identification information recorded on the member card is read by the card reader 210 or scanner unit 204 of the registration device 20. Specifically, the earlier the stage when the member identification information is read, the higher the number of points awarded.

[0087] In the POS system 1 of this embodiment, in order to realize the awarding of points as described above, for example, the registration device 20 stores an award point number table in which the process stage is associated with the award point number. An example of the points-granting table is shown in Fig. 9. In the figure, an example is shown in which three processing stages are set: "Before starting product registration processing," "Before the subtotal operation," and "Within 5 seconds after the subtotal operation." "Before product registration processing begins" is the stage before product registration processing begins for one transaction. "Before subtotal processing is performed" is the stage from when product registration processing begins for one transaction until the subtotal processing is performed. "Within 5 seconds after subtotal processing" is the stage within 5 seconds from when the subtotal processing is performed. In addition, the figure shows an example in which "5" is assigned points corresponding to "before product registration processing begins," "3" is assigned points corresponding to "before subtotal processing" and "1" is assigned points corresponding to "within 5 seconds after subtotal processing." The settings of the processing stages and the number of points to be awarded for each processing stage in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and may be changed depending on, for example, operation.

[0088] In this embodiment, when registration device 20 reads member identification information from a member card, it refers to the granted points table to determine which of the processing stages indicated in the granted points table corresponds to the timing at which the member identification information was read. Registration device 20 obtains the number of granted points associated with the determined processing stage from the granted points table. Registration device 20 transmits a privilege granting request to management device 10, which includes the member identification information read from the member card and the number of granted points obtained from the granted points table. Management device 10 performs processing so that the number of granted points included in the privilege granting request is added to the cumulative point value (point balance) of the member whose member identification information is included in the privilege granting request. In this way, in the POS system 1 of this embodiment, the earlier the customer presents the membership card at the stage of product registration at the registration device 20, the more points will be awarded.

[0089] The store informs members that it offers a service in which the earlier they present their membership card, the more points they will receive. This makes customers who are members conscious of presenting their membership card as soon as possible when registering products at the registration device 20. As a result, it reduces the time it takes to register products, which is prolonged because customers take time to take out their membership card, improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0090] <Modification> A modification of this embodiment will now be described. [First Modification] The number of points to be awarded in the second embodiment is not limited to that according to the table of the number of points to be awarded in FIG. 9, but may be more flexibly applied. For example, the number of points to be awarded may be changed according to the customer demographic, basically following the points to be awarded table as shown in Fig. 9. Specifically, for example, if the customer is a senior citizen of a certain age or older, based on customer information managed by member identification information read from a member card, a predetermined number of points to be awarded that is higher than that shown in the points to be awarded table may be set at the processing stages "before the subtotal operation" and "within 5 seconds after the subtotal operation". In other words, elderly people often find it difficult to take out their member cards, which is disadvantageous for them. Therefore, by setting the number of points to be awarded in this way, elderly people will not be disadvantaged. Also, for example, points may be awarded using the points awarded table only on certain days (such as holidays or sale days) or during certain times (such as evenings when sales are held) when the store is busy. On the other hand, on days other than those certain times, a fixed number of points may be awarded regardless of when the member identification information is read, without using the points awarded table. With this type of operation, customers will be more proactive and more quick in presenting their membership cards when the store is busy, which increases the number of transactions that can be handled per unit time and effectively shortens the wait time for customers to receive their transactions.

[0091] [Second modified example] It is possible to make it possible for settlement processing corresponding to payment methods that do not require handling of cash, such as credit cards, coupons, and electronic money, to be possible with a registration device 20 that does not have a change dispenser. In such a case, the store clerk who operates the registration device 20 to register the product may, for example, confirm the payment method that the customer desires by asking the customer, and then perform an operation to specify the device that should execute the settlement processing corresponding to the customer, from among the devices including not only the settlement device 30 but also the registration device 20. In this modified example, when a registration device is designated as the device that should execute the settlement process for a customer, the transaction corresponding to the registration of the product may be associated with the settlement-related operations performed by the customer in the designated registration device.

[0092] [Third Modification] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the store clerk operating the registration device 20 will communicate verbally with the customer, and the store clerk is configured to perform an operation to designate the device that should carry out the settlement process for the customer. However, for example, after the start of product registration on the registration device 20, a customer may be able to specify the device that should execute the settlement process corresponding to the customer, including specifying the payment method if necessary, by operating the customer display unit 205a of the registration device 20.

[0093] [Fourth Variation] In the above embodiments, the POS system 1 is provided with a product registration device that performs product registration processing in response to an operation by a store clerk, and a payment device that performs payment processing in response to an operation by a customer. However, the configuration of this embodiment in which a transaction corresponding to a product registration performed in the registration device 20 is associated with a settlement-related operation as in each of the above embodiments may also be applied to a POS system such as the one described below. That is, the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments may also be applied to a POS system having a plurality of POS registers in which a store clerk performs a product registration operation and a customer performs a payment operation in front of the store clerk. In such a POS system, the POS register in which the product registration has been performed may instruct (send payment instruction information) to execute a payment process in one of the other plurality of POS registers. The configurations of the above embodiments can also be applied to a POS system equipped with multiple POS registers that can be switched between a first accounting mode in which a store clerk performs product registration operations and operations corresponding to settlement, a second accounting mode in which a store clerk performs product registration operations and a customer performs operations corresponding to settlement, and a third accounting mode in which a customer performs product registration operations and operations corresponding to settlement. In such a POS system, for example, a POS register that has registered products in response to operations by a store clerk in the first or second accounting mode may issue an instruction (send settlement instruction information) to one of the other POS registers in the second or third accounting mode to execute a settlement process.

[0094] [Fifth Modification] In the above embodiment, 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 receipt to be handed to a customer is issued from the registration device 20, and the customer has one settlement device 30 read the 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, a settlement device 30 may be designated as in the following third to seventh designation manners.

[0095] As a third designation mode, 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 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. The registration device 20 then transmits settlement information to the selected settlement device 30 and instructs it to execute the settlement processing.

[0096] As a fourth designation mode, a priority order for settlement processing is set in advance for the settlement devices 30. Then, in response to completion of product registration, the clerk display unit 205 displays a display to enable operation of a send button that instructs transmission of settlement information to the settlement device 30. In response to operation of the send button, the registration device 20 checks whether the settlement device 30 is capable of settlement processing in the order according to the set priority order, and if it is not confirmed that settlement processing is possible, it checks the settlement device 30 with the next highest priority. Then, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to the settlement device 30 that was first confirmed to be capable of settlement processing, and instructs it to execute settlement processing.

[0097] The priority order of the settlement devices 30 according to the predetermined rule in the third designation mode or the fourth designation mode may be determined, for example, based on the number assigned to the settlement device 30. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the distance from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30. Alternatively, it may be determined based on the relationship between the breakdown of the denominations of the change predicted based on the total amount and the number of coins of each denomination stored in the change dispenser of the settlement device 30.

[0098] As a fifth designation mode, the registration device 20 transmits settlement information to all of the settlement devices 30. When the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement information is in a state in which it can execute settlement processing using the settlement information contained in the settlement information it has received, it transmits a settlement processing execution notification to the registration device 20 that sent the settlement information, notifying that it will execute settlement processing. In response to receiving the settlement processing execution notification, the registration device 20 displays (a settlement processing execution display) the settlement device 30 to which the settlement processing execution notification was sent. The store clerk can look at the settlement processing execution display and tell the customer which settlement device 30 will execute the settlement processing. At this time, together with the display indicating that the settlement process is being executed, the sign pole 311 of the settlement device 30 that sent the settlement process execution notification may be lit in a predetermined pattern or a predetermined alarm sound may be output from the settlement device 30 to notify the user that it will be executing the settlement process.

[0099] By designating the settlement device 30 according to the above third to fifth designation modes, it is not necessary to determine which settlement device 30 should execute the settlement process.

[0100] As a sixth designation mode, a store clerk moves a shopping basket containing products that have been registered at the registration device 20 to one of the basket storage areas installed corresponding to each payment device 30. The basket placement area is equipped with a sensor (such as a weight sensor or an optical sensor) that detects a placed shopping basket. When the sensor determines that a shopping basket has been placed in the basket placement area, the corresponding settlement device 30 makes a request to obtain corresponding settlement information from the registration device 20 and executes settlement processing. In this case, the settlement device 30 that is to execute the settlement process may also notify the user that it will execute the settlement process by, for example, lighting up the sign pole 311 or emitting an alarm sound. Instead of a sensor that detects a placed shopping basket, for example, a human sensor or an imaging device may be provided corresponding to the store clerk. The registration device 20 judges the movement of the store clerk based on the detection output of the human sensor or the image captured by the imaging device, and determines in which of the basket locations installed corresponding to each settlement device 30 the store clerk has placed the shopping basket based on the judgment result. The settlement device 30 corresponding to the determined basket location may then be determined as the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process.

[0101] As a seventh designation mode, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information including settlement information and transfer order information that sets the transfer order among the multiple settlement devices 30 to one settlement device 30. The transfer order information may specify the transfer order cyclically between settlement devices 30. If the settlement device 30 that receives the settlement instruction information is capable of executing the settlement process, it sends a settlement process execution notification to the registration device 20 that sent the settlement instruction information, and executes the settlement process using the settlement information contained in the received settlement instruction information. On the other hand, if the settlement device 30 that has received the settlement instruction information is unable to execute the settlement process, it transfers the received settlement instruction information to the next settlement device 30 in the transfer order, in accordance with the transfer order information included in the received settlement instruction information. In this way, by sequentially transferring the settlement instruction information between settlement devices 30, a procedure equivalent to specifying the settlement device 30 that should execute the settlement process is also realized.

[0102] In each of the above designation modes, the process for determining the settlement device 30 that will execute the settlement process may be executed by a predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30, such as the management device 10, upon completion of the product registration process by the registration device 20. The predetermined device other than the registration device 20 and the settlement device 30 may be, for example, a device provided for monitoring the status of the settlement device 30.

[0103] <Third embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, a form in which a settlement-related operation can be accepted from a stage before settlement information is acquired has been described. In the third embodiment, an embodiment in which a settlement-related operation is performed and a deposit made by a customer is cancelled from a registration device will be described.

[0104] First, a description will be given of the layout of the POS system 1 assumed in this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of the POS system 1 according to the third embodiment. The POS system 1 according to the third embodiment is made up of two registration devices 20-1 and 20-2, and four settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4. Note that the management device 10 is omitted in FIG.

[0105] The registration devices 20-1 and 20-2 are arranged in parallel at positions that form two rows of checkout leads (dashed lines in the figure). Specifically, the registration device 20-1 is arranged on the counter table 2a, and the registration device 20-2 is arranged on the counter table 2b arranged in parallel with the counter table 2a. The registration device 20-1 is installed at approximately the center of the counter table 2a, and the registration device 20-2 is installed at approximately the center of the counter table 2b. When there is no particular distinction between the counter table 2a and the counter table 2b, hereinafter they will be collectively referred to as the counter table 2. A shopping basket 9 can be slid and moved on the counter table 2.

[0106] 10, when two store clerks operate registration devices 20 side by side, a queue of shoppers waiting for registration processing will form on two parallel rows of checkout leads (checkout leads a and b). Registration devices 20-1 and 20-2 each have an identification number (not shown) visible to customers that uniquely identifies the registration device 20. In the third embodiment, the identification number of registration device 20-1 is "1" and the identification number of registration device 20-2 is "2".

[0107] Payment devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4 are positioned so that the two rows of payment leads (payment leads a and b) bend at a right angle downstream of registration device 20 and merge. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, when counter table 2a on which registration device 20-1 is located, counter table 2b on which registration device 20-2 is located, and each payment device 30 are viewed from the ceiling side, each payment device 30 is positioned so that they form a roughly U-shape as a whole. In other words, as shown in Fig. 10, payment devices 30 are positioned on (or near) a straight line connecting one end of the downstream side of payment lead a of counter table 2a (the shaded area in the figure) and one end of the downstream side of payment lead b of counter table 2b (the shaded area in the figure) so that shoppers themselves can carry out payment processing.

[0108] The settlement device 30 can set whether or not transactions can be settled for each registered device 20. Specifically, for example, the settlement devices 30-1 and 30-2 on the left side can settle transactions at the registered device 20-1 and cannot settle transactions at the registered device 20-2, and the settlement devices 30-3 and 30-4 on the right side can not settle transactions at the registered device 20-1 and can settle transactions at the registered device 20-2. Alternatively, the settlement device 30-1 can settle only transactions at the registered device 20-1, the settlement devices 30-2 and 30-3 can settle transactions at both the registered devices 20-1 and 20-2, and the settlement device 30-4 can settle only transactions at the registered device 20-2. In this way, the settlement device 30 can set whether or not transactions can be settled for each registered device 20.

[0109] By making it possible to set it in this way, for example, in Fig. 10, a customer who has registered an item in the registration device 20-2 can be prohibited from making a payment at the settlement device 30-1. Also, since it is possible to make it possible for a customer who has registered an item in either registration device 20 to make a payment at the settlement devices 30-2 and 30-3, the settlement device 30 can be used flexibly, which improves the efficiency of customer handling.

[0110] Next, the screens and the like displayed in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing a screen 401 displayed on the customer display unit 205a of the registration device 20 during product registration. The screen 401 displays a registration information field 402 showing the price of the registered product and the number of registered products, and a gift certificate, etc. presentation prompting display 402. In the case of FIG. 11(A), the registration information field 402 shows that the last registered product is product A, the price is 800 yen, and the number of registered products at present is only one. In addition, the gift certificate, etc. presentation prompting display 402 displays "If you have a coupon, gift certificate, gift certificate, etc., please present it." This is because the use of coupons, gift certificates, gift certificates, etc. requires the operation of a store clerk and cannot be used by the customer alone, so it is displayed to have the customer present them before moving to the settlement device 30. This can improve the efficiency of customer handling compared to a case where a coupon, gift certificate, gift certificate, etc. is presented after the customer moves to the settlement device 30.

[0111] In addition, when starting to register a product, the registration device 20 checks whether there is a settlement device 30 at that time where the customer can perform a settlement-related operation, and if there is a settlement device 30 where the customer can perform a settlement-related operation, the registration device 20 may display information specifying the settlement device 30 where the settlement-related operation can be performed (for example, the identification number of the settlement device) on the screen 401 or the clerk display unit 205 in FIG. 11(A). When the information specifying the settlement device 30 is displayed on the screen 401, the customer can immediately move to the settlement device 30 where the settlement-related operation can be performed and perform the settlement-related operation, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling. On the other hand, when the information specifying the settlement device 30 is displayed on the clerk display unit 205, the clerk can encourage the customer to move to the settlement device 30 where the settlement-related operation can be performed, and as a result, the customer can immediately move to the settlement device 30 where the settlement-related operation can be performed and perform the settlement-related operation, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0112] When starting to register a product, the registration device 20 checks whether there is a settlement device 30 at that time that allows the customer to perform settlement-related operations, and if there is no settlement device 30 that allows the customer to perform settlement-related operations, the registration device 20 may wait until any settlement device 30 becomes a settlement device 30 that allows the customer to perform settlement-related operations. Two types of control will be described as controls when any settlement device 30 becomes a settlement device 30 that allows the customer to perform settlement-related operations.

[0113] The first control is a control to display information specifying the settlement device 30 capable of performing settlement-related operations on the customer display unit 205a or the store clerk display unit 205. In this case, too, the customer can immediately move to the settlement device 30 capable of performing the settlement-related operations and perform the settlement-related operations, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0114] The second control is a control to display a pre-payment availability screen for inputting whether or not to make a pre-payment on the customer display unit 205a or the clerk display unit 205 when any of the settlement devices 30 becomes a settlement device 30 capable of performing settlement-related operations. When the pre-payment availability screen is displayed on the customer display unit 205a, the customer can input whether or not to make a pre-payment, and when making a pre-payment, the customer can immediately move to a settlement device 30 capable of performing settlement-related operations and perform the settlement-related operations, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling. On the other hand, when the pre-payment availability screen is displayed on the clerk display unit 205, the clerk can ask the customer whether or not to make a pre-payment, and when making a pre-payment, the clerk can encourage the customer to move to a settlement device 30 capable of performing settlement-related operations, and as a result, the customer can immediately move to a settlement device 30 capable of performing settlement-related operations and perform the settlement-related operations, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0115] In addition, whether or not the settlement device 30 is capable of performing settlement-related operations may be confirmed by directly communicating with the settlement device 30, or may be confirmed via a higher-level device such as the management device 10 or a store controller.

[0116] 11(B) is a diagram showing a registration device selection screen 411 that is displayed on the display unit 305 of the settlement device 30 when a customer moves to the settlement device 30 while an item is being registered. The settlement device 30 displays the registration device selection screen 411 when a person is detected by the human detection sensor 312, registration data has not been received, and there are multiple registration devices 20 that can settle the transaction. This is because, if registration data has not been received, it is not possible to determine the registration device 20 in which the detected customer's item is registered.

[0117] The registration device selection screen 411 is provided with an identification number button 412. In the case of a customer who has moved from registration device 20-1, the identification number of registration device 20-1 is "1" as described above, so the customer operates "1". On the other hand, in the case of a customer who has moved from registration device 20-2, the identification number of registration device 20-2 is "2" as described above, so the customer operates "2". This allows the settlement device 30 to determine the registration device 20 in which the detected customer's product is registered, and obtains the registration data from the determined registration device 20.

[0118] When the settlement device 30 only settles transactions using only one specific registered device 20, the registration device selection screen 411 may not be displayed, and a screen for starting settlement such as "Start settlement" may be displayed. When the registration device selection screen 411 is displayed, only one identification number button indicating the specific registered device 20 may be displayed.

[0119] In this way, when the settlement device 30 is capable of processing based on the registration data from a plurality of registration devices 20, a selection means is provided for selecting which of the plurality of registration devices 30 to settle the transaction data from when a settlement-related operation is performed. This allows settlement without the store clerk having to specify the settlement device 30, which saves the store clerk time and allows the customer to start settlement immediately, improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0120] When a customer selects one of the identification number buttons 412 on the registration device selection screen 411, the settlement device 30 receives the registration data from the registration device 20 and displays a settlement screen on the display unit 305. Fig. 12(A) is a diagram showing an example of the settlement screen. When a store clerk performs a product registration operation for each product, the registration device 20 sequentially transmits registration data corresponding to each registered product to the settlement device 30.

[0121] The settlement device 30 uses the received registration data to generate settlement information that reflects the results of the product registration processing that has been executed by the registration device 20. At this time, the settlement device 30 updates the settlement information every time registration data is received so that the contents of the received registration data are additionally reflected.

[0122] 12(A) is arranged with a registration number area AR31, a total amount area AR32, a deposit amount area AR33, a change amount area AR34, and a registered product list area AR35. The registration number area AR31 is an area that shows the number of products that have been registered in the registration device 20 up to the present time. The total amount area AR32 is an area that shows the total amount of the prices of the products that have been registered in the registration device 20 up to the present time.

[0123] The checkout screen also has an electronic money balance check button 421 and a credit card check button 422. The electronic money balance check button 421 is a button for checking the customer's electronic money balance. When the customer operates the electronic money balance check button 421 and has the card reader 313 read the electronic money medium, the electronic money balance can be displayed on the display unit 315. The credit card check button 422 is a button for checking whether the customer's credit card can be used. When the customer operates the credit card check button 422 and has the card reader 313 read the credit card, the display unit 315 can display whether the credit card can be used. This allows the customer to check in advance whether the electronic money balance or credit card can be used, improving usability for the customer.

[0124] When a customer wishes to pay with cash, the customer can insert currency into the settlement device 30. The inserted currency is managed as a deposit by the settlement device 30. The deposit amount area AR33 is an area showing the amount of currency that has been inserted as a deposit up to the present time (deposit amount).

[0125] The change amount area AR34 is an area showing the amount of change currently calculated (change amount). The change amount is calculated by subtracting the total amount from the deposited amount. The registered product list area AR35 is an area that displays a list of products that have been registered in the registration device 20 up to this point in time. The registered product list area AR35 allows the user to grasp the details of the products that have been registered in the registration device 20 up to this point in time. The list items in the registered product list area AR35 show the order of registration, product name, number of products purchased, and price.

[0126] In the example shown in the figure, the registered product list area AR35 indicates that up to now, products have been registered in the registration device 20 in the following order: one "product A" and one "product B." The registered product list area AR35 also indicates that the prices of each of "product A" and "product B" are 800 yen and 1100 yen, respectively. By looking at the registered product list area AR35, the customer can grasp the details of the products that have been registered in the registration device 20 up to now.

[0127] Additionally, the registered number area AR31 indicates that two items have been registered to date. The total amount area AR32 indicates that the total amount is 1,900 yen. The deposit amount area AR33 indicates that the deposit amount deposited to date is 1,000 yen. The change amount area AR34 indicates that the currently calculated change amount is -900 yen. In this way, when the deposit amount deposited to date is less than the total amount, the change amount is displayed as a negative value. This makes it easier for customers to grasp the shortfall.

[0128] Here, when the registration device 20 registers the next product, the registration data is transmitted from the registration device 20, and the registered product list area AR35 changes to reflect the contents of the transmitted registration data. In other words, each time the registration device 20 registers the next product, the registered product list area AR35 changes to display new list items of the registered product.

[0129] As the registered product list area AR35 changes as described above, the number of products displayed in the registration quantity area AR31 increases. Also, in the total amount area AR32, the total amount changes by adding the price of the newly registered product to the amount previously displayed. Also, the deposit amount displayed in the change amount area AR34 changes to an amount calculated by adding the price of the newly registered product to the total amount and the current deposit amount.

[0130] After completing product registration at the registration device 20, the store clerk performs a subtotal operation. In response to the subtotal operation being performed, the registration device 20 transmits settlement instruction information to the settlement device 30, indicating that the product registration process has been completed. Upon receiving the settlement instruction information, the settlement device 30 recognizes that product registration has been completed at the registration device 20. Completion of product registration at the registration device 20 means that no further registration data will be transmitted from the registration device 20 to the settlement device 30.

[0131] The settlement device 30 then notifies the customer by display or audio that product registration has been completed, and waits until the amount deposited by the customer equals or exceeds the total amount. When the amount deposited equals or exceeds the total amount, the settlement device 30 dispenses coins as change, if any. The settlement device 30 also issues a receipt showing the results of the settlement process up to that point. In this manner, the settlement process at the settlement device 30 is completed.

[0132] After completing product registration, the store clerk places the registered products in a basket or the like and places it in a product storage area near the registration device 20. After completing payment, the customer takes the basket from the product storage area and replaces it with a shopping bag or the like as necessary.

[0133] In this manner, in this embodiment, product registration by a store clerk operating the registration device 20 and settlement by a customer operating the settlement device 30 can be performed in parallel in the same transaction. That is, in this embodiment, the customer does not need to wait until product registration is complete in the registration device 20 before making settlement at the settlement device 30. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for accounting from product registration to settlement in one transaction, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0134] Next, a screen for canceling a deposit to the settlement device 30 from the registration device 20 will be described. Fig. 12(B) is a diagram showing the deposit cancellation yes / no screen. The settlement device designation buttons BT1-1, BT1-2, BT1-3, and BT1-4 in Fig. 12(B) correspond to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4, respectively.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 12(B), the settlement device 30-3 is in use. In this state, when the store clerk operates the settlement device designation button BT1-3, the deposit cancellation yes / no screen 431 pops up. The deposit cancellation yes / no screen 431 displays "Do you want to cancel the deposit?" When the store clerk operates "Yes", the registration device 20 sends a deposit cancellation notice to the settlement device 30-3 to cancel the deposit. Upon receiving the deposit cancellation notice, the settlement device 30-3 executes the deposit cancellation process. When "Back" is operated, the deposit cancellation yes / no screen 431 is cleared and the cancellation process is not executed.

[0136] Next, a description will be given of the pre-payment setting screen for setting whether or not the settlement device 30 allows pre-payment. Fig. 13(A) is a diagram showing the pre-payment setting screen. This pre-payment setting screen is displayed on the clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20 or on the screen of the management device 10. In other words, it is possible to set whether or not pre-payment is allowed in the registration device 20 or the management device 10.

[0137] The settlement device 1, settlement device 2, settlement device 3, and settlement device 4 shown in the setting field 441 on the advance deposit setting screen correspond to the settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4, respectively. "Advance deposit allowed" or "Advance deposit not allowed" indicates the current setting. For example, the settlement device 1 is set to allow advance deposit, and the settlement device 2 is set to not allow advance deposit.

[0138] "Change" in the setting field 441 means to change the current setting, and the setting can be changed by the store clerk touching the part marked "Change". For example, when the store clerk touches "Change" corresponding to the settlement device 3, the setting is changed from "No advance deposit" to "Allow advance deposit". In the settlement device 30 in which "No advance deposit" is set, the registration device selection screen 411 shown in FIG. 11(B) is not displayed even if a customer is detected by the human detection sensor 312. The setting of whether or not to allow advance deposit may be performed in the settlement device 30 in addition to the registration device 20 or management device 10, or may be performed in the settlement device 30 instead of the registration device 20 or management device 10.

[0139] When the above-mentioned advance deposit setting screen is in the state shown in FIG. 13(A) (advance deposits are possible at settlement devices 1 and 4, and advance deposits are not possible at settlement devices 2 and 3), and further, when settlement device 4 does not permit settlement of transactions at registration device 20-1, the number of settlement devices that can perform settlement-related operations before product registration is completed by registration device 20-1 is only one, settlement device 1, and the three settlement devices selected after product registration is completed are settlement devices 1, 2, and 3. Therefore, depending on the setting contents, the number of settlement devices that can perform settlement-related operations before product registration is completed by the product registration means will be less than the number of settlement devices selected after product registration is completed. By reducing the number of settlement devices that allow advance deposits in this way, it is possible to prevent confusion such as a customer mistakenly performing settlement processing for another customer's transaction.

[0140] In addition to the above-mentioned setting for allowing pre-payment, the timing at which pre-payment becomes possible may be set. Examples of the timing include "the timing at which the registration device starts product registration" and "the timing at which the settlement device becomes able to perform settlement-related operations." This timing may also be set by the registration device 20, the management device 10, or the settlement device 30.

[0141] Next, a screen displayed on the registration device 20 after product registration will be described. If the customer moves to the settlement device 30 during product registration, the customer is performing the settlement operation. Therefore, if the store clerk carries the product to the settlement device 30 after product registration, the customer can continue the settlement operation. Therefore, after product registration, a transport prompting screen 442 as shown in FIG. 13(B) is displayed on the store clerk display unit 205 of the registration device 20 to prompt the store clerk to transport the product to the settlement device. This transport prompting screen 442 is displayed as a pop-up when the store clerk specifies the settlement device. When the store clerk operates the OK button on the transport prompting screen 442, the transport prompting screen 442 is erased.

[0142] In this way, by displaying the transport prompting screen 442 to the store clerk and encouraging them to transport the product to the payment device, the store clerk can transport the product, allowing the customer to complete the payment process more quickly, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling.

[0143] The process flow according to the third embodiment described above will be explained using a sequence diagram. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow according to the third embodiment. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 14, a store clerk performs registration at registration device 20-1, and a customer performs payment at payment device 30-1. In addition, the payment-related operation in the sequence diagram of FIG. 14 is the selection of identification number button 412 displayed on registration device selection screen 411.

[0144] A customer goes to the registration device 20-1, and the registration device 20-1 starts the product registration process by a store clerk (step S301). When the customer moves to the settlement device 30-1, the settlement device 30-1 detects the person using the human detection sensor 312 (step S401). The settlement device 30-1 displays the registration device selection screen 411 shown in FIG. 11(B) (step S402). When the customer selects the identification number button 412 indicating the registration device 20-1 on the registration device selection screen 411, the settlement device 30-1 performs control to permit the deposit (step S404). This enables the change machine to accept the deposit. Next, the settlement device 30-1 transmits a status notification to the registration device 20-1 (step S405).

[0145] When the registration device 20-1 receives the status notification, it transmits the registration data (step S302). The first registration data transmitted after receiving the status notification contains registration data for all products registered before the registration data was transmitted. When the settlement device 30 receives the registration data, it displays the settlement screen shown in FIG. 12(A) (step S406). The registration device 20-1 updates the display content of the settlement device designation button corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 to "in use" (step S303). Thereafter, as shown in step S304, the registration data is transmitted every time a product is registered.

[0146] When the settlement device 30-1 receives the registration data, it updates the settlement screen (step S407). Thereafter, as shown in step S408, the settlement device 30-1 updates the settlement screen every time it receives registration data. For example, if the registration data indicates that product X has been registered, the settlement device 30-1 updates the settlement screen by adding information about product X to the settlement screen.

[0147] When a subtotal operation is performed (step S305) and a settlement device designation operation is performed (step S306), the registration device 20-1 transmits settlement instruction information to the settlement device 30-1 (step S307) and displays the transportation promotion screen 442 shown in Fig. 13(B) (step S308). Note that when designating a settlement device in the registration device 20-1, only the settlement device 30-1 that has already been designated as the settlement device by the customer can be designated.

[0148] Upon receiving the settlement instruction information, the settlement device 30-1 executes the settlement process (step S409), and upon completion of the settlement process, the settlement device 30-1 performs control to prohibit deposits (step S410). This renders the change dispenser unable to accept deposits. Next, the settlement device 30-1 transmits a status notification (step S411). This completes the processing of one transaction in the settlement device 30-1. Upon receiving the status notification, the registration device 20-1 updates the display content of the settlement device designation button corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 to "standby" (step S309), and the processing of one transaction in the registration device 20-1 is completed.

[0149] Next, the process flow when a deposit is cancelled will be explained using a sequence diagram. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing the process flow when a deposit is cancelled. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 15, a store clerk performs registration at registration device 20-1, and a customer performs settlement at settlement device 30-1. Also, the settlement-related operation in the sequence diagram of FIG. 15 is the selection of identification number button 412 displayed on registration device selection screen 411.

[0150] A customer goes to the registration device 20-1, and the registration device 20-1 starts the product registration process by a store clerk (step S501). When the customer moves to the settlement device 30-1, the settlement device 30-1 detects the presence of the person (step S601). The registration device selection screen 411 shown in FIG. 11(B) is displayed (step S602). When the customer selects the identification number button 412 indicating the registration device 20-1 on the registration device selection screen 411, the settlement device 30-1 performs control to permit the deposit (step S604). Next, the settlement device 30-1 transmits a status notification to the registration device 20-1 (step S605).

[0151] When the registration device 20-1 receives the status notification, it transmits the registration data (step S502). The first registration data transmitted after receiving the status notification contains registration data for all products registered before the registration data was transmitted. When the settlement device 30 receives the registration data, it displays the settlement screen shown in FIG. 12(A) (step S606). The registration device 20-1 updates the display content of the settlement device designation button corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 to "in use" (step S503). Thereafter, as shown in step S504, the registration data is transmitted every time a product is registered.

[0152] When the settlement device 30-1 receives the registration data, it updates the settlement screen (step S607). After that, as shown in step S608, the settlement device 30-1 updates the settlement screen every time it receives registration data.

[0153] When a settlement device designation operation is performed on the settlement device 30-1 (step S506), the registration device 20-1 pops up the deposit cancellation yes / no screen 431 (step S507). The difference from the process in Fig. 14 is whether the settlement device designation operation is performed after the subtotal operation. When "Yes" is selected on the deposit cancellation yes / no screen 431, the registration device 20-1 sends a deposit cancellation notice to the settlement device 30-1 to cause it to perform a refund process (step S509).

[0154] When the settlement device 30-1 receives the deposit cancellation notification, it executes the deposit cancellation process to discharge the deposited bills or coins (step S609), and when the deposit cancellation process is completed, the settlement device 30-1 performs control to prohibit deposits (step S610). Next, the settlement device 30-1 transmits a status notification (step S611). This causes the settlement device 30-1 to transition to a standby state. When the registration device 20-1 receives the status notification, it updates the display content of the settlement device designation button corresponding to the settlement device 30-1 to "standby" (step S510). After this, the registration device 20-1 may continue or cancel the registration process. If it continues, the settlement device 30 that will perform the settlement process will be in an undetermined state, so the settlement device 30 that will perform the settlement process will be designated, or the registration process will be performed while waiting for the reception of a status notification from the settlement device 30.

[0155] As explained above, by making it possible to execute the deposit cancellation process, for example, it is possible to quickly respond to a customer's erroneous operation, thereby improving the efficiency of customer handling. Note that a customer's erroneous operation here refers to a case in which a customer who has registered a product with the identification number of the registration device being "1" mistakenly operates "2" on the registration device selection screen 411 and makes a deposit. In such a case, the deposit can be quickly cancelled by the deposit cancellation process, so the efficiency of customer handling can be improved compared to a case in which the deposit cancellation process is not provided.

[0156] In the third embodiment described above, the layout of the POS system 1 shown in Fig. 10 is configured with two registration devices 20-1 and 20-2 and four settlement devices 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, and 30-4, but this is not limited thereto. For example, there may be two, three, five or more settlement devices 30.

[0157] The settlement device 30 is configured to display the registration device selection screen 411 when a customer is detected by the human detection sensor 312, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the registration device selection screen 411 may be displayed when a customer operates the settlement device 30 or when a deposit is made. Displaying the registration device selection screen 411 when a deposit is made means that a deposit is possible even when registration data has not been received from the registration device 20, and therefore the efficiency of customer handling can be improved.

[0158] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned registration device 20, settlement device 30, etc. 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, settlement device 30, etc. 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, WAN, LAN, dedicated lines, and other communication lines. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. 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.

[0159] <Overview of the embodiment> (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system (e.g., a POS system 1) comprising a registration device (20) in which product registration is performed in response to operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices (30) in response to operation by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, the product sales data processing system comprising: product registration means for registering products corresponding to one transaction in response to operation by a store clerk performed on the registration device; settlement-related operation receiving means for receiving settlement-related operations corresponding to one transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired; and transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed by the product registration means with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation received by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

[0160] According to the above configuration, before the registration of a commodity for a certain transaction is completed in the registration device 20, a customer who has made the same transaction can start the operation for settlement on the settlement device 30. In this case, an overlapping period is obtained during which the operation for commodity registration and the operation for settlement for the same transaction are performed in parallel. This shortens the time until the accounting for one transaction is completed, compared to the case where the operation for settlement is performed after the registration device 20 completes the commodity registration, and improves the efficiency of customer handling.

[0161] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the product sales data processing system described in (1), wherein the settlement-related operation receiving means receives the start of an operation of inserting actual currency into the settlement device as the start of a settlement-related operation.

[0162] According to the above configuration, the operation of inserting currency, which is a relatively time-consuming operation among the settlement operations corresponding to cash payments, can be performed while the product registration is being performed in the registration device 20. This makes it possible to further improve the efficiency of customer handling.

[0163] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in (1) or (2), wherein the settlement-related operation receiving means receives as a settlement-related operation an operation of inputting customer identification information that identifies a customer into the settlement device.

[0164] According to the above configuration, for example, a customer can perform an operation to have the settlement device 30 read the member identification information (an example of customer identification information) recorded on the member card while product registration is being performed by the registration device 20.

[0165] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is a product sales data processing system as described in any one of (1) to (3), further comprising a settlement device status display means in the registration device for displaying the status of the settlement device, and the settlement device status display means displays, in different predetermined modes, the status of a settlement device that is executing a settlement process based on acquired settlement information and the status of a settlement device in which a transaction corresponding to a product registration is not associated with a transaction corresponding to an initiated settlement-related operation.

[0166] According to the above configuration, even when an operation corresponding to the same settlement is accepted, it is possible to distinguish and display a settlement device 30 that is executing a settlement process based on settlement information from a settlement device 30 that is not associated with a transaction corresponding to the product registration.

[0167] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is a registration device in a product sales data processing system including a registration device that registers products in response to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices that perform settlement processing in response to operations by a customer based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, the registration device including a product registration means that registers products corresponding to one transaction in response to operations by a store clerk, and a transaction control means that matches a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed by the product registration means with a transaction corresponding to a settlement-related operation performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in response to one transaction, from a stage before the settlement information is acquired by the settlement device or the registration device.

[0168] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is a settlement device in a product sales data processing system including a registration device in which product registration is performed in response to operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operation by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, the settlement device including a settlement-related operation receiving means capable of accepting a settlement-related operation corresponding to a transaction performed by a customer at the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired, and a transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed at the registration device with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation receiving means.

[0169] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer included in a product sales data processing system having a registration device in which product registration is performed in response to operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operation by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, to function as product registration means for registering products corresponding to a transaction in response to operation by a store clerk on the registration device, settlement-related operation accepting means capable of accepting settlement-related operations corresponding to a transaction performed by a customer on the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired, and transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed by the product registration means with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation accepting means.

[0170] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer acting as a registration device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device in which products are registered in response to operations by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operations by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, as a product registration means for registering products corresponding to a transaction in response to operations by a store clerk, and as a transaction control means for matching a transaction corresponding to the registration of a product with a transaction corresponding to a settlement-related operation performed by a customer on the settlement device or the registration device in response to a transaction, from a stage before the settlement information is acquired by the settlement device or the registration device.

[0171] (9) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer as a settlement device in a product sales data processing system having a registration device in which product registration is performed in response to operation by a store clerk, and a plurality of settlement devices in response to operation by a customer to perform settlement processing based on settlement information reflecting the product registration results by the registration device, to function as a settlement-related operation receiving means capable of accepting a settlement-related operation corresponding to a transaction performed by a customer at the settlement device from a stage before the settlement information is acquired, and a transaction control means that matches a transaction corresponding to the registration of products performed at the registration device with a transaction corresponding to the settlement-related operation accepted by the settlement-related operation receiving means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0172] 1 POS system, 10 management device, 11 LAN, 20 (20-1, 20-2) registration device, 30 (30-1 to 30-3) settlement device, 201 CPU, 202 memory unit, 203 RAM, 204 scanner unit, 205 display unit for store clerk, 205a display unit for customer, 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 system including a registration device used by a store clerk and a plurality of payment devices used by customers, The registration device includes: A product registration means for registering a product; a transmitting means for transmitting registration information of the product registered by the product registration means; Equipped with The settlement device includes: A receiving means for receiving the registration information; An operation receiving means for receiving an operation on a display screen; settlement means for settling an account using the registration information received by the receiving means; Equipped with The receiving means receives the registration information after the operation accepting means accepts a predetermined operation on the display screen. A system characterized by:

2. A payment device in a system including a registration device used by a store clerk and a plurality of payment devices used by customers, a receiving means for receiving registration information of the product registered in the registration device; An operation receiving means for receiving an operation on a display screen; settlement means for settling an account using the registration information received by the receiving means; Equipped with The receiving means receives the registration information after the operation accepting means accepts a predetermined operation on the display screen. A settlement device characterized by:

3. A program for causing a payment device in a system including a registration device used by a store clerk and a plurality of payment devices used by customers to function as a computer, The computer, a receiving means for receiving registration information of the product registered in the registration device; An operation receiving means for receiving an operation on a display screen; settlement means for settling an account using the registration information received by the receiving means; and make it work. The receiving means receives the registration information after the operation accepting means accepts a predetermined operation on the display screen. A program characterized by:

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