Article sales data processing device, article sales data processing system, and program

Abstract

To provide an article sales data processing device, an article sales data processing system, and a program that enable users to intuitively recognize whether articles are exempt from the privilege of discounting or deducting from the subtotal amount of articles when the articles are registered.SOLUTION: An article sales data processing device includes: an article information acquisition unit that can use a privilege to provide reduction or discount from a subtotal amount of articles purchased by a customer that is eligible for the reduction or discount, and that acquires article information of the articles purchased by the customer; a privilege ineligibility determination unit that determines, based on the article information of the articles, whether the articles are ineligible for the privilege; and an ineligible-for-privilege notification unit that notifies the customer that the articles are ineligible for the reduction or discount for the privilege when the articles for which the article information is acquired are determined to be ineligible for the privilege.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product sales data processing device, a product sales data processing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a product sales data processing device that allows a user to use benefits such as coupons for discounts or other benefits, or points when purchasing a specific product (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the product sales data processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the registration of a product to be purchased is completed and an operation to instruct the user to proceed to payment is performed, it is determined whether the registered product is eligible for a coupon.

[0004] Among the benefits, there are coupons that give discounts or deductions from the subtotal amount of the products purchased by the customer. Note that the subtotal amount is a temporary total of the prices of various products, including tax-inclusive, tax-exclusive, and tax-exempt products, and is not a final total amount including the consumption tax. Patent Document 1 does not mention the case where a customer uses a coupon that gives a discount or deduction from such a subtotal amount.

[0005] When using a special offer that provides a discount or deduction from the subtotal amount of the products to be purchased, in the product sales data processing device of Patent Document 1, when the product is registered, products that are eligible for the special offer and those that are not are displayed on the registration details screen without distinction, so the store clerk does not know whether the product purchased by the customer is eligible for the special offer or not, and may be unsure whether it is okay to read the code information presented by the customer that contains the details of the special offer, which could cause delays in the accounting process. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a product sales data processing device, a product sales data processing system, and a program that enable intuitive recognition, when a product is registered, of whether the product is not eligible for a discount or other benefit that is deducted from the subtotal amount of the product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A product sales data processing device according to an embodiment allows a customer to use a special offer to reduce or discount a subtotal amount of products that are eligible for a discount or reduction among products purchased by the customer, and includes a product information acquisition unit, a specific non-eligible determination unit, and a special offer non-eligible notification unit. The product information acquisition unit acquires product information of a product purchased by the customer. The special offer non-eligible determination unit determines whether the product is not eligible for a special offer based on the product information of the product. The special offer non-eligible notification unit notifies the customer that the product is not eligible for a special offer when it is determined that the product for which product information has been acquired is not eligible for a special offer. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product sales data processing system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a POS terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the product master. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the coupon master. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the POS terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a registration details screen displayed on the store clerk side display of the POS terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen displayed on a customer side display of a POS terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of the operations of a customer, a store clerk, and a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of processing performed by the POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification, displayed on a store clerk-side display of a POS terminal, indicating that a coupon cannot be used, in the modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification, displayed on a customer side display of a POS terminal, indicating that a coupon cannot be used, in the modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the POS terminal in the modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product sales data processing system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a mobile terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration details screen displayed on a display device of a mobile terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a product sales data processing system 100 as an example of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0010] (Outline of product sales data processing system) A schematic configuration of a product sales data processing system 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a product sales data processing system according to a first embodiment.

[0011] The product sales data processing system 100 includes a POS terminal 10, a store server 30, and a server device 40.

[0012] The product sales data processing system 100 performs a product registration process for registering products purchased by a customer at a store, and a payment process for the registered products. In particular, the product sales data processing system 100 allows the use of a coupon that reduces or discounts the subtotal price of products that are eligible for a discount or discount among the products purchased by the customer. Note that a coupon that reduces or discounts the subtotal price of a product is an example of a benefit in the present disclosure. For example, a benefit includes points that are reduced from the subtotal price of a product.

[0013] The POS terminal 10 performs a product registration process of registering product information of a product indicated by a product code registered in the code symbol by reading a code symbol such as a barcode attached to the product to be purchased by a customer.

[0014] The POS terminal 10 also performs a payment process for the registered products using the payment method selected by the customer. The payment process can be performed using a variety of methods, including cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, and virtual currency payment.

[0015] Cash payment is a payment method in which a customer pays with bills and coins that they own. When making a cash payment, the customer instructs the POS terminal 10 to make a cash payment, and then uses a change dispenser to make the payment.

[0016] Credit card payment is a payment method that uses a credit card held by a customer. When making a credit card payment, the customer has the payment terminal connected to the POS terminal 10 read the credit card company information, identification information that identifies the customer, bank account information to which the money is to be withdrawn, and other information registered on the customer's credit card. The POS terminal 10 then communicates with the server device 40 and has the server device 40 obtain approval for the credit card payment, thereby completing the credit card payment.

[0017] Electronic money payment is a payment method in which payment is made with electronic money loaded onto, for example, an IC card. After instructing the POS terminal 10 to make an electronic money payment, the customer, for example, brings the IC card close to the payment terminal to perform short-range wireless communication between the payment terminal and the IC card. Payment is made with the electronic money loaded onto the IC card through this wireless communication. Note that, instead of the IC card, payment may be made with electronic money loaded onto an electronic money app installed on a mobile terminal owned by the customer.

[0018] The POS terminal 10 is a so-called face-to-face POS in which a store clerk and a customer face each other, the store clerk registers products on a store clerk-side display, and the customer makes a payment on a customer-side display. The POS terminal 10 is an example of a product sales data processing device in the present disclosure. In addition to face-to-face POS, product sales data processing devices include POS systems in which a registration device for registering products and an accounting device for making a payment are configured separately, smartphone POS for registering products on a mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone), cart POS for registering products on a mobile terminal (e.g., a tablet terminal) attached to a shopping cart, and other fully self-service POS.

[0019] The store server 30 may execute part of the processing performed by the POS terminal 10. For example, the store server 30 acquires information on a code symbol attached to a product read by the POS terminal 10, and outputs product information on the product corresponding to the code symbol to the POS terminal 10. The store server 30 also determines whether the product corresponding to the code symbol acquired from the POS terminal 10 is not eligible for a coupon, and outputs the determination result to the POS terminal 10.

[0020] The store server 30 may also function as a relay when the POS terminal 10 communicates with the server device 40.

[0021] In this embodiment, the store server 30 will be described as simply a relay between the POS terminal 10 and the server device 40.

[0022] The server device 40 acquires the payment details from the POS terminal 10 and executes the payment using the instructed payment method. There is no restriction on the number of server devices 40. The server device 40 may be, for example, a server device of a credit company or a server device of a company that manages electronic money, and the POS terminal 10 may communicate with different server devices depending on the payment details.

[0023] (POS terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the POS terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the POS terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the first embodiment.

[0024] The POS terminal 10 has a configuration in which a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a peripheral device controller 13, and a communication interface 14 are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0025] The control unit 11 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113. The CPU 111 is connected to the ROM 112 and the RAM 113 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 111 loads various programs stored in the ROM 112 and the storage unit 12 into the RAM 113. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the POS terminal 10 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 113. That is, the control unit 11 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0026] The storage unit 12 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 12 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 12 stores a control program 121, a product master 122, a coupon master 123, and a product registration file 124.

[0027] The control program 121 is a program that controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10. The control program 121 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 12, or may be provided by recording it in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 121 may also be provided by storing it on a computer connected to a network and downloading it via the network. Furthermore, the control program 121 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0028] The product master 122 is a master file that stores product information such as product names and prices of products for sale. The specific structure of the product master 122 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 3). Since the contents of the product master 122 are updated from time to time, the POS terminal 10 obtains the latest product master 122 from a higher-level server such as the store server 30.

[0029] The coupon master 123 is a master file that stores information such as the applicable period of coupons that can be used in stores, discount amounts and rates, products not applicable to coupons, etc. The specific structure of the coupon master 123 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 4).

[0030] The product registration file 124 is a file that stores product information such as product name and price for a product whose product code is registered in a code symbol attached to the product and read by a store clerk using a scanner 23 (described later). The information stored in the product registration file 124 is used as the payment target when performing payment processing (accounting processing).

[0031] The control unit 11 is connected to a store clerk display 21, a store clerk operation device 22, a scanner 23, a receipt printer 24, a customer display 25, a customer operation device 26, a change machine 27, and a payment terminal 28, which input and output various information via a peripheral device controller 13.

[0032] The store clerk's display 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The store clerk's display 21 displays information to the store clerk, such as a registration details screen on which registered product information is displayed.

[0033] The store clerk operation device 22 is a touch panel that is superimposed on the display screen of the store clerk display 21. The store clerk operation device 22 may also be a hardware keyboard. The store clerk operation device 22 acquires various operation information by the store clerk and outputs it to the control unit 11.

[0034] The scanner 23 reads a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product. The control unit 11 of the POS terminal 10 decodes the information registered in the code symbol read by the scanner 23, and acquires product information such as a product code.

[0035] The receipt printer 24 prints the results of the payment process on a receipt.

[0036] The customer-side display 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The customer-side display 25 displays to the customer registered product information, age verification information when purchasing a product with an age restriction (age-restricted product), selection information of a payment method, etc.

[0037] The customer-side operation device 26 is a touch panel superimposed on the display screen of the customer-side display 25. The customer-side operation device 26 acquires various operation information by customers and outputs it to the control unit 11. The various operation information by customers includes, for example, age verification information when purchasing age-restricted products, selection information of a payment method, and the like.

[0038] When a customer makes a cash payment, the change machine 27 accepts coins or bills inserted by the customer and dispenses coins or bills as change.

[0039] For example, when a customer makes a credit card payment, the payment terminal 28 reads the credit card company information, the identification information for identifying the customer, the bank account information to which the payment is to be debited, and the like, which are registered on the credit card.

[0040] In addition, the control unit 11 communicates with the store server 30 and the server device 40 via the communication interface 14.

[0041] (Product master data structure) The data structure of the product master 122 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product master.

[0042] The product master 122 stores product information such as product name, product type, price, additional information, etc., in association with the product code of a product handled in the store. The product name field stores the name of the product corresponding to the product code. The product type field stores classification information when the products are classified into groups having common characteristics (e.g., beverages, vegetables, meat, daily necessities, etc.). The price field stores the price of the product corresponding to the product code. The additional information field stores additional information on the product corresponding to the product code. For example, the product type is stored in the additional information field. If the product is clothing, the size, color, design, material, brand, etc. may be stored in the additional information field. Image data representing the product corresponding to the product code may also be stored in the additional information field. The product master 122 may store information other than the information shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] (Coupon master data structure) The data structure of the coupon master 123 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the coupon master.

[0044] In addition, the coupons targeted in this embodiment are those that provide a discount of a predetermined amount from the purchase price excluding tax of a pre-set product, or those that provide a discount of a predetermined discount rate from the purchase price excluding tax of a pre-set product.

[0045] The coupon master 123 is a master file that stores the details of coupons that can be used at a store. The coupon master 123 stores coupon information such as a target period, discount amount / discount rate, and a coupon non-applicable table in association with a coupon code that uniquely identifies the coupon content.

[0046] The applicable period item stores the range of dates during which the coupon can be used (the start date and end date of the coupon's use).

[0047] The discount amount / discount rate field stores the discount amount or discount rate of a coupon. The discount amount of a coupon is discount information such as "50 yen off for purchases of 300 yen or more of eligible products." The discount rate of a coupon is discount information such as "20% off the purchase price of the eligible product."

[0048] The coupon non-eligible table stores the types and product codes of products that are not eligible for coupons. Examples of products that are not eligible for coupons include magazines, books, postcards, stamps, tobacco, alcohol, and utility bills. The number of products that are not eligible for coupons is overwhelmingly smaller than the number of products that are eligible for coupons. Therefore, by constructing a coupon non-eligible table instead of a coupon eligible table, it becomes possible to efficiently search whether a product that a customer is about to purchase is not eligible for a coupon. In addition, in order to efficiently check whether a registered product is not eligible for a coupon, the coupon non-eligible table stores product codes in a hierarchy below product types, thereby making information search more efficient. In other words, by storing data in a hierarchy, it is possible to improve search efficiency.

[0049] (Functional configuration of POS terminal) The functional configuration of the POS terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the POS terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the first embodiment.

[0050] The control unit 11 of the POS terminal 10 loads the control program 121 in the RAM 113 and runs it to realize, as functional units, a product information acquisition unit 51, a coupon non-eligible determination unit 52, a coupon non-eligible notification unit 53, a product registration unit 54, a coupon information acquisition unit 55, a coupon usability notification unit 56, a payment instruction acquisition unit 57, a payment processing unit 58, a receipt issuing unit 59, a display control unit 60, an operation control unit 61, and a communication control unit 62, all of which are shown in FIG. 5. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware. Also, some of these functional units may be managed by the store server 30.

[0051] The product information acquisition unit 51 acquires product information of the product purchased by the customer. Specifically, the product information acquisition unit 51 decodes the result of reading the code symbol by the scanner 23 and acquires product information such as the product code.

[0052] The coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 determines whether a product is not eligible for a coupon based on the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 51. Specifically, the coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 determines whether a product is not eligible for a coupon by checking the product code acquired by the product information acquisition unit 51 against a coupon non-eligible table in the coupon master 123. The coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 is an example of a benefit non-eligible determination unit in the present disclosure. The benefit non-eligible determination unit includes a point non-eligible determination unit.

[0053] When it is determined that the product for which the product information has been acquired is not eligible for the coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 notifies the user that the product is not eligible for the discount or discount by the coupon. More specifically, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 displays the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 51 on the store clerk side display 21 in different display forms for products eligible for the coupon and products not eligible for the coupon. The non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 may also display products eligible for the coupon and products not eligible for the coupon on the customer side display 25 in different display forms. The non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 is an example of a non-benefit notification unit in the present disclosure. The non-benefit notification unit includes a non-point eligible notification unit.

[0054] The product registration unit 54 performs a product registration process to register the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 51 in the product registration file 124. In addition, the product registration unit 54 applies the discount amount or discount rate of the coupon to the product registration information registered by the product registration process, and further adds consumption tax to calculate the amount to be paid by the customer.

[0055] The coupon information acquisition unit 55 reads the code symbol presented by the customer and in which the coupon code is registered. Specifically, the coupon information acquisition unit 55 reads a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code that the customer has displayed on his / her mobile terminal by the scanner 23. The coupon information acquisition unit 55 may also read a code symbol printed on a paper presented by the customer by the scanner 23. The coupon information acquisition unit 55 also obtains a coupon code by decoding the result of reading the code symbol obtained from the scanner 23. The coupon information acquisition unit 55 also obtains a discount amount or a discount rate from coupon information corresponding to the coupon code in the coupon master 123. The coupon information acquisition unit 55 is an example of a benefit information acquisition unit in the present disclosure. The benefit information acquisition unit includes a point information acquisition unit.

[0056] The coupon usability notification unit 56 notifies the store clerk and the customer that the coupon cannot be used if the subtotal of the products subject to the discount or discount by the coupon is less than the discount amount by the coupon. The coupon usability notification unit 56 may also notify the store clerk and the customer that the coupon cannot be used if the coupon corresponding to the read coupon code has expired or has not yet been used. The coupon usability notification unit 56 is an example of a benefit usability notification unit in the present disclosure. The benefit usability notification unit includes a point usability notification unit.

[0057] The payment instruction acquisition unit 57 acquires a payment instruction for the POS terminal 10. Specifically, the payment instruction acquisition unit 57 acquires information on pressing of the Checkout button 79 on the registration details screen 50 (see FIG. 6) on the registration details screen 70 displayed on the store clerk side display 21. Then, the POS terminal 10 determines that a payment instruction has been issued by detecting that the Checkout button 79 has been pressed.

[0058] When the payment instruction acquisition unit 57 acquires a payment instruction, the payment processing unit 58 performs a payment process for the product registration information displayed on the registration details screen 70. The payment processing unit 58 performs the payment by the payment method selected by the customer. The payment process is performed by any method selected by the customer, such as cash payment by cash, credit card payment by credit card, electronic money payment by electronic money, virtual currency payment by virtual currency, etc.

[0059] If cash payment is selected, the customer makes the payment by inserting bills or coins into the change machine 27. The change machine 27 dispenses bills or coins as change.

[0060] When credit card payment is selected, payment terminal 28 reads the credit card company information, customer identification information, and debit bank account information registered on the customer's credit card, and communicates with, for example, the credit card company's server device 40. Then, the payment is completed when server device 40 approves the payment.

[0061] Electronic money payment is a payment method in which payment is made with electronic money charged to, for example, an IC card. After instructing payment terminal 28 to make electronic money payment, the customer makes the payment with the electronic money charged to the IC card, for example, by bringing the IC card close to payment terminal 28 and performing short-range wireless communication with payment terminal 28. Note that, instead of an IC card, payment may be made with electronic money charged to an electronic money app implemented in a mobile terminal possessed by the customer. In that case, the customer starts the electronic money app and displays code information such as a two-dimensional code on the mobile terminal. Then, the customer makes the payment with electronic money by having payment terminal 28 read the displayed code information. Note that the payment method is not limited to cash payment, credit card payment, and electronic money payment, and other payment methods may be used.

[0062] The receipt issuing unit 59 issues a receipt on which the payment details are printed by the receipt printer 24.

[0063] The display control unit 60 controls the screen display on the staff display 21 and the customer display 25 .

[0064] The operation control unit 61 acquires information on operations performed on the store clerk operation device 22 and the customer operation device 26 , and outputs the information to the control unit 11 .

[0065] The communication control unit 62 controls communications between the POS terminal 10 and the store server 30 and server device 40.

[0066] (Configuration of the registration details screen displayed on the store clerk's display) The screen configuration of the registration details screen 70 displayed on the store clerk display 21 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the registration details screen displayed on the store clerk display of the POS terminal.

[0067] The registration details screen 70 displays, for each product, product information corresponding to the product code of the product purchased by the customer, read by the scanner 23. Specifically, the registration details screen 70 displays the item number 71, product name 72, unit price 73, quantity 74, amount 75, and tax type 76 shown in FIG.

[0068] Item number 71 is a number assigned in ascending order of registration.

[0069] The product name 72 is the name of the product registered in the product master 122 .

[0070] The unit price 73 is the price of the product of the product name 72 registered in the product master 122. In the case of a tax-exclusive product, the unit price 73 is the price excluding tax.

[0071] Quantity 74 is the number of items of product name 72 purchased.

[0072] The amount 75 is the product of the unit price 73 and the quantity 74.

[0073] The tax type 76 is information indicating whether the product is a tax-exclusive product, a tax-inclusive product, or a tax-exempt product.

[0074] 6 is a product not eligible for the coupon, that is, a product 77 not eligible for the coupon. Also, the product A shown in FIG.

[0075] When a coupon eligible product 78 is registered, the POS terminal 10 displays the row including the registered coupon eligible product 78, more specifically, the cell displaying information related to the registered coupon eligible product 78, with hatching applied to the background. On the other hand, when a non-coupon eligible product 77 is registered, the POS terminal 10 displays the row including the registered non-coupon eligible product 77 without hatching. In this way, the POS terminal 10 displays the registered product information in different display forms for the coupon eligible product 78 and the non-coupon eligible product 77. This allows the store clerk to immediately recognize that the coupon eligible product 78 has been registered.

[0076] The method of displaying the coupon eligible products 78 is not limited to hatching the lines in which the information related to the corresponding products is displayed. For example, the information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in a text color different from that of the information related to the non-coupon eligible products 77. The information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed with underlines below the text. The information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in bold text. Furthermore, of all the information related to the products, only the product name 72 may be displayed in a different display format for the non-coupon eligible products 77 and the coupon eligible products 78.

[0077] At the bottom of the registration details screen 70, a checkout button 79 shown in Fig. 6 is displayed. When the store clerk has finished reading all the code symbols of the products the customer wishes to purchase, he or she presses the checkout button 79. This is the payment instruction operation. Then, when the POS terminal 10 accepts the payment instruction operation, it totals the price 75 of the registered products.

[0078] The total product price 75 is displayed as the consumption tax amount and the total amount including the consumption tax at the bottom of the registration details screen 70. If the customer pays in cash, the POS terminal 10 obtains the amount paid by the customer from the change dispenser 27 as the deposit amount and displays it on the registration details screen 70. Although not shown in Fig. 6, the POS terminal 10 also displays the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount from the deposit amount as the change amount in the column below the deposit amount. The example in Fig. 6 shows a state in which the customer has not yet paid in cash, so the deposit amount is displayed as 0 yen.

[0079] The amount of consumption tax and the total amount including consumption tax may be calculated and displayed on the registration details screen 70 each time a product is registered, without waiting for the checkout button 79 to be pressed.

[0080] (Product registration screen displayed on customer side display) The screen configuration of the product registration screen 80 displayed on the customer-side display 25 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the product registration screen displayed on the customer-side display of the POS terminal.

[0081] The product registration screen 80 displays product registration information registered by the POS terminal 10. Specifically, the product registration screen 80 displays a product name 82, a unit price 83, a quantity 84, and a total amount 85, as shown in Fig. 7. The product name 82, the unit price 83, and the quantity 84 are information related to the most recently registered product. Therefore, the product name 82, the unit price 83, and the quantity 84 are updated to the latest registered product information every time the POS terminal 10 registers a new product.

[0082] The product name 82 is the name of the product registered in the product master 122 .

[0083] The unit price 83 is the price of the product with the product name 82 registered in the product master 122. In the case of a tax-exclusive product, the unit price 73 is the price excluding tax.

[0084] The quantity 84 is the number of items of the product name 82 purchased.

[0085] The total amount 85 is the total amount, including tax, of all items registered in the current transaction.

[0086] If the registered product is a coupon eligible product 78, the product name 82, unit price 83, and quantity 84 are displayed with hatching. This allows the customer to immediately recognize that the coupon eligible product 78 has been registered. At this time, the POS terminal 10 may output audio guidance such as "A coupon eligible product has been registered" from a speaker not shown in FIG. 2. If the registered product is a coupon non-eligible product 77, the POS terminal 10 may output audio guidance such as "A coupon non-eligible product has been registered" from a speaker not shown.

[0087] The display method of the coupon eligible products 78 is not limited to hatching. For example, the information on the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in a background color different from that of the information on the non-coupon eligible products 77. The information on the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in a text color different from that of the information on the non-coupon eligible products 77. The information on the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed underlined. The information on the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in bold. Furthermore, only the display format of the product name 72 may be different between the non-coupon eligible products 77 and the coupon eligible products 78.

[0088] The product registration screen 80 may display service information 81 and guidance information 86. The service information 81 is, for example, sale information held at the store. The guidance information 86 is, for example, information related to operation methods such as payment methods.

[0089] (Processing flow of POS terminal) The flow of processing performed by the POS terminal 10 will be described in relation to operations by a customer and a store clerk with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart for explaining an example of operations of a customer, a store clerk, and a POS terminal in the first embodiment. It is assumed that a customer has downloaded an application that supports shopping in a store onto his or her mobile terminal. The customer then makes a purchase using an application coupon received via this application.

[0090] A customer presents the product to be purchased to a store clerk (step S11).

[0091] The store clerk reads the code symbol attached to the presented product with the scanner 23 (step S21).

[0092] The product information acquisition unit 51 of the POS terminal 10 acquires the product code by decoding the read result of the code symbol, and causes the coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 to search the coupon non-eligible table in the coupon master 123 (step S31).

[0093] The non-coupon eligible determination unit 52 determines whether the scanned product is not eligible for the application coupon (step S32). If it is determined that the scanned product is not eligible for the application coupon (step S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the scanned product is not eligible for the application coupon (step S32: No), the process proceeds to step S34.

[0094] If it is determined in step S32 that the scanned product is not eligible for the application coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 causes the store clerk's display 21 to display the product name in a predetermined display format without changing the display format (step S33). This allows the store clerk to recognize that the registered products include products 77 that are not eligible for coupons. The store clerk then confirms with the customer whether or not there is a coupon, and if the customer wishes to use the application coupon, the store clerk can cancel the registration of the products 77 that are not eligible for coupons. After that, the process proceeds to step S35.

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the scanned product is not eligible for the application coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 changes the display format of the product name on the store clerk side display 21 from the predetermined display format (step S34). Then, the process proceeds to step S35. This allows the store clerk to recognize that the registered products include the coupon eligible product 78.

[0096] When the store clerk has finished scanning all the products, the customer presents the store clerk with the code symbol (barcode or two-dimensional code) in which the coupon code of the app coupon is registered, which is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal (step S12).

[0097] The store clerk reads the code symbol presented by the customer with the scanner 23 (step S22). At this time, the store clerk is aware that the registered products include the coupon-eligible product 78, so he or she can read the code symbol pointed to by the customer without hesitation.

[0098] Following step S33 or step S34, the coupon information acquisition unit 55 of the POS terminal 10 decodes the coupon code read result acquired from the scanner 23 to obtain a coupon code. Then, the coupon information acquisition unit 55 acquires a discount amount or discount rate from the coupon information corresponding to the coupon code in the coupon master 123. Then, the product registration unit 54 of the POS terminal 10 applies the coupon discount to the product registration information and further adds consumption tax to calculate the customer's payment amount (step S35).

[0099] The store clerk confirms the identity of the customer and issues a payment instruction to the POS terminal 10 (step S23). Specifically, the store clerk issues a payment instruction to the POS terminal 10 by pressing the payment button 79 (see FIG. 6) on the registration details screen 70.

[0100] The payment instruction acquisition unit 57 of the POS terminal 10 detects that the checkout button 79 has been pressed and determines that a payment instruction has been issued. The payment processing unit 58 then performs payment processing (step S36). If the customer selects cash payment, the product price is paid with bills or coins inserted by the customer into the change dispenser 27. If the customer selects credit card payment, the server device 40 approves the credit card payment based on the credit card information read by the payment terminal 28. If another payment method is selected, payment processing is performed according to the respective payment method.

[0101] Once the payment process is complete, the receipt issuing unit 59 causes the receipt printer 24 to print and issue a receipt that records the details of the payment (step S37).

[0102] The store clerk hands the issued receipt to the customer (step S24).

[0103] The customer receives a receipt from the store clerk (step S13), which marks the end of the shopping experience.

[0104] (Detailed flow of processing performed by POS terminal) A detailed flow of processing performed by the POS terminal 10 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a detailed flow of processing performed by the POS terminal in the first embodiment. Note that the flowchart in Fig. 9 shows in more detail the flow of processing performed by the POS terminal 10 shown in Fig. 8.

[0105] The product information acquisition unit 51 acquires the result of reading the code symbol (step S41).

[0106] The product information acquisition unit 51 acquires the product code by decoding the read result of the code symbol (step S42).

[0107] The coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 searches the coupon non-eligible table in the coupon master 123 to check whether the product having the product code acquired in step S42 corresponds to the coupon non-eligible product 77 (step S43).

[0108] The coupon non-eligibility determination unit 52 determines whether the product with the product code acquired in step S42 is not eligible for the coupon (step S44). If it is determined that the product is not eligible for the coupon (step S44: Yes), the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the product is not eligible for the coupon (step S44: No), the process proceeds to step S46.

[0109] If it is determined in step S44 that the product is not eligible for the coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 causes the store clerk's display 21 to display the product information of the corresponding product without changing the display format of the product name, i.e., in a predetermined display format (step S45). This allows the store clerk to recognize that the registered products include a product 77 that is not eligible for the coupon. The store clerk then confirms with the customer whether or not there is a coupon, and if the customer wishes to use the coupon, can cancel the registration of the product 77 that is not eligible for the coupon. After that, the process proceeds to step S47.

[0110] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S44 that the product is not eligible for the coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 causes the store clerk side display 21 to display the product information of the corresponding product by changing the display format of the product name from the predetermined display format (step S46). This allows the store clerk to recognize that the registered products include the coupon eligible product 78. Then, the process proceeds to step S47.

[0111] Following step S45 or step S46, the product registration unit 54 performs a product registration process to register the product having the product code acquired in step S42 in the product registration file 124 (step S47).

[0112] The store clerk determines whether the code symbols of all the products purchased by the customer have been read (step S48). If it is determined that the code symbols of all the products have been read (step S48: Yes), the process proceeds to step S49. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the code symbols of all the products have been read, the process returns to step S41.

[0113] If it is determined in step S48 that the code symbols of all the products have been read, the coupon information acquisition unit 55 reads the code symbol in which the coupon code is registered, which the customer has displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal (step S49).

[0114] The payment instruction acquisition unit 57 determines whether a payment instruction has been received from the store clerk (step S50). If it is determined that a payment instruction has been received (step S50: Yes), the process proceeds to step S51. On the other hand, if it is determined that a payment instruction has not been received (step S50: No), step S50 is repeated. Note that the payment instruction acquisition unit 57 determines that a payment instruction has been received, for example, when the checkout button 79 displayed on the registration details screen 70 is pressed (see FIG. 6).

[0115] If it is determined in step S50 that a payment instruction has been received, the product registration unit 54 calculates the total amount to be paid by the customer by applying the discount amount or discount rate provided by the coupon to the product registration information registered by the product registration process and then adding consumption tax (step S51).

[0116] The payment processing unit 58 determines whether a payment method has been acquired (step S52). The payment processing unit 58 may acquire the payment method selected by the customer from among the payment method options (not shown) displayed on the customer-side display 25. The payment processing unit 58 may also acquire the payment method selected by the store clerk after inquiring of the customer's preference from among the payment method options (not shown) displayed on the store clerk-side display 21. If it is determined that a payment method has been acquired (step S52: Yes), the process proceeds to step S53. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a payment method has been acquired (step S52: No), step S52 is repeated.

[0117] If it is determined in step S52 that the payment method has been acquired, the payment processing unit 58 performs payment processing using the selected payment method (step S53).

[0118] The receipt issuing unit 59 issues a receipt indicating the result of the transaction (step S54). The POS terminal 10 then ends the process of FIG.

[0119] (Modification of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the POS terminal 10 may inform the store clerk and the customer that the coupon cannot be used if the subtotal of the products subject to the discount or discount by the coupon is less than the discount amount by the coupon. Also, the POS terminal 10 may inform the store clerk and the customer that the coupon corresponding to the read coupon code has expired or has not yet been used.

[0120] (Example of notification that coupons cannot be used) An example of a notification made by the POS terminal 10 when a coupon presented by a customer cannot be used will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the clerk-side display of the POS terminal in a modified example of the first embodiment, indicating that a coupon cannot be used. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification displayed on the customer-side display of the POS terminal in a modified example of the first embodiment, indicating that a coupon cannot be used.

[0121] The coupon usability notification unit 56 (see FIG. 5) of the POS terminal 10 notifies the store clerk and the customer that the coupon cannot be used if the subtotal of the products subject to the discount or discount by the coupon is less than the discount amount by the coupon. In addition, the coupon usability notification unit 56 notifies the fact that the coupon corresponding to the read coupon code has passed its expiration date or has not yet been used.

[0122] 10 is an example in which coupon non-use target information 90, indicating that the coupon is not eligible for use, is further displayed on the registration details screen 70 displayed on the store clerk's display 21. The coupon usability notification unit 56 superimposes the coupon non-use target information 90, indicating, for example, that the purchase amount of the product is insufficient to cover the target amount of the coupon, on the product list on the registration details screen 70. The position at which the coupon non-use target information 90 is displayed is not limited to the example of FIG. 10, and the coupon non-use target information 90 may be displayed at any position on the registration details screen 70.

[0123] Furthermore, coupon usability notification unit 56 displays coupon cancellation button 87 on registration details screen 70. Coupon cancellation button 87 is a button that, when pressed, instructs the customer to cancel the use of the coupon corresponding to the coupon code acquired by coupon information acquisition unit 55. After checking the contents of coupon non-usability information 90, the store clerk asks the customer whether or not to cancel the use of the coupon. Then, when the store clerk receives an instruction from the customer to cancel the use of the coupon, the store clerk cancels the use of the coupon by pressing coupon cancellation button 87.

[0124] After the code symbol including the coupon code is read, the coupon usability notification unit 56 determines whether the coupon can be used. More specifically, the coupon usability notification unit 56 determines whether the coupon can be used by determining whether the subtotal of the products satisfies the discount requirements of the coupon, whether the date on which the coupon can be used is reached, etc.

[0125] The coupon non-usable information 90 may provide a detailed explanation of why the coupon cannot be used, such as "The discount amount is greater than the product purchase price, so the coupon cannot be used," "The coupon expiration date has passed," or "The coupon has not yet been used."

[0126] 11 is an example in which coupon non-use information 91, indicating that the coupon is not applicable, is further displayed on the product registration screen 80 displayed on the customer-side display 25. The coupon usability notification unit 56 displays the coupon non-use information 91 by superimposing it on the guidance information 86 on the product registration screen 80. The position at which the coupon non-use information 91 is displayed is not limited to the example in FIG. 11, and the coupon non-use information 91 may be displayed at any position on the product registration screen 80.

[0127] In addition to the example shown in FIG. 11, the coupon unusable information 91 may be an explanation of the reason why the coupon cannot be used, such as "The coupon has expired" or "The coupon has not yet been used."

[0128] (Detailed flow of processing performed by POS terminal) A detailed flow of processing performed by the POS terminal 10 in the modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of a detailed flow of processing performed by the POS terminal in the modified example of the first embodiment.

[0129] Of the process flow shown in Fig. 12, the process flow from step S55 to step S63 is the same as the process flow from step S41 to step S49 described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 9. Therefore, repeated description will be omitted.

[0130] Following step S63 in FIG. 12, the coupon usability notification unit 56 determines whether the product subtotal is less than the discount amount provided by the coupon (step S64). If it is determined that the product subtotal is less than the coupon discount amount (step S64: Yes), the process proceeds to step S65. On the other hand, if it is determined that the product subtotal is not less than the coupon discount amount (step S64: No), the process proceeds to step S66. Note that the product subtotal is less than the coupon discount amount when, for example, a coupon that provides a 200 yen discount from the product subtotal is used and the subtotal of the products purchased by the customer is less than 200 yen. In such a case, if the coupon is applied, a notification is issued that no change will be given.

[0131] If it is determined in step S64 that the subtotal of the products is less than the discount amount provided by the coupon, the coupon usability notification unit 56 notifies the customer that no change will be given even if the coupon is used (step S65). At this time, the coupon usability notification unit 56 may display coupon non-usable information 90 (see FIG. 10) on the store clerk's display 21. This allows the store clerk to immediately recognize that the subtotal of the products is less than the discount amount provided by the coupon. At this time, the coupon usability notification unit 56 may display coupon non-usable information 91 (see FIG. 11) on the customer's display 25. At this time, although not shown in FIG. 12, the store clerk may instruct the POS terminal 10 to cancel the use of the coupon after confirming the customer's intention to cancel the use of the coupon.

[0132] The process performed from step S66 to step S70 thereafter is the same as the process flow from step S50 to step S54 described in the first embodiment with reference to Fig. 9. Therefore, a repeated description will be omitted.

[0133] (Functions and Effects of the First Embodiment and Its Modifications) As described above, the POS terminal 10 (an example of a product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment includes a product information acquisition unit 51 that can use a coupon that applies a discount or reduction to the subtotal amount of a product that is eligible for a discount or reduction among products purchased by a customer, and acquires product information of the product purchased by the customer, a coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 (an example of a special offer non-eligible determination unit) that determines whether the product is not eligible for a coupon based on the product information of the product, and a coupon non-eligible notification unit 53 (an example of a special offer non-eligible notification unit) that notifies the user that the product is not eligible for a discount or reduction by the coupon when the product information of the product is determined to be not eligible for the coupon. Therefore, when a store clerk registers a product, the store clerk can intuitively recognize whether the product is eligible for a coupon that applies a discount or reduction to the subtotal amount of the product. In addition, the number of products that are not eligible for a coupon is generally smaller than the number of products that are eligible for a coupon. Therefore, the coupon non-eligible determination unit 52 determines whether the product is not eligible for a coupon, thereby making it possible to determine whether the product is eligible for a coupon in a shorter time.

[0134] In the POS terminal 10 (an example of a product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 53 (an example of a benefit eligible notification unit) displays the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 51 in different display forms for the coupon eligible product 78 and the non-coupon eligible product 77. Therefore, the store clerk can immediately recognize that the coupon eligible product 78 has been registered and that the non-coupon eligible product 77 has been registered.

[0135] In addition, the POS terminal 10 (an example of a product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment further includes a coupon information acquisition unit 55 (an example of a benefit information acquisition unit) that reads code information in which the contents of a coupon presented by a customer are registered, and the coupon information acquisition unit 55 acquires code information in which the contents of a coupon are registered between the calculation of the subtotal amount of the products and the payment for the products. Therefore, when the subtotal amount of the products is calculated, the store clerk can recognize that the registered products already include the coupon eligible products 78, and can read the code information in which the contents of the coupon presented by the customer are registered without hesitation. On the other hand, the store clerk can also recognize that the registered products include the coupon non-eligible products 77, and therefore can prevent the code information in which the contents of the coupon presented by the customer are registered from being read, and can read the code information presented by the customer after canceling the registered coupon non-eligible products 77.

[0136] In addition, the POS terminal 10 (an example of a product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment further includes a coupon usability notification unit 56 that notifies the user that the coupon cannot be used if the subtotal price of the product subject to the discount or deduction by the coupon falls below the discount amount by the coupon. Therefore, the store clerk and the customer can reliably know that the coupon cannot be used.

[0137] Second Embodiment Next, a product sales data processing system 120 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the product sales data processing system according to the second embodiment.

[0138] (Outline of product sales data processing system) In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the present disclosure is applied to a product sales data processing system 100 in which product registration and payment are performed while a customer and a store clerk are face-to-face. In the second embodiment, an example is described in which the present disclosure is applied to a product sales data processing system 120 in which a customer himself / herself registers products and makes payments using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0139] That is, the product sales data processing system 100 described in the first embodiment allows store clerks and customers to recognize that a product eligible for a coupon has been registered, whereas the product sales data processing system 120 described in the second embodiment allows customers to recognize that a product eligible for a coupon has been registered. Note that the product sales data processing system 100 described in the first embodiment is a so-called semi-self-service product sales data processing system, whereas the product sales data processing system 120 is a so-called full-self-service product sales data processing system.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 13, the product sales data processing system 120 includes a mobile terminal 110 and a server device 140.

[0141] The mobile terminal 110 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal owned by a customer. It is assumed that a payment application for registering a product to be purchased and making a payment is installed in the mobile terminal 110 in advance. The mobile terminal 110 reads code information such as a barcode attached to a product to be purchased by the customer with its own camera. The mobile terminal 110 then obtains product information such as a product code for identifying the product by decoding the read code information. The mobile terminal 110 performs a product registration process for registering the product and generating product registration information based on the obtained product information. The mobile terminal 110 also receives a payment instruction for the registered product and causes the server device 140 to perform the payment process. The mobile terminal 110 is an example of a product sales data processing device in the present disclosure. The mobile terminal 110 may be installed in a shopping cart and applied to a cart-type POS in which a customer makes a purchase while registering a product.

[0142] Server device 140 executes payment processing by wirelessly communicating with mobile terminal 110. More specifically, server device 140 acquires a payment instruction from mobile terminal 110. At that time, server device 140 acquires product registration information that is the target of the payment processing from mobile terminal 110. Then, server device 140 outputs a payment result to mobile terminal 110 when the payment is completed.

[0143] The mobile terminal 110 and the server device 140 communicate with each other wirelessly via the network N and the router 42.

[0144] The network N is an information and communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0145] The router 42 is a repeater for wireless communication between the mobile terminal 110 and the server device 140 .

[0146] (Mobile device hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment.

[0147] The mobile terminal 110 has a configuration in which a control unit 114, a storage unit 115, a peripheral device controller 116, and a communication interface 117 are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0148] The control unit 114 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 110. The control unit 114 includes a CPU 125, a ROM 126, and a RAM 127. The CPU 125 is connected to the ROM 126 and the RAM 127 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 125 loads various programs stored in the ROM 126 and the storage unit 115 into the RAM 127. The CPU 125 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 110 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 127. That is, the control unit 114 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0149] The storage unit 115 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 115 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 115 stores a control program 128 and a product registration file 129.

[0150] The control program 128 is a program that controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 110. The control program 128 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 115, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 128 may also be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 128 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0151] The product registration file 129 is a file that stores product information such as product name and price for a product having a product code registered in a code symbol attached to the product, which is read by a customer using a camera 134 (described later). The information stored in the product registration file 129 is used as the payment target when a payment process (accounting process) is carried out.

[0152] The control unit 114 is connected via a peripheral device controller 116 to a display device 130, an operation device 132, and a camera 134, which input and output various types of information.

[0153] The display device 130 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The display device 130 displays information to the customer, such as a registration details screen on which registered product information is displayed.

[0154] The operation device 132 is a touch panel that is superimposed on the display screen of the display device 130. The operation device 132 acquires various pieces of operation information by a customer, and outputs the information to the control unit 114.

[0155] Camera 134 is provided with a solid-state imaging element, such as a CMOS or CCD, and an optical system, and is installed on the side opposite to the display device of mobile terminal 110. A customer points camera 134 at the product he or she wishes to purchase, and captures an image of a code symbol, such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, attached to the product. The image of the code symbol captured by camera 134 is sent to control unit 114, and control unit 114 reads information registered in the code symbol, such as a product code.

[0156] In addition, the control unit 114 performs wireless communication with the server device 140 via the communication interface 117 .

[0157] (Server hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the server device 140 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment.

[0158] The server device 140 has a configuration in which a control unit 141, a storage unit 142, a peripheral device controller 143, and a communication interface 144 are interconnected via an internal bus.

[0159] The control unit 141 controls the overall operation of the server device 140. The control unit 141 includes a CPU 151, a ROM 152, and a RAM 153. The CPU 151 is connected to the ROM 152 and the RAM 153 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 151 loads various programs stored in the ROM 152 and the storage unit 142 into the RAM 153. The CPU 151 controls the operation of the server device 140 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 153. That is, the control unit 141 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0160] The memory unit 142 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. The memory unit 142 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 142 stores a control program 154, a product master 155, a coupon master 156, and a member master 157.

[0161] The control program 154 is a program that controls the overall operation of the server device 140. The control program 154 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 142, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 154 may also be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 154 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0162] The product master 155 is a master file that stores product information such as the product name and price of the product to be sold. The product master 155 has the same structure as the above-mentioned product master 122 (see FIG. 3).

[0163] The coupon master 156 is a master file that stores information such as the applicable period of coupons that can be used in stores, discount amounts and rates, products not applicable to coupons, etc. The coupon master 156 has the same structure as the coupon master 123 (see FIG. 4) described above.

[0164] Member master 157 is a master file that stores member information registered when a member is registered in the payment application described above. For example, member master 157 stores a member code, credit card number, bank account for withdrawal, email address, etc. of a customer who is a member.

[0165] The control unit 141 is connected via a peripheral device controller 143 to a display device 161 and an operation device 162 that input and output various types of information.

[0166] The display device 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The display device 161 displays information related to the operation state of the server device 140, for example, to an administrator of the server device 140.

[0167] The operation device 162 is a touch panel that is superimposed on the display screen of the display device 161. The operation device 162 acquires various pieces of operation information by an administrator of the server device 140, for example, and outputs the information to the control unit 141.

[0168] In addition, the control unit 141 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 110 via the communication interface 144 .

[0169] (Functional configuration of mobile terminal) The functional configuration of the mobile terminal 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the mobile terminal included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment.

[0170] The control unit 114 of the mobile terminal 110 loads the control program 128 in the RAM 127 and operates it to realize the following functional units: a code symbol acquisition unit 171, a product code output unit 172, a product information acquisition unit 173, a coupon non-eligible information acquisition unit 174, a coupon non-eligible notification unit 175, a product registration unit 176, a coupon information output unit 177, a coupon usability information acquisition unit 178, a payment instruction unit 179, a payment completion information acquisition unit 180, a display control unit 181, an operation control unit 182, and a communication control unit 183. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware. Also, some of these functional units may be managed by the server device 140.

[0171] The code symbol acquisition unit 171 detects a code symbol from an image including the code symbol captured by the camera 134, and reads the product code registered in the code symbol.

[0172] The product code output unit 172 outputs the product code read by the code symbol acquisition unit 171 to the server device 140 .

[0173] The product information acquisition unit 173 acquires, from the server device 140, product information of the product corresponding to the product code.

[0174] The non-coupon eligible information acquisition unit 174 acquires from the server device 140 information indicating whether the product about which the product information acquisition unit 173 has acquired product information is a coupon-ineligible product 77 .

[0175] When it is determined that the product for which the product information is acquired is not eligible for the coupon, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 175 notifies the user that the product is not eligible for the discount or discount by the coupon. More specifically, the non-coupon eligible notification unit 175 displays the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 173 on the display device 130 in a display form that differs between the product eligible for the coupon and the product not eligible for the coupon. At this time, the mobile terminal 110 may output a voice guidance such as "A product eligible for the coupon has been registered" from a speaker not shown in FIG. 14. In addition, when the registered product is a product 77 not eligible for the coupon, the mobile terminal 110 may output a voice guidance such as "A product not eligible for the coupon has been registered" from a speaker not shown. The non-coupon eligible notification unit 175 is an example of a non-benefitted product notification unit in the present disclosure. The non-benefitted product notification unit includes a non-point eligible product notification unit.

[0176] The product registration unit 176 registers the product information acquired from the server device 140 in the product registration file 129 .

[0177] The coupon information output unit 177 receives an operational instruction from the customer on the mobile terminal 110 and outputs coupon information including a coupon code to the server device 140.

[0178] The coupon usability information acquisition unit 178 acquires from the server device 140 information on whether or not the coupon corresponding to the coupon code output by the coupon information output unit 177 can be used.

[0179] The payment instruction unit 179 receives an operation instruction from the customer on the mobile terminal 110 and instructs the server device 140 to execute a payment process and the payment method. The payment instruction unit 179 outputs, to the server device 140, member identification information such as a member code that uniquely identifies the customer.

[0180] The payment completion information acquisition unit 180 acquires, from the server device 140, payment completion information indicating that the payment has been completed, and the payment details.

[0181] The display control unit 181 controls the screen display on the display device 130 .

[0182] The operation control unit 182 acquires information about an operation performed on the operation device 132 and outputs the information to the control unit 114 .

[0183] The communication control unit 183 controls the communication between the mobile terminal 110 and the server device 140 .

[0184] (Server device functional configuration) The functional configuration of the server device 140 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device included in the product sales data processing system of the second embodiment.

[0185] The control unit 141 of the server device 140 deploys the control program 154 in the RAM 153 and operates it to realize, as functional units, a product code acquisition unit 191, a product information output unit 192, a coupon non-eligible determination unit 193, a coupon non-eligible information output unit 194, a coupon information acquisition unit 195, a total amount output unit 196, a payment instruction acquisition unit 197, a payment processing unit 198, and a payment completion information output unit 199, all of which are shown in Fig. 17. Note that some or all of these functional units may be realized by dedicated hardware.

[0186] The product code acquiring unit 191 acquires the product code output by the product code output unit 172 from the mobile terminal 110 .

[0187] The product information output unit 192 acquires, from the product master 155 , product information of a product corresponding to the product code acquired from the mobile terminal 110 , and outputs the information to the mobile terminal 110 .

[0188] The coupon non-eligibility determination unit 193 determines whether the product is not eligible for a coupon by checking the product code acquired by the product code acquisition unit 191 against the coupon non-eligibility table of the coupon master 156. The coupon non-eligibility determination unit 193 is an example of a benefit non-eligibility determination unit in the present disclosure. The benefit non-eligibility determination unit includes a point non-eligibility determination unit.

[0189] The non-coupon eligible information output unit 194 outputs to the mobile terminal 110 the product information output by the product information output unit 192 as well as information indicating whether the product is not eligible for the coupon.

[0190] The coupon information acquisition unit 195 acquires coupon information including a coupon code output by the coupon information output unit 177 of the mobile terminal 110. The coupon information acquisition unit 195 is an example of a privilege information acquisition unit in the present disclosure. The privilege information acquisition unit includes a point information acquisition unit.

[0191] The total amount output unit 196 calculates the total amount when the coupon is applied to the registered products, and outputs it to the mobile terminal 110.

[0192] The payment instruction acquisition unit 197 acquires a payment instruction, a payment method, and member identification information from the payment instruction unit 179 of the mobile terminal 110.

[0193] The payment processing unit 198 performs payment using the payment method acquired by the payment instruction acquisition unit 197. The payment processing unit 198 acquires, from the member master 157, the credit card number, bank withdrawal account information, and the like of the customer who has instructed the payment, and performs the payment process.

[0194] The payment completion information output unit 199 outputs to the mobile terminal 110 payment completion information indicating that the payment has been completed, and payment information indicating the details of the payment.

[0195] The functional configurations of mobile terminal 110 and server device 140 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Part of the processing performed by mobile terminal 110 may be performed by server device 140, and part of the processing performed by server device 140 may be performed by mobile terminal 110.

[0196] (Processing flow performed by the product sales data processing system) The flow of processing performed by the merchandise sales data processing system 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the merchandise sales data processing system of the second embodiment.

[0197] First, the flow of the process performed by the mobile terminal 110 will be described.

[0198] The code symbol acquiring unit 171 reads a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product to be purchased by a customer (step S71).

[0199] The product code output unit 172 outputs the product code registered in the code symbol read by the code symbol acquisition unit 171 to the server device 140 (step S72).

[0200] The product information acquiring unit 173 acquires, from the server device 140, product information of the product corresponding to the product code output by the product code output unit 172 (Step S73).

[0201] The non-coupon eligible information acquisition unit 174 acquires information indicating whether the product about which the product information acquisition unit 173 has acquired product information is a coupon-ineligible product 77 from the server device 140 (step S74).

[0202] The display control unit 181 displays the registration details screen 160 in which the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 173 is displayed in a format corresponding to the information acquired by the non-coupon eligible information acquisition unit 174 indicating whether the product is a coupon-ineligible product 77 (step S75). An example of the displayed registration details screen 160 will be described later (see FIG. 19). In this way, by displaying the product information in a format corresponding to whether the product is a coupon-ineligible product 77, the customer can immediately recognize whether the product he or she is purchasing is not eligible for the coupon.

[0203] The product registration unit 176 registers the product information acquired from the server device 140 in the product registration file 129 (step S76).

[0204] The customer determines whether the code symbols of all the products to be purchased have been read (step S77). If it is determined that the code symbols of all the products have been read (step S77: Yes), the process proceeds to step S78. On the other hand, if it is determined that the code symbols of all the products have not been read (step S77: No), the process returns to step S71.

[0205] The coupon information output unit 177 receives an operational instruction from the customer on the mobile terminal 110 and outputs coupon information including a coupon code to the server device 140 (step S78).

[0206] The product registration unit 176 acquires the total amount output by the server device 140 (step S79). Then, the display control unit 181 causes the acquired total amount to be displayed on the registration details screen 160.

[0207] The payment instruction unit 179 determines whether a payment instruction has been received from the customer (step S80). If it is determined that a payment instruction has been received (step S80: Yes), the process proceeds to step S81. On the other hand, if it is determined that a payment instruction has not been received (step S80: No), step S80 is repeated. Note that the payment instruction unit 179 determines that a payment instruction has been received, for example, when the checkout button 79 displayed on the registration details screen 160 is pressed (see FIG. 19).

[0208] When it is determined in step S80 that a payment instruction has been made, the payment instruction unit 179 outputs the payment method designated by the customer on a payment method selection screen (not shown) to the server device 140 (step S81).

[0209] Next, the payment instruction unit 179 executes a procedure corresponding to the payment method designated by the customer, such as input of a credit card PIN, with respect to the server device 140 (step S82).

[0210] The payment completion information acquisition unit 180 determines whether payment completion information indicating that the payment is complete has been acquired from the server device 140 (step S83). If it is determined that payment completion information indicating that the payment is complete has been acquired (step S83: Yes), the mobile terminal 110 ends the process in Fig. 18. On the other hand, if it is not determined that payment completion information indicating that the payment is complete has been acquired (step S83: No), step S83 is repeated.

[0211] Next, the flow of processing performed by server device 140 will be described.

[0212] The product code acquiring unit 191 acquires the product code output by the product code output unit 172 of the mobile terminal 110 (Step S91).

[0213] The product information output unit 192 acquires, from the product master 155, product information of the product corresponding to the product code acquired by the product code acquisition unit 191, and outputs the information to the mobile terminal 110 (step S92).

[0214] The coupon non-eligible information output unit 194 outputs to the mobile terminal 110 information indicating whether the product is not eligible for the coupon together with the product information output by the product information output unit 192 (step S93). The coupon non-eligible information output unit 194 acquires information indicating whether the product is not eligible for the coupon based on the result of the coupon non-eligible determination unit 193 collating the product code acquired by the product code acquisition unit 191 with the coupon non-eligible table of the coupon master 156 to determine whether the product is not eligible for the coupon.

[0215] The coupon information acquisition unit 195 acquires the coupon information including the coupon code output by the coupon information output unit 177 of the mobile terminal 110 (step S94).

[0216] The total amount output unit 196 calculates the total amount when the coupon is applied to the registered products, and outputs it to the mobile terminal 110 (step S95).

[0217] The payment instruction acquisition unit 197 acquires the payment instruction, the payment method, and the member identification information from the payment instruction unit 179 of the mobile terminal 110 (step S96).

[0218] The payment processing unit 198 performs the payment using the payment method acquired by the payment instruction acquisition unit 197 (step S97).

[0219] The payment completion information output unit 109 outputs payment completion information indicating that the payment has been completed and payment information indicating the details of the payment to the mobile terminal 110 (step S98). After that, the server device 140 ends the process of FIG.

[0220] (Configuration of the registration details screen displayed on a mobile device) A screen configuration of a registration details screen 160 displayed on the display device 130 of the mobile terminal 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a registration details screen displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal of the second embodiment.

[0221] The display control unit 181 causes the display device 130 of the mobile terminal 110 to display the registration details screen 160 shown in Fig. 19. The information displayed on the registration details screen 160 is the same as the registration details screen 70 displayed on the store clerk side display 21 described in the first embodiment.

[0222] That is, each time a product is registered, product information corresponding to the product code of the product purchased by the customer is displayed for each product on the registration details screen 160. Specifically, the registration details screen 160 displays the item number 71, product name 72, unit price 73, quantity 74, amount 75, and tax type 76 shown in Fig. 19. The contents of each item are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so repeated description will be omitted.

[0223] When a coupon eligible product 78 is registered, the mobile terminal 110 displays the row including the registered coupon eligible product 78, more specifically, the cell displaying information related to the registered coupon eligible product 78, with hatching applied to the background. On the other hand, when a non-coupon eligible product 77 is registered, the mobile terminal 110 displays the row including the registered non-coupon eligible product 77 without hatching. In this way, the mobile terminal 110 displays the registered product information in different display forms for the coupon eligible product 78 and the non-coupon eligible product 77. This allows the customer to immediately recognize that the coupon eligible product 78 has been registered.

[0224] The method of displaying the coupon eligible products 78 is not limited to hatching the lines in which the information related to the corresponding products is displayed. For example, the information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in a text color different from that of the information related to the non-coupon eligible products 77. The information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed with underlines below the text. The information related to the coupon eligible products 78 may be displayed in bold text. Furthermore, of all the information related to the products, only the product name 72 may be displayed in a different display format for the non-coupon eligible products 77 and the coupon eligible products 78.

[0225] 19, when the subtotal of the products subject to the discount or reduction by the coupon falls short of the discount amount by the coupon, the mobile terminal 110 may notify the user that the amount is insufficient to cover the coupon on the registration details screen 160. In that case, the mobile terminal 110 may display coupon non-available information 90 on the registration details screen 160, as described in FIG.

[0226] At the bottom of the registration details screen 160, a checkout button 79 shown in Fig. 19 is displayed. When the customer has finished reading all the code symbols of the products to be purchased, he or she presses the checkout button 79. This is a payment instruction operation. Then, when the mobile terminal 110 accepts the payment instruction operation, it causes the server device 140 to carry out the payment process.

[0227] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, the product sales data processing system 120 of the second embodiment is a product sales data processing system that allows a customer to use a coupon that applies a discount or reduction to the subtotal amount of a product that is eligible for a discount or reduction among products purchased by the customer, and the product sales data processing system 120 includes a mobile terminal 110 (an example of a product sales data processing device) and a server device 140 that is communicably connected to the mobile terminal 110. The server device 140 acquires a product code of a product purchased by the customer from the mobile terminal 110, and outputs product information of the product and a determination result as to whether the product is an item that is not eligible for a coupon to the mobile terminal 110. The mobile terminal 110 displays the product information of the product on its display screen in different display forms for coupon eligible products 78 and non-coupon eligible products 77. Therefore, when a customer who owns the mobile terminal 110 registers a product, the customer can intuitively recognize whether the product is an item eligible for a coupon that applies a discount or reduction to the subtotal amount of the product.

[0228] The present disclosure may be realized in a face-to-face semi-self-service POS such as the product sales data processing system 100, a two-person POS or semi-self-service POS in which a registration device for registering products and an accounting device for settlement are configured separately, or a full-self-service POS using a mobile terminal such as the product sales data processing system 120. Furthermore, the present disclosure can also be applied to a cart-type POS in which a customer registers products while shopping using a mobile terminal installed in a shopping cart, and then pays at the accounting device.

[0229] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0230] 10 POS terminal (an example of a product sales data processing device) 30 Store Server 40,140 Server equipment 51 Product information acquisition department 52 Coupon non-eligibility determination unit (an example of a benefit non-eligibility determination unit) 53 Coupon non-eligible notification unit (an example of a benefit non-eligible notification unit) 54 Product Registration Department 55 Coupon information acquisition unit (an example of a benefit information acquisition unit) 56 Coupon availability notification unit (benefit availability notification unit) 57 Payment Instruction Acquisition Department 58 Payment Processing Unit 59 Receipt Issuance Department 70 Registration details screen 71 Item number 72,82 Product name 73,83 Unit price 74,84 quantity 75 Amount 76 Taxation Type 77 Non-Coupon Items 78 Coupon eligible items 79 Checkout button 80 Product registration screen 85 Total amount 90,91 Coupon not applicable 100,120 Product sales data processing system 110 Mobile terminal (an example of a product sales data processing device) 122 Product Master 123 Coupon Master 124 Product Registration File 160 Registration details screen 171 Code symbol acquisition unit 172 Product code output section 173 Product Information Acquisition Department 174 Coupon Exclusion Information Acquisition Unit 175 Coupon non-eligible notification unit (an example of a benefit non-eligible determination unit) 176 Product Registration Department 177 Coupon information output section 178 Coupon availability information acquisition unit 179 Payment Instructions Department 180 Payment Completion Information Acquisition Unit 191 Product Code Acquisition Department 192 Product information output section 193 Coupon non-eligibility determination unit (an example of a benefit non-eligibility determination unit) 194 Coupon non-eligible information output section 195 Coupon information acquisition unit (an example of a benefit information acquisition unit) 196 Total amount output section 197 Payment Instruction Acquisition Department 198 Payment Processing Unit 199 Payment completion information output section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0231] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-13124 A

Claims

1. A product sales data processing device that allows a customer to use a special discount or discount on a subtotal amount of a product that is eligible for a discount or discount among products purchased by the customer, comprising: a product information acquisition unit that acquires product information of a product purchased by a customer; a benefit ineligibility determination unit that determines whether the product is ineligible for the benefit based on product information of the product; a special offer non-eligible notification unit that notifies the user that the product is not eligible for the special offer when the product information about the product is determined to be not eligible for the special offer; A product sales data processing device comprising:

2. The benefit non-eligibility notification unit displaying the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit in different display forms for products eligible for the benefit and products not eligible for the benefit; The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The product sales data processing device further includes a benefit information acquisition unit that reads code information corresponding to a benefit code that is presented by a customer and identifies the benefit, the bonus information acquisition unit acquires the code information during a period from when the subtotal amount of the product is calculated to when a payment for the product is made. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

4. and a bonus use availability notification unit configured to notify a user that the bonus cannot be used when a subtotal amount of the products subject to the discount or deduction by the bonus falls below the discount amount by the bonus. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

5. A product sales data processing system that allows a customer to use a discount or discount benefit from a subtotal amount of a product that is eligible for a discount or discount among products purchased by the customer, comprising: The product sales data processing system includes: A product sales data processing device and a server device communicably connected to the product sales data processing device, The server device acquires a product code of the product purchased by the customer from the product sales data processing device, and outputs product information of the product and a determination result as to whether the product is an item not eligible for the special offer to the product sales data processing device; the product sales data processing device displays, on its display screen, product information of the product in a display form different from that of the product eligible for the special offer and that of the product not eligible for the special offer; Product sales data processing system.

6. A computer that controls a product sales data processing device that allows a customer to use a discount or discount privilege from the subtotal amount of a product that is eligible for a discount or discount among products purchased by the customer, a product information acquisition unit that acquires product information of a product purchased by a customer; a special benefit ineligibility determination unit that determines whether the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit is ineligible for the special benefit; a special offer non-eligible notification unit that notifies the user that the product is not eligible for the special offer when the product information about the product is determined to be not eligible for the special offer; A program that makes it work.

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