Registration and settlement device and control program thereof

Abstract

To ensure that the payment time per shopper can be reduced and the turnover rate of using registration device can be increased.SOLUTION: A checkout system includes a registration device operated by a store clerk to register purchased items and a settlement device operated by a shopper to settle payment for the purchased items. The registration device has first selection means, transmission means, and settlement means. The first selection means allows the shopper to select a payment method while the shopper is registering the purchased items. The transmission means transmits, in response to the store clerk's operation of registering the purchased items, payment information for settling the purchased items to the settlement device if the payment method including cash is selected by the first selection means. The settlement means settles the payment using the selected payment method if the payment method that does not include cash is selected by the first selection means in response to the completion of the registration operation of the purchased items by the store clerk.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a registration device used in a semi-self-service type checkout system and a control program for this device. [Background technology]

[0002] Semi-self-service checkout systems are known for use in supermarkets and other mass retailers. In these systems, the registration and payment of purchased items are processed by separate registration and payment devices. The registration device is operated by an employee, and the payment device is operated by the shopper. In these systems, payment information for the payment process is transferred from the registration device to an available payment device.

[0003] In recent years, electronic payment services using IC cards, smartphones, etc. as a medium have become widespread. Electronic payment services allow payment of the price of goods or the price of services to be made by electronically transferring monetary value. Electronic monetary value is generally called electronic money. As such electronic payment services become more widespread, many stores are introducing payment devices compatible with electronic payment services.

[0004] There are two types of electronic payment services: prepaid, or postpaid. In the case of the prepaid system, users of the electronic payment service must deposit electronic money in advance. Depositing electronic money is generally called "charging."

[0005] Although the registration device of the checkout system cannot handle cash, it is possible for it to support this electronic payment service. Therefore, attempts are being made to make the registration device of the checkout system compatible with the electronic payment service as well. This allows shoppers to complete payment at the registration device, eliminating the need to go to the payment device to make payment, thereby improving convenience for shoppers. On the other hand, making a payment at the registration device of the checkout system increases the time that shoppers stay at the store.

[0006] When the registration of all purchased items is completed and the shopper selects to pay with prepaid electronic money at the stage of making payment, the registration device obtains the charge amount, which is the amount that can be paid with electronic money, from an electronic media such as an IC card or a smartphone, or by inquiring with an electronic money center. If the payable amount obtained here is insufficient for the total amount of payment, the shopper must select one of the following to continue the transaction: cancel the payment with electronic money and change to another payment method, cancel the payment with electronic money and pay by charging electronic money with the payment device, or pay the entire amount that can be paid with electronic money and pay the remaining amount with another payment method. In this way, when payment with electronic money cannot be made due to insufficient payable amount, the shopper must make a selection, which further increases the time the shopper stays at the store.

[0007] Patent Document 1 proposes obtaining the payable amount before starting the registration operation on the registration device, but this technology does not contribute to reducing the time a shopper stays at the store when the payable amount is insufficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-276394 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a checkout system that can reduce the payment time per shopper and increase the usage turnover rate of registration devices, as well as a registration device used in this system and a control program for causing a computer to function as the registration device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one embodiment, the checkout system includes a registration device operated by a store clerk to register purchased items, and a payment device operated by a shopper to pay for the purchased items. The registration device has a first selection means, a transmission means, and a payment means. The first selection means allows the shopper to select a payment method while the store clerk is registering the purchased items. If a payment method including cash is selected by the first selection means in response to the store clerk's operation to register the purchased items, the transmission means transmits payment information for paying for the purchased items to the payment device. If a payment method not including cash is selected by the first selection means in response to the end of the store clerk's operation to register the purchased items, the payment means performs payment using the selected payment method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a checkout system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a registration device constituting a part of the checkout system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a flag memory formed in a main memory of the registration device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a settlement device constituting a part of the checkout system. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing an overview of a control process executed by a processor of the registration device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first portion of a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a registration process executed by a processor of the registration device. [Figure 6B] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a registration process performed by a processor of the registration device. [Figure 6C] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the third part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a registration process executed by a processor of the registration device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 shows the first part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a customer processing procedure executed by a processor of a registration device. [Figure 7B] FIG. 13 shows the second part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a customer processing procedure executed by a processor of the registration device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a first selection screen displayed on a customer touch panel of the registration device. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a notification screen displayed on a customer touch panel of the registration device. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a second selection screen displayed on a customer touch panel of the registration device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a third selection screen displayed on a customer touch panel of the registration device. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a payment process executed by a processor of the payment device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a checkout system and a registration device used in this system that can reduce the payment time per shopper and increase the usage turnover rate of the registration device will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In this embodiment, a semi-self-service checkout system that is installed in retail stores such as mass retailers is exemplified. The semi-self-service checkout system includes a registration device in which a store clerk registers products purchased by shoppers and generates payment information, and a payment device that settles transactions using a payment method such as cash, electronic money, or credit card based on the payment information generated by the registration device. The registration device and the payment device are installed separately, and the store clerk operates the registration device and the shopper operates the payment device. The payment device has an electronic money charging function.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a checkout system 1 according to this embodiment. The checkout system 1 includes multiple registration devices 10 and a payment device 20. The registration devices 10 and the payment devices 20 are arranged for each checkout lane in a store. Note that FIG. 1 shows a case where there are more payment devices 20 than registration devices 10. The registration device 10 may be connected to only one payment device 20.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a case where two registration devices 10 and six payment devices 20 are arranged in two checkout lanes. In FIG. 1, one registration device 10 and three payment devices 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) are arranged for one checkout lane. The number of registration devices 10 and the number of payment devices 20 included in the checkout system 1 are arbitrary. In addition, the ratio of the number of registration devices 10 and the number of payment devices 20 arranged in the checkout lanes is also arbitrary.

[0016] The registration device 10 is operated by a store clerk 30 who plays a role called a checker. The payment device 20 is operated by a shopper 40 who purchases products sold in the store. In other words, the checkout system 1 is a semi-self-service type.

[0017] 1, the registration device 10 is attached to a work table 50. The work table 50 has a rectangular top plate. A plurality of work tables 50 are arranged so that the longitudinal directions of the top plates are substantially parallel to each other, thereby forming a passage for shoppers 40, a so-called checkout lane.

[0018] The registration device 10 has the functions of registering purchased items, generating payment information, and transmitting the payment information to the payment device 20. Registering purchased items means registering items purchased by a shopper 40 as purchased items in the registration device 10. For example, the sales data of an item identified by an item code is registered by reading a barcode of an item code attached to the item with a scanner. The sales data includes the item code, the item name, quantity, and unit price of the item identified by the item code, and an amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity. The payment information is data related to the accounting of purchased items registered as one transaction, and is used for payment processing in the payment device 20. The payment information includes at least the sales data of each purchased item.

[0019] The payment device 20 has the functions of receiving payment information, transferring the payment information to other payment devices 20, and processing the payment. Payment processing refers to processing the payment of a transaction, which is an act of buying and selling goods, based on the payment information. Payment methods used for payment include cash, credit cards, electronic money, etc. When the payment device 20 receives payment information from the registration device 10 or another payment device 20, it processes the payment of the transaction based on the payment information.

[0020] In addition, a gift certificate or other voucher may be used as a payment method for the price. When making a payment with a voucher, the store clerk 30 must check the voucher. For this reason, the registration device 10 also has a payment processing function, and is capable of processing payments by credit card, electronic money, and voucher, that is, payments that do not involve cash, by itself.

[0021] Although not shown, both the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 are connected to a network, a LAN (local area network). A server, not shown, is connected to the LAN. The server is provided with a product database in which product information such as product name and unit price is set in association with the product code of each product. Information is exchanged between the registration device 10 and the payment device 20, or between the payment device 20 and another payment device 20, via the LAN. Information may be exchanged between the registration device 10 and the payment device 20 via a server. The network may be another communication network such as the Internet or a wireless LAN instead of the LAN.

[0022] 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the registration device 10. The registration device 10 includes a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a communication unit 104, a keyboard 105, a scanner 106, a touch panel 107, a customer touch panel 108, a printer 110, a drawer opening mechanism 111, and a system transmission path 112. The system transmission path 112 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 112 connects the processor 101 to the main memory 102, the auxiliary storage device 103, the communication unit 104, the keyboard 105, the scanner 106, the touch panel 107, the customer touch panel 108, the reader / writer 109, the printer 110, and the drawer opening mechanism 111. The processor 101, the main memory 102, and the auxiliary storage device 103 are connected by the system transmission path 112 to form a computer of the registration device 10.

[0023] The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 controls each part to realize various functions of the registration device 10 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0024] The main memory 102 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 102 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 102 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 102 may store data required for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 102 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 101. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0025] The volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 102 includes an area used as a flag memory (abbreviated as FGM in FIG. 2) 102F and an electronic money charge amount memory (abbreviated as CHM in FIG. 2) 102C. The flag memory 102F is used to store a flag according to the payment method selected by the shopper 40. The electronic money charge amount memory 102C is used to store the payable amount of electronic money that the shopper is about to use. The volatile memory area may also include an area used as a registration table in which sales data of purchased items is registered.

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 103. The auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the processor 101 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 101, etc. The auxiliary storage device 103 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0027] The application programs stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 include a registration program that describes information processing executed by the registration device 10. The method of installing the registration program in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 is not particularly limited. The registration program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed by communication via a network, and installed in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device.

[0028] The communication unit 104 performs data communication with the payment device 20 connected via a LAN. The communication unit 104 can also perform data communication with other registration devices 10 and servers connected via a LAN.

[0029] The keyboard 105 is a dedicated keyboard for the registration device, and has well-known keys such as a numeric keypad, a subtotal key, a cancel key, a clear key, etc. The keyboard 105 may be a general-purpose keyboard with a numeric keypad to which the functions of a subtotal key, a cancel key, a clear key, etc. are assigned.

[0030] The scanner 106 reads code symbols such as bar codes, two-dimensional data codes, etc. The scanner 106 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or of a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

[0031] The touch panel 107 is a device that functions as both an input device and a display device. The touch panel 107 displays information to the store clerk 30 who is the operator of the registration device 10, and accepts operational inputs by the store clerk 30.

[0032] The keyboard 105, scanner 106 and touch panel 107 constitute an input / output device that enables the store clerk 30 to register purchased items.

[0033] Like touch panel 107, customer touch panel 108 is a device that combines an input device and a display device. Customer touch panel 108 displays information to a shopper 40 who has registered a product to be purchased in registration device 10, and accepts operational inputs from the shopper 40. Customer touch panel 108 functions as a first selection means and a second selection means.

[0034] The reader / writer 109 has a function of reading data recorded on a medium such as a card or a smartphone, and a function of writing data to the above-mentioned medium. Cards may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as membership cards such as member's cards and point cards. The reader / writer 208 may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, or may include multiple types of devices.

[0035] The printer 110 issues receipts by printing various characters or images on receipt paper. This type of printer 110 may be, for example, a thermal printer or a dot matrix printer.

[0036] The drawer opening mechanism 111 opens a drawer for storing cash or gift certificates such as gift certificates and coupons.

[0037] As the hardware for such a registration device 10, for example, an existing POS (Point Of Sales) terminal can be used.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the flag memory 102F. As shown in Fig. 3, the flag memory 102F stores a first flag FG1 and a second flag FG2. Each flag is a 2-bit flag.

[0039] The first flag FG1 is a payment method flag that indicates what payment method the shopper 40 has selected. A flag value of "00" indicates that the payment method is cash. A flag value of "01" indicates that the payment method is electronic money. A flag value of "10" indicates that the payment method is credit. A flag value of "11" indicates that the payment method is a gift certificate.

[0040] The second flag FG2 is an electronic money flag that indicates whether or not electronic money is used in conjunction with another payment method when electronic money is selected as the payment method. The flag value "00" indicates that payment can be made with electronic money alone. The flag value "01" indicates that electronic money is charged or that electronic money and cash are used in combination, that is, that the payment device 20 is used. The flag value "10" indicates that electronic money and credit are used in combination. The flag value "11" indicates that electronic money and cash vouchers are used in combination.

[0041] 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the settlement device 20. The settlement device 20 includes a processor 201, a main memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a communication unit 204, a scanner 205, a touch panel 206, a printer 207, a reader / writer 208, a change machine 209, and a system transmission path 210. The system transmission path 210 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The system transmission path 210 connects the processor 201 to the main memory 202, the auxiliary storage device 203, the communication unit 204, the scanner 205, the touch panel 206, the printer 207, the reader / writer 208, and the change machine 209. The processor 201, the main memory 202, and the auxiliary storage device 203 are connected by the system transmission path 210 to form a computer of the settlement device 20.

[0042] The processor 201 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 201 controls each part to realize various functions of the payment device 20 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 201 is, for example, a CPU.

[0043] The main memory 202 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 202 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 202 stores an operating system or an application program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 202 may store data required for the processor 201 to execute processes for controlling each part in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 202 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 201. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0044] The auxiliary storage device 203 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, a HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 203. The auxiliary storage device 203 stores data used by the processor 201 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 201, etc. The auxiliary storage device 203 may also store the above application programs.

[0045] The application programs stored in the main memory 202 or the auxiliary storage device 203 include a control program, so-called a payment program, which describes information processing executed by the payment device 20. The method of installing the payment program in the main memory 202 or the auxiliary storage device 203 is not particularly limited. The payment program can be installed in the main memory 202 or the auxiliary storage device 203 by recording it on a removable recording medium, or by distributing the payment program by communication via a network. The recording medium may be in any form, such as a CD-ROM or memory card, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device.

[0046] The communication unit 204 performs data communication with the registration device 10 connected via a LAN. The communication unit 204 can also perform data communication with other payment devices 20 and servers connected via a LAN.

[0047] The scanner 205 reads code symbols such as bar codes, two-dimensional data codes, etc. The scanner 205 may be of a type that reads code symbols by scanning with laser light, or of a type that reads code symbols from images captured by an imaging device.

[0048] The touch panel 206 is a device that combines an input device and a display device. The touch panel 206 displays information to a shopper who is an operator of the payment device 20, and accepts operational inputs from the shopper.

[0049] The printer 207 issues receipts by printing various characters or images on receipt paper. As this type of printer 207, for example, a thermal printer or a dot matrix printer can be used.

[0050] The reader / writer 208 has a function of reading data recorded on a medium such as a card or a smartphone, and a function of writing data to the above-mentioned medium. Cards may include payment cards such as credit cards, debit cards, electronic money cards, and prepaid cards, as well as membership cards such as member's cards and point cards. The reader / writer 208 may be a magnetic, contact, or non-contact device, or may include multiple types of devices.

[0051] The change machine 209 receives coins and bills that are inserted, and also ejects coins and bills as change.

[0052] As the hardware of such a payment device 20, for example, a POS terminal compatible with an existing self-checkout system, a so-called self-checkout register, can be used.

[0053] The operation of the checkout system according to the embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 5 to 12. Note that the content of the operation described with reference to Figures 5 to 12 is an example. As long as similar results can be obtained, the operation procedure and content are not particularly limited.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an outline of the procedure of the control process executed by the processor 101 of the registration device 10 according to the registration program. When the registration device 10 is started, the processor 101 starts the registration process as shown on the left side of FIG. 5. The processor 101 waits for the acquisition of the product code of the purchased product to be registered in Act A1. If the product code is acquired, the processor 101 judges YES in Act A1 and proceeds to Act A2. The processor 101 performs product registration based on the product code in Act A2. Then, the processor 101 calculates the total price of all the purchased products registered in Act A3. Then, the processor 101 judges whether or not the subtotal key of the keyboard 105 is operated by the store clerk 30 in Act A4. If the subtotal key is not operated, the processor 101 judges NO in Act A4 and returns to Act A1.

[0055] When the processor 101 calculates the total amount, the processor 101 starts a customer-facing process as shown on the right side of FIG. 5 by interruption. This customer-facing process is a process for making the shopper 40 select a payment method. The processor 101 displays a customer-facing screen including the calculated total amount and options for making the shopper select a payment method on the customer touch panel 108 in Act B1. Then, the processor 101 determines whether the shopper 40 touches the customer touch panel 108 to select a payment method in Act B2. If a payment method is not selected, the processor 101 determines NO in Act B2 and returns to the above Act B1. If a payment method is selected by the shopper 40, the processor 101 determines YES in Act B2 and proceeds to Act B3. The processor 101 saves the payment method selected by the shopper 40 in the flag memory 102F of the main memory 102 in Act B3. Then, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B1.

[0056] In this manner, the store clerk 30 repeats the operation of registering the purchased items until the subtotal key on the keyboard 105 is operated by the store clerk 30, during which time the total amount is updated and the shopper 40 selects the payment method using the customer touch panel 108.

[0057] When the store clerk 30 operates the subtotal key on the keyboard 105, the processor 101 judges YES in Act A4 and proceeds to Act A5. The processor 101 reads out the payment method selected by the shopper 40, which is stored in the flag memory 102F of the main memory 102, in Act A5. The processor 101 then performs settlement according to the selected payment method in Act A6. That is, if a payment method that does not handle cash has been selected, the processor 101 performs settlement processing in the registration device 10, and if a payment method that handles cash has been selected, the processor 101 transmits settlement information to the settlement device 20.

[0058] The registration process and customer-facing process shown in Fig. 5 will be described in detail below. Fig. 6A to Fig. 6C are flow charts showing an example of the procedure of the registration process executed by the processor 101 of the registration device 10. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are flow charts showing an example of the procedure of the customer-facing process executed by the processor 101 of the registration device 10. Fig. 8 to Fig. 11 are schematic diagrams showing examples of customer-facing screens displayed on the customer touch panel 108.

[0059] When the processor 101 starts the registration process, it clears the flag memory 102F and the electronic money charge amount memory 102C of the main memory 102, as well as the registration table in which the sales data of the purchased item is registered, as Act A101. As a result, the flag values ​​of the first flag FG1 and the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F become "00".

[0060] Thereafter, in Act A102, the processor 101 causes the touch panel 107 to display a registration screen for registering the purchased items. Then, in Act A103, the processor 101 checks whether the subtotal key on the keyboard 105 has been touched by the store clerk 30 who is the operator of the registration device 10. If the subtotal key has not been touched, the processor 101 judges NO in Act A103 and proceeds to Act A104. In Act A104, the processor 101 checks whether the barcode attached to the item has been read by the scanner 106 and the item code has been acquired. If the item code has not been acquired, the processor 101 judges NO in Act A104 and returns to the above Act A103.

[0061] When the product code is acquired, the processor 101 determines YES in Act A104 and proceeds to Act A105. The processor 101 registers the purchased product in Act A105. That is, the processor 101 controls the communication unit 104 to transmit the product code to the server. Then, when the product name and unit price of the product identified by the product code are transmitted from the server via the communication unit 104, the processor 101 creates sales data based on the product and registers it in the registration table in the main memory 102. Also, when the same product code as that of an already registered product is acquired, the processor 101 increases the quantity by one in the sales data of the product in the registration table without querying the server, and updates the amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity.

[0062] Furthermore, the processor 101 calculates the total number of items and the total amount of purchased items registered during the registration period based on the sales data registered in the registered item table in Act A106. After that, the processor 101 updates the registration screen displayed on the touch panel 107 so that it conforms to the contents of the registered item table after the sales data is registered. Furthermore, the processor 101 requests the customer-facing process, which is being executed as a separate routine, to update the display of the customer-facing screen in Act A108. This update request includes data indicating the total number of items and the total amount of purchased items registered during the registration period. Furthermore, if the charge amount of electronic money is stored in the electronic money charge amount memory 102C, the update request also includes data indicating the charge amount. Then, the processor 101 returns to the above Act A103.

[0063] If the processor 101 has not yet started customer-facing processing, the processor 101 starts the customer-facing processing in response to the update request in Act A 108. Then, the processor 101 displays a first selection screen on the customer touch panel 108 in Act B 101.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 8, the first selection screen presents the total number and total price of purchased items registered during the registration period, and also presents the charge amount, which is the amount of electronic money that can be paid, as the electronic money balance. The first selection screen also includes multiple button images for selecting a payment method. The button images indicate the area on the screen of the customer touch panel 108 that the shopper 40 touches. The button images are displayed as squares imitating mechanical button switches. Note that if the charge amount for the electronic money has not yet been acquired, the button image for selecting electronic money as a payment method is displayed in a distinctive form, such as a lighter color than the other buttons, to indicate that it is not accepted.

[0065] Next, the processor 101 checks in Act B102 whether the shopper 40 has touched the position corresponding to the [Check Electronic Money Balance] button image on the first selection screen. If the position corresponding to the button image has not been touched, the processor 101 judges as NO in Act B102 and proceeds to Act B103. The processor 101 checks in Act B103 whether a customer face update request has been received from the registration processing routine. If a customer face update request has not been received, the processor 101 judges as NO in Act B103 and proceeds to Act B104. The processor 101 checks in Act B104 whether a customer face notification request has been received from the registration processing routine. If a customer face notification request has not been received, the processor 101 judges as NO in Act B104 and returns to the above Act B101.

[0066] When receiving a customer face update request from the registration processing routine, the processor 101 judges YES in ActB103 and proceeds to ActB105. The processor 101 updates the total number of purchased items, the total amount, and the electronic money balance on the first selection screen in ActB105. After that, the processor 101 checks whether the flag value of the first flag FG1, which is a payment method flag in the flag memory 102F, is "01" indicating that electronic money payment has been selected in ActB106. If the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F is not "01", the processor 101 judges NO in ActB106 and proceeds to ActB107. The processor 101 checks whether the shopper 40 has touched any of the button images for selecting a payment method on the first selection screen in ActB107. Here, if the charge amount of electronic money has not yet been acquired, the processor 101 checks the positions of the [Cash] button image, the [Credit] button image, and the [Voucher] button image. If the charge amount of electronic money has already been acquired, the processor 101 checks the positions of the [Cash] button image, the [Credit] button image, the [Voucher] button image, and the [Electronic Money] button image. If the positions of any of the button images are not touched, the processor 101 judges NO in Act B107 and returns to Act B101.

[0067] When the shopper 40 touches a position corresponding to any of the button images for selecting a payment method on the first selection screen, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B107 and proceeds to Act B108. The processor 101 checks whether the touched position is a position corresponding to the [Cash] button image in Act B108, that is, whether the payment method selected by the shopper 40 is cash payment. If cash payment is selected as the payment method, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B108. The flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F is initially cleared to "00" in Act A101 of the registration processing routine, which indicates that the payment method is cash. When the processor 101 judges YES in Act B108, it returns to the above Act B101 without rewriting the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F.

[0068] After the payment method has been selected in this manner, the processor 101 displays the button image selected by the shopper 40 as the payment method on the first selection screen in a distinctive manner, for example by changing the color, so that it can be distinguished from the button images for selecting other payment methods that have not been selected.

[0069] In the registration process routine, when the cash payment is selected as the payment method, if the subtotal key on the keyboard 105 is touched by the clerk 30 who is the operator of the registration device 10, the processor 101 judges YES in ActA103 and proceeds to ActA109. The processor 101 generates payment information based on the registration data of the purchased items registered in the registration table of the main memory 102 as ActA109. The processor 101 then checks the contents of the flag memory 102F of the main memory 102 as ActA110. The processor 101 then judges whether the flag value of the first flag FG1 of the flag memory 102F is "00", which indicates cash payment. If the flag value of the first flag FG1 is "00", the processor 101 judges YES in ActA111 and proceeds to ActA112.

[0070] The processor 101 displays a transfer destination selection screen on the touch panel 107 in Act A112 to allow the store clerk 30, who is an operator, to select which payment device 20 the payment information is to be transferred to. Then, the processor 101 waits for the store clerk 30 to specify the transfer destination payment device 20 in Act A113. When the transfer destination payment device 20 is specified, the processor 101 judges YES in Act A113 and proceeds to Act A114. The processor 101 controls the communication unit 104 to transmit the payment information to the specified transfer destination payment device 20 in Act A114. In this way, the computer mainly including the processor 101 functions as a transmitting means. After that, the processor 101 displays a notification screen on the touch panel 107 in Act A115, indicating that the payment information has been transmitted to the transfer destination payment device 20. Furthermore, in Act A116, the processor 101 issues a customer-facing notification request to the customer-facing process being executed as a separate routine to display a notification screen on the customer-facing screen. This customer-facing notification request includes information indicating the number of purchased items and the total payment amount, and information indicating which payment device 20 the payment information is to be transferred to. The processor 101 then returns to the above Act A101 and prepares to process the next shopper 40.

[0071] In the customer-facing processing routine, when the processor 101 receives a request from the registration processing routine to display a notification screen on the customer-facing screen, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B104 and proceeds to Act B109. In Act B109, the processor 101 displays a notification screen as shown in FIG. 9 on the customer touch panel 108 for a predetermined time, such as 15 seconds, during which the shopper 40 can adequately confirm the screen contents. The processor 101 then ends this customer-facing screen processing. Note that an [End] button image may be prepared on the notification screen so that the shopper 40 can give an instruction to end the notification screen at any time. Also, if the processor 101 receives a request from the registration processing routine to update the customer-facing screen before the predetermined time has elapsed, the processor 101 can return to the above Act B101 without ending this customer-facing screen processing.

[0072] Next, cases other than cash payment will be described. First, the case of credit card payment or cash voucher payment will be described.

[0073] In the customer-side processing routine, if cash payment is not selected as the payment method, the processor 101 judges NO in Act B108 and proceeds to Act B110. The processor 101 checks whether the touched position is a position relative to the [Electronic Money] button image in Act B110, that is, whether the payment method selected by the shopper 40 is electronic money payment. If electronic money is not selected as the payment method, the processor 101 judges NO in Act B110 and proceeds to Act B111.

[0074] In Act B111, the processor 101 checks whether the touched position is a position relative to the [Credit] button image, that is, whether the payment method selected by the shopper 40 is credit payment. If credit payment is selected as the payment method, the processor 101 determines YES in Act B111 and proceeds to Act B112. In Act B112, the processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the first flag FG1, which is the payment method flag in the flag memory 102F, to "10" indicating that the payment method is credit. After that, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B101.

[0075] If the credit card payment is not selected as the payment method, the processor 101 determines NO in Act B111 and proceeds to Act B113. In Act B113, the processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F to "11", which indicates that the payment method is a cash voucher. Then, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B101.

[0076] In the registration routine, if the flag value of the first flag FG1 of the flag memory 102F is not "00" indicating a cash payment, the processor 101 judges "NO" in ActA111 and proceeds to ActA117. The processor 101 judges whether the flag value of the first flag FG1 of the flag memory 102F is "10" indicating a credit card payment in ActA117. If the flag value of the first flag FG1 is "10", the processor 101 judges "YES" in ActA117 and proceeds to ActA118. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using the credit card presented by the shopper 40 using the reader / writer 109 based on the payment information generated in ActA109 in ActA118. Thereafter, the processor 101 causes the printer 110 to issue a receipt in ActA119. The processor 101 then proceeds to ActA115 and causes the touch panel 107 to display a notification screen indicating that the payment has been completed. Furthermore, in Act A116, the processor 101 issues a customer-facing notification request to the customer-facing process being executed as a separate routine to display a notification screen on the customer-facing screen indicating that the settlement has been completed.

[0077] In response to this customer-facing notification request, in the customer-facing processing routine, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B104, proceeds to Act B109, and causes the customer touch panel 108 to display a notification screen indicating that the settlement has been completed.

[0078] Also, if the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F is not "10" indicating a credit payment, the processor 101 judges "NO" in ActA117 and proceeds to ActA120. The processor 101 judges whether the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F is "01" indicating an electronic money payment in ActA120. If the flag value of the first flag FG1 is not "01", that is, if it is "11", the processor 101 judges "NO" in ActA120 and proceeds to ActA121. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using a cash voucher based on the payment information generated in ActA109 in ActA121. The processor 101 then proceeds to ActA119 and causes the printer 110 to print a receipt.

[0079] Next, the case of electronic money payment will be described. To make an electronic money payment, the charge amount of the electronic money must be known. Therefore, in the customer-side processing routine, the shopper 40 touches the position of the [Check Electronic Money Balance] button image on the first selection screen. In response to this, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B102 and proceeds to Act B114. In Act B114, the processor 101 reads data recorded on an electronic money medium such as a card or a smartphone using the reader / writer 109 to obtain the charge amount of the electronic money. Specifically, the processor 101 controls the communication unit 104 to inquire the server about the charge amount of the electronic money based on the data read from the electronic money medium. The server also manages, for example, electronic money unique to its own store, and if the inquiry is about electronic money of its own store, it returns the charge amount to the registration device that originated the inquiry. Also, if the electronic money is of a type not managed by the server, the processor 101 inquires of the corresponding electronic money center based on the inquiry data from the registration device 10, obtains the charge amount from the electronic money center, and returns it to the registration device that made the inquiry. The processor 101 obtains the charge amount returned from the server via the communication unit 104, and stores it in the electronic money charge amount memory 102C of the main memory 102. In this way, the computer having the processor 101 as a main component functions as an acquisition means. The processor 101 then proceeds to the above Act B103. Note that if the charge amount is stored in the electronic money medium and the charge amount is included in the data read by the reader / writer 109, the processor 101 does not need to make an inquiry to the server.

[0080] When the charge amount of electronic money is acquired in this way, the [Electronic Money] button image on the first selection screen is changed to a display form similar to that of the other selection button images, and electronic money payment becomes selectable. Then, when the shopper 40 selects electronic money payment as the payment method on the first selection screen, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B110 and proceeds to Act B115. In Act B115, the processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the first flag FG1, which is the payment method flag in the flag memory 102F, to "01", which indicates that the payment method is electronic money. Then, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B101.

[0081] Every time a purchased item is registered in the registration processing routine, the first selection screen is updated in Act B105 in the customer processing routine. At this time, if electronic money payment is selected as the payment method, the flag value of the first flag FG1 in the flag memory 102F is "01". Therefore, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B106 and proceeds to Act B116. The processor 101 checks whether the total amount of purchased items included in the update request from the registration processing routine in Act B116 exceeds the charge amount of electronic money stored in the electronic money charge amount memory 102C of the main memory 12. If the total amount is equal to or less than the charge amount, the processor 101 judges NO in Act B116. The flag value of the second flag FG2, which is the electronic money flag in the flag memory 102F, is initially cleared to "00" in Act A101 of the registration processing routine, indicating that payment can be made by electronic money alone. If the result of the determination in Act B116 is NO, the processor 101 returns to Act B101 without rewriting the flag value of the second flag FG2 in the flag memory 102F.

[0082] If the total amount exceeds the charge amount, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B116 and proceeds to Act B117. In Act B117, the processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the second flag FG2 in the flag memory 102F to "01", which indicates that electronic money is charged or that electronic money and cash are used together, that is, that the payment device 20 is used. This is to prevent the shopper 40 from selecting a payment method other than electronic money, etc., if the store clerk 30, who is an operator, operates the subtotal key on the keyboard 105 before the shopper 40 makes the selection, the shopper 40 proceeds to the payment with electronic money even though the payment with electronic money is not possible. Then, the processor 101 displays a second selection screen on the customer touch panel 108 in Act B118. In this way, the computer mainly including the processor 101 functions as a notification means. Then, the processor 101 waits for the selection by the shopper 40 in Act B119.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 10, the second selection screen, like the first selection screen, presents the total number and total price of purchased items registered during the registration period and the electronic money balance. Furthermore, the second selection screen includes a message to the effect that payment cannot be made using electronic money alone, as well as multiple button images for selecting a payment method.

[0084] When the shopper 40 touches a position corresponding to one of the multiple button images for selecting a payment method, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B119 and proceeds to Act B120. The processor 101 checks whether the shopper 40 touches a position corresponding to a [Select another payment method] button image on the second selection screen in Act B120 to instruct the selection of another payment method. If the selection of another payment method is instructed, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B120 and returns to Act B101, causing the customer touch panel 108 to display the first selection screen. At this time, the [Electronic money] button image for selecting electronic money payment is displayed to indicate that it cannot be selected. Furthermore, when YES is judged in this Act B120, the processor 101 may clear both the flag values ​​of the first flag FG1, which is the payment method flag, and the second flag FG2, which is the electronic money flag, of the flag memory 102F to "00".

[0085] If the selection of another payment method is not instructed, the processor 101 judges "NO" in Act B120 and proceeds to Act B121. In Act B121, the processor 101 checks whether the position of the [Charge] button image on the second selection screen is touched by the shopper 40. If the position of the [Charge] button image is touched, the processor 101 judges "YES" in Act B121 and returns to Act B101 to display the first selection screen on the customer touch panel 108. At this time, the [Electronic Money] button image for selecting electronic money payment is displayed in a predetermined distinguishing manner, such as red or blinking, indicating that payment is not possible by itself, and other buttons are displayed in a manner indicating that they cannot be selected. Also, a message indicating that charging has been selected may be displayed.

[0086] If the position corresponding to the [Charge] button image is not touched, that is, if a command is given to use the card in combination with another payment method, the processor 101 determines NO in Act B121 and proceeds to Act B122. The processor 101 displays a third selection screen on the customer touch panel 108 in Act B122. The processor 101 then waits for a selection by the shopper 40, as in Act B119. Note that this waiting for selection is not shown in FIG. 7B.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 11, the third selection screen presents the total number and total price of purchased items registered during the registration period and the electronic money balance, similar to the first selection screen. Furthermore, the third selection screen includes multiple button images for selecting a payment method to be used in conjunction with the electronic money.

[0088] In Act 123, the processor 101 checks whether the shopper 40 has touched the position corresponding to the [Cash] button image on the third selection screen to select the combined use of electronic money and cash. If the combined use of electronic money and cash is instructed, the processor 101 judges YES in Act B123, returns to Act B101, and displays the first selection screen on the customer touch panel 108. At this time, the [Electronic Money] button image for selecting electronic money payment and the [Cash] button image, which is the button for the combined payment method, are displayed in a predetermined distinguishable manner, such as in orange or blinking, indicating that the combined use will be used. In addition, the button images for the payment methods other than electronic money and cash are displayed in a manner indicating that they cannot be selected. Furthermore, a message indicating that the combined use has been selected may be displayed.

[0089] If the shopper 40 touches a position corresponding to a button image other than the [Cash] button image on the third selection screen, the combined use of electronic money and cash has not been selected, so the processor 101 judges "NO" in Act B123 and proceeds to Act B124. The processor 101 checks whether the shopper 40 touches a position corresponding to the [Credit] button image on the third selection screen in Act B124 to select the combined use of electronic money and credit. If the combined use of electronic money and credit is instructed, the processor 101 judges "YES" in Act B124 and proceeds to Act B125. The processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the second flag FG2, which is the electronic money flag of the flag memory 102F, to "10", which indicates the combined use of electronic money and credit, in Act B125. After that, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B101 and causes the customer touch panel 108 to display the first selection screen. At this time, the [Electronic Money] button image for selecting electronic money payment and the [Credit] button image for the combined payment method are displayed in a predetermined manner, such as turning orange or blinking, to indicate that they are combined. Also, the button images for payment methods other than electronic money and credit are displayed in a manner that indicates that they cannot be selected. Furthermore, a message may be displayed to the effect that combined use has been selected.

[0090] Also, if the shopper 40 does not touch the position corresponding to the [Credit] button image on the third selection screen, that is, if the shopper 40 touches the position corresponding to the [Cash on Delivery] button image and instructs the use of both electronic money and cash vouchers, the processor 101 judges NO in Act B124 and proceeds to Act B126. The processor 101 rewrites the flag value of the second flag FG2 in the flag memory 102F to "11" in Act B126, which indicates the use of both electronic money and cash vouchers. Thereafter, the processor 101 returns to the above Act B101 and causes the customer touch panel 108 to display the first selection screen. At this time, the [Electronic Money] button image for selecting electronic money payment and the [Cash on Delivery] button image, which is the button for the payment method to be used in combination, are displayed in a predetermined distinguishing manner, such as in orange or blinking, which indicates the use of both. Also, the button images of the payment methods other than electronic money and cash vouchers are displayed in a manner indicating that they cannot be selected. Furthermore, a message indicating that the use of both has been selected may be displayed.

[0091] Thus, while the store clerk 30, who is an operator, is using the registration device 10 to register the purchased items, the customer 40 can use the customer touch panel 108 to specify whether to use electronic money alone or in combination with other payment methods.

[0092] In the registration process routine, if electronic money payment is selected as the payment method, when the subtotal key on the keyboard 105 is touched by the store clerk 30 who is the operator of the registration device 10, the processor 101 judges YES in ActA103 and proceeds to ActA109, ActA110, ActA111, ActA117, and ActA120. If electronic money payment is selected as the payment method, the processor 101 judges YES in ActA120 and proceeds to ActA122.

[0093] The processor 101 determines whether the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is "00" indicating that the payment is possible in Act A122. If the flag value of the second flag FG2 is "00", the processor 101 determines YES in Act A122 and proceeds to Act A123. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using electronic money based on the payment information generated in Act A109 in Act A123. For example, the processor 101 controls the communication unit 104 to transmit the payment information to the server. If the electronic money to be paid is electronic money unique to the store, the server performs payment processing based on the payment information and updates the charge amount of the electronic money managed by the server. If the electronic money is a type of electronic money not managed by the server, the server transmits the payment information from the registration device 10 to the electronic money center, and the electronic money center performs payment processing and updates the charge amount. Furthermore, if a charge amount is stored in the electronic money medium, the server transmits payment information to the electronic money center, which then processes the payment and updates the charge amount, and instructs the registration device 10 to update the charge amount stored in the electronic money medium. When the processor 101 receives this charge amount update instruction via the communication unit 104, it writes the updated charge amount to the electronic money medium using the reader / writer 109. In this way, the computer including the processor 101 as a main component functions as a payment means. The processor 101 then proceeds to Act A119 and causes the printer 110 to print a receipt.

[0094] Also, if the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is not "00" indicating that payment is possible, the processor 101 judges "NO" in Act A122 and proceeds to Act A124. The processor 101 judges whether the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is "01" indicating that electronic money is charged or that electronic money and cash are used together, that is, that the payment device 20 is used, in Act A124. If the flag value of the second flag FG2 is "01", the processor 101 judges "YES" in Act A124 and proceeds to Act A125. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using electronic money based on the payment information generated in Act A109 in Act A125. In this payment process using electronic money, the total amount of the purchased goods registered during the registration period, which is included in the payment information, cannot be paid with electronic money. Therefore, the processor 101 proceeds to Act A112, and has the store clerk 30 select the payment device 20 to which the payment information is to be transferred. The processor 101 then controls the communication unit 104 to transmit the payment information to the designated payment device 20 in Act A114. In this case, the processor 101 includes in the payment information electronic money payment information indicating how much has been paid using electronic money. The processor 101 then displays a notification screen on the touch panel 107 in Act A115, and issues a customer-facing notification request to the customer-facing process, which is being executed as a separate routine, in Act A116 to display a notification screen on the customer-facing screen.

[0095] Also, if the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is not "01" indicating the use of the payment device 20, the processor 101 judges NO in ActA124 and proceeds to ActA126. The processor 101 judges whether the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is "10" indicating the use of both electronic money and credit in ActA126. If the flag value of the second flag FG2 is "10", the processor 101 judges YES in ActA126 and proceeds to ActA127. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using electronic money based on the payment information generated in ActA109 in ActA127. Thereafter, the processor 101 proceeds to ActA128. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using a credit card in ActA128. In other words, in the electronic money payment process in Act A127, the total amount of the purchased items registered during the registration period, which is included in the payment information, cannot be paid with electronic money. Therefore, in Act A128, the processor 101 pays the shortfall in the payment amount with a credit card. The processor 101 then proceeds to Act A119 and causes the printer 110 to print a receipt.

[0096] Also, if the flag value of the second flag FG2 of the flag memory 102F is not "10" indicating the use of electronic money and credit in combination, that is, if it is "11" indicating the use of electronic money and a cash voucher in combination, the processor 101 judges "NO" in ActA126 and proceeds to ActA129. The processor 101 performs a well-known payment process using electronic money based on the payment information generated in ActA109 as ActA129. The processor 101 then proceeds to ActA121 and performs a well-known payment process using a cash voucher. That is, in the payment process using electronic money in ActA129, the total amount of the purchased items registered during the registration period, which is included in the payment information, cannot be paid with electronic money. Therefore, in ActA121, the processor 101 pays the shortfall in the payment amount with a cash voucher. The processor 101 then proceeds to ActA119 and causes the printer 110 to print a receipt.

[0097] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure of a payment process executed by the processor 201 of the payment device 20. When the payment device 20 is started, the processor 201 displays a standby screen on the touch panel 206 in Act A21. The standby screen indicates that the payment process is not possible, and may display any information. For example, the standby screen is assumed to display a message indicating that the payment process cannot be performed, or an arbitrary image showing an advertisement as a screen saver. After the screen of the touch panel 206 is set to the standby screen, the processor 201 proceeds to Act A22. The processor 201 waits to receive payment information from the registration device 10 in Act A22.

[0098] As described above, in the processing of Act A114, the processor 101 of the registration device 10 transmits payment information from the communication unit 104 to the payment device 20 selected by the store clerk 30. This payment information is received by the communication unit 204 provided in the destination payment device 20, and is stored in the main memory 202 or the auxiliary storage device 203.

[0099] When the payment information is received, the processor 201 determines YES in Act 22 and proceeds to Act 23. The processor 201 displays a payment screen on the touch panel 206 in Act 22. The payment screen accepts operations by the shopper 40 to make a payment based on the received payment information. The payment screen displays, for example, at least the total amount indicated in the payment information. The payment screen may also display the total number of items, a list of purchased items, an image of a button for instructing charging electronic money, etc.

[0100] Next, the processor 201 determines whether the payment information includes electronic money payment information indicating how much has been paid by electronic money in Act 24. If the payment information does not include electronic money payment information, the processor 201 determines "NO" in Act 24 and proceeds to Act 25. The processor 201 determines whether the shopper 40 has performed an operation for payment on the change machine 209 or the reader / writer 208 in Act 25. If the payment operation is not performed on the change machine 209 or the reader / writer 208, the processor 201 determines "NO" in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 26. The processor 201 determines whether the shopper 40 has performed an operation for charging electronic money, for example, touching a position corresponding to a charge instruction button image on the payment screen in Act 26. If the charge operation is not performed, the processor 201 determines "NO" in Act 26 and returns to the above Act 25. Thus, the processor 201 waits for a payment operation or a charge operation by the shopper 40.

[0101] When the shopper 40 performs an operation on the change machine 209 to settle the total amount displayed on the settlement screen, that is, when the shopper 40 inserts cash into the change machine 209, the processor 201 judges YES in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 27. The processor 201 executes settlement processing in Act 27. This settlement processing is processing for settling the total amount indicated in the settlement information stored in the main memory 202 or the auxiliary storage device 203 in response to an operation by the shopper 40. For example, processing performed in an existing self-service POS terminal or the like can be applied as is to this settlement processing. When the settlement processing is completed, the processor 201 proceeds to Act 28.

[0102] In Act 28, the processor 201 controls the printer 207 to issue a receipt. At least the sales data and total amount of the purchased items, and payment information for settling the purchased items are recorded on the receipt. In addition, if any change is due, the amount of change is also recorded. After issuing the receipt, the processor 201 returns to Act 31 and performs the subsequent processes in the same manner as described above.

[0103] If the payment information includes electronic money payment information indicating how much has been paid by electronic money, the processor 201 determines YES in Act 24 and proceeds to Act 29. The processor 201 displays the difference between the total amount included in the payment information and the amount paid by electronic money indicated by the electronic money payment information as the shortfall on the payment screen in Act 29. The processor 201 then proceeds to Act 25.

[0104] Then, when the shopper 40 performs an operation on the change machine 209 to settle the shortfall displayed on the settlement screen, that is, when the shopper 40 inserts cash into the change machine 209, the processor 201 judges YES in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 27 to execute settlement processing. When the settlement processing is completed, the processor 201 proceeds to Act 28 and controls the printer 207 to issue a receipt. At least the sales data and total amount of the purchased items, and payment information for settling the purchased items are recorded on the receipt. The payment information includes the amount paid in electronic money and the amount paid in cash. In addition, if any change is due, the amount of the change is also recorded.

[0105] Also, when the shopper 40 performs an operation for charging electronic money, for example, touching a position corresponding to a charge instruction button image on the payment screen, the processor 201 judges YES in Act 26 and proceeds to Act 30. The processor 201 performs electronic money charging processing in Act 30. For example, the processor 201 controls the communication unit 204 to read the data of the electronic money medium by the reader / writer 208 and inquire the server about the charge amount. The server acquires the charge amount of the electronic money in the same manner as for the registration device 10 and returns it to the payment device 20. The processor 201 displays the charge amount on the payment screen of the touch panel 206. When the payment information includes electronic money payment information, the charge amount is usually 0 yen. Then, when the shopper 40 inserts cash to be charged into the change machine 209, the processor 201 controls the communication unit 204 to request the server to charge the amount. In response to this, the server updates the charge amount of the electronic money managed by the server or requests the electronic money center to charge the electronic money. When the charge is completed, the charge amount is returned from the server to the payment device 20, and the processor 201 displays the charge amount on the payment screen of the touch panel 206. The processor 201 may also control the printer 207 to issue a receipt for the charge operation. Furthermore, the processor 201 may write the updated charge amount to the electronic money medium using the reader / writer 109. When the electronic money has been charged in this manner, the shopper 40 temporarily removes the electronic money medium from the reader / writer 208. The processor 201 then returns to Act 25.

[0106] Then, when the shopper 40 performs an operation on the reader / writer 208 to settle the balance displayed on the settlement screen, that is, when the shopper 40 inserts an electronic money medium into the reader / writer 208 again, the processor 201 judges YES in Act 25 and proceeds to Act 27 to execute settlement processing to settle the balance. When the settlement processing is completed, the processor 201 proceeds to Act 28 and controls the printer 207 to issue a receipt. At least the sales data and total amount of the purchased items, and payment information for settling the purchased items are recorded on the receipt. The payment information includes the amounts of payment in electronic money before and after charging.

[0107] Thus, according to this embodiment, in the registration device 10 of a semi-self-service checkout system, the shopper 40 selects a payment method using the customer touch panel 108 while the store clerk 30, who is the operator, is registering purchased items. Therefore, when the store clerk 30 has finished registering the purchased items, the payment can be immediately made according to the selection of the shopper 40, thereby reducing the payment time per shopper 40 and increasing the utilization rate of the registration device 10.

[0108] In addition, the registration device 10 acquires the charge amount of electronic money, which is the amount that can be paid by electronic money, and when the shopper 40 selects payment with electronic money, if the total payment amount calculated each time the store clerk 30 registers the purchased items exceeds the charge amount, the registration device 10 notifies the shopper 40 of the charge amount shortage, and the shopper 40 can select a payment method in response to the charge amount shortage notification. Therefore, the shopper 40 can immediately select another payment method or a combination of electronic money and another payment method when the charge amount shortage is found during the registration of the purchased items. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the time by the time it takes for the shopper 40 to select another payment method or a combination of electronic money and another payment method when the charge amount shortage is found, compared to the case where the charge amount of electronic money is acquired and whether or not the charge amount shortage is confirmed after the registration of all purchased items is completed and the total amount is determined.

[0109] According to this embodiment, when the electronic money charge amount is insufficient and the shopper 40 selects to use both an electronic money payment method and another payment method that does not include cash, payment can be made using those payment methods at the payment device 20 immediately after registration of all purchased items is completed and the total amount is determined.

[0110] In addition, when a payment method is selected in which the shopper 40 pays by increasing the charge amount by depositing money into the electronic money when the charge amount of the electronic money is insufficient, the payment information can be sent from the registration device 10 to the payment device 20 immediately after the registration of all purchased items is completed and the total amount is determined.

[0111] The payment information may be transmitted directly from the registration device 10 to the payment device 20, or indirectly via a server or the like.

[0112] The above describes an embodiment of a checkout system and a registration device used in the system that can reduce the payment time per shopper and increase the usage turnover rate of the registration device, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0113] For example, in the above embodiment, a semi-self-service checkout system is used as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a face-to-face checkout system equipped with a normal registration device that handles cash, although the effectiveness of the system is more limited than that of a semi-self-service system.

[0114] Although several other embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1...checkout system, 10...registration device, 12...main memory, 20...payment device, 30...store clerk, 40...shopper, 50...work table, 101,201...processor, 102,202...main memory, 102C...electronic money charge amount memory, 102F...flag memory, 103,203...auxiliary storage device, 104,204...communication unit, 105...keyboard, 106,205...scanner, 107,206...touch panel, 108...customer touch panel, 109,208...reader / writer, 110,207...printer, 111...drawer opening mechanism, 112,210...system transmission path, 209...change machine, FG1...first flag, FG2...second flag.

Claims

1. A checkout system comprising a registration device operated by a store clerk to register purchased items, and a payment device operated by a customer to pay for the purchased items, The registration device includes: a first selection means for allowing the shopper to select a payment method while the store clerk is performing an operation to register the purchased item; a transmitting means for transmitting, to the payment device, payment information for making a payment for the purchased goods, if a payment method including cash is selected by the first selecting means in response to a registration operation of the purchased goods by the store clerk; a payment means for performing payment by the selected payment method when the payment method not including cash is selected by the first selection means in response to the completion of the registration operation of the purchased item by the store clerk; A checkout system having

2. The registration device includes: An acquisition means for acquiring an amount payable by electronic money; a notification means for notifying the customer of a shortage of the available payment amount when the total amount of payment calculated each time the store clerk registers the purchased items exceeds the available payment amount when the first selection means selects the payment method using electronic money; a second selection means for allowing the shopper to select a payment method in response to the notification of the insufficient payable amount; The checkout system of claim 1 , further comprising:

3. 3. The checkout system according to claim 2, wherein when the second selection means selects a combination of the electronic money payment method and another payment method not involving cash, the payment means performs payment using the selected payment method.

4. 3. The checkout system according to claim 2, wherein when a payment method for increasing the payable amount by depositing money into the electronic money is selected by the second selection means, the transmission means transmits the payment information to the payment device.

5. A registration device in a checkout system including a registration device operated by a store clerk to register purchased items, and a payment device operated by a customer to pay for the purchased items, an input / output device for the store clerk to perform an operation for registering the purchased item; A touch panel that can be operated by the shopper; a first selection means for displaying a selection screen on the touch panel for allowing the shopper to select a payment method while the store clerk is performing an operation to register the purchased item using the input / output device, and accepting the selection of the payment method by the shopper; an acquisition means for acquiring an amount payable by electronic money when a payment method using electronic money is selected; a second selection means for displaying a shortage of the payable amount on the touch panel when a total payment amount calculated each time the store clerk registers the purchased items exceeds the payable amount, and for accepting a selection of a payment method by the shopper; A registration device comprising:

6. A checkout system including a registration device operated by a store clerk to register purchased items and a payment device operated by a customer to pay for the purchased items, comprising: a first selection means for displaying a selection screen for the customer to select a payment method on a touch panel of the registration device while the store clerk is performing a registration operation of the purchased item using an input / output device of the registration device, and accepting the selection of the payment method by the customer; a second selection means for displaying a shortage of the payable amount on the touch panel when a total payment amount calculated each time the store clerk registers the purchased items exceeds the payable amount, and for accepting a selection of a payment method by the shopper; A control program that functions as a

Images