Information processing system, checkout support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique to prevent customer retention in commodity registration performed by a commodity registration device in a checkout system where the commodity registration device and a checkout device are installed separately.SOLUTION: A commodity registration device includes: registration means for registering a commodity as a settlement target; and output control means for outputting settlement information to be used by a checkout device when settling the commodities registered as the settlement target. The registering means starts registering the settlement target of a second customer in the middle of registering the settlement target of a first customer. The output control means outputs the settlement information of the second customer before the settlement information of the first customer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cash register system technique in which a payment process, which is part of a cash register process, is performed by a payment device provided separately from a product registration device. [Background technology]

[0002] There exists a cash register system in which a first process of registering products to be settled by reading barcodes and inputting amounts, etc., and a second process of settling the registered products, including receiving the payment and giving change, are performed by separate devices. The device that performs the first process is referred to as a product registration device, and the device that performs the second process is referred to as a settlement device. In this cash register system, the first process is basically performed by the operation of a store clerk, and the second process is performed by the operation of a customer.

[0003] The following Patent Document 1 proposes a POS (Point Of Sale) device that temporarily suspends the registration of a certain customer's sales by pressing a registration suspension key during the registration of the sales, saves the registered data, and enables the registration of products of other customers. The following Patent Document 2 also proposes a POS terminal that similarly enables the temporary suspension of product registration. This POS terminal adds the sales data of products that take time to serve, such as "oden," registered in another terminal (a terminal dedicated to product registration), to the temporarily suspended product sales data, and settles the payment in one lump sum. The following Patent Document 3 proposes a self-checkout type product sales data processing device that enables the temporary suspension of accounting processing. In response to a suspension instruction, this device holds the registered sales data and the weight of the registered product placed on the product placement tray. Then, when a restart instruction is received and the weight of the product placed on the product placement tray matches the held weight, the held sales data is read out and the accounting processing is resumed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-195658 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-243555 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2011-113309 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, there are methods to temporarily suspend product registration in a POS terminal (including self-checkout systems) that handles both the process of registering products to be checked out and the process of checking out the registered products in one device. However, there has been little progress in the current situation regarding a cash register system that handles each of these processes in separate devices.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique for preventing customers from staying idle during product registration performed by a product registration device in a cash register system in which a product registration device and a settlement device are provided separately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, each aspect of the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0008] The first aspect relates to an information processing system. The information processing system according to the first aspect includes: An information processing system including a product registration device operated by a store clerk and a support product registration device, The product registration device includes: A registration means for registering a product as a checkout target; a reception means for receiving an instruction to suspend payment for the product registered as the payment target; a writing means for writing information on the product to be settled that has been put on hold or identification information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold, into a portable medium when the instruction to put on hold is received by the receiving means; a settlement processing means for performing settlement processing of the settlement object, The support product registration device The portable medium is read by a settlement processing means for carrying out settlement of the product to be settled.

[0009] A second aspect relates to a settlement support method. The settlement support method according to the second aspect includes: One or more computers implementing a product registration device operated by a store clerk, Register the product as a payment item, Accept an instruction to suspend payment for the product registered as the payment target, writing, when receiving the instruction to hold, information on the product to be settled that has been put on hold or identification information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold into a portable medium; One or more computers implementing a support product registration device, The method includes reading the portable medium to settle the payment for the product that is the subject of the payment.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing at least one computer to execute the method of the second aspect. Another aspect is a computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon. The recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the above aspects, in a cash register system in which a product registration device and a settlement device are provided separately, it is possible to prevent customers from staying behind during product registration performed by the product registration device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a POS register system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a product registration device according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout screen. [Figure 6A] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device in the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a product registration device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a product registration device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10A] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10B] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a product registration device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Each of the embodiments described below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the following embodiments.

[0014] [First embodiment] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a POS register system 1 in a first embodiment. The POS register system 1 in the first embodiment includes a product registration device 10, a settlement device 20, and a server device 30. The product registration device 10 performs a process of registering products to be settled in response to an operation by a store clerk, and transmits settlement information of the registered products to the server device 30. The server device 30 transmits the product information sent from the product registration device 10 to the settlement device 20. The settlement device 20 performs a settlement process based on the settlement information received from the server device 30 in response to an operation by a customer. Specific processing contents of each device will be described later.

[0015] The product registration device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output interface (I / F) 5, etc. These hardware elements are connected, for example, by a bus or the like. The CPU 2 corresponds to at least one of a general CPU, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The memory 3 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary storage device (hard disk, etc.), etc. The communication unit 4 communicates with other devices (such as a server device 30) wirelessly or via wires.

[0016] The display device 6, the input / output device 7, etc. are connected to the input / output I / F 5. The display device 6 is at least one of a display for store clerks and customers, a display unit of a touch panel, etc. The input / output device 7 includes a sensor unit of a touch panel, a keyboard, a scanner device, a speaker, a change machine (for banknotes and coins), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a receipt printer, etc. Since the product registration device 10 has a function of being able to complete the settlement of a customer with one device, the input / output device 7 connected to the input / output I / F 5 also includes a device for settlement processing such as a change machine and a receipt printer. The input / output I / F 5 outputs a screen display, a sound, etc. to the display device 6 or the input / output device 7 according to the processing executed by the CPU 2. The input / output I / F 5 also receives an input signal from an input device.

[0017] With these hardware elements, the product registration device 10 accepts product registration operations by the store clerk, input of instructions to the product registration device 10 by the store clerk, and the like, and performs product registration processing. Product registration operations by the store clerk include, for example, scanning barcodes attached to products and inputting product prices using a keyboard. Furthermore, the product registration device 10 can also execute a settlement process in response to operations by the store clerk, and complete settlement for the customer. In this case, the product registration device 10 accepts operations by the store clerk to insert coins and bills, take out change, make credit card payments, and the like.

[0018] Similar to the product registration device 10, the settlement device 20 has, as hardware elements, a CPU 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output I / F 5, etc. The display device 6 connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the settlement device 20 is at least one of a customer display, a touch panel display unit, etc. The input / output device 7 includes a touch panel sensor unit, a change machine (for banknotes and coins), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a receipt printer, a speaker, etc. The display device 6 and the input / output device 7 required for completing the settlement process based on the settlement information received from the server device 30 are connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the settlement device 20.

[0019] The settlement device 20 uses the hardware elements described above to accept user operations such as customer's instruction input to the settlement device 20 and customer's payment operations, and performs settlement processing. Customer's payment operations include, for example, inserting coins and bills, taking out change, paying with a credit card, paying with electronic money, etc.

[0020] The server device 30 is a so-called computer, and includes a CPU 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output I / F 5, etc., which are interconnected by a bus, as shown in Fig. 1. Although not shown, a display device and an input / output device may be connected to the input / output I / F 5.

[0021] The hardware configuration of each device included in the POS register system 1 is not limited to the example in Fig. 1. Furthermore, the number of each device and the number of hardware elements of each device are also not limited to the example in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, hardware elements with the same name (e.g., CPU 2 of the product registration device 10, CPU 2 of the server device 30, CPU 2 of the settlement device 20) are given the same reference numerals for ease of explanation. However, even hardware elements given the same reference numerals do not need to be exactly the same hardware.

[0022] Furthermore, the POS register system 1 does not have to include the server device 30. In this case, the settlement device 20 may obtain the settlement information from the product registration device 10 by communication, or may obtain the settlement information via a portable medium such as an accounting ticket, a portable recording medium, or a mobile terminal. Furthermore, the POS register system 1 only needs to support an operation method in which the settlement process, which is part of the processing of the register terminal, is left to the customer's operation of a settlement device provided separately from the product registration device, and there are no limitations on the specific operation method supported by the POS register system 1.

[0023] For example, the POS register system 1 can be adapted to an operation method (referred to as an "accounting ticket method") in which the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing using information obtained from a portable medium carried by a customer. In this case, the input / output device 7 connected to the product registration device 10 may include a writer device that writes settlement information or identification information of the settlement information to the portable medium. The input / output device 7 connected to the settlement device 20 may include a reader device that reads information from the portable medium. When identification information of the settlement information is written to the portable medium, the settlement device 20 can obtain settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server device 30 by sending the identification information read from the portable medium to the server device 30. The POS register system 1 can also be adapted to an operation method (referred to as a "designated method") in which the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing by the product registration device 10 itself, the server device 30 itself, or a settlement device 20 designated by an operator of the device.

[0024] In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, a POS register system 1 that operates in a designated manner is mainly illustrated. The designated manner illustrated below is a manner in which the settlement device 20 is designated by an operator (store clerk) of the product registration device 10.

[0025] [Processing configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment. The product registration device 10 includes a registration unit 11, a transaction storage unit 12, a display control unit 13, an output control unit 14, a settlement processing unit 15, and the like. The registration unit 11, the transaction storage unit 12, the display control unit 13, the output control unit 14, and the settlement processing unit 15 are realized as software elements, for example, by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3. The program may be installed from a portable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a memory card, or from another computer on a network, via the communication unit 4, and stored in the memory 3. The product registration device 10 may also include other software elements not shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The registration unit 11 registers the products brought to the register by the customer as items to be settled. The information of the products registered as items to be settled is reflected in a product registration screen displayed by the display control unit 13 described later. The registration unit 11 performs such product registration processing, and stores settlement information for each transaction in the transaction storage unit 12. The settlement information includes information on each product registered as a settlement target, and is information used when the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing. For example, the settlement information includes product codes, selling price information, sales quantities, discount information, etc., for each product registered as a settlement target. Product codes are identification data formed from letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that are predetermined to identify each product. For example, PLU (Price Look Up) codes, Non-PLU codes, etc. are used as product codes. If a product code is not attached to a product code to be settled, other codes such as a department code may be used instead of the product code. The specific content of the settlement information is not limited.

[0027] For example, the registration unit 11 acquires the product code of each product based on an operation on the product registration screen via a touch panel unit, or a scanning operation using a scanner device or a handy scanner on the product identification label attached to the product. The registration unit 11 acquires product information (product name, selling price, etc.) on each product from a product information table (not shown) based on the product code acquired in this way. The registration unit 11 stores the acquired information together in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information. The timing at which the product information is stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information may be after the information on all products to be settled is acquired, or may be each time the information on each product is acquired. In addition, the registration unit 11 detects a change operation such as a change in the quantity, cancellation of a product, application of a discount, etc. on the product registration screen displayed by the display control unit 13 described later, and updates the settlement information stored in the transaction storage unit 12 based on the operation.

[0028] The registration unit 11 can also start registering a settlement target for another customer while registering a settlement target for a certain customer. Here, "in the middle of registering a settlement target" means a state in which a part of the group of products to be settled (at least one product) has been registered, and products to be registered as settlement targets remain. For example, when the registration unit 11 receives an instruction to suspend product registration, it can temporarily suspend the settlement target being registered and start registering the product as a new settlement target. When information on each product is acquired and the information is stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information, the registration unit 11, for example, sets a suspension flag for the corresponding transaction stored in the transaction storage unit 12, and stores the next product information acquired in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information for the new transaction. Also, when information on all products to be settled is collectively stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information, the registration unit 11 temporarily saves the information on the products held as settlement targets at that time, and starts holding the next product information acquired as a new settlement target.

[0029] The instruction to hold product registration received by the registration unit 11 may be received by detecting the operation of a "hold" button provided on the product registration screen by a store clerk, or by detecting the operation of a specific key on a keyboard. The instruction to hold may also be received by recognizing the voice of the store clerk. The method of giving the instruction to hold product registration is arbitrary. Furthermore, the number of settlement objects that can be processed in parallel by the registration unit 11 is any number equal to or greater than two.

[0030] When the registration unit 11 receives an instruction to restore a settlement target that has been put on hold, it releases the hold state of the instructed settlement target. For example, the registration unit 11 releases the hold state of the transaction (settlement target) by removing the hold flag of the transaction in the transaction storage unit 12. In addition, the registration unit 11 reads out the registration information of the corresponding settlement target that was temporarily saved as the current settlement target.

[0031] The transaction storage unit 12 stores settlement information for each transaction. One transaction corresponds to one settlement (one accounting).

[0032] The display control unit 13 displays information about products registered as settlement targets by the registration unit 11 on the display device 6. Specifically, the display control unit 13 acquires information about products registered as settlement targets for a target transaction (a transaction undergoing registration processing) from the registration unit 11 or the transaction storage unit 12, and displays a screen (referred to as a product registration screen) presenting the acquired information.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen. In the example of Fig. 3, the product registration screen presents a list of information on products registered as payment targets by the registration unit 11. For example, the display control unit 13 updates the product registration screen every time a product is registered as a payment target. As a result, the products registered as payment targets are successively added and displayed on the product registration screen.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 3, the product registration screen includes a "Transaction Output" button B1, a "Subtotal" button B2, a "Hold" button B3, and a "Release Hold" button B4. When registering a product for a next customer while registering a product for a certain customer, the store clerk presses the "Hold" button B3. This operation temporarily holds the payment target of the current customer in the middle of registration, and the product for the next customer begins to be registered as a new payment target. In the example of FIG. 3, the display control unit 13 clears the list of product information displayed in the purchased product column, and displays a new list of the next acquired product information. The method of displaying the payment target in the held state is arbitrary. The product information list of the payment target in the held state may be reduced and displayed in a predetermined position on the screen, or an image indicating that there is a payment target in the held state may be displayed. When resuming the product registration of the payment target in the held state, the store clerk presses the "Release Hold" button B4. With this operation, the registration unit 11 releases the hold status of the settlement target that was put on hold, and the display control unit 13 displays a list of product information for the settlement target that was put on hold. When two or more settlement targets are put on hold, the display control unit 13 may present the pending settlement targets on the product registration screen in a state in which each of them can be identified. In this case, when one of the pending settlement targets is selected, the registration unit 11 releases the hold status of the selected settlement target. Details of the "Transaction Output" button B1 and the "Subtotal" button B2 will be described later.

[0035] The output control unit 14 outputs the settlement information of the target transaction. As described above, when the settlement target of the first customer is put on hold, the output control unit 14 can also output the settlement information of the later customer before the settlement information of the earlier customer. For example, when the "hold" button B3 illustrated in FIG. 3 is pressed, the settlement target of the earlier customer is put on hold and the information of the settlement target of the later customer is displayed on the product registration screen, and then the "transaction output" button B1 is pressed, the output control unit 14 outputs the settlement information of the later customer before the settlement information of the earlier customer. In addition, the output control unit 14 can output the settlement information of the earlier customer after outputting the settlement information of the later customer. In addition, when the product registration device 10 accepts payment of a portion of the amount by using a gift certificate, points, or the like, partial payment information indicating the amount already paid may be output together with the settlement information.

[0036] The POS register system 1 in this embodiment is compatible with a designation method in which a settlement device 20 is selected by an operator's operation, so the output control unit 14 transmits settlement information to the server device 30 together with identification information of a settlement device 20 selected by a store clerk's operation from among the multiple settlement devices 20. As a result, the settlement information is delivered to the settlement device 20 specified by the identification information via the server device 30. In this case, the output control unit 14 can also obtain information (identification information, name, status, etc.) of the settlement devices 20 that are candidates for the destination of the settlement information from the server device 30 or each settlement device 20 in order to support the store clerk's operation.

[0037] However, the output form by the output control unit 14 is not limited to this example. The output control unit 14 can also send the settlement information directly to the specified settlement device 20 without going through the server device 30. The settlement device 20 to which the settlement information is delivered may be automatically determined by the product registration device 10 or the server device 30. If the POS register system 1 supports an accounting ticket system, the output control unit 14 may send identification information of the settlement information to the server device 30 in addition to the settlement information, and cause the printing device (input / output device 7) to print the identification information of the settlement information. The output control unit 14 may also send the identification information of the member read by the reader device from the membership card or mobile terminal to the server device 30 together with the settlement information. The output control unit 14 may code the settlement information into a two-dimensional code and cause the printing device to print the two-dimensional code.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 3, after completing the product registration work, the store clerk presses the "transaction output" button B1 to transfer the settlement process of the transaction to the settlement device 20 based on the customer's operation. That is, when button B1 is pressed, the display control unit 13 displays a designated screen on the display device 6. At this time, the output control unit 14 obtains information (identification information, name, status, etc.) of the settlement device 20 that is a candidate destination for the settlement information from the server device 30 or each settlement device 20, and the obtained information is reflected on the designated screen. When the POS register system 1 supports the accounting ticket method, when button B1 is pressed, the output control unit 14 outputs the accounting ticket, transmits identification information of the member or the settlement information to the server device 30, etc.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the designation screen. In the example of FIG. 4, the designation screen includes information on three settlement devices 20 that are candidates for transmission destinations. The information on each settlement device 20 includes the device name and status. In addition, "Send" buttons B5, B6, and B7 are provided for each of the settlement devices 20 that are candidates for transmission destinations. In this case, the display control unit 13 can distinguish between settlement devices 20 that can transmit settlement information and settlement devices 20 that cannot transmit settlement information based on the status of each settlement device 20, and display both in a distinguishable manner. For example, the display control unit 13 displays the "Send" button B5 corresponding to the settlement device 20 that can transmit settlement information (named "Settlement Device 1") in an operable state, and displays the "Send" buttons B6 and B7 corresponding to the settlement devices 20 that cannot transmit settlement information (named "Settlement Device 2" and "Settlement Device 3") in an inoperable state. When the "Send" button is operated by the user, the output control unit 14 transmits to the server device 30 the identification information of the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button, together with the settlement information.

[0040] In the basic operation of the POS register system 1, the settlement process is executed by the settlement device 20 according to the customer's operation. However, the product registration device 10 has a settlement processing unit 15, and can complete the settlement according to the store clerk's operation. For example, when the store clerk judges that the customer's age makes it difficult for the customer to operate the settlement device 20 by himself, the store clerk completes the settlement by the product registration device 10.

[0041] When the settlement processing unit 15 detects a specific user operation while the product registration screen is displayed, it performs settlement processing for the settlement target registered by the registration unit 11 and completes the transaction. This settlement processing may be similar to the settlement processing of a general POS register terminal that performs everything from product registration to completion of settlement with one device. The settlement processing includes, for example, a process of having the customer select a payment method, a process of accepting payment using the selected payment method, a process of paying out change, a process of outputting a receipt, and the like. The specific content of this settlement processing is not limited.

[0042] 3, when the settlement processing unit 15 detects that the "Subtotal" button B2 has been operated by a store clerk, it causes the display control unit 13 to display an accounting screen for selecting a payment method. In addition, the settlement processing unit 15 may perform the above process by detecting that a specific key on the keyboard (such as the subtotal key) has been pressed while the product registration screen is displayed.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout screen. In the example of FIG. 5, the checkout screen supports a plurality of payment methods, including change machine cash (automatic change machine), manually input cash, gift certificates, credit, points, and electronic money. Change machine cash refers to cash inserted into an automatic change machine (input / output device 7). Manually input cash refers to cash that is inserted into a cash drawer (input / output device 7) without using the automatic change machine. A store clerk, who is a user of the product registration device 10, receives payment by at least one of a plurality of payment methods and sets the payment amount received by that payment method on the checkout screen. The display control unit 13 detects user operations on the checkout screen and reflects the payment amount (deposit amount) set for each payment method on the checkout screen. However, in this embodiment, there is no restriction on the types of payment methods supported on the checkout screen.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the accounting screen includes a "Transaction Output" button B8 and a "Deposit / Cash" button B9. The display control unit 13 sets the button B9 to an inoperable or hidden state in the initial state of the accounting screen, and can switch the button B9 to an operable or displayed state by detecting that the "Deposit Amount" set on the accounting screen is equal to or greater than the "Total Amount". When the settlement processing unit 15 detects a user operation on the button B9, it completes the settlement process based on the payment information set on the accounting screen. On the other hand, when the "Transaction Output" button B8 is operated by the user, the output control unit 14 displays, for example, a designated screen as exemplified in FIG. 5.

[0045] In this embodiment, the server device 30 acquires settlement information and identification information of the settlement device to which the information is to be sent from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 20 identified by the identification information. The server device 30 can also automatically determine the settlement device to which the information is to be sent. In this case, the server device 30 acquires settlement information from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information to the automatically determined settlement device 20. In the accounting ticket method, the server device 30 acquires settlement information and the settlement information or customer identification information from the product registration device 10, and stores the two in association with each other. In this case, the server device 30 acquires settlement information or customer identification information from the settlement device 20, and transmits the settlement information identified by the identification information to the settlement device 20 that is the source of the identification information. When partial payment information is acquired together with settlement information, the server device 30 transmits both pieces of information to the settlement device 20.

[0046] The settlement device 20 executes a settlement process using the settlement information output by the product registration device 10. The settlement process includes a process of presenting the total amount to the customer, a process of having the customer select a payment method, a process of accepting payment using the selected payment method, a process of dispensing change, a process of outputting a receipt, and a process of presenting a settlement completion. The settlement process may include other processes that follow a general settlement flow, such as a process of having the customer select whether or not a receipt is required, a process of having the customer select whether or not a receipt is required, a process of outputting a receipt, and a process of reading a membership card. Furthermore, in cases where the payment method is fixedly determined or where the customer suddenly performs a payment operation, the settlement process does not need to include a process of having the customer select a payment method.

[0047] The settlement device 20 may perform settlement processing for the remaining amount of a portion of the amount already paid on the product registration device 10 side. In this case, the settlement device 20 obtains partial payment information together with settlement information from the server device 30 or the product registration device 10, and calculates the remaining amount from both pieces of information. Alternatively, the settlement device 20 may obtain only information on the remaining amount from the server device 30 or the product registration device 10, perform settlement processing for the remaining amount, and obtain the settlement information and partial payment information when issuing a receipt.

[0048] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B. Figs. 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing an example of operation of the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment. Figs. 6A and 6B show an example of operation when the POS register system 1 supports the designated method, and use the screens exemplified in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Each step shown in the figure is similar to the above-mentioned processing contents of each processing module, and therefore details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] The store clerk operates the product registration device 10 to register the products brought to the register by the customer. At this time, the product registration device 10 performs a product registration process (S61). Specifically, the product registration device 10 sequentially acquires information (selling price, quantity, discount amount, etc.) of the products brought to the register by the customer, and stores the information sequentially or collectively in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information. The product registration device 10 displays on the display device 6 a product registration screen including a list of products registered as items to be settled by such product registration process. That is, for the products registered as items to be settled, the information is reflected on the product registration screen. The product registration device 10 can also change the settlement information based on the user's (store clerk's) operation on the product registration screen.

[0050] Here, assume that a situation occurs in which the product registration of the current customer must be interrupted, and there is a customer waiting in line after the current customer. This situation may occur, for example, when the current customer wants to purchase more, or when the customer brings the wrong product to the register. Hereinafter, under this assumption, the current customer will be referred to as the first customer, and the next customer in line will be referred to as the second customer.

[0051] In the above-mentioned case, the store clerk presses the "Hold" button B3 in Fig. 3. As a result, the product registration device 10 detects the user's operation on the "Hold" button B3 (S62; YES) (S63; YES), and places the current settlement target on hold (S64). For example, the product registration device 10 sets a hold flag in the settlement information of the current transaction stored in the transaction storage unit 12. In addition, the product registration device 10 temporarily saves the information of the product that was held as the settlement target at that time.

[0052] After that, the clerk starts to register the second customer's product as a payment target. As a result, the product registration device 10 starts to register the information of the product to be acquired next as a payment target for the second customer (S61). As a result, the product registration screen also starts to display a list of the product information of the second customer from scratch. When the clerk finishes registering all the products of the second customer, he presses the "Transaction Output" button B1 in FIG. 3. As a result, the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Transaction Output" button B1 (S62; YES) (S63; NO) (S65; NO) (S70; NO) (S74; YES), and displays a designated screen on the display device 6 (S75). The product registration device 10 acquires information (identification information, status, etc.) of each settlement device 20 that is a candidate for performing the settlement process of the transaction of the second customer from the server device 30, and reflects the information of each settlement device 20 on the designated screen.

[0053] The store clerk selects one settlement device 20 from the candidates displayed on the designated screen and presses the "Send" button B5, B6, or B7 corresponding to that settlement device 20. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Send" button B5, B6, or B7 on the designated screen (S76; YES), it transmits settlement information of the second customer's transaction together with identification information of the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button to the server device 30 (S77). If a portion of the payment has been completed on the accounting screen, the product registration device 10 also transmits the partial payment information to the server device 30.

[0054] The server device 30 receives the identification information and settlement information of the settlement device 20 transmitted from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 20 specified by the identification information. However, the product registration device 10 may directly transmit the settlement information to the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button. In this way, the settlement device 20 that has acquired the settlement information can execute settlement processing based on the settlement information. The second customer moves in front of the specified settlement device 20 and operates the settlement device 20 to complete the settlement.

[0055] In this embodiment, a store clerk can receive all or part of the payment at the product registration device 10. For example, special operations are performed when a customer desires a payment method that is not supported by the settlement device 20, such as the use of a gift certificate, points, or electronic money, or when it is determined that the customer cannot settle the bill at the settlement device 20 by himself.

[0056] In this case, when the clerk has finished registering all the products of the customer, he / she presses the "Subtotal" button B2 in FIG. 3. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Subtotal" button B2 (S62; YES) (S63; NO) (S65; NO) (S70; YES), it displays the accounting screen on the display device 6 (S71). The accounting screen, as exemplified in FIG. 5, is a screen on which payment information corresponding to multiple payment methods can be set. The clerk receives payment by at least one of the multiple payment methods, and sets the payment amount received by that payment method on the accounting screen. The product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the coupon screen, reflects the payment amount (deposit amount) set for each payment method on the accounting screen, and retains the partial payment information set on the accounting screen.

[0057] If the store clerk receives a payment that is equal to or exceeds the total amount of the target transaction, the store clerk sets the payment information on the accounting screen and then presses the "Deposit / Cash" button B9 on the accounting screen. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Deposit / Cash" button B9 (S72; YES), it executes a settlement process based on the payment information set on the accounting screen (S73). In the settlement process, the product registration device 10 dispenses change, issues a receipt, issues a bill, etc. In this way, the store clerk can complete the settlement process on the product registration device 10 after registering the product.

[0058] The store clerk can also receive partial payment of the total amount by using a gift certificate or points. In this case, the store clerk sets the information of the received partial payment amount on the accounting screen and presses the "Transaction Output" button B8 on the accounting screen. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the button B8 (S72; NO) (S74; YES), it displays the designation screen as described above (S75). Next, when the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Send" button on the designation screen (S76; YES), it transmits the settlement information together with the partial payment information to the server device 30 (S77).

[0059] The server device 30 receives the identification information, settlement information, and partial payment information of the settlement device 20 transmitted from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information and partial payment information to the settlement device 20 identified by the identification information. However, the product registration device 10 may directly transmit the settlement information and partial payment information to the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button. In this way, the settlement device 20 that has acquired the settlement information and partial payment information can execute the settlement process for the remaining amount excluding the amount partially paid on the product registration device 10 side. In this case, after making a partial payment on the product registration device 10 side, the customer can move in front of the specified settlement device 20 and operate the settlement device 20 to pay the remaining amount and complete the settlement.

[0060] After the settlement process (S73) or the transmission of settlement information (S77) for the second customer, the product registration device 10 checks whether there is a settlement target that is in a pending state (S78). If there is a settlement target that is in a pending state (S78; YES), the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement target (S66). According to the above assumption, since the settlement target of the first customer is in a pending state, the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement target of the first customer. For example, the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement target by removing the pending flag of the transaction of the first customer in the transaction storage unit 12. In addition, the product registration device 10 reads out the registration information of the settlement target of the first customer that was temporarily saved as the current settlement target. As a result, when the pending state of the settlement target of the first customer is released, a list of product information registered as the settlement target is displayed on the product registration screen.

[0061] Even if there is a settlement target in a pending state (S78; YES), the merchandise registration device 10 may be in a state in which it can start the merchandise registration process for the next customer of the second customer. In this case, the settlement target in a pending state is maintained in a pending state, and the merchandise registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement target in a pending state (S66) by detecting a user operation on the "Release Hold" button B4 (S62; YES) (S65; YES). In addition, when multiple settlement targets are in a pending state, the merchandise registration device 10 may display a screen that allows the store clerk to select a settlement target to release from the pending state, and release the pending state of the settlement target selected on the screen.

[0062] The product registration device 10 performs a product registration process for the payment target of the first customer whose pending state has been released (S61). In the product registration process, new product information may be added, information of already registered products may be deleted or changed, or nothing may be done. When the "Send" button is pressed for the payment target of the first customer, the payment information of the first customer is transmitted to the server device 30. According to the above assumption, the payment information of the second customer who was in line behind the first customer will be transmitted to the server device 30 before the payment information of the first customer.

[0063] The execution order of each process executed by the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The execution order of each process can be changed within a range that does not cause any problem in terms of content. In addition, when the settlement device 20 is automatically selected by the product registration device 10 or the server device 30, the product registration device 10 does not need to display the designation screen. In this case, (S75) and (S76) are unnecessary. In addition, when the settlement device 20 is automatically selected by the server device 30, the identification information of the settlement device 20 does not need to be transmitted in (S77). In addition, when the POS register system 1 supports the accounting ticket method, (S75) and (S76) are also unnecessary. When the identification information of the settlement information is output to a portable medium, the product registration device 10 may perform the output process in the case of (S74; YES). In this case, in (S77), the identification information of the settlement information is transmitted to the server device 30 instead of the identification information of the settlement device 20.

[0064] [Functions and Effects of the First Embodiment] As described above, in the first embodiment, after at least one product is registered as the settlement target of the current customer, the registration of the settlement target of the current customer is temporarily put on hold, and the product of the next customer is registered. Then, when the registration of all products of the next customer is completed, the settlement information of the next customer is output from the product registration device 10, and the settlement process of the next customer is carried out in the settlement device 20 based on the output settlement information. Meanwhile, the settlement target of the previous customer that was temporarily put on hold is read out by the product registration device 10 after the settlement information of the next customer is output, and the product registration process for the settlement target is resumed.

[0065] In this way, in the first embodiment, if the product registration of the previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the product registration of the subsequent customer is performed first, and the settlement information of the subsequent customer is output before the settlement information of the previous customer, making it possible to complete the settlement of the subsequent customer first. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent customers from being stuck in product registration performed by the product registration device 10, and it is possible to send customers who can complete product registration first to the settlement device 20 side. As a result, it is possible to eliminate mixing of products at the entire register.

[0066] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the settlement of the settlement target that was released from the pending state could be completed by the store clerk's operation at the product registration device 10 or at the settlement device 20. However, the settlement target is put on hold because some unusual circumstances have arisen for the customer, and such a customer is likely to have difficulty completing the settlement by their own operation at the settlement device 20. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the settlement of the settlement target that has been put on hold is controlled to be completed at the product registration device 10 under the operation of the store clerk. The following describes the POS register system 1 in the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same contents as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0067] [Processing configuration] Fig. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment further includes an operation control unit 18 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The operation control unit 18 is also realized as a software element by, for example, the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3.

[0068] The operation control unit 18 controls the output control unit 14 not to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put into a pending state, and the settlement processing unit 15 executes the settlement processing of the settlement information. For example, the operation control unit 18 instructs the display control unit 13 to set the operation button for outputting the settlement information for the settlement object whose pending state has been released (for example, the "transaction output" buttons B1 and B8 in Figs. 3 and 5) to a non-displayed or inoperable state. In addition, when an instruction to output the settlement information is given by keyboard operation, voice operation, or the like, the operation control unit 18 may control so that such operations are not accepted, or may output a message indicating that the output of the settlement information is impossible in response to the detection of such operations. Such an example is a control that makes it impossible to output the settlement information. According to this control, the store clerk is forced to perform an operation to complete the settlement on the product registration device 10, and as a result, the settlement processing unit 15 executes the settlement processing of the settlement information.

[0069] Furthermore, the operation control unit 18 may forcibly operate the settlement processing unit 15 when the registration of all products as settlement targets for which the pending state has been released has been completed. This control results in settlement information not being output by the output control unit 14. For example, even if an operation for outputting settlement information is detected, the operation control unit 18 forcibly operates the settlement processing unit 15 to display the accounting screen of FIG. 5.

[0070] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 6B and Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same steps as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6A. Since each step is similar to the processing content of each processing module, the details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0071] In the example of Fig. 8, when the hold state of the settlement target is released (S66), the product registration device 10 sets the "Transaction Output" button B1 on the product registration screen shown in Fig. 3 and the "Transaction Output" button B8 on the checkout screen shown in Fig. 5 to an inoperable state (S80). As a result, the determination result of (S74) shown in Fig. 6B will no longer indicate "YES", and (S75), (S76), and (S77) will not be executed. As a result, the product registration device 10 will execute (S73) for the settlement target whose hold state has been released, and complete the settlement.

[0072] [Functions and Effects of the Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the payment for the pending payment is completed in the product registration device 10 without payment information being output. As described above, the payment is placed on hold because some unusual circumstances have arisen for the customer, and such a customer is likely to have difficulty completing the payment by operating the payment device 20 on his / her own. According to the second embodiment, the payment for such a customer is completed in the product registration device 10 under the operation of a store clerk, thereby improving the convenience of the cash register for customers.

[0073] [Third embodiment] In the first embodiment, if the product registration of a previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the settlement target of that customer is put on hold, and the product registration of the subsequent customer is made possible. In the third embodiment, instead of putting the settlement target on hold, the information registered as the settlement target is sent to another product registration device 10. The following describes the POS register system 1 in the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same contents as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0074] [System Configuration] The POS register system 1 in the third embodiment includes at least a plurality of product registration devices 10, in addition to a settlement device 20 and a server device 30. At least one product registration device 10 among the plurality of product registration devices 10 is distinguished from the other product registration devices 10 and is referred to as a support product registration device 10. The support product registration device 10 may have the same hardware configuration as the other product registration devices 10.

[0075] [Processing configuration] Fig. 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment further includes a transmission processing unit 19 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The transmission processing unit 19 is also realized as a software element, for example, by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3. Note that the support product registration device 10 only needs to have the same configuration as the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment, and does not need to include the transmission processing unit 19.

[0076] When a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the settlement target of the current customer, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits the registration information of the settlement target of the current customer to the support product registration device 10. The transmitted registration information includes information of the product registered as the settlement target by the registration unit 11. Specifically, each time information of an individual product is acquired, if the registration unit 11 stores the information as settlement information in the transaction storage unit 12, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits the settlement information stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as the registration information. Also, if information of all products to be settled is stored collectively as settlement information in the transaction storage unit 12, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits information of the products held as the settlement target by the registration unit 11 as the registration information.

[0077] The predetermined operation that triggers the transmission of the registration information is not limited. For example, the predetermined operation may be an operation on a screen, an operation on an input device such as a keyboard, etc. The predetermined operation may be an operation on the "Suspend" button B3 on the product registration screen shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] The support product registration device 10 receives the registration information transmitted by the transmission processing unit 19, and displays a product registration screen based on the registration information. In other respects, each processing module of the support product registration device 10 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment.

[0079] In this way, the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment may not have the function of holding the settlement object and releasing the held state, or may have that function as in the first embodiment and further have the function of transmitting registration information to the supporting product registration device 10.

[0080] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 10A and 10B. Figs. 10A and 10B are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment. In Figs. 10A and 10B, the same steps as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 6A and 6B. Since each step is similar to the processing content of each processing module, the details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0081] In the third embodiment, when an operation on the "Hold" button B3 on the product registration screen shown in FIG. 3 is detected (S62; YES) (S63; YES), the product registration device 10 transmits the registration information of the current settlement target to the support product registration device 10 (S100). This registration information is as described above (transmission processing unit 19). As a result, the customer moves from the product registration device 10 in which the product is currently being registered to the front of the support product registration device 10, and performs product registration in the support product registration device 10. The support product registration device 10 may complete the settlement by itself, or may output the settlement information for the settlement device 20.

[0082] In the example shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the product registration device 10 does not have the function of suspending the payment target and releasing the suspended state, so (S78) shown in Figure 6B is omitted in Figure 10B. In other words, the product registration device 10 starts registering the next product to be substituted after executing the payment process by itself (S73) or outputting the payment information (S77).

[0083] [Functions and Effects of the Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, if a situation arises where the product registration of a subsequent customer should proceed ahead of the current customer, the information registered as the settlement target of the current customer is sent to another product registration device 10 (for support) in the middle of the registration of the settlement target of the current customer. As a result, the product registration of the current customer is performed in the support product registration device 10 to which the registration information is sent, and the product registration of the subsequent customer is newly started in the product registration device 10. As a result, even in the third embodiment, if the product registration of the previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the product registration of the subsequent customer can be performed first, thereby preventing customers from accumulating at the product registration device 10.

[0084] [Fourth embodiment] The following describes a product registration device and a payment support method according to the fourth embodiment. The fourth embodiment may be a program that causes at least one computer to execute the payment support method, or a recording medium that records such a program and is readable by the at least one computer.

[0085] The merchandise registration device 100 in the fourth embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the merchandise registration device 10 shown in FIG. Fig. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of the product registration device 100 in the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 11, the product registration device 100 has a registration unit 101 and an output control unit 102. The registration unit 101 and the output control unit 102 are realized, for example, by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3. The program may also be installed, for example, from a portable recording medium such as a CD or a memory card or another computer on a network via the communication unit 4 and stored in the memory 3.

[0086] The registration unit 101 registers products as items to be settled. Specifically, the registration unit 101 obtains information on products brought to the register by a customer by reading barcodes or tags, etc., and holds or stores the information in a storage unit such as the transaction storage unit 12. Information on products registered as items to be settled by the registration unit 101 is displayed on the display device 6 connected to the product registration device 100 via a product registration screen or the like.

[0087] The registration unit 101 starts registering the payment target of the second customer in the middle of registering the payment target of the first customer. In this case, the first customer is the customer whose product registration has started first, and the second customer is the customer next in line to the first customer. A specific example of the registration unit 101 is the registration unit 11 described above.

[0088] The output control unit 102 outputs settlement information used by the settlement device when settling the items registered as items to be settled. The output control unit 102 then outputs the settlement information of the second customer (subsequent customer) before the settlement information of the first customer (earlier customer). As described in the first and second embodiments, the settlement information of the first customer (earlier customer) may be output from the product registration device 100, or the settlement may be completed at the product registration device 100 without being output from the product registration device 100. A specific example of the output control unit 102 is the output control unit 14 described above.

[0089] 11, the product registration device 100 does not have to have the display control unit 13, the settlement processing unit 15, and the transaction storage unit 12 in each of the above-mentioned embodiments. If the product registration device 100 does not have the settlement processing unit 15, the product registration device 100 cannot complete the settlement by itself.

[0090] The payment assistance method in the fourth embodiment is executed by the product registration device 100. The payment assistance method in the fourth embodiment includes starting registration of a payment target for a second customer in the middle of registration of a payment target for a first customer, and outputting payment information for the second customer prior to outputting payment information for the first customer.

[0091] In the fourth embodiment, registration of a payment target for a second customer is started in the middle of registration of a payment target for a first customer, and the payment information for the second customer is output before the payment information for the first customer so that the payment device can use it for payment processing. In this way, if the product registration for the first customer is delayed, the second customer can be sent to the payment device first to complete payment, and as a result, customers can be prevented from being stuck in product registration.

[0092] In the above description, the steps (processes) are described in order in the flowcharts, but the order of steps in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as the content is not affected. In addition, the above embodiments can be combined as long as the content is not contradictory.

[0093] Some or all of the above contents may be specified as follows. However, the above contents are not limited to the following descriptions.

[0094] 1. A registration means for registering a product as a checkout target; an output control means for outputting settlement information used by a settlement device when making a settlement for the product registered as a settlement target; Equipped with The registration means starts registering a payment object of a second customer in the middle of registering a payment object of a first customer, The output control means outputs the settlement information of the second customer prior to the settlement information of the first customer. Product registration device. 2. The output control means outputs the settlement information of the first customer after outputting the settlement information of the second customer. 1. A product registration device as described in claim 1. 3. A settlement processing means for performing settlement processing of the settlement object registered by the registration means; an operation control means for controlling the settlement processing means to execute a settlement process for the first customer's settlement target without outputting the settlement information of the first customer when the settlement information of the second customer is output prior to the settlement information of the first customer; 2. The product registration device according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. A transmission processing means for transmitting registration information of the first customer's payment object to another product registration device when a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the payment object of the first customer; 4. The product registration device according to any one of 1. to 3., further comprising:

[0095] 5. A payment support method executed by a product registration device that registers a product as a payment target and outputs payment information used by a payment device to perform payment processing for the product, In the middle of registering a payment object for a first customer, you start registering a payment object for a second customer, outputting the settlement information of the second customer prior to the settlement information of the first customer; A settlement support method including the steps of: 6. After outputting the settlement information of the second customer, output the settlement information of the first customer. The settlement assistance method described in 5. further includes the steps of: 7. If the settlement information of the second customer is output before the settlement information of the first customer, the settlement information of the first customer is not output, and settlement processing for the settlement target of the first customer is performed. The settlement assistance method described in 5. further includes the steps of: 8. When a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the settlement object of the first customer, the registration information of the settlement object of the first customer is transmitted to another product registration device. The settlement assistance method described in any one of 5. to 7. further includes the steps of:

[0096] 9. A program for causing at least one computer to execute the settlement assistance method described in any one of 5. to 8.

[0097] 10. A product registration device according to any one of 1. to 4.; The settlement device; A cash register system including. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 POS register system 2 CPU 3. Memory 6 Display device 7 Input / Output Devices 10, 100 Product registration device 11, 101 Registration Department 12 Transaction Storage Unit 13 Display control section 14, 102 Output control section 15. Payment Processing Section 18 Operation control section 19 Transmission processing unit 20 Payment device 30 Server device

Claims

1. An information processing system including a product registration device operated by a store clerk and a support product registration device, The product registration device includes: A registration means for registering a product as a checkout target; a reception means for receiving an instruction to suspend payment for the product registered as the payment target; a writing means for writing information on the product to be settled that has been put on hold or identification information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold, into a portable medium when the instruction to put on hold is received by the receiving means; a settlement processing means for performing settlement processing of the settlement object, The support product registration device a payment processing means for performing payment for the product to be paid for by reading the portable medium; Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, a server device connected to the product registration device and the support product registration device, the product registration device further includes a transmission processing means for transmitting information on the reserved product to the support product registration device via the server device; The writing means of the product registration device writes identification information of the product information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold into the portable medium, The settlement processing means of the support product registration device, when reading the portable medium, obtains information on the reserved product via the server device and settles the account.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The support product registration device An information processing system operated by a person other than the store clerk who operates the product registration device.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The product registration device includes: and an output control means for receiving, when a customer uses a settlement device to settle the commodity registered as the settlement target, a designation of a settlement device to be operated by the customer from among a plurality of settlement devices through a predetermined operation, and outputting settlement information to the settlement device designated by the predetermined operation, In this information processing system, when the hold on the settlement object that has been put on hold is released, the output control means outputs a message indicating that it is impossible to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold when the specified operation is detected.

5. 5. The information processing system according to claim 4, The product registration device includes: The method further includes a settlement processing means for performing settlement processing of the settlement target whose reservation has been released. Information processing system.

6. A computer that realizes a product registration device operated by a store clerk, A registration process for registering products for checkout; A reception process for receiving an instruction to suspend the payment for the product registered as the payment target; a write process of writing information on the product to be settled that has been put on hold or identification information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold to a portable medium when the instruction to put on hold is received by the reception process; A program for executing the above.

7. A computer implementing a support product registration device, A program for executing a settlement process by reading a portable medium having written thereon information about a product that is subject to settlement and that is put on hold, or identification information about the information about a product that is subject to settlement and that is put on hold, using the product registration device described in claim 6, thereby settling the product that is subject to settlement.

8. One or more computers implementing a product registration device operated by a store clerk, Register the product as a payment item, Accept an instruction to suspend payment for the product registered as the payment target, writing, when receiving the instruction to hold, information on the product to be settled that has been put on hold or identification information of the product to be settled that has been put on hold into a portable medium; One or more computers implementing a support product registration device, A payment support method for performing payment for the product to be paid for by reading the portable medium.

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