Registration / settlement device and information processing program

Abstract

To make it possible to easily switch full-self registration / settlement and semi-self registration / settlement.SOLUTION: A registration / settlement device includes first determination means, second determination means, determination control means, and settlement means. The first determination means determines a content of a transaction concerned with a settlement in accordance with the operation by a first operator. The second determination means determines a content of a transaction in accordance with the operation by a second operator. The determination control means controls the first and second determination means to validate either one of them and switches the determination means validated with respect to the determination relating to a content of a transaction to be started later, according to the button operation by the second operator before the start of the determination relating to the content of one transaction. The settlement means decides a settlement amount about the content of the transaction determined by either one of the first and second determination means, which is validated by the determination control means, to perform the settlement processing for settling the settlement amount in accordance with the operation by the first operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a registered settlement device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Self-service registration and settlement devices are known in which a customer performs both an operation for registering the contents of a transaction, such as registering a product to be purchased in a product list, and an operation for settling the transaction. However, there are cases where a store clerk must perform the registration procedure, such as when a customer is unfamiliar with the process and is unable to perform the registration procedure, or when the purchased item is an item that is not permitted to be sold if registered by the customer. For these reasons, it was desirable to be able to easily switch between a so-called full-self-service system, in which all operations from registration to payment are performed by the customer, and a so-called semi-self-service system, in which operations related to registration are performed by a store clerk and operations related to payment are performed by the customer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Application No. 2010-86202 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a registered settlement device and an information processing program that can easily switch between full-self and semi-self modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The registered payment device of the embodiment includes a first determination means, a second determination means, a determination control means, and a payment means. The first determination means determines the content of the transaction to be settled in response to an operation by a first operator. The second determination means determines the content of the transaction in response to an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered payment device from the first operator. The determination control means controls the first determination means and the second determination means to make one of them valid, and switches the determination means to be valid for the determination of the content of a transaction to be started thereafter in response to a button operation by the second operator before the start of the determination of the content of one transaction. The payment means determines the payment amount for the content of the transaction determined by the one of the first determination means and the second determination means that is made valid by the determination control means, and performs a payment process to settle the payment amount in response to the operation by the first operator. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a POS terminal device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the POS terminal device in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor in FIG. 2; [Diagram 5] 3 is a flowchart of information processing by a processor in FIG. 2; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a switching screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, a POS (point-of-sale) terminal device will be described as an example of a registered payment device.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a POS terminal device 100 according to this embodiment. The POS terminal device 100 is placed at a cash register counter that separates the clerk's workspace from the sales floor. The POS terminal device 100 is operated by the clerk and the customer. The clerk who operates the POS terminal device 100 is located at the back right side in Fig. 1. The customer who operates the POS terminal device 100 is located at the front left side in Fig. 1. Therefore, hereinafter, the back right side and the front left side in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the clerk side and the customer side, respectively.

[0009] The POS terminal device 100 comprises a customer-side touch panel 1, a fixed scanner 2, a coin unit 3, a banknote unit 4, a credit card reader 5, a near-field communication unit 6, a prepaid card reader / writer (prepaid card R / W) 7, a receipt printer 8, a store clerk-side touch panel 9, a sub-touch panel 10, and a keyboard 11.

[0010] The customer-side touch panel 1 is provided facing the customer side as shown in Fig. 1. The customer-side touch panel 1 displays a screen for presenting information to customers. The customer-side touch panel 1 also inputs instructions by customers touching the screen. The customer-side touch panel 1 is an example of a first operation device and a first display device.

[0011] The fixed scanner 2 has a reading window 2a facing the customer. The fixed scanner 2 captures an image of a product held in front of the reading window 2a, and recognizes barcode information represented by a barcode formed on the product by image processing. The fixed scanner 2 then outputs the recognized barcode information to a processor 12, which will be described later. The fixed scanner 2 may also use other types of well-known devices that optically read barcodes using reflection of laser light. The fixed scanner 2 may also use other types of well-known devices that have a function of identifying a product by using object recognition technology from an image of the product itself obtained by capturing an image of the product. The fixed scanner 2 is an example of a first operation device.

[0012] The coin unit 3 includes a coin insertion port 3a, a coin discharge port 3b, and a coin tray 3c. The coin insertion port 3a is formed so that coins can be inserted from the customer side. The coin unit 3 stores coins inserted from the coin insertion port 3a in an internal storage box while counting the value of the coins. The coin unit 3 discharges coins stored in the storage box to the coin tray 3c via the coin discharge port 3b. The coin tray 3c is formed so that coins can be removed from the customer side.

[0013] The bill unit 4 includes a bill insertion slot 4a and a bill discharge slot 4b. The bill insertion slot 4a is formed so that bills can be inserted from the customer side. The bill unit 4 stores bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 4a in an internal storage while counting the amount of the bills. The bill unit 4 discharges bills stored in the storage from the bill discharge slot 4b. The bill discharge slot 4b holds the discharged bills with a portion of the bill exposed to the outside. The bill discharge slot 4b is formed so that the bills held as described above can be removed from the customer side.

[0014] The credit card reader 5 reads card information from a credit card slid along the slit 5a. The credit card reader 5 is disposed with the slit 5a facing the customer side so that a customer positioned on the customer side can easily slide his / her credit card through the slit 5a.

[0015] The near-field communication unit 6 is provided to form a communication range on the customer side. The near-field communication unit 6 performs near-field wireless communication with a wireless tag brought close from the customer side, and acquires data stored in the wireless tag. The near-field communication unit 6 also writes arbitrary information to the wireless tag through the near-field wireless communication.

[0016] The prepaid card reader / writer 7 includes a slot 7a. The prepaid card reader / writer 7 reads card data magnetically recorded on a prepaid card inserted into the slot 7a. The prepaid card reader / writer 7 also writes any data onto the prepaid card inserted into the slot 7a.

[0017] The receipt printer 8 prints a receipt image on receipt paper, and then discharges the receipt paper with the printed receipt image from the receipt discharge port 8a to the outside.

[0018] The store clerk-side touch panel 9 is provided facing the store clerk. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 displays a screen for presenting information to the store clerk. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 also inputs instructions by the store clerk touching the screen. The store clerk-side touch panel 9 is an example of a second operation device and a second display device.

[0019] The sub-touch panel 10 is provided facing the store clerk. The sub-touch panel 10 displays a screen for presenting information to the store clerk. The sub-touch panel 10 also inputs instructions by the store clerk's touch operation on the screen. The sub-touch panel 10 is an example of a second operation device and a second display device.

[0020] The keyboard 11 has many keys for easy operation by a store clerk located on the store clerk side. The keyboard 11 inputs instructions from the store clerk by pressing these keys. The keyboard 11 is an example of a second operation device.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal device 100. In Fig. 2, the same elements as those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0022] The POS terminal 100 includes a processor 12, a main memory unit 13, an auxiliary memory unit 14, a handy scanner 15, a communication unit 16, and a transmission path 17 in addition to the elements shown in FIG. The elements shown in FIG. 1, that is, the processor 12, the main memory unit 13, the auxiliary memory unit 14, the handy scanner 15, and the communication unit 16, are connected to a transmission line 17.

[0023] The processor 12 , the main memory unit 13 and the auxiliary memory unit 14 are connected via a transmission line 17 to constitute a computer that executes information processing for controlling the POS terminal device 100 . The processor 12 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 12 controls each part of the POS terminal 100 to realize various functions of the POS terminal 100 based on information processing programs such as an operating system, middleware, and application programs stored in the main storage unit 13 and the auxiliary storage unit 14.

[0024] The main memory unit 13 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 13 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory unit 13 stores the above-mentioned information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory unit 13 may also store data required for the processor 12 to execute various information processes in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory unit 13 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 12.

[0025] The auxiliary storage unit 14 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage unit 14 is, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), etc. The auxiliary storage unit 14 stores data used by the processor 12 in performing various information processing, and data generated by the processing in the processor 12. The auxiliary storage unit 14 may also store the above-mentioned information processing program.

[0026] The handheld scanner 15 is held by an operator and optically reads a barcode placed in front of a reading port of the handheld scanner 15. The handheld scanner 15 outputs barcode information represented by the read barcode to the processor 12.

[0027] The communication unit 16 performs communication processing for the processor 12 to transmit and receive various data to and from any device, such as a POS server, via the communication network 200. A LAN (local area network) is typically used as the communication network 200. However, in addition to a LAN, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, and the like can also be used as the communication network 200, either alone or in appropriate combination. A well-known device conforming to the communication method of the communication network 200 can be used as the communication unit 16. The transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The transmission path 17 transmits data and signals exchanged between each of the components connected thereto.

[0028] The basic hardware of the POS terminal 100 may be that of another existing POS terminal. In this case, the transfer of the POS terminal 100 is generally performed in a state where an information processing program describing information processing, which will be described later, is stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. However, the hardware of the POS terminal 100 and the information processing program may be transferred separately in a state where the information processing program is not stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. The information processing program may be written in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14 in response to an operation by an administrator of the POS terminal 100 or the like. The information processing program may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0029] Next, the operation of the POS terminal device 100 configured as above will be described. When the POS terminal device 100 is started up in an operation mode for registration and settlement, the processor 12 performs information processing, which will be described below, in accordance with an information processing program stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14 .

[0030] 3, 4, and 5 are flowcharts of information processing by the processor 12. Note that the contents of the processing described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processing, omit some of the processing, or add other processing, as appropriate.

[0031] In Act 1, the processor 12 clears the product list. The product list is data showing a list of products that have been registered as purchased products. The product list is stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. In Act 2, the processor 12 resets the mode flag. When the mode flag is in a reset state, it indicates that the semi-self-service mode is applied, and when the mode flag is in a set state, it indicates that the full-self-service mode is applied. The mode flag is stored in the main storage unit 13 or the auxiliary storage unit 14. That is, the processor 12 sets the semi-self-service mode immediately after starting operation in the above-mentioned operation mode. As will be described later, the semi-self-service mode does not restrict operations by the store clerk as compared to the full-self-service mode.

[0032] In Act 3, the processor 12 displays a standby screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but it is assumed that the screen displays an advertisement, for example. The standby screen does not include any operation element for registering the purchased item.

[0033] In Act 4, the processor 12 displays a home screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9. The home screen is a basic screen for the store clerk to perform operations for registering purchased items. The store clerk can perform operations for specifying the purchased items on this home screen or on another screen to which the store clerk can transition from this home screen.

[0034] In Act 5, the processor 12 displays a keyboard screen on the sub-touch panel 10. The keyboard screen is a screen that represents a software keyboard consisting of an array of multiple images (hereinafter referred to as buttons) each of which resembles a button. Various functions are assigned to each of the multiple buttons, and the buttons serve as operators for designating the assigned functions.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a keyboard screen SC1. On the keyboard screen SC1, a plurality of buttons such as button BU1 and button BU2 are arranged. Note that, although not designated by a reference symbol, any object having the same shape as button BU1 or button BU2 is also a button.

[0036] Each button on the keyboard screen SC1 is assigned a function in advance. The switch button BU3 is assigned a function that allows the operator to instruct switching to the full self mode. The switch button BU3 displays the character string "Self Switch" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also displays a character string indicating the assigned function, but the character strings are omitted from FIG. 6.

[0037] In Act 6, the processor 12 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. If no such designation has been made, the processor 12 determines that the decision is No and proceeds to Act 7. In Act 7, the processor 12 checks whether or not the switching button BU3 has been touched. If the processor 12 cannot check that the switching button BU3 has been touched, the result is No, and the process returns to Act 6. Thus, in Act 6 and Act 7, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or for the switching button BU3 to be touched. In this standby state and in the standby state described below, processor 12 may also check whether or not another instruction operation has been performed. If processor 12 checks that such an instruction operation has been performed, it transitions to a process corresponding to that operation.

[0038] A customer picks up an item to be purchased from the sales floor and takes it to the cash register. A store clerk who operates the POS terminal device 100 is positioned on the workspace side, with the POS terminal device 100 between them and the customer who is positioned on the sales floor side. The store clerk performs an operation to designate the item that the customer has brought to the cash register counter as a purchased item, using the store clerk touch panel 9 and the handy scanner 15. The operation by the store clerk at this time may be the same as that performed on another existing POS terminal device. If an operation to designate the item as a purchased item has been performed, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 6 and proceeds to Act 8.

[0039] As described above, the standby screen does not include any operation element for registering a purchased item, so that an operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the customer-side touch panel 1. Furthermore, the processor 12 does not use the recognition result of the fixed scanner 2 to register a purchased item. In other words, in the semi-self mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the operation of a store clerk as the second operator, the processor 12 disables the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 as the first operation device. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 12 as the central part functions as a disabling means. By disabling the customer-side touch panel 1 and the fixed scanner 2 in this way, it is possible to prevent the customer from erroneously registering a purchased item through the customer's operation.

[0040] In Act 8, the processor 12 updates the product list to include the product specified by the above operation. Note that the product list is, for example, a list of product codes for identifying products. Therefore, the processor 12 adds the product code for identifying the specified product to the product list.

[0041] In Act 9, the processor 12 displays a summary screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The summary screen is a screen that shows an overview of the current status of the registration of purchased items according to the contents of the product list at this point in time. The summary screen shows, for example, the product name, unit price, and quantity of the product that was most recently registered as a purchased item, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered items, and the total amount for the registered items. The summary screen does not include any operation elements for registering purchased items.

[0042] In Act 10, the processor 12 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9. The details screen is a screen showing details of the current status of the registration of purchased items according to the contents of the product list at this point in time. For example, the details screen shows a list of the product names, unit prices, and quantities of each product registered as purchased items, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered items, and the total amount of the registered items.

[0043] In Act 11, the processor 12 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. If no such designation has been made, the processor 12 determines that the decision is No and proceeds to Act 12. In Act 12, the processor 12 checks whether or not a payment instruction has been issued. If the processor 12 cannot check that a payment instruction has been issued, the result is No, and the process returns to Act 11. Thus, in Act 11 and Act 12, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or for a payment to be instructed.

[0044] When a customer brings multiple items to the cash register, the store clerk performs an operation to designate the second and subsequent items as purchased items while the processor 12 is in the standby state for Act 11 and Act 12. If such an operation is performed, the processor 12 judges Yes in Act 11 and executes Acts 8 to 10 as described above. As a result, each of the multiple items brought by the customer to the cash register is added to the item list. Note that, since the overview screen does not include an operation element for registering purchased items as described above, an operation to designate an item as a purchased item is not performed on the customer-side touch panel 1. Furthermore, the processor 12 does not use the recognition result of the fixed scanner 2 to register the purchased items.

[0045] Thus, the processor 12 determines the content of the transaction, i.e., which product is being bought and sold, in response to the operation by the store clerk as the second operator who is positioned on the opposite side of the POS terminal device 100 from the customer as the first operator. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 12 as its central part functions as the second determination means for making the above determination.

[0046] When the store clerk has finished designating all the items brought to the cash register by the customer as items to be purchased, the store clerk instructs the payment by performing a predetermined operation on the store clerk's touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The operation is, for example, pressing a customer type key included in the keyboard 11. In response to the operation, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 12 and proceeds to Act 13.

[0047] In Act 13, the processor 12 displays a selection screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The selection screen is a screen for accepting an operation by a customer to select a payment method. For example, the selection screen shows a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment methods. In this embodiment, the POS terminal device 100 is capable of selectively using cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid as payment methods. For this reason, the selection screen includes four buttons each associated with cash, credit, electronic money, and prepaid. For electronic money and prepaid, a plurality of buttons each associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to each of them may be included. Alternatively, when a button associated with electronic money or prepaid is touched, the processor 12 may display a lower selection screen on the customer-side touch panel 1 showing a button each associated with a plurality of payment services belonging to that payment method.

[0048] In Act 14, the processor 12 checks whether or not a payment method has been specified. If a payment method has not been specified, the processor 12 determines the result as No and proceeds to Act 15. In Act 15, the processor 12 checks whether or not an instruction to return to registering the purchased item has been given. If no such instruction has been given, the processor 12 determines that the answer is No, and returns to Act 14. Thus, in Act 14 and Act 15, the processor 12 waits for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

[0049] If the customer wishes to add an item to the purchase, the customer instructs the customer to return to registration by a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. This operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the selection screen. If there are still items left to purchase that have not been registered, the store clerk instructs the customer to return to registration by a predetermined operation on the store clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. This operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the details screen or keyboard screen. The processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 15 in response to the operation being performed, and executes the processing from Act 9 onwards in the same manner as described above.

[0050] If the customer wishes to proceed to payment, the customer designates the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. For example, the operation is touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. In response to the operation, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 14 and proceeds to Act 31 in FIG. 5.

[0051] When the store clerk wants to switch the POS terminal device 100 to the full self-service mode, the store clerk touches the switch button BU3 displayed on the keyboard screen SC1 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. If such a touch on the switch button BU3 is made when the store clerk is in the standby state for Act 6 and Act 7, that is, when the store clerk is waiting for the start of registration of purchased items for one transaction, the processor 12 judges the answer as Yes in Act 7 and proceeds to Act 16 in FIG. In Act 16, the processor 12 changes the mode flag to a set state.

[0052] In Act 17, the processor 12 displays a guide screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The guide screen is a screen for informing the customer that the customer should perform an operation for registering the purchased item. The guide screen may show what operation should be performed to register the purchased item.

[0053] In Act 18, the processor 12 displays a standby screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9. The content of the standby screen may be arbitrary, but it is assumed that the standby screen is a screen saver screen, for example. The standby screen does not include operation elements for registering purchased items. In Act 19, the processor 12 displays a switching screen on the sub-touch panel 10. The switching screen is a screen showing a switching button.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the switching screen SC2. The switching screen SC2 has a plurality of buttons arranged thereon, such as a switching button BU11 and buttons BU12, BU13, etc. Although not designated by a reference symbol, any button having the same shape as the button BU13 is also a button.

[0055] A function is assigned to each of these buttons on the switching screen SC2 in advance. The switching button BU11 is assigned a function that allows the operator to instruct switching to semi-self mode. The switching button BU11 displays the character string "Self Switch" to indicate the assigned function. Each of the other buttons also displays a character string indicating the assigned function, but the character strings are omitted from FIG. 7. The switching screen SC2 does not include an operation element for registering purchased items. The display area of ​​the switching button BU11 is larger than that of the switching button BU3 on the keyboard screen SC1. This is because, in the full self-service mode, the number of operations by store clerks that should be accepted on the sub-touch panel 10 is smaller than in the semi-self-service mode, so the number of buttons that need to be displayed on the switching screen SC2 is also smaller, and a larger area can be used to display the switching button BU3.

[0056] In Act 20, the processor 12 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. If no such designation has been made, the processor 12 determines the answer as No and proceeds to Act 21. In Act 21, the processor 12 checks whether or not the switching button BU11 has been touched. If the processor 12 cannot check that the switching button BU11 has been touched, the result is No, and the process returns to Act 20. Thus, in Act 20 and Act 21, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or for the switching button BU11 to be touched.

[0057] When the store clerk wishes to switch the POS terminal device 100 to the semi-self mode, the store clerk touches the switching button BU11 displayed on the switching screen SC2 displayed on the sub-touch panel 10. If such a touch on the switching button BU11 is made while the store clerk is in the standby state for Act 20 and Act 21, that is, while the store clerk is waiting for the start of registration of purchased items for one transaction, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 21 and proceeds to Act 22. In Act 22, the processor 12 resets the mode flag, and then executes Act 3 and subsequent steps in the same manner as described above.

[0058] As described above, in Acts 7 and 16, or in Acts 21 and 22, the processor 12 switches the determination means to be valid for the determination of the contents of a transaction to be started thereafter, in response to the button operation by the store clerk as the second operator before the start of the determination of the contents of a transaction. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 12 as the central part functions as a determination control means for performing such switching.

[0059] The customer who brings the product to the cash register performs an operation to designate the product as a purchased product using the customer-side touch panel 1 or the fixed scanner 2. The customer's operation at this time may be the same as that performed in other existing self-service type POS terminal devices. If the operation to designate the product as a purchased product is performed, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 20 and proceeds to Act 23.

[0060] As described above, the standby screen does not include any operation element for registering a purchased item, so that an operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the clerk-side touch panel 9. Even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 12 does not accept this as a designation of a purchased item. As described above, the switching screen SC2 does not include any operation element for registering a purchased item, so that an operation for designating a product as a purchased item is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10. That is, in the full self-service mode in which the content of the transaction to be settled is determined according to the operation by the customer as the first operator, the processor 12 disables the clerk-side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10, and the keyboard 11 as the second operation device. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, so that the computer with the processor 12 as the central part functions as a disabling means. By disabling the clerk-side touch panel 9, the sub-touch panel 10, and the keyboard 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent the clerk from erroneously registering a purchased item through the operation of the clerk.

[0061] In Act 23, the processor 12 updates the product list so as to include the product specified by the above operation. In Act 24, the processor 12 displays a details screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The details screen is a screen showing details of the current status of the registration of purchased items according to the contents of the product list at this point in time. For example, the details screen shows a list of the names, unit prices, and quantities of each of the products registered as purchased items, the total amount of discounts applied to the registered items, and the total amount of the registered items.

[0062] In Act 25, the processor 12 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9. The details screen displayed on the store clerk's touch panel 9 indicates the same information as that displayed in Act 10, and also indicates that the store clerk is in full self mode. The details screen displayed on the store clerk's touch panel 9 does not include operation elements for registering purchased items.

[0063] In Act 26, the processor 12 checks whether or not a product to be registered as a purchased product has been designated. If no such designation has been made, the processor 12 determines that the decision is No and proceeds to Act 27. In Act 27, the processor 12 checks whether or not a payment instruction has been issued. If the processor 12 cannot check that a payment instruction has been issued, the result is No, and the process returns to Act 26. Thus, in Act 26 and Act 27, the processor 12 waits for a product to be specified or for a payment to be instructed.

[0064] When a customer brings multiple products to the cash register, the customer performs an operation to designate the second or subsequent products as purchased products while the processor 12 is in the standby state of Act26 and Act27. If such an operation is performed, the processor 12 judges Yes in Act26 and executes Act23 to Act25 as described above. As a result, the multiple products brought by the customer to the cash register are added to the product list. Since the detailed screen displayed on the clerk's touch panel 9 does not include an operation element for registering purchased products as described above, an operation to designate a product as a purchased product is not performed on the clerk's touch panel 9. Furthermore, even if the keyboard 11 is operated, the processor 12 does not accept this as a designation of a purchased product. Furthermore, since the switching screen SC2 does not include an operation element for registering purchased products as described above, an operation to designate a product as a purchased product is not performed on the sub-touch panel 10.

[0065] Thus, the processor 12 determines the content of the transaction, i.e., which product is being bought and sold, in response to the operation by the customer as the first operator. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer having the processor 12 as its central part functions as the first determination means for making the above determination.

[0066] When the customer has finished designating all the products brought to the cash register as the products to be purchased, he / she instructs payment by a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching a button included in a details screen displayed on the customer-side touch panel 1. In response to the operation, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 27 and proceeds to Act 28. In Act 28, the processor 12 displays a selection screen similar to that in Act 13 on the customer's touch panel 1.

[0067] In Act 29, the processor 12 checks whether or not a payment method has been specified. If a payment method has not been specified, the processor 12 determines the result as No and proceeds to Act 30. In Act 30, the processor 12 checks whether or not an instruction to return to registering the purchased item has been given. If no such instruction has been given, the processor 12 determines that the answer is No, and returns to Act 29. Thus, in Act 29 and Act 30, the processor 12 waits for a payment method to be specified or for an instruction to return to registration.

[0068] If the customer wishes to add an item to the purchase, the customer instructs the customer to return to registration by performing a predetermined operation on the customer-side touch panel 1. The operation is, for example, touching the back button displayed on the selection screen. The processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 30 in response to the operation being performed, and executes the process from Act 24 onward in the same manner as described above.

[0069] If the customer wishes to proceed to payment, the customer designates the payment method to be used by performing a predetermined operation on the selection screen. For example, the operation is touching a button displayed on the selection screen as being associated with the payment method to be used. In response to the operation, the processor 12 judges "Yes" in Act 29 and proceeds to Act 31 in FIG. 5.

[0070] As described above, when the processor 12 confirms in Act 14 in the semi-self mode, or in Act 29 in the full-self mode, that a payment method has been specified, the processor 12 proceeds to Act 31 in FIG. 5.

[0071] In Act 31, the processor 12 displays a payment screen on the customer's touch panel 1. The payment screen shows the amount to be paid and provides instructions on how to make the payment. There are multiple types of payment screens predefined, each corresponding to a different payment method. The processor 12 displays the payment screen associated with the specified payment method on the customer's touch panel 1. When displaying the payment screen, the processor 12 determines the payment amount for the sale of the purchased item registered in the item list.

[0072] In Act 32, the processor 12 displays a details screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9. The details screen may be the same as the details screen displayed in Act 10 or Act 25. However, the details screen displayed in Act 32 is a screen indicating that the customer is making a payment.

[0073] In Act 33, the processor 12 activates a payment device according to the specified payment method. For example, when cash is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the coin unit 3 and the bill unit 4. For example, when credit is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the credit card reader 5. For example, when electronic money is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the near-field communication unit 6. For example, when prepaid is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 activates the prepaid card reader / writer 7.

[0074] In Act 34, the processor 12 waits for an operation for payment according to the specified payment method. For example, when cash is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 judges "Yes" when coins and bills are inserted into the coin unit 3 and the bill unit 4. For example, when credit is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 judges "Yes" when a credit card is slid through the slit 5a of the credit card reader 5. For example, when electronic money is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 judges "Yes" when a wireless tag for electronic money is brought into proximity with the near-field communication unit 6. For example, when prepaid is specified as the payment method, the processor 12 judges "Yes" when a prepaid card is inserted into the slot 7a of the prepaid card reader / writer 7. If the processor 12 judges "Yes", it proceeds to Act 35.

[0075] In Act 35, the processor 12 performs a payment process. Specifically, the processor 12 executes a process for paying the payment amount determined in Act 31 using the specified payment method, for example, in a well-known manner. In this way, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 12 as the central part functions as a payment means.

[0076] In Act 36, the processor 12 stops the payment device activated in Act 33. In Act 37, the processor 12 controls the receipt printer 8 to issue a receipt on receipt paper on which a receipt image showing the details of the current transaction and the result of the settlement is printed. In Act 38, the processor 12 clears the product list. In Act 39, the processor 12 displays an end screen on the customer-side touch panel 1. The end screen is a screen that notifies the customer that the transaction has been completed.

[0077] In Act 40, the processor 12 checks whether the mode flag is in a reset state. If the mode flag is in a reset state, the processor 12 judges it as Yes, and returns to Act 3 in Fig. 3. If the mode flag is in a set state, the processor 12 judges it as No, and returns to Act 17 in Fig. 4.

[0078] In addition, when an event occurs that requires maintenance such as replacement of receipt paper or replenishing or collecting coins, the processor 12 displays an error screen to notify that maintenance is required. When the mode flag is in a reset state, that is, when the device is in the semi-self-service mode, the processor 12 displays an error screen for the clerk on the clerk-side touch panel 9. The clerk performs maintenance in response to this error screen. When the mode flag is in a set state, that is, when the device is in the full-self-service mode, the processor 12 displays an error screen for the customer on the customer-side touch panel 1. Furthermore, when the device is in the full-self-service mode, the processor 12 also displays an error screen for the clerk on the clerk-side touch panel 9. The error screen for the clerk includes a release key for canceling the display of the error screen. The customer calls the clerk in response to the display of the error screen for the customer. The called clerk checks the situation using the error screen for the clerk, performs maintenance as appropriate, and then uses the release key to instruct the device to cancel the display of each error screen. The processor 12 cancels the display of each error screen in response to the instruction. Thus, the processor 12 executes information processing based on the information processing program, and the computer with the processor 12 as its central part functions as a display control means.

[0079] As described above, according to the POS terminal device 100, the processor 12 registers the purchased items in Act 3 to Act 12, and then performs the payment and related processes in Act 13 to Act 15 and Act 31 to Act 39. As a result, the registration is performed according to the operation of the store clerk, and the payment is performed according to the operation of the customer, respectively, thereby realizing the semi-self-service mode. The processor 12 also registers the purchased items in Act 17 to Act 27, and then performs the payment and related processes in Act 28 to Act 39. As a result, the registration and the payment are both performed according to the operation of the customer, respectively, thereby realizing the full-self-service mode. The processor 12 switches between the semi-self-service mode and the full-self-service mode in response to a touch operation on the switch button BU3 or the switch button BU11. In this way, the POS terminal device 100 can easily switch between the full-self-service mode and the semi-self-service mode.

[0080] In addition, according to the POS terminal device 100, in the semi-self-service mode, purchased items are not registered in response to operations on the customer's touch panel 1 and fixed scanner 2, so that it is possible to prevent purchased items from being erroneously registered in response to operations by the customer.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the POS terminal device 100, in the full self-service mode, purchased items are not registered in response to operations on the store clerk's touch panel 9, sub-touch panel 10, and keyboard 11, so that it is possible to prevent purchased items from being erroneously registered in response to operations by the store clerk.

[0082] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. The above embodiment can also be implemented in a different registration and settlement device such as a cash register. The switching button for switching from the semi-selfie mode to the full selfie mode and the switching button for switching from the full selfie mode to the semi-selfie mode may be the same button.

[0083] The switching button may be displayed on the screen of the touch panel 9 on the store clerk side, or may be provided on the keyboard 11. The processor 12 may switch from the semi-selfie mode to the full-selfie mode only in the responsible person registration state. When switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, the processor 12 may record that in the electronic journal. At this time, the processor 12 may also record the name or identification code of the person in charge in the electronic journal.

[0084] When switching from the semi-self-service mode to the full-self-service mode, the processor 12 may display a message such as "Switching to full-self-service mode. Are you sure?" and may pop up a confirmation screen showing a "Yes" button and a "No" button on the store clerk's touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The processor 12 may switch the mode if the "Yes" button is touched, and may not switch the mode if the "No" button is touched.

[0085] The processor 12 may not switch the mode if the coin unit 3 and the banknote unit 4 are in a disconnected state error. In this case, the processor 12 may display a screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 showing a warning message such as "Mode switching is not possible because the change dispenser is not connected."

[0086] The processor 12 may automatically input a predetermined number, such as "999", as the person in charge number when switching from the semi-selfie mode to the full-selfie mode. The processor 12 may turn off the automatic person in charge cancellation function when switching from the semi-self mode to the full-self mode. The automatic person in charge cancellation function is a function that erases the person in charge number that has been set and automatically cancels the person in charge registration state if no operation is performed for a certain period of time.

[0087] Before or after switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode, the processor 12 may display a screen for prompting the store clerk to input the person in charge number on the store clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. Then, the processor 12 inputs the person in charge number in response to an operation by the store clerk on this screen.

[0088] When switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode, the processor 12 may record that in the electronic journal. At this time, the processor 12 may also record the name or identification code of the person in charge in the electronic journal.

[0089] When switching from the full self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode, the processor 12 may display a message such as "Switching to semi-self-service mode. Are you sure?" and may pop up a confirmation screen showing a "Yes" button and a "No" button on the store clerk's touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10. The processor 12 may switch the mode if the "Yes" button is touched, and may not switch the mode if the "No" button is touched.

[0090] The processor 12 may check the status of the coin unit 3 and the banknote unit 4 when switching from the full-self-service mode to the semi-self-service mode. If there is a separation error, the processor 12 may display a screen on the clerk-side touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 showing a message such as "Drawer in operation".

[0091] The processor 12 may be configured to display on the screen on the store clerk's touch panel 9 in the semi-selfie mode a message indicating that the mode is the semi-selfie mode. The processor 12 may turn on the automatic responsible person release function when switching from the full self-timer mode to the semi-self-timer mode.

[0092] In full self-service mode, the processor 12 may print "Self" as the name of the responsible person on the receipt. In the full self mode, the processor 12 may record a predetermined number such as "999" as the responsible person number in the electronic journal. In this case, the processor 12 may set the responsible person name to "self" when referring to the journal.

[0093] The processor 12 may display the name of the person in charge as "SELF" on the screen displayed on the store clerk touch panel 9 or the sub-touch panel 10 in the full self-service mode. The processor 12 may prohibit the use of a responsible person number used in the full self mode as a responsible person number in the semi self mode.

[0094] In the full self-service mode, the processor 12 may employ a predetermined customer demographic as the customer demographic information. In the semi-self-service mode, the processor 12 may adopt, as customer demographic information, the customer demographic corresponding to the customer demographic key pressed by the store clerk after the product is registered.

[0095] Each function realized by the processor 12 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining the above hardware, such as the logic circuit, with software control.

[0096] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1...customer side touch panel, 2...fixed scanner, 3...coin unit, 4...banknote unit, 5...credit card reader, 6...proximity communication unit, 7...prepaid card reader / writer, 8...receipt printer, 8a...receipt outlet, 9...store attendant side touch panel, 10...sub-touch panel, 11...keyboard, 12...processor, 13...main memory unit, 14...auxiliary memory unit, 15...handheld scanner, 16...communication unit, 17...transmission path, 100...POS terminal device, 200...communication network.

Claims

1. A registered payment device, a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in response to an operation by a first operator; a second determination means for determining the content of the transaction in response to an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered settlement device from the first operator; a determination control means for controlling the first determination means and the second determination means so as to make one of them valid, and for switching the determination means to be valid for a determination regarding the content of a transaction to be started thereafter in response to a button operation by the second operator before a determination regarding the content of a transaction is started; a payment means for determining a payment amount for the content of the transaction determined by the first determination means or the second determination means, whichever is determined to be valid by the determination control means, and performing a payment process for settling the payment amount in response to an operation by the first operator; A registered payment device comprising:

2. a first operation device that receives an operation by the first operator; a second operation device that receives an operation by the second operator; a disabling means for disabling the second operation device when the determination control means enables the first determination means, and for disabling the first operation device when the determination control means enables the second determination means; The registered payment device of claim 1 further comprising:

3. a first display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the first operator; a second display device that displays a screen for presenting information to the second operator; a display control means for displaying a screen indicating that maintenance of the registered payment device is required on both the first display device and the second display device when the determination control means enables the first determination means, and for displaying the screen only on the second display device when the determination control means enables the second determination means; The registration and settlement device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. A computer that controls the registered payment device, a first determination means for determining the content of a transaction to be settled in response to an operation by a first operator; a second determination means for determining the content of the transaction in response to an operation by a second operator located on the opposite side of the registered settlement device from the first operator; a determination control means for controlling the first determination means and the second determination means so as to make one of them valid, and for switching the determination means to be valid for a determination regarding the content of a transaction to be started thereafter in response to a button operation by the second operator before a determination regarding the content of a transaction is started; a payment means for determining a payment amount for the content of the transaction determined by the first determination means or the second determination means, whichever is determined to be valid by the determination control means, and performing a payment process for settling the payment amount in response to an operation by the first operator; An information processing program that enables the device to function.

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