Commodity sales data processing device

Abstract

To provide a commodity sales data processing device that can switch a face-to-face cash register and a self-service cash register while sharing the same apparatus.SOLUTION: A display operation terminal (commodity sales data processing device) has a display device (first display operation unit) that displays screen information related to commodity sales and an operator that accepts an operation instruction related to the commodity sales, and a display device (second display operation unit), and receives an operation instruction from either of the two display devices and executes various types of processing related to the commodity sales. The display operation terminal includes: an arrangement state detection unit that detects in which state of a POS system (first state) in which one faces a shop clerk and the other faces a customer side and a POS system (second state) in which the two display devices are both arranged to face the customer side the two display devices are arranged; and a motion mode setting unit that in accordance with a detection result obtained by the arrangement state detection unit, sets screen information and operators to be displayed on the two display devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, in convenience stores, face-to-face registers are used, where a clerk and a customer face each other to register products purchased by the customer and make payments (settlements) for the purchased products, and self-checkout registers are used, where the customer registers the products and makes the payments themselves. In convenience stores, in order to reduce the workload of clerks, it is desirable to smoothly handle customers by operating face-to-face registers when clerks are available, and operating self-checkout registers when there are not enough staff, such as when clerks are doing tasks other than cashiering. In addition, it is desirable to be able to operate flexibly for each store, such as operating only face-to-face self-checkout registers or increasing the number of operating registers during times when there are many customers buying alcoholic beverages or fast food items next to the register that require handling by clerks. Meanwhile, a device has been proposed that can switch the orientation of a display device between the clerk side and the customer side (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a cash register that switches the direction of the customer-side display to the store clerk side to expand the display area of ​​the store clerk side display and increase the amount of information displayed. Patent Document 2 discloses an information processing device that displays product registration information and help information on a display device facing the customer side.

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 do not mention a function for receiving operation information from a customer when the display device capable of changing the display direction is facing the customer. Therefore, with the disclosed configuration, it is not possible to realize both the functions of a face-to-face register and a self-checkout. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product sales data processing device that can switch between a face-to-face register and a self-service register while sharing the same device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A product sales data processing device according to an embodiment has a first display operation unit and a second display operation unit that display screen information related to product sales and an operator that accepts an operation instruction related to product sales, and executes various processes related to product sales upon receiving an operation instruction from the first display operation unit or the second display operation unit. The product sales data processing device includes an arrangement state detection unit and an operation mode setting unit. The arrangement state detection unit detects whether the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged in a first state in which one of them is arranged facing the store clerk and the other is arranged facing the customer, or a second state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are both arranged facing the customer. The operation mode setting unit sets the screen information and the operator to be displayed on the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit according to the detection result of the arrangement state detection unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of fixtures constituting the POS system of the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a store clerk and a customer use the POS system of the first embodiment face-to-face. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a customer uses the POS system of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a first diagram for explaining the layout of the display operation terminal when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the selfie mode. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a second diagram illustrating the layout of the display / operation terminal when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the selfie mode. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating a method for detecting the layout of a display operation terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a second diagram illustrating the method for detecting the layout of the display operation terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a display operation terminal used in the POS system of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on a display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram showing an example of state transition of the GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the display operation terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the display / operation terminal arrangement state detection process performed by the POS system of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the face-to-face mode. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a POS system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the POS system according to the second embodiment is used in the face-to-face mode. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the POS system according to the second embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a first diagram illustrating a first method for detecting the orientation of a display device. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a second diagram illustrating the first method for detecting the state of the display device. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a third diagram illustrating the first method for detecting the state of the display device. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a first diagram illustrating a second method for detecting the orientation of a display device. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a second diagram illustrating a second method for detecting the orientation of a display device. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a display / operation terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on a display device when the POS system of the second embodiment is used in the self mode. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a display operation terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, POS systems 10 and 12 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The POS systems 10 and 12 are systems that register products purchased by customers in, for example, a store and support payment of the prices of the registered products.

[0010] (Outline of POS system configuration) The schematic configuration of the POS systems 10, 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of fixtures constituting the POS system of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the POS system of the first embodiment is used by a store clerk and a customer face-to-face. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the POS system of the first embodiment is used by a customer himself.

[0011] The POS systems 10 and 12 are configured by connecting together the various fixtures shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, the POS systems 10 and 12 are configured with a display operation terminal 20, a scanner 28, a receipt printer 38, and a payment terminal 40.

[0012] The display operation terminal 20 is a terminal device that displays various screen information and various operators related to product transactions, and accepts operation instructions from store clerks or customers. The display operation terminal 20 also inputs and outputs various information related to product transactions between the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40, which are peripheral devices connected to the display operation terminal 20, and controls the operation of these peripheral devices. Each of the POS systems 10 and 12 uses two display operation terminals 20, as described below. Hereinafter, the two display operation terminals 20 constituting the POS systems 10 and 12 will be referred to and identified as the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30, respectively.

[0013] The display operation terminal 20 includes a housing 13, a bottom plate 15, and hinges 16 and 17. The housing 13 includes a display device 26, an operation device 27, and a control device (not shown). The display device 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL monitor. The operation device 27 is, for example, a touch panel, and is installed in a state where it is stacked on the display device 26.

[0014] Similarly, the display operation terminal 30 includes a housing 13, a bottom plate 15, and hinges 16 and 17. The housing 13 includes therein a display device 36, an operation device 37, and a control device (not shown).

[0015] The bottom plate 15 is a support member for placing the display operation terminal 20 (30) on a stand 90 (see Figs. 4 and 5) installed at a store's cash register. The housing 13 is connected to the bottom plate 15 by hinges 16 and 17. The hinges 16 and 17 are, for example, torque hinges. The torque hinge can hold the hinge in any open or closed position by friction. That is, the housing 13 and the bottom plate 15 can be rotated around the rotation axis P shown in Fig. 1 to arbitrarily adjust the angle relative to each other, and the angle of the display operation terminal 20 (30) can be held at the adjusted position.

[0016] A cutout is formed in the lower part of the housing 13 of the display operation terminal 20 (30). A scanner 28 or a receipt printer 38 can be inserted into this cutout (see Figs. 2 and 3). In this way, it is possible to save space occupied by the POS systems 10, 12. The display operation terminal 20 (30) is an example of a product sales data processing device in this disclosure.

[0017] Scanner 28 reads a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product held over reading window 34, and recognizes product identification information, for example a product code, registered in the code symbol. Scanner 28 is placed with its housing, including reading window 34, facing diagonally upward with respect to bottom plate 35. This makes it easier for a store clerk or customer to hold a product over reading window 34 when scanner 28 is placed at a lower position than the product they are picking up.

[0018] The receipt printer 38 prints the transaction details on a receipt and issues it.

[0019] The payment terminal 40 performs payment by the payment method designated by the customer, such as points payment, electronic money payment, credit card payment, code payment, prepaid payment, etc. The payment terminal 40 reads identification information required for payment from the customer's credit card, prepaid card, point card, electronic money card, etc., such as a PIN number and payment account information in the case of a credit card, a remaining balance in the case of a prepaid card, a membership number and points in the case of a point card, and an electronic money balance in the case of an electronic money card. The payment terminal 40 also communicates with an external payment server (not shown) according to the designated payment method, thereby performing payment related to the product registration information registered in the display operation terminal 20 (30). The payment terminal 40 includes a numeric keypad 41, a display device 42, and a card reader 43.

[0020] The card reader 43 reads identification information and the like registered on a medium such as an inserted credit card.

[0021] The numeric keypad 41 accepts input of a PIN number or the like registered on a medium such as a credit card.

[0022] The display device 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various information related to the payment.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows an example of a usage state of the POS system 10. The POS system 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a system in which the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are arranged back to back, and a store clerk uses the display operation terminal 20, and a customer uses the display operation terminal 30 to perform various processes related to the sale of goods. In other words, the POS system 10 is a so-called face-to-face POS terminal. Hereinafter, use in the form of the POS system 10 will be referred to as the face-to-face mode. Also, use of the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 in the face-to-face mode will be referred to as the first state. In other words, the POS system 10 will be used in the first state.

[0024] A scanner 28 is disposed on the store clerk side, i.e., on the display operation terminal 20 side. A payment terminal 40 and a receipt printer 38 are disposed on the customer side, i.e., on the display operation terminal 30 side. The scanner 28, payment terminal 40, and receipt printer 38 are connected to the display operation terminal 20. The display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are connected so that they can communicate with each other. The connection form may be either wired or wireless. The hardware configuration of the display operation terminals 20 and 30 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 8).

[0025] The store clerk holds up a code symbol such as a barcode attached to a product to be purchased by the customer over the scanner 28, and the scanner 28 reads the product code registered in the code symbol. The display operation terminal 20 performs a registration process to register the product with the read product code. The registration result is displayed on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 and the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30, respectively, so that the store clerk and the customer can confirm that the product has been registered. That is, in the POS system 10 of FIG. 2, a store clerk screen is displayed on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20, and a customer screen is displayed on the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30. Note that the display operation terminal 20 may be oriented toward the customer side to display the customer screen on the display device 36, and the display operation terminal 30 may be oriented toward the store clerk side to display the store clerk screen on the display device 26. In this case, the scanner 28 is also oriented toward the store clerk side, and the receipt printer 38 and the payment terminal 40 are oriented toward the customer side.

[0026] When the product registration is completed, the store clerk presses, for example, a checkout button displayed on the display device 26. The operation device 27 detects that the checkout button has been pressed, and notifies the display operation terminal 20 that the product registration is completed. After that, the customer selects a selection button displayed on the display device 36 that indicates the payment method for the product price, i.e., the payment method. The operation device 37 detects which selection button has been pressed, and the display operation terminal 30 acquires the payment method. Then, the display operation terminal 30 indicates the payment method to the display operation terminal 20. After that, the customer has the payment terminal 40 read the registration information of the credit card, the balance of the prepaid card, the number of points on the point card, the charge amount of the electronic money card, etc., according to the payment method selected by the customer. Then, the POS system 10 has an external server (not shown) perform the payment according to the payment method.

[0027] When the payment is completed, the POS system 10 issues a receipt with the transaction details printed on it from the receipt printer 38.

[0028] 3 shows an example of a usage state of the POS system 12. The POS system 12 is a system in which the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are arranged side by side, and a customer uses both the display operation terminals 20, 30 to perform various processes related to the sale of goods. In other words, the POS system 12 is a so-called self-service POS terminal. Hereinafter, use in the form of the POS system 12 will be referred to as the self-service mode. Also, use of the display operation terminals 20 and 30 in the self-service mode will be referred to as the second state. In other words, the POS system 12 will be used in the second state.

[0029] In the POS system 12 shown in Fig. 3, a scanner 28 and a payment terminal 40 are disposed next to the display operation terminal 20. Also, a receipt printer 38 is disposed next to the display operation terminal 30. That is, in the example of Fig. 3, the scanner 28 and the payment terminal 40 are disposed on the right side as seen by the customer, and the receipt printer 38 is disposed on the left side as seen by the customer. Note that this arrangement is just one example, and may not be limited to this depending on the state of the stand 90 (see Figs. 4 and 5) on which the POS system 12 is placed. More details will be given later (see Figs. 4 and 5).

[0030] A customer holds a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product he or she wishes to purchase over the scanner 28, causing the scanner 28 to read the product code registered in the code symbol. The display operation terminal 20 performs a registration process to register the product with the read product code. The registration result is displayed at least on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20, allowing the customer to confirm that the product has been registered.

[0031] When product registration is complete, the customer presses, for example, a checkout button displayed on the display device 26. The operation device 27 detects that the checkout button has been pressed, and notifies the display operation terminal 20 that product registration is complete. The customer then selects a selection button displayed on the display device 26 that indicates the payment method for the product price, i.e., the settlement method. The operation device 27 detects which selection button was pressed, and the display operation terminal 20 acquires the settlement method. The customer then has the POS system 12 carry out the settlement process by having the settlement terminal 40 read the registration information of the credit card, the balance of the prepaid card, the number of points on the point card, the charge amount of the electronic money card, etc., according to the settlement method selected by the customer.

[0032] When the payment is completed, the POS system 12 issues a receipt with the transaction details printed on it from the receipt printer 38.

[0033] In the POS system 12, the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 displays advertisement information such as details of sales being conducted in the store and information on products that are frequently purchased at the same time as registered products. The display device 36 also displays an operation guide for the POS system 12 and a remote customer service screen that enables video conversation with a store clerk in a remote location. Information on product registration details is also displayed on a large screen across the display devices 26 and 36. This will be described in more detail later (see Figs. 9 to 11).

[0034] The POS system 10 and the POS system 12 can be used in different ways by changing the layout of the display / operation terminals 20 and 30 and the layout of the scanner 28 and receipt printer 38 depending on the workload of the store clerk, business hours, etc.

[0035] For example, when a store clerk is available, the system operates in the form of POS system 10, and when there is a shortage of store clerks, the system operates in the form of POS system 12. Also, during times when there are many customers buying alcoholic beverages or fast food items next to the cash register that require the handling of the products by a store clerk, the system operates in the form of POS system 10.

[0036] (Location of self-service POS system) The layout of the POS system 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a first diagram for explaining the layout of the display operation terminal when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. Fig. 5 is a second diagram for explaining the layout of the display operation terminal when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode.

[0037] The POS systems 10 and 12 are placed on a stand 90 installed in a store. A customer places an item or a shopping basket containing items in an item storage area 91 on the stand 90. In particular, in the case of the POS system 12 in which the customer registers the item by himself, the display operation terminal 20 (or the display operation terminal 30) that displays the read result and the scanner 28 are placed closer to the item storage area 91 so that the customer can easily read the barcode of the item with the scanner 28 and can easily check the read result. This reduces the distance between the item and the scanner 28, making it easier for the customer to have the scanner 28 read the barcode of the item. Furthermore, since the read result is displayed on a display device closer to the scanner 28, it becomes easier for the customer to check the item information of the item that the customer has held up to the scanner 28.

[0038] 4, since the product area 91 is formed on the right side as viewed from the customer, the POS system 12 is placed on the left side as viewed from the customer. The scanner 28 is placed on the side closer to the product area 91.

[0039] 5, the product area 92 is formed on the left side as viewed from the customer, so the POS system 12 is placed on the right side as viewed from the customer. The scanner 28 is placed on the side closer to the product area 92.

[0040] (Display operation terminal layout detection method) A method for detecting the layout of the display operation terminals 20 and 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a first diagram for explaining the method for detecting the layout of the display operation terminals. Fig. 7 is a second diagram for explaining the method for detecting the layout of the display operation terminals.

[0041] 6, a proximity sensor 291 is provided on the bottom plate 15 of the display operation terminal 20. Also, a proximity sensor 292 is provided on the bottom plate 15 of the display operation terminal 30. When the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are used as a face-to-face POS system 10, the proximity sensors 291 and 292 are provided in positions where the bottom plates 15 are close to each other and the proximity sensors 291 and 292 face each other.

[0042] When the proximity sensor 291 or the proximity sensor 292 comes close to each other, it outputs a signal indicating that the sensors are in proximity. The proximity sensors 291 and 292 are, for example, photointerrupters. The photointerrupter is composed of, for example, an LED and a photodiode, and when light emitted from the LED is detected by the photodiode, the photodiode outputs a signal. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor 291 may be an LED and the proximity sensor 292 may be a photodiode, or the proximity sensor 291 may be a photodiode and the proximity sensor 292 may be an LED. Hereinafter, when the proximity sensors 291 and 292 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as the proximity sensors 29.

[0043] The proximity sensor 29 is not limited to a combination of an LED and a photodiode, but may be, for example, a combination of an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver.

[0044] That is, of the proximity sensors 291 and 292, the photodiode outputs a signal when the display operation terminals 20 and 30 are placed back to back with their bottom plates 15 butted against each other. Then, the POS system 10 (more precisely, either or both of the display operation terminals 20 and 30) detects this signal to detect that the display operation terminals 20 and 30 are placed face to face.

[0045] 7, the housing 13 of the display operation terminal 20 is provided with a proximity sensor 491 and a proximity sensor 492. The housing 13 of the display operation terminal 30 is also provided with a proximity sensor 491 and a proximity sensor 492. The proximity sensors 491 and 492 are sensors having the same functions as the proximity sensors 291 and 292 described above. Therefore, for example, the proximity sensor 491 is an LED and the proximity sensor 492 is a photodiode, or the proximity sensor 491 is a photodiode and the proximity sensor 492 is an LED. Hereinafter, when the proximity sensors 491 and 492 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are simply referred to as the proximity sensors 49.

[0046] Proximity sensor 491 and proximity sensor 492 are installed at the same height on opposing vertical sides of housing 13. That is, when display operation terminal 20 and display operation terminal 30 are arranged side by side in close proximity to each other and used as POS system 12, which is a self-service POS terminal, the photodiode of proximity sensor 491 and proximity sensor 492 outputs a signal. Then, POS system 12 (more precisely, either display operation terminal 20 or display operation terminal 30, or both) detects this signal and thereby detects that display operation terminal 20 and display operation terminal 30 are arranged side by side.

[0047] Proximity sensor 491 and proximity sensor 492 are similarly installed on display operation terminal 20 and display operation terminal 30. Therefore, even if display operation terminal 20 is arranged on the left and display operation terminal 30 is arranged on the right when viewed from the customer, or even if display operation terminal 20 is arranged on the right and display operation terminal 30 is arranged on the left when viewed from the customer, as long as both terminals are arranged side by side, proximity sensor 49 outputs a signal in the same manner.

[0048] (Hardware configuration of display and operation terminal) The hardware configuration of the display operation terminals 20 and 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a display operation terminal used in the POS system of the first embodiment. Note that since the hardware configurations of the display operation terminals 20 and 30 are the same, only the display operation terminal 20 will be described here.

[0049] The display operation terminal 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a peripheral device controller 23, and a communication I / F (interface) 24.

[0050] The control unit 21 controls the overall operation of the display operation terminal 20. The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213. The CPU 211 is connected to the ROM 212 and the RAM 213 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 211 loads various programs stored in the ROM 212 and the storage unit 22 into the RAM 213. The CPU 211 controls the operation of the display operation terminal 20 by operating according to the various programs loaded into the RAM 213. That is, the control unit 21 has a configuration of a general computer.

[0051] The storage unit 22 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that is connected to the control unit 21 via an internal bus 25. The storage unit 22 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 22 stores a control program 221, a product master 222, a sales promotion master 223, and a product registration file 224.

[0052] The control program 221 is a program that controls the overall operation of the display operation terminal 20. The control program 221 stores both a control program that operates when the POS system is used as the POS system 10, i.e., when used in the face-to-face mode, and a control program that operates when the POS system is used as the POS system 12, i.e., when used in the self-service mode. Which control program is to be operated is determined by the detection result of the arrangement state detection unit 51 (see FIG. 13), which will be described later.

[0053] The control program 221 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 22, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 221 may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 221 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0054] The product master 222 is a master file that stores product codes that uniquely identify products sold in a store and product information, such as product names and prices, which are attributes of the products, in association with each other.

[0055] The sales promotion master 223 is a master file that stores advertising information introducing products and services, which is displayed on the display device 36 (37) of the display operation terminal 30 (20) facing the customer in the POS system 10 or POS system 12. There is no restriction on the data structure of the sales promotion master 223, but the sales promotion master 223 stores, for example, information on sales held in a store and combination information of products that are frequently purchased together, which is analyzed based on the past sales history of the products.

[0056] The product master 222 and the sales promotion master 223 are updated daily by being distributed from a store server (not shown).

[0057] The product registration file 224 is a file that stores product information (e.g., product name and unit price) corresponding to the product code registered in the code symbol read by the scanner 28. The product registration file 224 is updated during one transaction every time the scanner 28 reads a code symbol.

[0058] The control unit 21 is connected to a display device 26 (display device 36 in the case of a display operation terminal 30), an operation device 27 (operation device 37 in the case of a display operation terminal 30), proximity sensors 29, 49, a microphone 32, and a speaker 33 via a peripheral device controller 23 connected by an internal bus 25.

[0059] The display device 26 (36) is a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL monitor, etc. The display device 26 (36) displays the product information and the like read by the scanner 28.

[0060] The operation device 27 (37) is an information input device such as a touch panel that is laminated on the display device 26 (36).

[0061] As described above, the proximity sensors 29, 49 are sensors that detect whether the arrangement state of the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 is in the first state, i.e., a state that constitutes the POS system 10, or the second state, i.e., a state that constitutes the POS system 12.

[0062] The microphone 32 picks up the customer's voice. The picked up customer's voice is sent to a mobile terminal of a store clerk connected to the POS system 12.

[0063] The speaker 33 outputs, for example, the voice of a store clerk. The POS system 12 is connected to a mobile terminal of the store clerk, etc., so that a customer can receive operational support by having a conversation between the customer and the store clerk.

[0064] The aforementioned scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are also connected to the peripheral device controller 23. The scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 may all be connected to the display operation terminal 20, or all may be connected to the display operation terminal 30. Also, only some of the three types of peripheral devices, the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40, may be connected to the display operation terminal 20, and the remaining peripheral devices may be connected to the display operation terminal 30. It is assumed that the display operation terminal 20 (30) recognizes which of the peripheral devices, the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40, is connected to it.

[0065] To facilitate the task of switching between the POS system 10 and the POS system 12, it is preferable not to disconnect or insert the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 when switching. Therefore, for example, when using the POS system 10, it is preferable to connect the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 to the display operation terminal 20 facing the store clerk, and then switch to the POS system 12 in that state.

[0066] Of course, the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 may be connected to either the display operation terminal 20 or the display operation terminal 30, or, for example, the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 may be connected to both the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30. For example, after the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are arranged, when the control program 221 is started, a setting screen may be displayed to set which scanner 28, which receipt printer 38, and which payment terminal 40 are to be enabled (operated). Also, when the POS system is used in the face-to-face mode, i.e., as the POS system 10, it may be specified which of the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 is to be the store clerk side. In addition, if a scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are connected to both display operation terminal 20 and display operation terminal 30, indicators such as LEDs may be provided on scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 to prevent the operator from being confused about which device is operating, and these indicators may be lit up to indicate which peripheral devices are operating.

[0067] The communication I / F 24 controls communication between the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30. The communication I / F 24 also controls communication between the display operation terminal 20 (30) and a store server (not shown).

[0068] (Screen displayed in self mode) An example of a screen displayed by the POS system 12 on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 and the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 will be described with reference to Figs. 9, 10, and 11. Fig. 9 is a first diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. Fig. 10 is a second diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. Fig. 11 is a third diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode. Note that Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are all examples of GUIs displayed when the POS system 12 is arranged in the layout of Fig. 4. When the POS system 12 is arranged in the layout of Fig. 5, the left and right screens in Figs. 9, 10, and 11 are all interchanged.

[0069] The POS system 12 includes two display devices 26, 36 arranged side by side. In the following, as an example, the display device 26 is arranged on the right side, and the display device 36 is arranged on the left side. Also, it is assumed that the scanner 28 is arranged next to the display device 26. That is, it is assumed that the arrangement is as shown in FIG. 4. Note that the display device 26 (display operation terminal 20) and the display device 36 (display operation terminal 30) may be interchanged.

[0070] The POS system 12 displays three types of GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) on the display device 26 and the display device 36. Which of the three types of GUIs is to be displayed when the POS system 12 is started is preset in the control program 221. Here, it is assumed that the display shown in FIG. 9 is displayed when the POS system 12 is started. The three types of GUIs shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 can be changed as appropriate by the customer operating various operation buttons displayed on the display device 26. This will be described in detail later (see FIG. 12).

[0071] The GUI shown in Fig. 9 displays product registration details and various operation buttons on the display device 26 on the right side as seen from the customer, and displays advertising information for product sales promotion (sales promotion) on the display device 36 on the left side as seen from the customer. In other words, Fig. 9 is an example in which an operation screen and a sales promotion screen are displayed together.

[0072] The product registration details are details of registered products. Specifically, the product registration details display the item number indicating the order in which the product was registered, the product name and unit price associated with the registered product code of the code symbol read by the customer with scanner 28, and the quantity and amount. The amount is the product of the unit price and quantity of the product. The product registration details also display the number of products, the tax amount, and the total amount. The number of products is the sum of the aforementioned quantities, i.e., the total number of registered products. The tax amount is the amount of consumption tax levied on the total unit price of the products. The total amount is the sum of the total unit prices of the products and the tax amount.

[0073] Below the product registration details, operation buttons, a checkout button Ba, a large screen button Bb, and a help button Bc, are displayed.

[0074] The checkout button Ba is a button that instructs the POS system 12 to start a settlement process to pay for the registered products after the registration of all products is completed. When the press of the checkout button Ba is detected, the POS system 12 displays payment method options on the display device 26 and prompts the customer to select a payment method.

[0075] The large screen button Bb is a button for displaying the product registration details across the screens of both the display device 26 and the display device 36. This will be described in detail later (see FIG. 11).

[0076] The help button Bc is a button for displaying an operation guide on the display device 36 when the user does not know how to operate the POS system 12. This will be described in detail later (see FIG. 10).

[0077] The display device 26 may further display a button for canceling the registration result, etc.

[0078] The left sales promotion screen displays various kinds of advertisement information related to the product, or various kinds of special sale information being carried out in the store. That is, the advertisement information is sales promotion information for further promoting sales. FIG. 9 shows an example of advertisement information that recommends the purchase of product C related to product A registered by the customer. The POS system 12 generates and displays such advertisement information from the product registered by the customer and information registered in the sales promotion master 223. FIG. 9 shows an example of sales promotion information that recommends the purchase of product C, which is frequently purchased together with product A, when the scanner 28 reads the code symbol of product A. The fact that product C is frequently purchased together with product A is based on the results of an analysis based on past sales history. The above-mentioned sales promotion master 223 stores various rules based on such analysis results (such as introducing product C when product A is purchased).

[0079] The GUI shown in Fig. 10 displays product registration details and various operation buttons on the display device 26 on the right side as seen from the customer, and displays operation guide on the display device 36 on the left side as seen from the customer. In other words, Fig. 10 is an example in which an operation screen and an operation guide screen are displayed together.

[0080] The GUI displayed on the display device 26 on the right side as seen from the customer is almost the same as that shown in Fig. 9, except for the content of the operation buttons displayed below the product registration details. That is, in the example of Fig. 10, a checkout button Ba, a store clerk button Bd, and a back button Be are displayed. The functions of the store clerk button Bd and the back button Be will be described later.

[0081] On the display device 36 on the left side as seen from the customer, operation guides are displayed according to the operation state of the customer. Fig. 10 shows an example of an operation method for making the scanner 28 read the barcodes of products, and a guide to pressing the "checkout" button after registering all products. The content of the operation guide displayed on the display device 36 differs depending on the state of the operation screen displayed on the display device 26, i.e., the state in which the customer is operating the POS system 12. For example, if an operation screen related to payment is displayed on the display device 26 after the checkout button Ba is pressed, operation guides related to the payment method are displayed on the display device 36.

[0082] The explanation is returned to the operation screen. The clerk button Bd is a button for receiving explanations of the operation method and the like while talking to the clerk when the operation guide displayed on the display device 36 is insufficient. When the clerk button Bd is pressed, the POS system 12 connects the display operation terminal 20 to, for example, a mobile terminal of a clerk who is located at a remote location. Then, the face of the clerk is displayed on the display device 36, and the voice of the clerk is output from the speaker 33. Meanwhile, the voice of the customer is picked up by the microphone 32 and transmitted to the clerk. That is, the customer can talk with the clerk. The POS system 12 may further include a camera, and an image of the customer taken by the camera may be transmitted to the clerk. The customer can ask the clerk questions about unclear points in operating the POS system 12 or the current state, and can receive support for operating the POS system 12. In this way, by pressing the clerk button Bd on the operation screen, the operation screen and the remote customer service screen are displayed together. Although a specific example of the GUI in this state is not shown, the operation screen displays a back button that ends the remote customer service and returns to the state in which the operation screen and operation guide screen are displayed.

[0083] The back button Be is a button for transitioning from the currently displayed screen that displays both the operation screen and the operation guide screen to a screen that displays both the operation screen and the promotion screen. The function of the back button Be will be described in detail later (see FIG. 12).

[0084] The GUI shown in Fig. 11 displays product information of the most recently registered product among the product registration details on the display device 26 on the right side as seen from the customer, and displays product information of products previously registered in the same transaction on the display device 36 on the left side as seen from the customer. That is, Fig. 11 is an example of an operation screen displayed on a large screen.

[0085] For example, when the large screen button Bb is pressed in the display state of FIG. 9 (operation screen + promotional screen), or when the large screen button Bb is pressed in the display state of FIG. 10 (operation screen + operation guide screen), the POS system 12 displays the large operation screen shown in FIG. 11.

[0086] In the operation screens shown in Figures 9 and 10, the screen size is limited, so if there are a large number of registered products, it is not possible to display all product details on one screen. Therefore, in the operation screens shown in Figures 9 and 10, for example, the product registration information is scrolled downwards to display the registration information of the most recently registered product at the top of the list. Alternatively, the product list is scrolled upwards to display the registration information of the most recently registered product at the bottom of the list. This prevents the customer from viewing the registration information of products that were registered in the past.

[0087] Therefore, in the display form shown in FIG. 11, the display device 26 displays the latest registered information of the registered products, that is, the product information of the product just registered, and the number of products registered so far, the consumption tax amount, and the total amount. Then, the display device 36 displays the product information of the products registered in the past in the same transaction. This allows the customer to see the product information of all registered products at a glance, even if the number of registered products increases. In addition, since only the latest registered result of the product information is displayed on the display device 26, the customer can easily check whether there are any errors in the registered contents without being distracted by the product information of other products. Note that, although FIG. 11 shows an example in which four types of products are registered, when a fifth type of product is registered, the registration information of the product D registered fourth is moved to the bottom of the list on the display device 36, and the registration information of the product registered fifth is displayed on the display device 26.

[0088] At this time, the checkout button Ba, help button Bc, and back button Be are displayed on the display device 26. The functions of the checkout button Ba and help button Bc are as described above. The back button Be is a button that transitions from the currently displayed screen, which displays the operation screen displayed on the large screen, to a screen that displays the operation screen and the promotion screen together. The function of the back button Be will be described in detail later (see FIG. 12).

[0089] (Screen transitions displayed in self mode) The screen transitions of the above-mentioned three types of GUI will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a state transition diagram showing an example of state transitions of the GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode.

[0090] At startup, the POS system 12 displays a predetermined screen from among "operation screen + promotion screen" (Fig. 9), "operation screen + operation guide screen" (Fig. 10), and "operation screen (large screen)" (Fig. 11). Here, the explanation will be given assuming that the "operation screen + promotion screen" (Fig. 9) is displayed at startup.

[0091] When the help button Bc is pressed in a state in which "operation screen + promotional screen" is displayed (state Ma), the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state in which "operation screen + operation guide screen" is displayed (state Mb) (arc Aa).

[0092] When the clerk button Bd is pressed while the "operation screen + operation guide screen" is displayed (state Mb), the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state where the "operation screen + remote customer service screen" is displayed (state Mc) (arc Ac).

[0093] When the back button (not shown) is pressed while the "operation screen + remote customer service screen" is displayed (state Mc), the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state (state Mb) where the "operation screen + operation guide screen" is displayed (arc Ad).

[0094] When the back button Be is pressed in a state in which an "operation screen + operation guide screen" is displayed (state Mb), the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state in which an "operation screen + promotional screen" is displayed (state Ma) (arc Ab).

[0095] When the large screen button Bb is pressed in state Ma in which the "operation screen+sales promotion screen" is displayed, the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state (state Md) in which the "operation screen (large screen)" is displayed (arc Ae).

[0096] When the help button Bc is pressed in a state (state Md) in which the "operation screen (large screen)" is displayed, the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state (state Mb) in which the "operation screen + operation guide screen" is displayed (arc Af).

[0097] Furthermore, when the back button Be is pressed in a state in which the "operation screen (large screen)" is displayed (state Md), the display devices 26, 36 transition to a state in which the "operation screen + promotional screen" is displayed (state Ma) (arc Ag).

[0098] Although not shown in FIG. 12, when the checkout button Ba is pressed while each screen is displayed, the display devices 26, 36 transition to a screen for selecting a payment method, not shown.

[0099] (Screen displayed in face-to-face mode) So far, the screens displayed on the display device when the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are used in the POS system 12, i.e., in the self mode, have been described. On the other hand, when the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are used in the POS system 10, i.e., in the face-to-face mode, the store clerk side displays the registration details of the product corresponding to the product code read by the scanner 28 (for example, the GUI on the right side shown in FIG. 9). On the customer side, the registration details of the product are displayed when the product is registered, and after the product registration is completed, a screen for selecting a payment method (not shown) is displayed. After the payment is completed, information indicating the payment details is displayed. The GUIs displayed on each screen are the same as those displayed when a well-known POS terminal is used in the face-to-face mode, so a specific example of the GUI will be omitted.

[0100] (Functional configuration of the display operation terminal) The functional configuration of the display operation terminal 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display operation terminal of the first embodiment. Note that although the functional configuration of the display operation terminal 20 will be described here, the display operation terminal 30 also has the same functional configuration.

[0101] The control unit 21 of the display / operation terminal 20 functions as a placement state detection unit 51, an operation mode setting unit 52, a product information acquisition unit 53, a product registration unit 54, a payment processing unit 55, a receipt issuing unit 56, a display control unit 57, and an operation control unit 58, by the CPU 211 reading out the control program 221 stored in the storage unit 22, expanding it into the RAM 213, and executing it. Note that all or part of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0102] The arrangement state detection unit 51 detects whether the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are arranged in a first state in which they are arranged back to back, or in a second state in which they are arranged side by side. Specifically, when the arrangement state detection unit 51 detects that the above-mentioned proximity sensor 29 has output a signal, it determines that the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are in the first state, i.e., arranged back to back. Also, when the arrangement state detection unit 51 detects that the above-mentioned proximity sensor 49 has output a signal, it determines that the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are in the second state, i.e., arranged side by side.

[0103] The operation mode setting section 52 sets the screen information and the operators to be displayed on the display / operation terminals 20 and 30 in accordance with the detection result of the arrangement state detection section 51 .

[0104] The product information acquisition unit 53 acquires, from the product master 222, product information (eg, product name and unit price) corresponding to the product code registered in the code symbol read by the scanner .

[0105] The product registration unit 54 registers the product information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 53 in the product registration file 224 .

[0106] The payment processing unit 55 receives a payment instruction and, based on the selected payment method and information obtained from the payment terminal 40 (credit cart registration information, prepaid card balance information, etc.), causes, for example, an external server device to make the payment related to the details registered in the product registration file 224.

[0107] The receipt issuing unit 56 causes the receipt printer 38 to issue a receipt indicating the details of the payment made by the payment processing unit 55 .

[0108] The display control unit 57 controls the screen information and screen transitions to be displayed on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 and the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 in accordance with the setting of the operation mode setting unit 52 in response to an instruction from the control unit 21.

[0109] The operation control unit 58 outputs operation information acquired from the operation device 27 of the display operation terminal 20 and the operation device 37 of the display operation terminal 30 to the control unit 21 in accordance with the setting of the operation mode setting unit 52 .

[0110] When the POS system of this embodiment operates in the form of a POS system 12 used in self mode, the display operation terminal 30(20) paired with the display operation terminal 20(30) operates as a display operation terminal that displays information in response to instructions from the display operation terminal 20(30) on the display device 36(26) and outputs operation instructions detected by the operation device 37(27) to the display operation terminal 20(30).

[0111] Furthermore, when the POS system of this embodiment operates in the form of a POS system 10 used in face-to-face mode, the display operation terminal 30(20) facing the customer, which is paired with the display operation terminal 20(30) facing the store clerk, operates as a display operation terminal that displays information in response to instructions from the display operation terminal 20(30) on the display device 36(26) and outputs operation instructions detected by the operation device 37(27) to the display operation terminal 20(30).

[0112] (Flow of display operation terminal placement state detection process) The flow of the process of detecting the arrangement state of the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 performed by the POS system of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of detecting the arrangement state of the display operation terminal performed by the POS system of the first embodiment.

[0113] The placement state detection unit 51 determines whether the proximity sensor 29 has reacted, that is, whether a signal indicating that the proximity sensor 291 and the proximity sensor 292 are in proximity has been output (step S11). If it is determined that the proximity sensor 29 has reacted (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the proximity sensor 29 has reacted (step S11: No), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0114] When it is determined in step S11 that the proximity sensor 29 has reacted, the operation mode setting unit 52 sets the display / operation terminal 20 and the display / operation terminal 30 to a state in which they are used in the face-to-face mode, that is, a first state in which they are used as the POS system 10 (step S12). At this time, the operation mode setting unit 52 sets the screen information and the operators displayed on the display / operation terminal 20 and the display / operation terminal 30 to a state in which they are used in the first state, and sets the control program 221 to a state in which they are used in the first state. After that, the processing in FIG. 14 ends.

[0115] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the proximity sensor 29 is not reacting, the arrangement state detection unit 51 determines whether the proximity sensor 49 is reacting, that is, whether a signal indicating that the proximity sensor 491 and the proximity sensor 492 are in proximity is being output (step S13). If it is determined that the proximity sensor 49 is reacting (step S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the proximity sensor 49 is not reacting (step S13: No), it is determined that the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 are not arranged in a state where they can be used as a POS system, and the process of FIG. 14 ends.

[0116] When it is determined in step S13 that the proximity sensor 49 has reacted, the operation mode setting unit 52 sets the display / operation terminal 20 and the display / operation terminal 30 to a state in which they are used in the self mode, that is, a second state in which they are used as the POS system 12 (step S14). At this time, the operation mode setting unit 52 sets the screen information and the operators displayed on the display / operation terminal 20 and the display / operation terminal 30 to a state in which they are used in the second state, and sets the control program 221 to a state in which they are used in the second state. After that, the processing in FIG. 14 ends.

[0117] 14, following step S12, operation mode setting unit 52 sets which of display / operation terminal 20 and display / operation terminal 30 faces the store clerk. Any setting method may be used, but for example, when arrangement state detection unit 51 detects that the arrangement state is the first state, a setting screen may be displayed on either display / operation terminal 20 or display / operation terminal 30 to specify which of display / operation terminal 20 or display / operation terminal 30 is to be installed facing the store clerk.

[0118] 14, following step S14, the operation mode setting unit 52 may set which of the display operation terminal 20 and the display operation terminal 30 is always displaying the product registration details screen and the operation screen (i.e., the right screen in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11). The setting method is not limited, but for example, when the arrangement state detection unit 51 detects the second state (self mode), a setting screen (not shown) may be displayed on either the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 or the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 to specify whether the product registration details screen and the operation screen are always displayed on the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 or the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30.

[0119] Also, although not shown in Figure 14, when a scanner 28, a receipt printer 38, and a payment terminal 40 are connected to both display operation terminal 20 and display operation terminal 30, a setting screen may be displayed to set which peripheral devices are to be enabled, i.e., which are to be in a state where they will accept operations by the operator.

[0120] (Flow of product sales data processing in face-to-face mode) A flow of product sales data processing performed when the POS system operates as the POS system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the face-to-face mode.

[0121] 14 has been performed in advance, and it has been detected that display operation terminal 20 is installed facing the store clerk, and display operation terminal 30 is arranged facing the customer. In the case where display operation terminal 30 is arranged facing the store clerk, and display operation terminal 20 is arranged facing the customer, in the following description, display operation terminal 20, display device 26, and operation device 27 may be read as display operation terminal 30, display device 36, and operation device 37, respectively.

[0122] First, a description will be given of the flow of processing performed by the display operation terminal 20 facing the store clerk. The product information acquisition unit 53 causes the scanner 28 to read the code symbol held over the reading window 34 (step S21).

[0123] The product information acquisition unit 53 acquires product information (e.g., product name and price) associated with the product code by comparing the product code registered in the code symbol read by the scanner 28 with the product master 222, and the product registration unit 54 registers the acquired product information in the product registration file 224 (step S22).

[0124] The product registration unit 54 outputs the registered product information to the display operation terminal 30 on the customer side (step S23).

[0125] The operation control unit 58 determines whether the checkout button, which indicates completion of product registration, has been pressed (step S24). If it is determined that the checkout button has been pressed (step S24: Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if it is determined that the checkout button has not been pressed (step S24: No), the process returns to step S21.

[0126] When it is determined in step S24 that the checkout button has been pressed, the display control unit 57 causes the display device 36 of the customer's display operation terminal 30 to display a payment method selection screen (not shown) that allows the customer to select a payment method (settlement method) (step S25).

[0127] The payment processing unit 55 acquires information indicating the payment method selected by the customer's selection operation from the customer's display operation terminal 30 (step S26).

[0128] The payment processing unit 55 causes, for example, an external server device (not shown) to perform the payment process using the acquired payment method (step S27). Although not shown in FIG. 15, the POS system 10 causes the display operation terminal 30 to display the details of the payment when the payment process is completed.

[0129] The receipt issuing unit 56 instructs the receipt printer 38 to issue a receipt on which the payment result is printed (step S28), after which the process in FIG. 15 ends.

[0130] Next, the flow of processing performed by the display operation terminal 30 facing the customer will be described. In this case, the display operation terminal 30 operates simply as a display operation terminal connected to the display operation terminal 20 facing the store clerk, and displays a screen on the display device 36 based on an instruction from the display operation terminal 20. The display operation terminal 30 also outputs operation information acquired by the operation device 37 to the display operation terminal 20.

[0131] The display control unit 57 causes the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 to display the product registration information output in step S23 (step S31). This allows the customer to check the information on the registered products.

[0132] When the registration of the product is completed, the display control unit 57, in response to the instruction of step S25, causes the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 30 to display a payment method selection screen (step S32). The payment method selection screen, not shown, is a screen that allows the customer to select a payment method (settlement method) for the price of the product. The payment method is selected from, for example, cash payment, credit card payment, prepaid card payment, electronic money payment, etc.

[0133] The operation control unit 58 acquires the payment method selected by the customer on the payment method selection screen (step S33), and outputs the acquired payment method to the display operation terminal 20 (step S34).

[0134] The receipt issuing unit 56 waits for a receipt issuing instruction and issues a receipt on which the payment details are printed (step S35), after which the process in FIG. 15 ends.

[0135] (Flow of product sales data processing in self mode) A flow of product sales data processing performed when the POS system operates as the POS system 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing when the POS system of the first embodiment is used in the self mode.

[0136] It is assumed that the arrangement state detection process described with reference to FIG. 14 has been performed in advance and that it has been detected that the display / operation terminal 20 and the display / operation terminal 30 are arranged side-by-side.

[0137] The product information acquisition unit 53 causes the scanner 28 to read the code symbol held over the reading window 34 (step S41).

[0138] The product information acquisition unit 53 acquires product information (e.g., product name and price) associated with the product code by comparing the product code registered in the code symbol read by the scanner 28 with the product master 222, and the product registration unit 54 registers the acquired product information in the product registration file 224 (step S42).

[0139] The display control unit 57 causes the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 to display the product registration information acquired in step S42 (step S43). This allows the customer to check the information on the registered product.

[0140] The operation control unit 58 determines whether the checkout button, which indicates completion of product registration, has been pressed (step S44). If it is determined that the checkout button has been pressed (step S44: Yes), the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the checkout button has been pressed (step S44: No), the process returns to step S41.

[0141] If it is determined in step S44 that the checkout button has been pressed, the display control unit 57 causes the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 20 to display a payment method selection screen (not shown) that allows the user to select a payment method (settlement method) (step S45).

[0142] The operation control unit 58 acquires the payment method selected by the customer on the payment method selection screen (step S46).

[0143] The payment processing unit 55 causes, for example, an external server device (not shown) to perform payment processing using the acquired payment method (step S47). Although not shown in FIG. 16, when the payment processing is completed, the POS system 10 causes the display operation terminal 20 or the display operation terminal 30 to display the details of the payment.

[0144] The receipt issuing unit 56 issues a receipt on which the payment details are printed (step S48), after which the process in FIG. 16 ends.

[0145] In the flowchart of FIG. 16, a state transition (see FIG. 12) of the GUI displayed on the display devices 26, 36 occurs in response to the customer's operation.

[0146] (Effects of the first embodiment) As described above, the display operation terminals 20 and 30 (product sales data processing devices) of the first embodiment have the display device 26 (first display operation section) and the display device 36 (second display operation section) that display screen information related to product sales and operators that accept operation instructions related to product sales, and execute various processes related to product sales upon receiving operation instructions from the display device 26 or the display device 36. The display operation terminals 20 and 30 are provided with an arrangement state detection section 51 that detects whether the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged in a state in which the POS system 10 (first state) is arranged with one side facing the store clerk and the other side facing the customer, or the POS system 12 (second state) with the display device 26 and the display device 36 both facing the customer, and an operation mode setting section 52 that sets the screen information and operators to be displayed on the display device 26 and the display device 36 according to the detection result of the arrangement state detection section 51. Therefore, the same device can be shared and switched between face-to-face register and self-service register.

[0147] In the display operation terminals 20, 30 (product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment, the display device 26 (first display operation section) and the display device 36 (second display operation section) are configured separately, and the POS system 10 (first state) is a state in which the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged back to back, and the second state is a state in which the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged side by side. Therefore, by sharing the same device, it is possible to freely change between the face-to-face mode and the self-operation mode, which are the operating modes of the POS system.

[0148] In the display operation terminals 20, 30 (product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment, the arrangement state detection unit 51 includes a first proximity sensor provided in an area that contacts or is close to the display device 26 (first display operation unit) and the display device 36 (second display operation unit) when they are arranged back to back, and a second proximity sensor provided in an area that contacts or is close to the display device 26 and the display device 36 when they are arranged side by side. Therefore, the arrangement state of the two display devices can be easily and reliably detected.

[0149] Furthermore, in the display operation terminals 20, 30 (product sales data processing device) of the first embodiment, when the display device 26 (first display operation section) and the display device 36 (second display operation section) are arranged in the second state, the operation mode setting section 52 displays an operation screen and operators related to product sales on either the display device 26 or the display device 36, and displays an operation screen and operators related to product sales, screen information related to sales promotion, or operation guidance related to product sales on the other of the display device 26 or the display device 36. Therefore, when the two display devices are arranged side by side, the contents of the screens displayed on the two display devices can be changed according to the customer's request.

[0150] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, POS systems 60 and 62 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The POS systems 60 and 62 are systems that register products purchased by customers in, for example, a store and support payment of the prices of the registered products.

[0151] (Outline of POS system configuration) The schematic configuration of the POS systems 60, 62 will be described with reference to Fig. 17 to Fig. 19. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the POS system of the second embodiment. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the POS system of the second embodiment is used in the face-to-face mode. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the POS system of the second embodiment is used in the self-mode.

[0152] The POS system 60 is made up of a display operation terminal 70, a scanner 28, a receipt printer 38, and a payment terminal 40.

[0153] The display operation terminal 70 is a terminal device that displays various screen information and various operators related to the transaction of goods, and receives operation instructions from store clerks or customers. The display operation terminal 70 also inputs and outputs various information related to the transaction of goods between the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40, which are peripheral devices connected to the display operation terminal 70, and controls the operation of these peripheral devices.

[0154] The display operation terminal 70 includes a housing 13, a housing 14, a bottom plate 15, a hinge 16, and a hinge 17 (see FIG. 18).

[0155] The housing 13 contains therein a display device 26, an operation device 27, and a control device (not shown). The housing 14 contains therein a display device 36, an operation device 37, and a control device (not shown).

[0156] The bottom plate 15 is a support member for placing the display operation terminal 70 on a stand installed at a cash register in a store. The housing 13 is connected to the bottom plate 15 by hinges 16 and 17. The structure of this part is the same as that of the display operation terminal 20 (30) described in the first embodiment.

[0157] The hinges 16 and 17 are formed of, for example, torque hinges. The torque hinge can hold the open / closed position of the hinge at any position by frictional force. That is, the housing 13 and the bottom plate 15 can rotate around the rotation axis P as shown in FIG. 1 to arbitrarily adjust the angle between them, and can hold the angle of the display / operation terminal 70 at the adjusted position.

[0158] The housing 14 is rotatably connected to the upper end of the housing 13 of the display operation terminal 70 via a hinge 18. In the example of Fig. 17, the housing 14 is slightly smaller than the housing 13, but the size relationship between the housing 13 and the housing 14 does not matter.

[0159] A cutout is formed in the bottom of the housing 13 of the display operation terminal 70. As shown in Fig. 17, a receipt printer 38 can be inserted into this cutout. In this way, it is possible to save space occupied by the POS system 60. The display operation terminal 70 is an example of a product sales data processing device in this disclosure.

[0160] The configurations of scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are as described in the first embodiment. Scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are connected by wire or wirelessly to display operation terminal 70. The hardware configuration of display operation terminal 70 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 25).

[0161] Fig. 17 shows the state where the POS system 60 is used in a face-to-face mode, in which a store clerk and a customer face each other. In particular, Fig. 17 shows an example where the display device 36 and the operation device 37 of the housing 14 face the store clerk, and the display device 26 and the operation device 27 of the housing 13 face the customer. The scanner 28 faces the store clerk, and the receipt printer 38 and the payment terminal 40 face the customer. The state where the POS system 60 is used in this face-to-face mode is called the first state, as in the first embodiment.

[0162] Fig. 18 is a view of Fig. 17 as seen from the store clerk's side. The store clerk holds up a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product that a customer wants to purchase over scanner 28, causing scanner 28 to read the product code registered in the code symbol. Display operation terminal 70 performs a registration process to register the product with the read product code. The registration results are displayed on display device 36 on the store clerk's side and display device 26 on the customer's side, respectively, allowing the store clerk and the customer to confirm that the product has been registered.

[0163] When product registration is complete, the store clerk presses, for example, a checkout button displayed on the display device 36. The operation device 37 detects that the checkout button has been pressed, and notifies the display operation terminal 70 that product registration is complete. The customer then selects a selection button displayed on the display device 26 that indicates a payment method. The operation device 27 detects which selection button was pressed, and the display operation terminal 70 acquires the payment method. The customer then has the payment terminal 40 read the registration information of the credit card, the remaining balance of the prepaid card, the number of points on the point card, the charge amount of the electronic money card, etc., according to the payment method selected by the customer. The display operation terminal 70 then has an external server (not shown) make the payment according to the payment method.

[0164] When the payment is completed, the display operation terminal 70 issues a receipt with the transaction details printed on it from the receipt printer 38.

[0165] 19 shows an example of a usage state of the POS system 62. The POS system 62 is a system in which the display device 26, the operation device 27, the display device 36, and the operation device 37 of the display operation terminal 70 are arranged in a vertically aligned state, and the customer operates the devices to perform various processes related to the sale of goods. In other words, the POS system 62 is a so-called self-service POS terminal. The state in which the POS system is used in this self-service mode is called the second state, as in the first embodiment.

[0166] POS system 62 is a modification of the above-mentioned POS system 60 in that only the layout of the devices constituting it is changed, and so scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are used as is. Scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 are all positioned facing the customer. Note that in the example of Figure 19, receipt printer 38 is inserted into a notch in the bottom of housing 13, but receipt printer 38 and scanner 28 may be interchanged.

[0167] A customer holds up a code symbol, such as a barcode, attached to a product he or she wishes to purchase over the scanner 28, causing the scanner 28 to read the product code registered in the code symbol. The display operation terminal 70 performs a registration process to register the product with the read product code. The registration result is displayed on the display device 26, allowing the customer to confirm that the product has been registered.

[0168] When product registration is complete, the customer presses, for example, a checkout button displayed on the display device 26. The operation device 27 detects that the checkout button has been pressed, and notifies the display operation terminal 70 that product registration is complete. The customer then selects a selection button displayed on the display device 26 that indicates the payment method for the product price, i.e., the settlement method. The operation device 27 detects which selection button was pressed, and the display operation terminal 70 acquires the settlement method. The customer then has the POS system 62 carry out settlement processing by having the settlement terminal 40 read the registration information of the credit card, the remaining balance of the prepaid card, the number of points on the point card, the charge amount of the electronic money card, etc., according to the settlement method selected by the customer.

[0169] When the payment is completed, the POS system 62 issues a receipt with the transaction details printed on it from the receipt printer 38.

[0170] In the POS system 62, the information displayed on the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 70 is displayed upside down compared to when the display operation terminal 70 is used in the face-to-face mode, that is, when it is used as the POS system 60.

[0171] The POS system 60 and the POS system 62 can be used by the store clerk by changing the orientation of the housing 14 and the arrangement of the scanner 28 and receipt printer 38 depending on the store's business style, such as business hours and business days.

[0172] For example, during the off-season, the system operates in the form of POS system 60, and during the busy season or when there is a shortage of store staff, the system operates in the form of POS system 62.

[0173] (How to detect the orientation of a display device) A method for detecting the orientation of the housing 14 in which the display device 36 is installed will be described with reference to Figures 20, 21, and 22. Figure 20 is a first diagram for explaining the first method for detecting the orientation of the display device. Figure 21 is a second diagram for explaining the first method for detecting the state of the display device. Figure 22 is a third diagram for explaining the first method for detecting the state of the display device.

[0174] As shown in Fig. 20, the housing 13 and the housing 14 are rotatably connected by a hinge 18. The hinge 18 is, for example, a torque hinge. The hinge 18 is configured by connecting a hinge 182 formed on the housing 13 side between a hinge 181 and a hinge 183 formed on the housing 14 side. The housings 13 and 14 can rotate around a hinge axis passing through the hinges 181, 182, and 183, so that the angle between the housings 13 and 14 can be adjusted arbitrarily, and the angle formed by the housings 13 and 14 can be maintained at the adjusted position.

[0175] An angle sensor 451 (see FIG. 21), which will be described later, is embedded in the end of the hinge 182 formed on the housing 13 side on the positive side of the X-axis, i.e., the end on the side that abuts against the hinge 181. The angle sensor 451 is, for example, an LED. Light emitted by the angle sensor 451, i.e., the LED, is emitted from an emission window 46 formed on the end face of the hinge 182 towards the hinge 181 side. The structures of the angle sensor 451 and the emission window 46 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 21).

[0176] Meanwhile, an angle sensor 452 (see FIG. 21), which will be described later, is embedded in the end of the hinge 181 formed on the housing 14 side on the negative side of the X-axis, i.e., the end on the side that abuts against the hinge 182. The angle sensor 452 is, for example, a photodiode. The photodiode outputs a signal when it receives light emitted by the LED. An entrance window 47 that guides light to the angle sensor 452 is formed on the end face of the hinge 181. The structures of the angle sensor 452 and the entrance window 47 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 21).

[0177] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the end faces of hinges 181 and 182 that come into contact with each other.

[0178] An exit window 46 is formed on the end face of the hinge 182, and an angle sensor 451 (LED) is installed behind the exit window 46. The exit window 46 is, for example, a circular hole, and is provided so that light emitted by the LED can be emitted from the hinge 182 to the outside.

[0179] An entrance window 47 is formed on the end face of the hinge 181 on the side in contact with the hinge 182, and an angle sensor 452 (photodiode) is installed inside the hinge 181 behind the entrance window 47. The entrance window 47 is, for example, a cone-shaped hole along the outer periphery of the hinge 181, and is formed at a position where the distance from the rotation center of the hinge 181 to the entrance window 47 is equal to the distance from the rotation center of the hinge 182 to the exit window 46. Therefore, when the hinges 181 and 182 are in a predetermined rotation position, the light emitted from the exit window 46 enters through the entrance window 47 and is guided to the angle sensor 452. This will be described in detail later (see FIG. 22).

[0180] In this embodiment, the angle sensor 451 may be an LED and the angle sensor 452 may be a photodiode, or the angle sensor 451 may be a photodiode and the angle sensor 452 may be an LED. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the angle sensor 451 and the angle sensor 452, they will simply be referred to as the angle sensor 45.

[0181] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of the orientation of housing 13 and the orientation of housing 14 when hinge 181 and hinge 182 are rotated in a state of abutment with each other, as viewed from the side of hinge 182. In FIG.

[0182] 22 shows a state Sa in which the housings 13 and 14 are back-to-back, that is, a state in which the display operation terminal 70 is used in the face-to-face mode. At this time, the positions of the exit window 46 and the entrance window 47 are misaligned, so that the angle sensor 452 (photodiode) does not output a signal.

[0183] 22 shows a state in which the housings 13 and 14 are arranged on substantially the same plane, that is, a state in which the display operation terminal 70 is used in the selfie mode. At this time, the positions of the exit window 46 and the entrance window 47 match, so that the angle sensor 452 (photodiode) outputs a signal.

[0184] Since the entrance window 47 is formed to extend in a direction along the outer periphery of the hinge 181, when the housing 14 is in a specific rotation range, the positions of the exit window 46 and the entrance window 47 coincide with each other. Therefore, when the display operation terminal 70 is used in the selfie mode, the direction of the housing 14 can be adjusted within a range according to the size of the entrance window 47 so that the display device 36 is easily viewable according to the height of the customer.

[0185] The angle sensor 45 is not limited to a combination of an LED and a photodiode, but may be configured, for example, by a combination of an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver.

[0186] (Another example of how to detect the display device orientation) Another method for detecting the orientation of the housing 14 in which the display device 36 is installed will be described with reference to Figures 23 and 24. Figure 23 is a first diagram for explaining the second method for detecting the orientation of the display device. Figure 24 is a second diagram for explaining the second method for detecting the orientation of the display device.

[0187] 23, the angle sensor 451 (LED) described above is embedded in the outer peripheral surface of the hinge 182 formed on the housing 13 side, i.e., in the area that comes into contact with the hinge 182 when the housing 14 rotates. The light emitted by the angle sensor 451, i.e., the LED, is emitted from the emission window 66 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the hinge 182 towards the housing 14 side.

[0188] On the other hand, an entrance window 67 is formed on the side of the housing 14 that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the hinge 182. An angle sensor 452 (photodiode) is installed inside the housing 14, behind the entrance window 67. The entrance window 47 is formed, for example, along a surface that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the hinge 182, at a position equal to the X-axis direction of the exit window 66 formed in the hinge 182, in the shape of an elongated hole along the rotation direction of the housing 14. Therefore, when the housing 14 is at a predetermined rotation position relative to the hinge 182, i.e., the housing 13, the light emitted from the exit window 66 enters through the entrance window 67 and is guided to the angle sensor 452. At this time, the angle sensor 452, i.e., the photodiode, outputs a signal. As a result, the display operation terminal 70 detects that the housing 14 is at a predetermined rotation position relative to the housing 13.

[0189] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the display operation terminal 70 when the hinge 182, i.e., the housing 13, and the hinge 183, i.e., the housing 14, are in a state Sd that realizes the face-to-face mode and in a state Se that realizes the self-mode, as viewed from the side of the hinge 183.

[0190] In state Sd, the housings 13 and 14 are back-to-back. At this time, the positions of the exit window 66 and the entrance window 67 are misaligned, so that the angle sensor 452 (photodiode) does not output a signal.

[0191] On the other hand, in state Se, the housings 13 and 14 face the same side. At this time, the range of the exit window 66 coincides with the range of the entrance window 67, so that the angle sensor 452 (photodiode) outputs a signal.

[0192] In this way, even with the configuration in FIG. 23, the orientation of the housing 14, that is, the orientation of the display device 36, can be detected.

[0193] (Hardware configuration of display and operation terminal) The hardware configuration of the display / operation terminal 70 will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the display / operation terminal of the second embodiment.

[0194] The display operation terminal 70 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a peripheral device controller 73, and a communication I / F (interface) 74.

[0195] The control unit 71 controls the overall operation of the display operation terminal 70. The control unit 71 includes a CPU 711, a ROM 712, and a RAM 713. The CPU 711 is connected to the ROM 712 and the RAM 713 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 711 loads various programs stored in the ROM 712 and the storage unit 72 into the RAM 713. The CPU 711 controls the operation of the display operation terminal 70 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 713. That is, the control unit 71 has the configuration of a general computer.

[0196] The memory unit 72 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD that is connected to the control unit 71 via an internal bus 75. The memory unit 72 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 72 stores a control program 721, a product master 722, a sales promotion master 723, and a product registration file 724.

[0197] The control program 721 is a program that controls the overall operation of the display operation terminal 70. The control program 721 stores both a control program that operates when the POS system is used as the POS system 60, i.e., when used in the face-to-face mode, and a control program that operates when the POS system is used as the POS system 62, i.e., when used in the self-timer mode. Which control program is to be operated is determined by the detection result of the display device angle detection unit 81 (see FIG. 27), which will be described later.

[0198] The control program 721 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 72, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 721 may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 721 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0199] The product master 722, the sales promotion master 723, and the product registration file 724 are the same as the product master 222, the sales promotion master 223, and the product registration file 224 described above, respectively (see FIG. 8).

[0200] The control unit 71 is connected to the display device 26, the operation device 27, the display device 36, the operation device 37, and the angle sensor 45 via a peripheral device controller 73 connected by an internal bus 75. The functions of these are all as described above.

[0201] A microphone and a speaker (not shown) may be connected to the peripheral device controller 73. As described in the first embodiment, the microphone and the speaker are used when a customer receives operational support by having a video conversation with a store clerk in a remote location.

[0202] Additionally, the peripheral device controller 73 is connected to the scanner 28, receipt printer 38, and payment terminal 40 described above.

[0203] The communication I / F 74 controls communication between the display operation terminal 70 and a store server (not shown).

[0204] When changing the usage mode of the display operation terminal 70 from the POS system 60 used in the face-to-face mode to the POS system 62 used in the self-service mode, the housing 14 is rotated about the hinge 18 so that the display device 36 built into the housing 14 faces the same side as the display device 36 built into the housing 13. Then, the scanner 28, which was placed facing the store clerk when used in the face-to-face mode, is repositioned so that it faces the customer.

[0205] (Screen displayed on display operation terminal) An example of a screen displayed by the POS system 62 on the display device 26 and the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 70 will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI displayed on the display device when the POS system of the second embodiment is used in the self mode.

[0206] The GUI shown in Fig. 26 displays product registration details and various operation buttons on the display device 26 on the lower side as seen by the customer, and displays advertising information for product sales promotion (sales promotion) on the display device 36 on the upper side as seen by the customer. That is, Fig. 26 is an example in which an operation screen and a sales promotion screen are displayed together.

[0207] The product registration details are details of registered products. Specifically, the product registration details display the item number indicating the order in which the product was registered, the product name and unit price associated with the registered product code of the code symbol read by the customer with scanner 28, and the quantity and amount. The amount is the product of the unit price and quantity of the product. The product registration details also display the number of products, the tax amount, and the total amount. The number of products is the sum of the aforementioned quantities, i.e., the total number of registered products. The tax amount is the amount of consumption tax levied on the total unit price of the products. The total amount is the sum of the total unit prices of the products and the tax amount.

[0208] Below the product registration details, the operation buttons, the checkout button Ba and the help button Bc, are displayed. The functions of the checkout button Ba and the help button Bc are as described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 9). Note that the display device 26 may also display a button for canceling the registration result, etc.

[0209] The upper sales promotion screen displays various kinds of advertisement information related to the product, or various kinds of sale information being carried out in the store. That is, the advertisement information is sales promotion information for further promoting sales. FIG. 26 shows an example of advertisement information that recommends the purchase of product C related to product A registered by the customer. The POS system 62 generates and displays such advertisement information from the product registered by the customer and information registered in the sales promotion master 723. FIG. 26 shows an example of sales promotion information that recommends the purchase of product C, which is frequently purchased together with product A, when the scanner 28 reads the code symbol of product A. The fact that product C is frequently purchased together with product A is based on the results of an analysis based on past sales history. The aforementioned sales promotion master 723 stores various rules based on such analysis results (such as introducing product C when product A is purchased).

[0210] In addition to the promotion screen, the above-mentioned operation guide screen (see FIG. 10) may be displayed on the upper screen as seen by the customer, i.e., the display device 36, depending on the operation state of the customer. The operation guide screen is displayed, for example, when the help button Bc is pressed.

[0211] The above-mentioned remote customer service screen may be displayed on the display device 36. The contents of the screen to be displayed on the display device 36 are selected by operating various buttons displayed on the lower screen, i.e., the display device 26.

[0212] The display orientation of the screen displayed on the display device 36 is upside down compared to when the display operation terminal 70 is used as the POS system 60. The display orientation is switched when the operating state of the display operation terminal 70 switches between the face-to-face mode and the self-mode, for example, when the program operated by the control program 221 switches between a program for the face-to-face mode and a program for the self-mode.

[0213] On the other hand, when the display operation terminal 70 is used as the POS system 60, i.e., when it is used in the face-to-face mode, the display device 36 of the display operation terminal 70 displays a GUI similar to that displayed on the customer side when a well-known POS terminal is used in the face-to-face mode. Also, the display device 26 of the display operation terminal 70 displays a GUI similar to that displayed on the store clerk side when a well-known POS terminal is used in the face-to-face mode.

[0214] (Functional configuration of the display operation terminal) The functional configuration of the display operation terminal 70 will be described with reference to Fig. 27. Fig. 27 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display operation terminal of the second embodiment.

[0215] The control unit 71 of the display operation terminal 70 functions as a display device angle detection unit 81, an operation mode setting unit 82, a product information acquisition unit 83, a product registration unit 84, a payment processing unit 85, a receipt issuing unit 86, a display control unit 87, and an operation control unit 88 by the CPU 711 reading out the control program 721 stored in the storage unit 72, expanding it into the RAM 713, and executing it. Note that all or part of these functions may be configured using hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0216] The display device angle detection unit 81 detects whether the display device 26 (first display operation unit) is in a first state in which the display device 26 (first display operation unit) is arranged facing the customer and the display device 36 (second display operation unit) is arranged facing the store clerk, or the second state in which the display device 26 and the display device 36 are both arranged facing the customer. Specifically, the display device angle detection unit 81 determines that the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged in the first state when the angle sensor 45 described above does not output a signal. Moreover, the display device angle detection unit 81 determines that the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged in the second state when the angle sensor 45 outputs a signal. The display device angle detection unit 81 is an example of an arrangement state detection unit in the present disclosure.

[0217] The operation mode setting unit 82 sets the screen information and operators to be displayed on the display device 26 and the display device 36 according to the detection result of the display device angle detection unit 81. Furthermore, when the display device 26 (first display operation unit) and the display device 36 (second display operation unit) are arranged in the second state, i.e., in the state used in the self mode, the operation mode setting unit 82 changes the display orientation of the screen to be displayed on the display device 26 (first display operation unit) in the first state, i.e., in the state used in the face-to-face mode, to be upside down.

[0218] The functions of the other functional parts, namely, the product information acquisition unit 83, the product registration unit 84, the payment processing unit 85, the receipt issuing unit 86, the display control unit 87, and the operation control unit 88, are the same as the functions of the product information acquisition unit 53, the product registration unit 54, the payment processing unit 55, the receipt issuing unit 56, the display control unit 57, and the operation control unit 58 described in the first embodiment, respectively.

[0219] (Flow of processing performed by the display operation terminal) The flow of processing when the display operation terminal 70 of the second embodiment is used in the face-to-face mode is the same as that described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 15), and therefore will not be described again.

[0220] Moreover, the flow of processing when the display operation terminal 70 of the second embodiment is used in the self mode is the same as that described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 16), so repeated description will be omitted.

[0221] (Effects of the second embodiment) As described above, in the display operation terminal 70 (product sales data processing device) of the second embodiment, the housing 13 containing the display device 26 (first display operation section) and the housing 14 containing the display device 36 (second display operation section) are connected at one edge portion so that the mutual angles can be adjusted and maintained, and the second state is a state in which the display devices 26 and 36 are arranged facing the same side. Therefore, by sharing the same device, it is possible to freely change between the face-to-face mode and the self-use mode, which are the operating modes of the POS system.

[0222] In the display operation terminal 70 (product sales data processing device) of the second embodiment, the arrangement state detection unit includes an angle sensor 45 that detects whether the angle between the display device 26 (first display operation unit) and the display device 36 (second display operation unit) is within a predetermined range, at the edge where the housing 13 and the housing 14 are connected. Therefore, the arrangement state of the two display devices can be easily and reliably detected.

[0223] In addition, in the display operation terminal 70 (product sales data processing device) of the second embodiment, when the housing 13 containing the display device 26 (first display operation section) and the housing 14 containing the display device 36 (second display operation section) are connected at the upper edge of each housing and the display device 26 and the display device 36 are arranged in the second state, the operation mode setting section 82 changes the display orientation of the screen displayed on the display device 26 in the first state to upside down. Therefore, the screen can be displayed in the correct orientation regardless of the orientation of the display device 36.

[0224] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0225] 10,60 POS system (first state) 12,62 POS system (second state) 13,14 Case 15 Bottom plate 16,17 Hinge 18,181,182,183 Hinge 20, 30 Display operation terminal (product sales data processing device) 26, 36 Display device (first display operation unit, second display operation unit) 27, 37 Operation device (first display operation unit, second display operation unit) 28 Scanner 29,291,292 Proximity sensor (first proximity sensor) 34 Reading window 35 Bottom plate 38 Receipt Printer 40 Payment terminals 41 10-key 42 Display Devices 43 Card Reader 45,451,452 Angle Sensor 46,66 Exit window 47,67 Entrance window 49,491,492 Proximity Sensor (Second Proximity Sensor) 51 Placement state detection unit 52,82 Operation mode setting section 53,83 Product information acquisition department 54,84 Product Registration Department 55,85 Payment processing unit 56,86 Receipt issuing department 57,87 Display control section 58,88 Operation control section 70 Display operation terminal (product sales data processing device) 81 Display device angle detection unit (arrangement state detection unit) 90 Stand 91,92 Merchandise storage area Ba Accounting button Bb Large screen button Bc Help Button Bd Clerk Button Be back button P Rotation axis [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0226] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-126395 [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-114938 A

Claims

1. A product sales data processing device having a first display operation unit and a second display operation unit that display screen information related to product sales and an operation key for receiving an operation instruction related to product sales, and that executes various processes related to product sales upon receiving an operation instruction from the first display operation unit or the second display operation unit, an arrangement state detection unit that detects whether the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged in a first state in which one of them is arranged facing a store clerk and the other is arranged facing a customer, or a second state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are both arranged facing the customer; an operation mode setting unit that sets screen information and operators to be displayed on the first display / operation unit and the second display / operation unit according to a detection result of the arrangement state detection unit; Product sales data processing device.

2. The first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are configured separately, the first state is a state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged back-to-back; The second state is a state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged side by side. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The arrangement state detection unit is a first proximity sensor provided in an area that comes into contact with or is close to the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit when the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are placed back to back; a second proximity sensor provided in an area that comes into contact with or is close to the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit when the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged side by side; 3. A product sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operation mode setting unit is When the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged in the second state, an operation screen and an operator related to product sales are displayed on either the first display operation unit or the second display operation unit, displaying an operation screen and operators related to product sales, screen information related to sales promotion, or operation guidance related to product sales on the other of the first display operation unit or the second display operation unit; 3. A product sales data processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a housing containing the first display operation unit and a housing containing the second display operation unit are connected to each other at one edge portion so that the angle between the housing and the second display operation unit can be adjusted and maintained; the first state is a state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged back-to-back; The second state is a state in which the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged facing the same side. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1 .

6. The arrangement state detection unit is an angle sensor provided on the edge portion for detecting whether an angle formed between the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit is within a predetermined range; The product sales data processing device according to claim 5.

7. a housing containing the first display operation unit and a housing containing the second display operation unit are connected to each other at their upper edge portions, When the first display operation unit and the second display operation unit are arranged in the second state, the operation mode setting unit changes a display orientation of a screen displayed on the first display operation unit in the first state to upside down.

7. A product sales data processing device according to claim 5 or 6.

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