Transaction processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To provide a technique that facilitates the processing of a barcode symbol representing codes with a large number of digits.SOLUTION: A transaction processing device comprises a converter and a print processing unit. The converter converts a first transaction code represented in decimal form into a second transaction code where some or all of the digits are represented in N (where N is a number greater than 10) decimal form. The print processing unit prints a barcode symbol representing the second transaction code converted by the converter onto a medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a transaction processing apparatus and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in commercial facilities such as grocery stores, when conducting a product transaction, a receipt with a barcode is issued at the time of settlement, and when a product is returned, a POS (Point Of Sales) system can identify the product by reading the barcode.

[0003] However, depending on the format of the receipt that can be issued by the POS system and the width of the receipt, there is a limit to the number of digits of the barcode that can be printed, and there are cases where a barcode with a large number of digits cannot be printed. As a countermeasure in such cases, there are methods of printing the barcode in two lines or printing it as a QR code (registered trademark). In the method of printing the barcode in two lines, it is necessary to read it twice when reading the barcode, which is time-consuming. Also, in the method of printing it as a QR code, a scanner or the like capable of reading the QR code is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a transaction processing apparatus and an information processing program that can facilitate the processing of barcode symbols indicating codes with a large number of digits.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment, the transaction processing apparatus includes a conversion unit and a printing processing unit. The conversion unit converts a first transaction code represented in decimal into a second transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in base-N (where N is a number greater than 10). The printing processing unit performs a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the second transaction code converted by the conversion unit on a medium.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scales of the respective parts in the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments may be appropriately changed. Also, the respective drawings used in the following description of the embodiments may show the configurations with some omissions for the purpose of explanation.

[0009] Hereinafter, a store that sells products will be used as an example for explanation. Assume that the store is a physical store. Products include not only tangible goods but also products different from tangible goods such as services or tickets. A service is a task provided to customers. The store may mainly sell tangible goods or mainly sell service offerings. For example, a store that mainly sells tangible goods may be a supermarket or a home center, etc., but is not limited thereto. For example, a store that mainly sells service offerings may be a restaurant or a sports gym, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0010] A product transaction is the transfer of fees from a customer to a store accompanying the sale of products by the store. From the store's perspective, the transaction includes the meaning of selling products. From the customer's perspective, the transaction includes the meaning of purchasing products.

[0011] (Configuration example) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a store system S. The store system S is a system in store X.

[0012] The store system S includes a POS terminal 1 and a store server 2. The POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 are communicably connected to each other via a network NA. For example, the network NA is a LAN (Local Area Network). The network NA may include a wireless network or a wired network.

[0013] The store system S may include a plurality of POS terminals 1. The store system S may also refer to a system including at least two electronic devices.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example in which the store system S includes two POS terminals 1, but the number of POS terminals 1 is not limited thereto. The configuration of the plurality of POS terminals 1 may be the same as that of the POS terminal 1.

[0015] The POS terminal 1 is a device that processes transactions at Store X. For example, the POS terminal 1 has a product registration function. The POS terminal 1 processes the registration of one or more products that are the subject of a transaction through the product registration function. Hereinafter, the registration of a product is also referred to as product registration. The product that is the subject of a transaction is also referred to as a transaction product. Product registration is to register a product as a transaction product. For example, product registration includes storing transaction data that includes data related to the transaction product. The transaction data can include data related to each transaction product for one transaction. The data related to the transaction product is data about the details of the transaction product. The data related to the transaction product may include the product code of the transaction product. The product code of the transaction product is identification information that can uniquely identify the transaction product. The data related to the transaction product may include the price of the transaction product. The price of the transaction product is the price per one of the transaction products. The data related to the transaction product may include the quantity of the transaction product. The quantity of the transaction product is the number of transaction products included in one transaction. The transaction data includes a transaction number. The transaction number is issued for each transaction. The transaction number is a code that can uniquely identify a transaction. The transaction data indicates data in which the transaction number and the data related to the transaction product are associated.

[0016] Transaction data is managed by a transaction code that can identify the transaction data. The transaction code is a code that can uniquely identify the transaction data. The transaction code is assigned to the transaction data. The transaction code is, for example, a transaction search code that can search for transaction data. The transaction code may be at least one combination of information that can identify one transaction. The information that can identify a transaction includes, for example, the transaction date and time, store code, terminal number, and transaction number, etc. Each of the information that can identify a transaction may be a value represented by a different number of digits. The transaction date and time is information regarding the transaction date and time. The transaction date and time may include information regarding the year, month, and day of the transaction. The store code is a code that can uniquely identify a store. The terminal number is a code that can uniquely identify POS terminal 1. The transaction code is, for example, an 18-digit code consisting of "transaction year (2 digits), transaction month (2 digits), transaction day (2 digits), store code (4 digits), terminal number (4 digits), and transaction number (4 digits)". The information included in the transaction code is not limited to this. The number of digits of the transaction code is not limited to this. The transaction code is, for example, a code represented in decimal.

[0017] Transaction data is stored, for example, in a transaction management server that manages each transaction. The transaction management server may be a store server 2 or a server on the cloud different from this.

[0018] For example, POS terminal 1 has a settlement function. POS terminal 1 processes the settlement of a transaction based on the data regarding the transaction by the settlement function. Settlement is the payment for a transaction. Settlement includes the meaning of accounting. The completion of the settlement by POS terminal 1 includes the meaning of the establishment of a transaction.

[0019] Settlement methods for transaction settlement include offline settlement and online settlement. Offline settlement is a settlement that does not require the POS terminal 1 to cooperate with other devices via a network. For example, offline settlement is settlement by cash, gift vouchers, etc. Online settlement is a settlement executed by the POS terminal 1 in cooperation with other devices via a network. For example, online settlement is credit card settlement, electronic money settlement, debit card settlement, code settlement, etc.

[0020] The POS terminal 1 can be operated by the user of the POS terminal 1. The user of the POS terminal 1 is a store clerk or a customer. The store clerk or the customer may be read as a user or a person. The POS terminal 1 is an example of a transaction processing device. The configuration example of the POS terminal 1 will be described later.

[0021] The store server 2 is a device that can communicate with the POS terminal 1 via the network NA. When the store system S includes a plurality of POS terminals, the store server 2 is a device that can communicate with a plurality of POS terminals including the POS terminal 1 via the network NA. The store server 2 may be a server used in cloud services.

[0022] The store server 2 is a device that stores information necessary for transactions in store X. The store server 2 stores a product master. The data of the product master is data including various information about products such as product codes, prices, and product names for each product. The store server 2 stores transaction data collected from at least one POS terminal 1. The store server 2 may store transaction data of store X and other stores. The store server 2 stores a code conversion program used to convert transaction codes.

[0023] The code conversion program is a program that performs radix conversion (number base conversion) on transaction codes. The code conversion program includes, for example, a method of radix conversion. The method of radix conversion includes, for example, the radix of the source of conversion, the radix of the destination of conversion, the unit of the value to be converted, and the like. The method of radix conversion includes converting from decimal to base-N (where N is a number greater than 10). The base-N number is, for example, hexadecimal or base-32, etc. The method of radix conversion includes performing radix conversion on some or all of the digits of the transaction code. Some of the digits of the transaction code are values that indicate a part of the information that can identify the transaction data included in the transaction code. For example, when the transaction code is an 18-digit value, the method of radix conversion includes converting all 18 digits of the value. The method of radix conversion includes converting only the 4-digit value indicating the store code out of the 18-digit value. The method of radix conversion includes, when the transaction code is an 18-digit value, converting the 18-digit value as one unit. The method of radix conversion includes, when the transaction year is a 2-digit value, the transaction month is a 2-digit value, the transaction date is a 2-digit value, the store code is a 4-digit value, the terminal number is a 4-digit value, and the transaction number is a 4-digit value, converting each value of the information that can identify the transaction data as one unit. The method of radix conversion may convert all of each value of the identifiable information or may convert a part of it. For example, when converting all of each value of the identifiable information, the converted transaction code is all base-N values. When converting a part of each value of the identifiable information, the converted transaction code has a mixture of decimal values and base-N values.

[0024] The code conversion program includes a method of radix conversion that converts the radix-converted transaction code back to the radix of the source of conversion. In the following description, the radix conversion that converts back to the radix of the source of conversion is also referred to as inverse conversion. The inverse conversion includes converting from base-N to decimal. The method of inverse conversion may be a different method depending on the method of radix conversion.

[0025] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the POS terminal 1.

[0026] The POS terminal 1 includes a processing circuit 10, a main memory 11, an auxiliary storage device 12, a change machine interface 13, a communication interface 14, a scanner 15, an input device 16, a display device 17, a printing device 18, a reader 19, and an audio output device 20. The main memory 11, the auxiliary storage device 12, the change machine interface 13, the communication interface 14, the scanner 15, the input device 16, the display device 17, the printing device 18, the reader 19, and the audio output device 20 are connected to be able to input and output signals to each other. In FIG. 2, the interface is described as "I / F".

[0027] The processing circuit 10 corresponds to the central part of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 is an element that constitutes the computer of the POS terminal 1. The processing circuit 10 includes one or more circuits that execute a plurality of processes by a plurality of functions. For example, the circuit is a processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. For example, the processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), but is not limited thereto. The processing circuit 10 expands a program stored in advance in the main memory 11 or the auxiliary storage device 12 into the main memory 11. The program is a program that enables the processing circuit 10 to execute the processing by each means described later. The processing circuit 10 executes the program expanded in the main memory 11 to enable various processes to be executed.

[0028] The main memory 11 includes elements corresponding to the main storage part of the POS terminal 1. The main memory 11 is an element that constitutes the computer of the POS terminal 1. The main memory 11 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. In the non-volatile memory area, the main memory 11 stores an operating system or a program. The main memory 11 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processing circuit 10. For example, the main memory 11 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as the non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 11 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as the volatile memory area.

[0029] The auxiliary storage device 12 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the POS terminal 1. The auxiliary storage device 12 includes one or more storage devices. The storage device is, for example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, but is not limited thereto. The auxiliary storage device 12 stores the above-described program, data used by the processing circuit 10 to perform various processes, and data generated by the processes in the processing circuit 10.

[0030] The auxiliary storage device 12 includes a code conversion program storage area 121. The code conversion program storage area 121 stores a code conversion program. The data in the code conversion program storage area 121 is updated by adding, updating, or deleting the code conversion program, etc. For example, the POS terminal 1 may acquire a code conversion program from the store server 2. The code conversion program storage area 121 is an example of the storage unit of the POS terminal 1.

[0031] The auxiliary storage device 12 stores a product master. The product master stores product identification information (product code) in association with product information of products handled in the store. The product information includes a product name, a price, and the like.

[0032] The change dispenser interface 13 inputs and outputs data signals with the automatic change dispenser. For example, the change dispenser interface 13 receives the inserted amount data from the automatic change dispenser. The change dispenser interface 13 outputs the change amount data to the automatic change dispenser. The automatic change dispenser pays out banknotes or coins equivalent to the change amount according to the change amount data.

[0033] The communication interface 14 includes various interfaces that connect the POS terminal 1 to other devices via the network NA so as to be communicable according to a predetermined communication protocol.

[0034] The scanner 15 is a device that reads various code symbols and acquires information from the code symbols. For example, the code symbol is a barcode symbol or a two-dimensional code symbol. The code symbol may include a code symbol of a product that records a product code. The code symbol of the product is an image attached to the product. The code symbol may include a code symbol of a transaction code that records a transaction code. The code symbol of the transaction code is, for example, an image printed on a receipt. The code symbol of the transaction code may also be an image that can be displayed on the customer's terminal. The code symbol may include a code symbol that records a membership code. The membership code is identification information that can uniquely identify a member. The code symbol that records the membership code may be an image attached to a card or an image that can be displayed on the customer's terminal. The code symbol may include a code symbol for code settlement.

[0035] The input device 16 is a device capable of inputting information to the POS terminal 1. For example, the input device 16 may include a keyboard. The input device 16 and the display device 17 may constitute a touch screen together.

[0036] The display device 17 is a device capable of displaying various images under the control of the processing circuit 10. The display device 17 is mainly a display device for customers to view. For example, the display device 17 is a liquid crystal display or an EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display device 17 is an example of a display unit.

[0037] The printing device 18 is a device for issuing transaction details by printing on a medium. For example, the medium is paper. For example, the printing device 18 is a thermal printer or an inkjet printer. The transaction details are a medium indicating the details of a transaction. The transaction details are described as a receipt, but may also be a receipt with a field for filling in the name.

[0038] For example, the transaction details include all or part of the information based on the transaction data. The transaction details may include information other than these.

[0039] For example, the transaction details include information about the transaction goods. The information about the transaction goods includes all or part of the product code of the transaction goods, the name of the transaction goods, the price of the transaction goods, the quantity of the transaction goods, the amount of the transaction goods, and the type of the transaction goods. The transaction details may include the total amount of the transaction. The transaction details may include the payment amount. The payment amount is the amount of payment for the transaction paid by the payment method selected by the customer.

[0040] The reader 19 is a device for reading card data recorded on a card medium. The reader 19 may include a contact reader for reading card data recorded on the magnetic stripe of the card medium. The reader 19 may include a non-contact reader for reading card data recorded on the IC (Integrated Circuit) tag of the card medium. The IC tag includes an IC chip and an antenna.

[0041] The voice output device 20 is a device capable of outputting various voices under the control of the processing circuit 10. For example, the voice output device 20 is a speaker.

[0042] Note that the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 1 is not limited to the above configuration. The POS terminal 1 can appropriately omit and change the above components and add new components.

[0043] Each part realized by the processing circuit 10 will be described. The processing circuit 10 realizes a registration unit 101, a settlement processing unit 102, a conversion unit 103, a printing processing unit 104, an output unit 105, an acquisition unit 106, a search processing unit 107, and a display processing unit 108. Each means realized by the processing circuit 10 can also be referred to as each part or each function. Each means realized by the processing circuit 10 can also be said to be realized in a control unit including the processing circuit 10 and the main memory 11.

[0044] The registration unit 101 performs registration processing of one or more transaction items based on the user operation of the POS terminal 1. Specifically, the registration unit 101 refers to the product master based on the product code of the product scanned by the user, and acquires data related to the transaction item of the transaction item corresponding to the product code. The registration unit 101 generates a transaction code based on the transaction data.

[0045] Note that the registration unit 101 may perform product registration processing in cooperation with the store server 2. In this case, the registration unit 101 outputs a product registration request to the store server 2. The store server 2 acquires product information based on the product code included in the product registration request and stores the transaction data. The store server 2 outputs the transaction data to the POS terminal 1. The registration unit 101 stores the transaction data.

[0046] The settlement processing unit 102 processes the settlement of the transaction. The conversion unit 103 performs a radix conversion of the transaction code based on a code conversion program. Specifically, the conversion unit 103 converts a transaction code represented in decimal into a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in base N. The transaction code represented in decimal is, for example, a numerical value represented in decimal. The transaction code represented in decimal is an example of a first transaction code. The transaction code represented in base N is, for example, a numerical value represented in a base greater than 10. The transaction code represented in base N is an example of a second transaction code. The base N is, for example, hexadecimal or 32 - bit. The number of digits of the transaction code represented in base N is less than the number of digits of the transaction code represented in decimal. For example, when the first transaction code represented in decimal is 18 digits, the second transaction code represented in 32 - bit is 12 digits.

[0047] The conversion unit 103 converts a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in base N into a transaction code represented in decimal based on a code conversion program. For example, the conversion unit 103 converts the second transaction code represented in 32 - bit into the first transaction code represented in decimal.

[0048] The printing processing unit 104 controls the printing device 18 to perform printing processing. The printing processing unit 104 controls the printing device 18 to perform a process of printing an image indicating transaction data on a medium. The printing processing unit 104 controls the printing device 18 to perform a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the transaction code on the medium. The printing processing unit 104 may control the printing device 18 to perform a process of printing the decimal numbers indicating the transaction code on the medium.

[0049] The output unit 105 outputs the transaction data to the store server 2 via the communication interface 14. The output unit 105 outputs the transaction code to the store server 2 via the communication interface 14. The store server 2 stores the transaction data and the transaction code in association with each other.

[0050] The acquisition unit 106 acquires a transaction code. The acquisition unit 106 may acquire the transaction code based on the reading of a barcode symbol indicating the transaction code by the scanner 15. The barcode symbol is a barcode symbol printed on a medium and is an image indicating a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N - ary number system. Note that the acquisition unit 106 may acquire the transaction code based on an input operation via the input device 16. The input operation includes an operation of inputting a decimal transaction code printed on a medium via the input device 16.

[0051] The search processing unit 107 performs a process of searching for transaction data based on a transaction code represented in decimal. The search processing unit 107 outputs the transaction code to the store server 2. The search processing unit 107 may output a search instruction to the store server 2. The store server 2 searches for transaction data based on the transaction code. The store server 2 outputs the searched transaction data to the POS terminal 1 as a search result. The search processing unit 107 acquires the search result from the store server 2.

[0052] The display processing unit 108 displays various images on the display device 17. The display processing unit 108 displays the search result on the display device 17.

[0053] (Example of barcode symbol) The barcode symbol printed by the POS terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode symbol according to the embodiment.

[0054] FIG. 3 is an example of a receipt on which a barcode symbol is printed. The receipt Ra includes a barcode symbol display area Ara and a transaction code display area Arb. The barcode symbol display area Ara is an area for displaying the barcode symbol. The barcode symbol indicates a transaction code converted to an N - ary number system. The transaction code display area Arb is an area for displaying the transaction code. The transaction code is a transaction code indicated by a decimal numerical value.

[0055] According to this example, in the barcode symbol display area Ara, an N - ary transaction code with fewer digits than the decimal transaction code is displayed. Therefore, even when there is a limit on the size of the barcode symbol display area Ara, a barcode symbol indicating a transaction code with many digits can be displayed. Also, in the transaction code display area Arb, since the decimal transaction code is displayed as numbers, the transaction code can be easily recognized when visually checking the transaction code. Therefore, when it is necessary for the user to manually input the transaction code, such as when the barcode symbol cannot be read by the scanner, the transaction code can be input based on the decimal transaction code. The decimal transaction code corresponds to the transaction code before conversion to the N - ary system.

[0056] (Operation example) The processing of the store system S will be described. In the following description mainly based on the POS terminal 1, the POS terminal 1 may be read as the processing circuit 10. Similarly, in the description mainly based on the store server 2, the store server 2 may be read as the processing circuit of the store server 2. Note that the processing procedures described below are only examples, and each process may be changed as much as possible. Also, regarding the processing procedures described below, depending on the embodiment, steps can be omitted, replaced, and added as appropriate. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of information processing related to transaction code issuance by the store system according to the embodiment. In the following processing, it is assumed that the user of the POS terminal 1 registers a product. Assume that the transaction code is a code exceeding 16 digits. In the following processing, it is assumed that the POS terminal 1 cannot print a barcode symbol indicating a code exceeding 16 digits on the receipt. For example, assume that the width of the barcode symbol is larger than the width of the printable area of the receipt, or that the barcode symbol cannot be printed along the width direction of the receipt.

[0057] The processing circuit 10 performs a product registration process (ACT1). ACT1 may be a process by the registration unit 101. In ACT1, for example, the processing circuit 10 performs product registration based on a product registration operation by the user of the POS terminal 1. The product registration operation includes, for example, an operation of reading a code symbol attached to a product via the scanner 15. The product registration operation may include an operation of selecting a product registration button on the product registration image by touch input or the like. The processing circuit 10 acquires the product code recorded in the code symbol. The processing circuit 10 refers to the product master stored in the auxiliary storage device 12 and acquires data related to the product corresponding to the product code. The product corresponding to the product code is also referred to as a transaction product. The data related to the product of the transaction product includes data such as a product code, a product name, a price of the product, and points of the product. The processing circuit 10 generates transaction data including data related to the transaction product for each transaction. Note that the processing circuit 10 may refer to the product master stored in the store server 2 and acquire data related to the transaction product of the product corresponding to the product code.

[0058] The processing circuit 10 generates a transaction code based on the transaction data. (ACT2). ACT2 may be a process by the registration unit 101. In ACT2, for example, the processing circuit 10 generates a transaction code represented in decimal based on information capable of identifying a transaction. In this example, the processing circuit 10 generates an 18-digit transaction code consisting of "transaction year (2 digits), transaction month (2 digits), transaction date (2 digits), store code (4 digits), terminal number (4 digits), and transaction number (4 digits)". The processing circuit 10 may associate the transaction data with the transaction code and store it in the auxiliary storage device 12.

[0059] The processing circuit 10 performs a settlement process (ACT3). ACT3 may be a process by the settlement processing unit 102. In ACT3, for example, the processing circuit 10 processes the settlement of a transaction based on the transaction data by a settlement function. The processing circuit 10 performs the settlement process of the transaction based on the settlement method selected by the user.

[0060] The processing circuit 10 converts a transaction code represented in decimal into a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in base N (ACT4). ACT4 may be processed by the conversion unit 103. In ACT4, for example, the processing circuit 10 acquires a code conversion program from the code conversion program storage area 121. The processing circuit 10 converts the transaction code represented in decimal into a transaction code represented in base N based on the code conversion program. The processing circuit 10 may convert some digits of the transaction code into base N. The processing circuit 10 may convert all digits of the transaction code into base N. The processing circuit 10 may convert the transaction code into base N with all digits of the transaction code as one unit. The processing circuit 10 may convert the transaction code into base N with some digits of the transaction code as one unit. The number of digits of the transaction code converted into base N by the processing circuit 10 is less than the number of digits of the transaction code represented in decimal. The processing circuit 10 may change the conversion method according to the settings of the user of the POS terminal 1 or the store manager, etc.

[0061] The processing circuit 10 performs a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating a transaction code converted into an N - ary number on a medium (ACT5). ACT5 may be a process by the printing processing unit 104. In ACT5, for example, the processing circuit 10 generates a barcode symbol indicating a transaction code converted into an N - ary number. The processing circuit 10 outputs the generated barcode symbol to the printing device 18. Here, the barcode symbol includes the meaning of the image data of the barcode symbol. The barcode symbol may be read as the image data of the barcode symbol. The processing circuit 10 controls the printing device 18 to print the barcode symbol on the receipt. The printing device 18 prints the barcode symbol on the receipt. The processing circuit 10 may perform a process of printing the decimal transaction code in decimal digits on the medium. The processing circuit 10 generates image data representing the decimal transaction code in decimal digits. The processing circuit 10 outputs the image data of the transaction code represented by decimal digits to the printing device 18. The processing circuit 10 controls the printing device 18 to print the image data of the transaction code represented by decimal digits on the receipt. The printing device 18 prints the transaction code in decimal digits on the receipt.

[0062] The output unit 105 outputs the transaction data to the store server 2. The output unit 105 outputs the decimal transaction code to the store server 2. The store server 2 acquires the transaction data. The store server 2 acquires the transaction code.

[0063] The store server 2 associates and stores the transaction data and the transaction code (ACT6).

[0064] Note that the POS terminal 1 may perform a process of converting a transaction code represented in decimal into a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in N - ary based on a user's operation. In this case, the POS terminal 1 may acquire a conversion instruction input by the user via the input device 16. The POS terminal 1 may perform the process of ACT4 based on the conversion instruction.

[0065] In addition to, or instead of, the process of printing a bar code symbol indicating a transaction code on the receipt, the POS terminal 1 may output image data of the bar code symbol to another device. The other device is, for example, a user terminal such as a smartphone used by a customer.

[0066] According to this example, the POS terminal 1 can convert a decimal transaction code into an N - ary transaction code. The POS terminal 1 can print a bar code symbol indicating the transaction code converted to the N - ary system on the receipt. Therefore, the POS terminal 1 can reduce the number of digits of the transaction code by converting the transaction code represented in decimal to an N - ary number greater than 10. The POS terminal 1 can print a bar code symbol indicating the transaction code with reduced number of digits on the receipt. For example, the POS terminal 1 converts a transaction code represented by an 18 - digit decimal number to a 32 - ary number, and by converting it to a transaction code with fewer digits than 18 digits, even when the number of digits of the bar code printable due to the width of the receipt is limited, it can print a bar code symbol that fits within the limited number of digits. The POS terminal 1 can facilitate the issuance of a bar code symbol indicating a code with a large number of digits by printing a bar code symbol indicating the transaction code after base conversion on the receipt. Thus, the POS terminal 1 can facilitate the processing of a bar code symbol indicating a code with a large number of digits.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of information processing related to transaction information search by the store system S according to the embodiment. In the following process, it is assumed that the user of the POS terminal 1 searches for transaction data in a return process or the like. For example, the user of the POS terminal 1 receives a receipt from the customer that includes a bar code symbol indicating the transaction code of the transaction subject to the return process. It is assumed that the user of the POS terminal 1 reads the bar code symbol indicating the transaction code printed on the receipt with the scanner 15. The bar code symbol is assumed to be a bar code symbol indicating a transaction code represented in the N - ary system.

[0068] The processing circuit 10 acquires a transaction code (ACT11). ACT11 may be processed by the acquisition unit 106. In ACT11, for example, the processing circuit 10 reads, via the scanner 15, a barcode symbol printed on the receipt, which represents a transaction code where some or all digits are represented in base-N. The processing circuit 10 acquires the transaction code recorded in the barcode symbol.

[0069] The processing circuit 10 converts a transaction code where some or all digits are represented in base-N to a transaction code represented in decimal (ACT12). ACT12 may be processed by the conversion unit 103. In ACT12, for example, the processing circuit 10 converts the transaction code represented in base-N to a transaction code represented in decimal based on a code conversion program. The processing circuit 10 may convert the transaction code represented in base-N to a transaction code represented in decimal based on the reverse conversion method included in the code conversion program. The processing circuit 10 may perform a process of converting the transaction code represented in base-N back to a transaction code represented in decimal based on the method of radix conversion from decimal to base-N.

[0070] The processing circuit 10 outputs the transaction code represented in decimal to the store server 2. This process may be processed by the search processing unit 107. Note that the processing circuit 10 may output a search instruction to the store server 2. The store server 2 acquires the transaction code. The store server 2 may acquire the search instruction.

[0071] The store server 2 performs a search process of searching for transaction data based on the acquired transaction code (ACT13). In ACT13, for example, the store server 2 refers to the transaction data stored in the store server 2 and acquires the transaction data corresponding to the transaction code as the search result. The store server 2 outputs the transaction data, which is the search result, to the POS terminal 1.

[0072] The processing circuit 10 acquires the transaction data from the store server 2 (ACT14). ACT14 may be processed by the search processing unit 107.

[0073] The processing circuit 10 displays the transaction data on the display device 17 (ACT15). ACT15 may be processed by the display processing unit 108. In ACT15, for example, the processing circuit 10 displays image data based on the transaction data on the display device 17.

[0074] According to this example, the POS terminal 1 can convert an N - ary transaction code into a decimal transaction code. The POS terminal 1 can search for transaction data corresponding to the transaction code based on the decimal transaction code. Therefore, even when the POS terminal 1 reads a code symbol indicating an N - ary transaction code, it can search for transaction data managed by a decimal transaction code. In this way, the POS terminal 1 can facilitate the processing of barcode symbols indicating codes with a large number of digits.

[0075] According to the embodiment, the POS terminal 1 can convert a decimal transaction code into an N - ary transaction code greater than 10 and print a barcode symbol indicating the N - ary converted transaction code on the receipt. Therefore, the POS terminal 1 can reduce the number of digits of the transaction code and the number of digits of the barcode symbol printed on the receipt. Thereby, the POS terminal 1 can facilitate the issuance of barcode symbols indicating codes with a large number of digits. Also, the POS terminal 1 outputs the transaction data corresponding to the decimal transaction code to the store server 2. The store server 2 can store the transaction data corresponding to the decimal transaction code in association. Therefore, in the store server 2, there is no need to manage the N - ary transaction code. Furthermore, the POS terminal 1 converts the N - ary transaction code into a decimal transaction code and outputs the decimal transaction code to the store server 2. The POS terminal 1 can search for corresponding transaction data based on the decimal transaction code. Therefore, even when the POS terminal 1 reads a code symbol indicating a transaction code represented in N - ary, it can search for transaction data managed by the decimal transaction code. In this way, the POS terminal 1 can facilitate the processing of barcode symbols indicating codes with a large number of digits.

[0076] (Other embodiments) The transaction processing device may be implemented by one device as described by taking the POS terminal 1 as an example, or may be implemented by a plurality of devices with distributed functions.

[0077] In the above description, the POS terminal 1 through which the user can complete from product registration to settlement is taken as an example, but it is not limited to this. The POS terminal 1 may be a shopping cart system having a product registration function. The POS terminal 1 may be a smartphone POS terminal in which the customer himself / herself performs product registration using a mobile terminal owned by the customer. In these cases, in the settlement device that performs the settlement process, functions other than the product registration function among the functions of the processing circuit 10 of the POS terminal 1 may be realized.

[0078] When the functions of the POS terminal 1 are provided to a cloud server, a system that realizes the functions of the POS terminal 1 by a system of a tablet terminal communicably connected to this cloud server may be used. The store server 2 communicates with the cloud server and acquires the transaction code and transaction data from the cloud server instead of the POS terminal 1.

[0079] The above - described embodiments may be applied to the method executed by the device. The above - described embodiments may be applied to a program that enables a computer of the device to execute each function. The above - described embodiments may be applied to a recording medium that stores the program.

[0080] Each of the one or more circuits constituting the processing circuit executes one or more of a plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a single circuit, the single circuit executes all of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a plurality of circuits, each of the plurality of circuits executes a part of the plurality of processes. A part of the plurality of processes may be one of the plurality of processes or two or more of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a plurality of circuits, the plurality of circuits may be included in one device or may be distributed among a plurality of devices.

[0081] The program may be transferred in a state stored in the device according to an embodiment, or may be transferred in a state not stored in the device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network or may be transferred in a state recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The recording medium may be any medium that can store a program and is readable by a computer, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, regardless of its form.

[0082] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0083] The above-described embodiments may be expressed as follows. (1) A conversion unit that converts a first transaction code represented in decimal into a second transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (N is a number greater than 10), and a printing processing unit that performs a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the second transaction code converted by the conversion unit on a medium. A transaction processing apparatus comprising: (2) The transaction processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the number of digits of the second transaction code is less than the number of digits of the first transaction code. (3) The transaction processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the printing processing unit performs a process of printing the first transaction code on the medium as a decimal number. (4) An acquisition unit that acquires the transaction code based on reading of a barcode symbol printed on a medium, the barcode symbol indicating a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (N is a number greater than 10), a conversion unit that converts the transaction code into a transaction code represented in a decimal number, and a search processing unit that performs a process of searching for transaction data based on the transaction code represented in a decimal number. The transaction processing apparatus comprising the above components. (5) An information processing program that can cause a computer to have a function of converting a first transaction code represented in a decimal number into a second transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (N is a number greater than 10), and a function of performing a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the second transaction code converted by the conversion unit on a medium. (6) An information processing program that can cause a computer to have a function of acquiring the transaction code based on reading of a barcode symbol printed on a medium, the barcode symbol indicating a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (N is a number greater than 10), a function of converting the transaction code into a transaction code represented in a decimal number, and a function of performing a process of searching for transaction data based on the transaction code represented in a decimal number.

Explanation of Signs

[0084] 1... POS terminal, 2... store server, 10... processing circuit, 11... main memory, 12... auxiliary storage device, 13... change machine interface, 14... communication interface, 15... scanner, 16... input device, 17... display device, 18... printing device, 19... reader, 20... voice output device, 101... registration unit, 102... settlement processing unit, 103... conversion unit, 104... printing processing unit, 105... output unit, 106... acquisition unit, 107... search processing unit, 108... display processing unit, 121... code conversion program storage area, Ara... barcode symbol display area, Arb... transaction code display area, NA... network, Ra... receipt, S... store system, X... store.

Claims

1. A conversion unit that converts a first transaction code represented in decimal into a second transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (where N is a number greater than 10), A printing processing unit that performs a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the second transaction code converted by the conversion unit on a medium, A transaction processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The transaction processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of digits of the second transaction code is less than the number of digits of the first transaction code.

3. The transaction processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing processing unit performs a process of printing the first transaction code on the medium as decimal numbers.

4. An acquisition unit that acquires the transaction code based on reading of a barcode symbol printed on a medium and indicating a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (where N is a number greater than 10), A conversion unit that converts the transaction code into a transaction code represented in decimal, A search processing unit that performs a process of searching for transaction data based on the transaction code represented in decimal, A transaction processing apparatus comprising the above.

5. An information processing program that can cause a computer to Execute a function of converting a first transaction code represented in decimal into a second transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (where N is a number greater than 10), Execute a function of performing a process of printing a barcode symbol indicating the second transaction code on a medium,

6. An information processing program that can cause a computer to Execute a function of acquiring the transaction code based on reading of a barcode symbol printed on a medium and indicating a transaction code in which some or all digits are represented in an N-ary number (where N is a number greater than 10), Execute a function of converting the transaction code into a transaction code represented in decimal, Execute a function of performing a process of searching for transaction data based on the transaction code represented in decimal, ​

Images