POS system

Abstract

To provide a POS system that can easily identify discrepancies caused by POS terminals and deposit / withdrawal machines.SOLUTION: A POS system includes a POS terminal that registers articles, a plurality of deposit / withdrawal machines that settles the articles registered by the POS terminal based on a basket to which an RFID tag is attached, and a management server that manages the POS terminal and the deposit / withdrawal machines. The POS terminal records information about the amount of the registered articles on the RFID tag and transmits, to the management server, POS log information including information on the amount of the registered articles and information on the deposit / withdrawal machine arbitrarily designated among the plurality of deposit / withdrawal machines. The deposit / withdrawal machine transmits deposit / withdrawal machine log information including information on the amount of the articles that have been settled to the management server. The management server compares the POS log information transmitted from the POS terminal with the deposit / withdrawal machine log information transmitted from the deposit / withdrawal machine to identify discrepancies caused by the deposit / withdrawal machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a POS system.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, in stores including mass merchandisers such as supermarkets and drugstores, a semi-self form of POS (Point of Sales) system is increasing, in which a store clerk registers (scans) products at the time of accounting, and a customer performs the settlement process by himself / herself.

[0003] Normally, a semi-self form of POS system is configured with a terminal (POS terminal) for registering (scanning) products and a terminal (cash dispenser) for settling the registered products. After the registration of products is completed, data is linked from the POS terminal to the cash dispenser, and the customer pays the amount displayed on the cash dispenser. That is, in this case, it is an essential configuration that the POS terminal and the cash dispenser are linked systems.

[0004] For example, an accounting system is disclosed in which an accounting identification information is written into an RFID tag by a registration device, the accounting identification information is read from the RFID tag by an accounting device, the accounting device writes information indicating that the accounting process has been completed into the RFID tag after the completion of the accounting process, and an error is output when information indicating that the accounting process has been completed cannot be read from the RFID tag (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in stores where POS terminals have already been introduced, if a new cash register is introduced later to change to a semi-self POS system, since the POS terminal and the cash register are not linked, customers may leave without settlement, make a mistake in the settlement process, or deliberately deceive without being noticed. For this reason, there is a discrepancy in the amounts between the POS terminal and the cash register, resulting in losses for the store.

[0007] Also, when a discrepancy occurs in the settlement of the store's POS system, it is checked whether the amount registered on the POS terminal matches the amount settled on the cash register. However, when the POS terminal and the cash register are not linked, it is unknown which of the multiple cash registers settled the amount of the goods registered on the POS terminal. Therefore, it is necessary to check by reconciling the amounts, but since the check is based on a large amount of accounting data, it has imposed a considerable burden on the store. Furthermore, the larger the scale of the store and the greater the number of POS terminals and cash registers, the greater the burden of the check.

[0008] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a POS system capable of easily identifying discrepancies generated by a POS terminal and a cash register.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] To achieve the above object, the POS system of the present invention is a POS (Point of Sales) terminal for registering products, a plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines for performing settlement based on a basket with RFID tags attached to the products registered by the POS terminal, and a management server for managing the POS terminal and the deposit and withdrawal machines. In the POS system, the POS terminal records the price information of the registered product on the RFID tag, and transmits POS log information including the price information of the registered product and the information of the arbitrarily designated deposit and withdrawal machine among the plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines to the management server. The deposit and withdrawal machine transmits deposit and withdrawal machine log information including the price information of the product for which settlement has been performed to the management server. The management server compares the POS log information transmitted from the POS terminal with the deposit and withdrawal machine log information transmitted from the deposit and withdrawal machine to identify an abnormal calculation of the deposit and withdrawal machine.

[0010] Further, the deposit and withdrawal machine log information includes the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine from which the settlement has been performed, transmitted from the deposit and withdrawal machine.

[0011] Further, the POS terminal further records the information of the arbitrarily designated deposit and withdrawal machine among the plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines on the RFID tag. The deposit and withdrawal machine determines whether its own deposit and withdrawal machine is the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag. If the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, it accepts the settlement for the product. If the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is not the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, it rejects the settlement for the product.

[0012] Further, when the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is not the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, the deposit and withdrawal machine notifies that it is not the designated deposit and withdrawal machine.

[0013] Furthermore, it further includes a return device that accepts the return of the basket. When the settlement is performed, the deposit and withdrawal machine records the settled status on the RFID tag of the basket. When the RFID tag does not have the settled status, the return device warns that the basket has not been settled yet.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily identify the miscalculation generated by the POS terminal and the deposit and withdrawal machine.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that multiple embodiments can be combined and implemented within a non - conflicting range.

[0017] The POS system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the POS system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a POS system 1 including a management server 10 that realizes a management method. The management server 10 functions as a computer and executes an illegal calculation check process by executing a management program.

[0018] The POS system 1 includes a management server 10, a POS terminal 20, at least two or more deposit / withdrawal machines 30 - 1, 30 - 2 ···, 30 - n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), at least one or more RFID reader / writers 40, at least two or more RFID reader / writers 50 - 1, 50 - 2 ···, 50 - n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), an RFID tag 60, a basket return device 90, and an RFID reader / writer 91. When not particularly distinguishing and explaining at least two or more deposit / withdrawal machines 30 - 1, 30 - 2 ···, 30 - n, they are hereinafter referred to as "deposit / withdrawal machine 30". For convenience of explanation, deposit / withdrawal machine 30 - 1 and deposit / withdrawal machine 30 - 2 are also referred to as deposit / withdrawal machine A and deposit / withdrawal machine B, respectively. When not particularly distinguishing and explaining at least two or more RFID reader / writers 50 - 1, 50 - 2 ···, 50 - n, they are hereinafter referred to as "RFID reader / writer 50". The basket return device 90 is an example of a basket storage area.

[0019] In FIG. 1, there is one POS terminal 20 and one RFID reader / writer 40 each, but this is not the limit. The POS terminal 20 and the RFID reader / writer 40 may each be two or more. Similarly, in FIG. 1, there is one basket return device 90, but this is not the limit. The basket return device 90 may be two or more.

[0020] An RFID reader / writer 40 is connected to the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 is connected to the management server 10 by wire or wirelessly through the network N. The POS terminal 20 is configured to be able to read and write information of the RFID tag 60 attached to the paid basket 71 via the RFID reader / writer 40. The POS terminal 20 is installed on the counter 31. The POS terminal 20 does not have to be limited to being installed on the counter 31. The POS terminal 20 can read and write information of the RFID tag 60 attached to the paid basket 71 placed on the counter 31 via the RFID reader / writer 40.

[0021] The shopping basket 70 is an example of a basket. The shopping basket 70 is a container into which goods before being registered at the POS terminal 20 are carried. The shopping basket 70 is used when a customer takes the goods to be purchased to the POS terminal 20 when purchasing goods.

[0022] The paid basket 71 is an example of a basket. The paid basket 71 is a container into which goods after being registered (settled accounts) at the POS terminal 20 are carried. An RFID tag 60 is attached to the paid basket 71. The paid basket 71 is used for the store clerk to put the goods after registration at the POS terminal 20.

[0023] Figure 2 is a hardware block diagram of the POS terminal 20 that constitutes the POS system 1. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 204, a graphic processing unit 206, an input / output IF 208, a communication IF 210, a display unit 212, an input unit 214, a card R / W 216, a barcode scanner 218, a receipt printer 220, and the like.

[0024] The CPU 200 is a processor that comprehensively controls the POS terminal 20. The CPU 200 reads a control program, executes the control program, and performs a registration process for a product based on the tag information attached to the product. The CPU 200 creates accounting information based on the information of the product for which the registration process has been performed.

[0025] In the RAM 202, an OS (Operating System) program to be executed by the CPU 200, a part of an application program, and image data are temporarily stored.

[0026] The ROM 204 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory, and stores an application program and table data to be executed by the CPU 200 in a non-volatile manner. The ROM 204 stores log information of the POS terminal 20 (hereinafter referred to as "POS log information 500"). The POS log information 500 includes at least the amount information of the product for which registration has been performed and the information of the debit / credit machine 30 arbitrarily designated, which have been transmitted from the POS terminal 20. Details of the POS log information 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 described later.

[0027] The graphic processing unit 206 creates an operation screen and a POS processing screen for product registration (accounting) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 200, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it to the display unit 212. The display unit 212 is composed of a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL.

[0028] The input / output IF (Interface) 208 controls peripheral devices such as the connected input unit 214. The communication IF (Interface) 210 performs data transmission and reception with the outside, and is, for example, a connection format such as LAN or USB. For example, the POS terminal 20 transmits POS log information 500 to the management server 10 through the communication IF 210. The timing at which the POS terminal 20 transmits the POS log information 500 to the management server 10 can be set arbitrarily. For example, this transmission timing can be arbitrarily selected, such as every time accounting ends, every time the store's business hours end, every predetermined time, every time a store clerk makes an input operation to the input unit 214, and so on.

[0029] To the CPU 200, the RAM 202, ROM 204, graphic processing unit 206, input / output IF 208, communication IF 210, etc. are connected via the bus 230.

[0030] To the input / output IF 208, the input unit 214, card R / W 216, barcode scanner 218, receipt printer 220, etc. are connected. The input unit 214 is an operation unit for a store clerk to input operation contents and instructions, and is, for example, a touch panel. The card R / W 216 reads and writes magnetic cards and IC cards. The barcode scanner 218 reads the barcode attached to a product and performs product registration (accounting). The receipt printer 220 issues a receipt to be handed to a customer.

[0031] Also, an RFID reader / writer 40 is connected to the input / output IF 208. In response to a write instruction from the POS terminal 20, the RFID reader / writer 40 writes accounting information to the RFID tag 60 attached to the accounted basket 71 via the antenna 41. The RFID reader / writer 40 is connected to the POS terminal 20 via the input / output IF, but this is not the only case, and it may be included in the POS terminal 20 as one of the components of the POS terminal 20.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the money handling machine 30 that constitutes the POS system 1. The money handling machine 30 includes a CPU 300, a RAM 302, a ROM 304, a graphic processing unit 306, an input / output IF 308, a communication IF 310, a display unit 312, an input unit 314, a card R / W 316, a receipt printer 320, a money handling unit 322, and the like.

[0033] The CPU 300 is a processor that comprehensively controls the money handling machine 30. The CPU 300 reads a control program, executes the control program, and performs settlement processing of goods based on the accounting information read from the RFID tag 60 attached to the settled basket 71.

[0034] In the RAM 302, an OS program to be executed by the CPU 300, a part of an application program, and image data are temporarily stored.

[0035] The ROM 304 is, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and non-volatilely stores an application program and table data to be executed by the CPU 300. The ROM 304 stores log information of the money handling machine 30 (hereinafter referred to as "money handling machine log information 600"). The money handling machine log information includes at least the amount information of the goods for which settlement has been made and the information of the money handling machine 30 for which settlement has been made, which have been transmitted from the money handling machine 30. Details of the money handling machine log information 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 9 described later. Also, the ROM 304 stores information on its own money handling machine identification symbol.

[0036] The graphic processing unit 306 creates an operation screen and a money handling processing screen for performing settlement according to an instruction from the CPU 300, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it to the display unit 312. The display unit 312 is composed of a display such as an LCD or an organic EL.

[0037] The input / output IF 308 controls peripheral devices such as the connected input unit 314. The communication IF 310 performs data transmission and reception with the outside, and is, for example, a connection format such as LAN or USB. For example, the cash dispenser 30 transmits the cash dispenser log information 600 to the management server 10 through the communication IF 310. The timing at which the cash dispenser 30 transmits the cash dispenser log information 600 to the management server 10 can be set arbitrarily. For example, this transmission timing can be arbitrarily selected such as every time settlement is completed, every time the business hours of the store end, every predetermined time, every time an operator performs an input operation on the input unit 314, etc.

[0038] To the CPU 300, the RAM 302, ROM 304, graphic processing unit 306, input / output IF 308, communication IF 310, etc. are connected via the bus 330.

[0039] To the input / output IF 308, the input unit 314, card R / W 316, receipt printer 320, cash handling unit 322, etc. are connected. The input unit 314 is an operation unit for a customer to input operation contents and instructions, and is, for example, a touch panel. The card R / W 316 reads and writes magnetic cards and IC cards. The receipt printer 320 issues a receipt to be handed to the customer. The cash handling unit 322 stores and manages the deposited amount such as banknotes and coins deposited by the customer, and manages the amount of change to be handed to the customer.

[0040] Also, an RFID reader / writer 50 is connected to the input / output IF 308. In response to a reading instruction from the cash dispenser 30, the RFID reader / writer 50 reads and writes accounting information to / from the RFID tag 60 attached to the settled basket 71 via the antenna 51. The RFID reader / writer 50 is connected to the cash dispenser 30 via the input / output IF, but this is not the limit, and it may be included in the cash dispenser 30 as one component of the cash dispenser 30.

[0041] Figure 4 is a hardware block diagram of the management server 10 that constitutes the POS system 1. The management server 10 includes a CPU 100, a RAM 102, a ROM 104, a graphic processing unit 106, an input / output IF 108, a communication IF 110, a display unit 112, an input unit 114, and the like.

[0042] The CPU 100 is a processor that comprehensively controls the management server 10. The CPU 100 reads a control program, executes the control program, and performs a management process of comparing the POS log information 500 transmitted from the POS terminal 20 with the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 transmitted from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 to identify an abnormal calculation of the deposit / withdrawal machine 30.

[0043] In the RAM 102, an OS program for the CPU 100 to execute, a part of an application program, and image data are temporarily stored.

[0044] The ROM 104 is, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and stores an application program and table data executed by the CPU 100 in a non-volatile manner. The POS log information 500 transmitted from the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 transmitted from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 are stored in the ROM 104. As a result, the POS log information 500 and the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 are accumulated in the ROM 104.

[0045] The graphic processing unit 106 creates an operation screen and a management screen for performing abnormal calculation management according to instructions from the CPU 100, converts them into image signals, and outputs them to the display unit 112. The display unit 112 is composed of a display such as an LCD or an organic EL.

[0046] The input / output IF 108 controls peripheral devices such as the connected input unit 114. The communication IF 110 performs data transmission and reception with the outside, and is, for example, a connection form such as a LAN or a USB. The RAM 102, the ROM 104, the graphic processing unit 106, the input / output IF 108, the communication IF 110, etc. are connected to the CPU 100 via a bus 130.

[0047] An input / output IF 108 is connected to an input unit 114 or the like. The input unit 114 is an operation unit for an operator of the management server 10 to input operation contents and instructions, and is, for example, a touch panel.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a hardware block diagram of an electronic shelf label 80 constituting the POS system 1. The electronic shelf label 80 includes a CPU 800, a RAM 802, a ROM 804, a graphic processing unit 806, an input / output IF 808, a communication IF 810, a display unit 812, an input unit 814, and the like. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the electronic shelf label 80 includes a CPU 800, a RAM 802, a ROM 804, a graphic processing unit 806, an input / output IF 808, a communication IF 810, an input unit 814, and the like, but this is not the limit. For example, at least one or more configurations of the input / output IF 808 and the input unit 814 may be omitted.

[0049] The CPU 800 is a processor that comprehensively controls the electronic shelf label 80. The CPU 800 reads a control program, executes the control program, and performs display of a settlement amount, display of a deposit / withdrawal machine symbol to be settled, and display for guiding to the basket return device 90. For example, as an example of the display of the settlement amount, it can be displayed as "12,500 yen" based on the accounting amount information included in the accounting information shown in FIG. 7. As an example of the display of the deposit / withdrawal machine symbol to be settled, it can be displayed as "Please settle at deposit / withdrawal machine B" based on the designated deposit / withdrawal machine number information included in the accounting information shown in FIG. 7. As an example of the display for guiding to the basket return device 90, it can be displayed as "Please place the settled basket at the basket return device" based on the accounting status information included in the accounting information shown in FIG. 7.

[0050] In the RAM 802, an OS program to be executed by the CPU 800, a part of an application program, and image data are temporarily stored.

[0051] The ROM 804 is, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and stores an application program and table data to be executed by the CPU 800 in a non-volatile manner.

[0052] The graphic processing unit 806 creates an operation screen and a warning screen for issuing a warning according to an instruction from the CPU 800, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it to the display unit 812. The display unit 812 is composed of a display (small monitor) such as an LCD or an organic EL.

[0053] The input / output IF 808 controls peripheral devices such as the connected input unit 814. The communication IF 810 performs data transmission and reception with the outside, and is, for example, a connection format such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth. The electronic shelf label 80 is communicably connected to the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 through the communication IF 810. The electronic shelf label 80 may be communicably connected to the management server 10 through the communication IF 810. To the CPU 800, the RAM 802, the ROM 804, the graphic processing unit 806, the input / output IF 808, the communication IF 810, etc. are connected via the bus 830.

[0054] The input unit 814 etc. are connected to the input / output IF 808. The input unit 814 is an operation unit for an operator of the basket return device 90 to input operation contents and instructions, and is, for example, a touch panel.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram of the basket return device 90 that constitutes the POS system 1. The basket return device 90 includes a CPU 900, a RAM 902, a ROM 904, a graphic processing unit 906, an input / output IF 908, a communication IF 910, a display unit 912, an input unit 914, a warning unit 916, etc. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the basket return device 90 includes a CPU 900, a RAM 902, a ROM 904, a graphic processing unit 906, an input / output IF 908, a communication IF 910, a display unit 912, an input unit 914, a warning unit 916, etc., but this is not the limit. For example, at least one or more of the graphic processing unit 906, the input / output IF 908, the communication IF 910, the display unit 912, and the input unit 914 may be omitted.

[0056] The CPU 900 is a processor that comprehensively controls the basket return device 90. The CPU 900 reads a control program, executes the control program, and issues a warning based on the accounting information read from the RFID tag 60 attached to the accounted basket 71. For example, when the RFID tag 60 does not have a settled accounting status, the clerk and / or the customer is warned that the accounted basket 71 has not been settled. As an example of the warning, it can be realized by displaying a warning message or emitting a warning sound.

[0057] In the RAM 902, an OS program to be executed by the CPU 900, a part of an application program, and image data are temporarily stored.

[0058] The ROM 904 is, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and stores an application program and table data to be executed by the CPU 900 in a non-volatile manner.

[0059] The graphic processing unit 906 creates an operation screen and a warning screen for issuing a warning according to an instruction from the CPU 900, converts it into an image signal, and outputs it to the display unit 912. The display unit 912 is composed of a display such as an LCD or an organic EL, for example.

[0060] The input / output IF 908 controls peripheral devices such as the connected input unit 914. The communication IF 910 performs data transmission and reception with the outside, and is, for example, a connection format such as a LAN or a USB. The RAM 902, the ROM 904, the graphic processing unit 906, the input / output IF 908, the communication IF 910, etc. are connected to the CPU 900 via the bus 930.

[0061] The input unit 914, the warning unit 916, etc. are connected to the input / output IF 908. The input unit 914 is an operation unit for an operator of the basket return device 90 to input operation contents and instructions, and is, for example, a touch panel. The warning unit 916 is a device for warning the customer and the clerk that the goods in the accounted basket 71 have not been settled, and is, for example, a speaker, a warning light, a display, etc.

[0062] The RFID tag 60 stores accounting information 400 related to the accounting of goods. FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of the accounting information 400 stored in the RFID tag 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the RFID tag 60 stores information such as accounting No., accounting date, accounting time, accounting amount, designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol, and accounting status as the accounting information 400. The accounting No. is information indicating an identification symbol for uniquely identifying all the accountings handled by the POS system 1. The accounting date is information indicating the date on which goods were registered at the POS terminal 20. The accounting time is information indicating the hour and minute when goods were registered at the POS terminal 20. The accounting amount is information indicating the total (accounting amount total) of the amounts for accounting all the goods registered at the POS terminal 20. The designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol is information indicating an identification symbol for uniquely identifying the designated deposit / withdrawal machine 30 among the deposit / withdrawal machines 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-n that is designated at the POS terminal 20. For example, when the designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol is set to "A", it indicates that the deposit / withdrawal machine A (deposit / withdrawal machine 30-1) among the deposit / withdrawal machines 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-n is designated based on an input operation to the input unit 214 of the store clerk. Similarly, when the designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol is set to "B", it indicates that the deposit / withdrawal machine B (deposit / withdrawal machine 30-2) among the deposit / withdrawal machines 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-n is designated based on an input operation to the input unit 214 of the store clerk.

[0063] The POS log information 500 records information related to the accounting of goods. FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of the POS log information 500. The POS log information 500 is recorded by the POS terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the POS log information 500 records information such as the accounting No, accounting date, accounting time, accounting amount, and designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol. The accounting No is information indicating an identification symbol for uniquely identifying all the accountings handled in the POS system 1. The accounting date is information indicating the date when the goods were registered at the POS terminal 20. The accounting time is information indicating the hour and minute when the goods were registered at the POS terminal 20. The accounting amount is information indicating the accounting amount (total accounting amount) of the goods registered at the POS terminal 20. The designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol is information indicating an identification symbol for uniquely identifying the designated deposit / withdrawal machine 30 among the deposit / withdrawal machines 30-1, 30-2 ···, 30-n at the POS terminal 20. That is, a plurality of accounting information stored in the RFID tag 60 is recorded in the POS log information 500 for each accounting No.

[0064] The deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 records information related to the settlement of goods. FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600. The deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 is recorded by the deposit / withdrawal machine 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 records information such as the accounting No, settlement date, settlement time, and settlement amount. The accounting No is information indicating an identification symbol for uniquely identifying all the accountings handled in the POS system 1. The settlement date is information indicating the date when the goods were settled at the deposit / withdrawal machine 30. The settlement time is information indicating the hour and minute when the goods were settled at the deposit / withdrawal machine 30. The settlement amount is information indicating the accounting amount (total accounting amount) of the goods settled at the deposit / withdrawal machine 30. That is, a plurality of information on the settlement date, settlement time, and settlement amount settled by the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 is recorded in the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 for each accounting No.

[0065] Next, referring to FIG. 10, the accounting process executed in the POS terminal 20 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the accounting process executed in the POS terminal 20. The accounting process starts when an input operation to the input unit 214 of the store clerk is received. For example, when an input operation to the accounting start button corresponding to the input unit 214 is received, the accounting process starts.

[0066] First, the POS terminal 20 scans the barcode attached to the product taken out from the shopping basket 70 based on the operation of the store clerk with the barcode scanner 218 and registers the product (step S11). The products for which registration has been performed are placed in the accounted basket 71 based on the operation of the store clerk.

[0067] The POS terminal 20 checks the remaining products in the shopping basket 70 (step S12). In the process of checking the remaining products, a process of confirming whether there are any products remaining in the shopping basket 70 is performed. Whether there are any remaining products can be determined by existing technologies such as a change in weight by a weight sensor (not shown) connected to the POS terminal 20 or image processing by an imaging device (not shown). The process of checking the remaining products may also be performed visually by the store clerk.

[0068] Based on the result of the remaining product check, the POS terminal 20 determines whether there are still products remaining in the shopping basket 70 (step S13). In this process, it is determined whether the scanning of the products in the shopping basket 70 is completed and whether all the products have been registered in the POS terminal 20 and transferred to the accounted basket 71.

[0069] If there are still products remaining in the shopping basket 70 (step S13: YES), that is, if not all the products in the shopping basket 70 have been transferred to the accounted basket 71, the process returns to step S11, and the processes from step S11 to step S13 are repeatedly executed until there are no more products in the shopping basket 70.

[0070] If the item is not left in the shopping basket 70 (step S13: NO), that is, when all the items in the shopping basket 70 have been moved to the settled basket 71, the POS terminal 20 writes the accounting information 400 to the RFID tag 60 attached to the settled basket 71 through the RFID reader / writer 40 (step S14). The writing of the accounting information 400 to the RFID tag 60 is executed when an arbitrarily selected depositing / withdrawing machine 30 from among a plurality of depositing / withdrawing machines 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-n is designated based on an input operation on the input unit 214 of the store clerk. The accounting information 400 written to the RFID tag 60 includes information on the accounting number, accounting date, accounting time, accounting amount, designated depositing / withdrawing machine symbol, and accounting status. The designated depositing / withdrawing machine symbol is an identification symbol indicating the depositing / withdrawing machine 30 designated based on the input operation of the store clerk. The information on the accounting status written to the RFID tag 60 by the POS terminal 20 is information indicating that the accounting has been completed.

[0071] In addition, the POS terminal 20 transmits the accounting information 400 to the electronic shelf label 80 attached to the settled basket 71 (step S15). The POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 80 are communicably connected by wireless communication. For example, the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 80 are communicably connected by Bluetooth (registered trademark). The electronic shelf label 80 may acquire the accounting information 400 by communicating with the RFID tag 60 attached to the settled basket 71.

[0072] When the electronic shelf label 80 receives the accounting information 400, it displays the information of the designated depositing / withdrawing machine 30 on the display unit 812 based on the designated depositing / withdrawing machine symbol included in the received accounting information 400 (step S16). For example, when the POS terminal 20 designates "B" as the designated depositing / withdrawing machine symbol and transmits the accounting information 400 to the electronic shelf label 80, the electronic shelf label 80 that has received the accounting information 400 displays a message "Please settle at the depositing / withdrawing machine B" on the display unit 812 as the information of the designated depositing / withdrawing machine 30. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the customer as to which of the plurality of depositing / withdrawing machines 30-1, 30-2,..., 30-n should perform the settlement process. As a result, the improvement of the settlement process can be achieved. The customer moves to the designated depositing / withdrawing machine 30 with the settled basket 71 after checking the message displayed on the display unit 812 of the electronic shelf label 80.

[0073] Also, when the electronic shelf label 80 receives the accounting information, it may display the settlement amount on the display unit 812 based on the accounting amount included in the received accounting information. For example, when the POS terminal 20 designates "12,500 yen" as the accounting amount and transmits the accounting information to the electronic shelf label 80, the electronic shelf label 80 that has received the accounting information displays a message "12,500 yen" on the display unit 812 as the information of the designated settlement amount. Thereby, it is possible to clearly convey to the customer the amount to be settled at the depositing / withdrawing machine 30, and how much payment should be made at the depositing / withdrawing machine 30. As a result, the improvement of the settlement process can be achieved. The customer moves to the depositing / withdrawing machine 30 with the settled basket 71 after preparing the settlement amount and checking the message displayed on the display unit 812 of the electronic shelf label 80. When this process ends, the accounting process ends.

[0074] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the settlement process executed in the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the settlement process executed in the deposit and withdrawal machine 30. The settlement process starts when the RFID reader / writer 50 successfully reads the RFID tag 60 attached to the settled basket 71. The settlement process may also start when a customer is detected by an imaging device (not shown), an infrared sensor, or the like.

[0075] First, the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 reads the accounting information stored in the RFID tag 60 through the RFID reader / writer 50 (step S31). The deposit and withdrawal machine 30 performs a designated deposit and withdrawal machine symbol check based on the read accounting information (step S32). The process of the designated deposit symbol check is to determine whether the own deposit and withdrawal machine 30 is the deposit and withdrawal machine designated by the deposit and withdrawal machine identification symbol included in the accounting information 400 recorded in the RFID tag 60. For example, it is determined whether the deposit and withdrawal machine identification symbol of the own deposit and withdrawal machine 30 matches the deposit and withdrawal machine identification symbol included in the accounting information 400.

[0076] The deposit / withdrawal machine 30 determines whether the result of the designated deposit / withdrawal machine number check is correct (step S33). If the result of the designated deposit / withdrawal machine number check is incorrect (step S33: NO), that is, if the information of the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 designated in the deposit / withdrawal machine identification symbol included in the accounting information recorded in the RFID tag 60 does not match the deposit / withdrawal machine identification symbol of its own deposit / withdrawal machine 30, the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 rejects the settlement for the product and displays a message indicating that the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 is incorrect on the display unit 312 to warn the customer (step S34). For example, as an example of a message indicating that the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 is incorrect, the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 displays a statement "The deposit / withdrawal machine for settlement is incorrect. Please perform the settlement at deposit / withdrawal machine B" on the display unit 312. By checking the message displayed on the display unit 312, the customer can easily grasp that the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 for settlement is incorrect. Thereby, the guidance to the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 can be smoothly performed, the customer satisfaction can be improved, and the settlement process can be improved. When this process ends, the process returns to step S31.

[0077] If the result of the designated deposit / withdrawal machine number check is correct (step S33: YES), that is, if the information of the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 designated in the deposit / withdrawal machine identification symbol included in the accounting information recorded in the RFID tag 60 matches the deposit / withdrawal machine identification symbol of its own deposit / withdrawal machine 30, the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 accepts the settlement for the product and displays the required settlement amount on the display unit 312 (step S35). The required settlement amount is the accounting amount information included in the accounting information 400. Therefore, the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 can display the required settlement amount on the display unit 312 based on the accounting amount information included in the accounting information 400. For example, as an example of the required settlement amount, the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 displays a statement "12,500 yen" on the display unit 312. By checking the required settlement amount displayed on the display unit 312, the customer can easily grasp the amount for settlement. Thereby, the settlement at the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 can be smoothly performed, the customer satisfaction can be improved, and the settlement process can be improved.

[0078] The deposit and withdrawal machine 30 accepts currency such as banknotes and coins through the deposit and withdrawal section 322 based on the deposit operation performed by the customer, and accepts the deposit amount (step S36).

[0079] The deposit and withdrawal machine 30 checks the deposit amount of the currency received by the deposit operation (step S37). In the process of checking the deposit amount, the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 compares the information on the deposit amount deposited by accepting the deposit operation with the information on the accounting amount included in the accounting information.

[0080] The deposit and withdrawal machine 30 determines whether the deposit amount satisfies the accounting amount as a result of the deposit amount check (step S38). In this determination process, the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 determines whether the deposit amount received by the deposit operation is equal to or greater than the accounting amount included in the accounting information. When the deposit amount does not satisfy the accounting amount (step S38: NO), the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 displays the insufficient deposit amount on the display unit 312 (step S39). In this process, the amount obtained by subtracting the deposit amount from the accounting amount is displayed as the insufficient deposit amount. For example, when the accounting amount is "12,500 yen" and the deposit amount is "10,000 yen", the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 displays the amount "2,500 yen", which is the result of subtracting the deposit amount "10,000 yen" from the accounting amount "12,500 yen", on the display unit 312 as the insufficient deposit amount. By checking the insufficient deposit amount displayed on the display unit 312, the customer can easily grasp the amount to be deposited. As a result, the settlement at the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 can be carried out smoothly, improving customer satisfaction and the settlement process. The processes from step S36 to step S39 are repeatedly executed until the deposit amount satisfies the accounting amount.

[0081] When the deposit amount satisfies the accounting amount (step S38: YES), if necessary, the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 discharges the change through the deposit and withdrawal section 322 (step S40).

[0082] The deposit and withdrawal machine 30 writes accounting information 400 through the RFID reader / writer 50 to the RFID tag 60 attached to the accounted basket 71 (step S41). The accounting information 400 written to the RFID tag 60 includes information on the accounting status. The accounting status information written to the RFID tag 60 by the deposit and withdrawal machine 30 is information indicating that the settlement has been completed. When this process ends, the settlement process ends.

[0083] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the checkout process executed in the basket return device 90 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout process executed in the basket return device 90. The checkout process starts when the RFID reader / writer 91 successfully reads the RFID tag 60 attached to the accounted basket 71. The settlement process may start when a customer is detected by an imaging device (not shown), an infrared sensor, or the like.

[0084] First, the basket return device 90 reads the accounting information stored in the RFID tag 60 through the RFID reader / writer 91 (step S51). The basket return device 90 performs a settlement completion check based on the read accounting information (step S52). The settlement completion check process is a process of determining whether the accounting status included in the accounting information 400 recorded in the RFID tag 60 indicates that the settlement has been completed.

[0085] The basket return device 90 determines whether or not the settlement has been completed based on the result of the settlement completion check (step S53). If the accounting status is settled as a result of the settlement completion check (step S53: YES), the store exit check process ends. If the accounting status is not settled as a result of the settlement completion check (step S53: NO), that is, if the accounting status is other than settled, the basket return device 90 warns the store clerk and / or the customer that there is an unsettled item by displaying a message indicating that the item is unsettled on the display unit 912 (step S54). For example, the basket return device 90 displays a message such as "There is an unsettled item. Please settle at the payment machine B" on the display unit 912 as an example of a message indicating that the item is unsettled. By checking the message displayed on the display unit 912, the customer can easily grasp that there is an unsettled item. As a result, it is possible to prevent the customer from leaving without settling the payment or from deliberately deceiving. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an incorrect calculation by the payment machine 30. When this process ends, the store clerk checks the situation.

[0086] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the incorrect calculation check process executed in the management server 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the incorrect calculation check process executed in the management server 10. The start timing of the incorrect calculation check process can be arbitrarily selected, such as every time accounting ends, every time the store's business hours end, every predetermined time, every input operation to the operator's input unit 114, etc.

[0087] First, the management server 10 determines whether or not it has received the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 (step S71). If it has received the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 (step S71: YES), the management server 10 stores the received POS log information 500 in the ROM 104 and accumulates at least one or more pieces of POS log information 500. When this process ends, the process returns to step S71.

[0088] When the management server 10 does not receive the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 (step S71: NO), it determines whether it has received the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 (step S73). When it has received the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 (step S73: YES), the management server 10 stores the received deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 in the ROM 104 and accumulates at least one or more pieces of deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600. When this process ends, the process returns to step S71.

[0089] When the management server 10 does not receive the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 (step S73: NO), it determines whether the reception of the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 has been completed (step S75). When the reception of the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 has not been completed (step S75: NO), the process returns to step S71.

[0090] When the reception of the POS log information 500 from the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 from the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 has been completed (step S75: YES), the management server 10 compares the accumulated POS log information 500 with the accumulated deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 (step S76).

[0091] When comparing the accumulated POS log information 500 with the accumulated deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600, for example, in the POS log information 500 shown in FIG. 8, as logs related to the deposit / withdrawal machine B corresponding to the designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol "B", three accounting numbers "001001", "001002", and "001003" are accumulated. On the other hand, in the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 of the deposit / withdrawal machine B shown in FIG. 9, only two accounting numbers "001001" and "001003" are accumulated as logs related to the deposit / withdrawal machine B. As a result, the management server 10 can determine that an arithmetic error has occurred in the log of accounting number "001002" in the deposit / withdrawal machine B and can identify the deposit / withdrawal machine B in which the arithmetic error has occurred.

[0092] The management server 10 determines whether an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred as a result of comparing the accumulated POS log information 500 and the accumulated deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 (step S77). If no arithmetic discrepancy has occurred (step S77: NO), the arithmetic discrepancy check process ends.

[0093] If an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred (step S77: YES), the management server 10 identifies the deposit / withdrawal machine 30 in which the arithmetic discrepancy has occurred. As shown in FIG. 8, in the POS log information 500, three accounting numbers “001001”, “001002”, and “001003” are accumulated as logs related to the deposit / withdrawal machine B corresponding to the designated deposit machine symbol “B”. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in the deposit / withdrawal machine log information 600 of the deposit / withdrawal machine B, only two accounting numbers “001001” and “001003” are accumulated as logs related to the deposit / withdrawal machine B. Therefore, based on the fact that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred in the log of the accounting number “001002” in the deposit / withdrawal machine B, the management server 10 identifies that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred in the deposit / withdrawal machine B corresponding to the log of the accounting number “001002”.

[0094] When identifying that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred, the management server 10 notifies the operator of the management server 10 that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred by displaying a message indicating that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred on the display unit 112 (step S79). For example, as an example of a message indicating that an arithmetic discrepancy has occurred, the management server 10 displays the text “An arithmetic discrepancy has occurred in the deposit / withdrawal machine B” on the display unit 112, and as accounting information related to the log of the accounting number “001002” in which the arithmetic discrepancy has occurred, based on the accumulated POS log information 500, the information of the accounting number, accounting date, accounting time, accounting amount, and designated deposit / withdrawal machine symbol is displayed on the display unit 112. Thereby, it is possible to easily investigate the cause of the occurrence of the arithmetic discrepancy. As a result, it is possible to easily manage the arithmetic discrepancies generated by the POS terminal 20 and the deposit / withdrawal machine 30.

[0095] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist thereof at the implementation stage. Also, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all the components shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Needless to say, various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0096] 1: POS system 10: Management server 20: POS terminal 30: Cash dispenser 31: Counter 40: RFID reader / writer 41: Antenna 50: RFID reader / writer 51: Antenna 60: RFID tag 70: Shopping basket 71: Settled basket 80: Electronic shelf label 90: Basket return device 91: RFID reader / writer 100: CPU 102: RAM 104: ROM 106: Graphics processing unit 108: Input / output IF 110: Communication IF 112: Display unit 114: Input unit 130: Bus 200: CPU 202: RAM 204: ROM 206: Graphics processing unit 208: Input / output IF 210: Communication IF 212: Display unit 214: Input section 218: Barcode scanner 220: Receipt printer 230: Bus 300: CPU 302: RAM 304: ROM 306: Graphics processing unit 308: Input / output interface 310: Communication interface 312: Display section 314: Input section 320: Receipt printer 322: Cash-in / cash-out section 330: Bus 400: Accounting information 500: POS log information 600: Cash-in / cash-out machine log information 800: CPU 802: RAM 804: ROM 806: Graphics processing unit 808: Input / output interface 810: Communication interface 812: Display section 814: Input section 830: Bus 900: CPU 902: RAM 904: ROM 906: Graphics processing unit 908: Input / output interface 910: Communication interface 912: Display section 914: Input section 916: Warning section 930: Bus N: Network

Claims

1. A POS (Point of Sales) terminal for registering products, a plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines for settling accounts based on a basket with RFID tags attached to the products registered by the POS terminal, and a management server for managing the POS terminal and the deposit and withdrawal machines. In the POS system provided with, The POS terminal is, While recording the amount information of the product that has been registered on the RFID tag, Transmit POS log information including the amount information of the product that has been registered and the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine arbitrarily specified from the plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines to the management server, The deposit and withdrawal machine is, Transmit deposit and withdrawal machine log information including the amount information of the product for which the settlement has been made to the management server, The management server is, Compare the POS log information transmitted from the POS terminal with the deposit and withdrawal machine log information transmitted from the deposit and withdrawal machine to identify the incorrect calculation of the deposit and withdrawal machine A POS system characterized by that.

2. The deposit and withdrawal machine log information includes the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine from which the transmission was made and the deposit and withdrawal machine for which the settlement has been made. The POS system according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The POS terminal further records the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine arbitrarily specified from the plurality of deposit and withdrawal machines on the RFID tag, The deposit and withdrawal machine determines whether its own deposit and withdrawal machine is the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag, When the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, accept the settlement for the product, When the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is not the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, reject the settlement for the product The POS system according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. When the information of the deposit and withdrawal machine recorded on the RFID tag is not the information of its own deposit and withdrawal machine, the deposit and withdrawal machine notifies that it is not the specified deposit and withdrawal machine. The POS system according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. Further provided with a return device for accepting the return of the basket, When the settlement is made, the deposit and withdrawal machine records a settled status on the RFID tag of the basket, When there is no such settled status on the RFID tag, the return device warns that the basket has not been settled. The POS system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

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