Settlement system

Abstract

To allow a sales clerk to be involved in payments by cash vouchers, for example, for confirmations, while letting customers to do operations for payments.SOLUTION: A transaction processor has retention means and second settlement means. The retention means is incapable of making a settlement for a transaction when end reception means receives an input ending instruction, and retains information regarding a transaction input through input means when an input of a manner of payment requiring confirmation by a shop clerk is received. The second settlement means settles a transaction on the basis of the information related to the retained transaction when settlement of a transaction with the information regarding the transaction retained by the retention means becomes possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 48

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a settlement system.

Background Art

[0002] As a settlement system for large retailers such as supermarkets and home centers, there is a two-person system. The two-person settlement system includes an input device operated by a store clerk called a checker and a transaction processing device operated by a store clerk called a cashier. The input device is a device for inputting information related to purchased goods such as barcodes attached to the goods. The transaction processing device is a device for processing merchandise sales data of purchased goods based on the information input via the input device and settling the transaction with the customer. In the two-person settlement system, since the input device and the transaction processing device are separated, it is possible to start inputting information related to the purchased goods of the second customer with the input device while the transaction processing device is processing the settlement of the first customer. Therefore, customers can be processed efficiently.

[0003] On the other hand, in recent years, from the viewpoints of reducing labor costs and taking measures against infectious diseases, there has been a demand to let the customer himself / herself perform the operation related to the receipt of payment necessary for the settlement of the transaction. Even in the two-person settlement system, the customer is made to perform the operation related to the receipt of payment for the transaction processing device. By doing so, the store clerk in charge of the cashier becomes unnecessary, so that labor costs can be reduced.

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 settlement system that aims to reduce labor costs by having customers perform operations related to payment of the price.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In one embodiment, the settlement system includes an input device with an operator being a store clerk, a transaction processing device and a settlement device with an operator being a customer, and a holding device. The input device includes an input means, an end reception means, and a payment method reception means. The input means inputs information related to a transaction with a customer. The end reception means receives an instruction to end the input of information related to the transaction. The payment method reception means receives an input of a payment method for the price that requires confirmation by the store clerk. The transaction processing device includes a first settlement means, a transaction information output means, a holding means, and a second settlement means. The first settlement means settles a transaction based on the information related to the transaction input via the input means when the end reception means receives an instruction to end the input and the settlement of the transaction is possible. The transaction information output means outputs the information related to the transaction input via the input means to the holding device when the end reception means receives an instruction to end the input and the settlement of the transaction is impossible and an input of a payment method for the price that requires confirmation by the store clerk has not been received. The holding means holds the information related to the transaction input via the input means when the end reception means receives an instruction to end the input and the settlement of the transaction is impossible and an input of a payment method for the price that requires confirmation by the store clerk has been received. The second settlement means settles a transaction based on the information related to the transaction held when the settlement of the transaction becomes possible while the information related to the transaction is held by the holding means. The settlement device includes a third settlement means. The third settlement means settles a transaction based on the information related to the transaction held in the holding device. The holding device includes a holding means. The holding means holds the information related to the transaction output from the transaction processing device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the basic configuration and operation of the payment system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 43.

[0009] [Explanation of the Configuration of the Payment System] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a payment system 100 according to the embodiment. The payment system 100 includes a hold server 10. The payment system 100 also includes an input device 20, a transaction processing device 30, a payment device 40, and an instruction device 50 for each payment lane L. The payment lane L includes a passage where customers queuing for transaction settlement line up. When this payment system 100 is introduced in a retail store, a consumer who purchases goods becomes the customer. When this payment system 100 is introduced in a paid facility such as an amusement park, an art museum, or a museum, a user who uses the facility becomes the customer. Each payment lane L is assigned, for example, a three-digit lane number as unique lane identification information.

[0010] The settlement system 100 connects the hold server 10, the transaction processing device 30 and the settlement device 40 of each settlement lane L bidirectionally communicably via a communication network 60 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). For each settlement lane L, an input device 20 is connected to the transaction processing device 30 by a transmission cable 70. The settlement system 100 also connects the indicating device 50 of each settlement lane L to the communication network 60 by wire or wirelessly. However, the indicating device 50 only recognizes the communication address of the settlement device 40 of the same settlement lane L. Therefore, although the indicating device 50 can perform data communication with the settlement device 40, it cannot perform data communication with the hold server 10 and the transaction processing device 30. Also, direct data communication does not occur between the transaction processing device 30 and the settlement device 40. Details of the hold server 10, the input device 20, the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40 and the indicating device 50 will be described later.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the input device 20, the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40 and the indicating device 50 provided in one settlement lane L. FIG. 2 shows a settlement lane L in a retail store such as a supermarket or a home center. In this type of retail store, the sales floor where products are displayed and the checkout area called a cash register or the like are separated. The settlement lane L is provided in the checkout area.

[0012] There is a checkout counter 80 in the checkout area. The retail store installs the checkout counter 80 along a passage PA where customers walk in the direction of the illustrated arrow. The retail store attaches the input device 20 to the top surface 81 of the checkout counter 80. Then, the upstream side of the passage PA from the input device 20 is used as a platform 82 for placing the purchased products before registration, and the downstream side is used as a platform 83 for placing the purchased products after registration.

[0013] As an input / output device, the input device 20 includes a stationary scanner 21, a handheld scanner 22, a touch panel 23, a keyboard 24, and a display 25. The input device 20 arranges the stationary scanner 21 so as to protrude upward from the top surface 81 of the checkout counter 80, and arranges the handheld scanner 22, the touch panel 23, the keyboard 24, and the display 25 around the stationary scanner 21.

[0014] Specifically, the input device 20 fixes the stationary scanner 21 to the top surface of the checkout counter 80. The stationary scanner 21 is vertical, and the barcode reading window is located on the surface opposite to the passage PA. The input device 20 locks the handheld scanner 22 to one side of the stationary scanner 21. Also, the touch panel 23 is attached to the upper part of the stationary scanner 21 so that its operation panel surface faces the same direction as the reading window of the stationary scanner 21. Also, the keyboard 24 is attached to one side of the touch panel 23 so that its key surface faces the same direction as the operation panel surface of the touch panel 23. Further, the display 25 is attached to one side of the stationary scanner 21 so that its display screen faces the side of the passage PA. Note that the display 25 may be a touch panel.

[0015] With such an arrangement of the input / output devices, an employee, i.e., a store clerk, standing in the space SP on the side opposite to the passage PA across the checkout counter 80 can operate the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, the touch panel 23, or the keyboard 24 to input information related to transactions with customers. Information related to transactions with customers is, for example, information related to the purchased goods that the customer buys. The store clerk can confirm the name, unit price, etc. of the purchased goods based on the information displayed on the touch panel 23. The customer can confirm the name, unit price, etc. of the purchased goods based on the information displayed on the display 25. The input device 20 can be referred to as a scanner device or the like.

[0016] The transaction processing device 30 is a computer device that functions as a terminal of a POS (Point Of Sales) system. The retailer installs the transaction processing device 30 at the downstream end of the checkout counter 80.

[0017] The transaction processing device 30 is equipped with devices such as a keyboard 31, a first touch panel 32, a second touch panel 33, a printer 34, a coin dispenser 35, and a cashless payment terminal 36. The transaction processing device 30 arranges the keyboard 31 and the first touch panel 32 so that they can be operated by the store clerk, and arranges the second touch panel 33, the printer 34, the coin dispenser 35, and the cashless payment terminal 36 so that they can be operated by the customer.

[0018] With such an arrangement of devices, the store clerk standing in the space SP can operate the keyboard 31 or the first touch panel 32 while looking at the screen of the first touch panel 32. On the other hand, the customer standing in the passage PA can confirm on the spot the information displayed on the second touch panel 33, for example, information related to the payment of the price. And the customer who pays in cash can insert cash into the coin dispenser 35 while standing in the passage PA and collect the change paid out. The customer who pays by cashless payment can operate the cashless payment terminal 36 while standing in the passage PA and pay the price in cashless. When the payment of the price is completed, a receipt is issued from the printer 34, so the customer can receive the receipt on the spot.

[0019] In this way, the transaction processing device 30 functions as a self-type settlement device that allows the customer to perform the operations related to the payment of the price by himself. The transaction processing device 30 can be paraphrased as a POS terminal, an electronic cash register, a sales processing device, etc.

[0020] The payment device 40 is also a self-service type payment device that allows customers to perform operations related to payment on their own. The payment device 40 is used by customers when, for example, the transaction processing device 30 is in use and the transaction processing device 30 cannot make a payment. For this reason, the retailer installs the payment device 40 on the downstream side of the transaction processing device 30 with respect to the moving direction of the customer indicated by the illustrated arrow. Specifically, the payment device 40 is installed along the surface on the opposite side of the surface of the transaction processing device 30 facing the customer standing in the passage PA to operate the transaction processing device 30.

[0021] The payment device 40 includes devices such as a touch panel 41, a printer 42, a coin dispenser 43, and a cashless payment terminal 44. The operation panel surface of the touch panel 41, the receipt issuing port of the printer 42, the coin insertion / payment outlet of the coin dispenser 43, and the operation unit of the cashless payment terminal 44 are all on one side of the device body. The retailer installs the payment device 40 so that one side thereof is located on the side facing the customer who has passed in front of the transaction processing device 30.

[0022] With such an installation, the customer facing the payment device 40 can confirm on the spot the information displayed on the touch panel 41, for example, information related to payment. And a customer who pays in cash can insert cash into the coin dispenser 43 on the spot and collect the change paid out. A customer who pays by cashless payment can operate the cashless payment terminal 44 on the spot to pay the amount in cashless. When the payment is completed, a receipt is issued from the printer 42, so the customer can receive the receipt on the spot. The payment device 40 can be paraphrased as an accounting machine, a self-POS terminal, a payment machine, etc.

[0023] The instruction device 50 is a device that gives an instruction to call the information related to the transaction reserved in the reservation server 10 to the payment device 40. Although the details will be described later, the reservation server 10 has a function of reserving the information related to the transaction with the customer by the action of the transaction processing device 30. When the instruction device 50 receives an instruction to call the information related to the transaction to the payment device 40, it gives that instruction to the reservation server 10.

[0024] As an example, the pointing device 50 uses a tablet terminal. The tablet terminal is an input device having a plate-shaped liquid crystal screen and can be operated by touching the screen with a finger, a pen, or the like. The pointing device 50 is operated by a store clerk. Therefore, the retail store installs the pointing device 50 at a position where it is easy for the store clerk in the space SP to operate. The installation position of the pointing device 50 is not particularly limited. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the pointing device 50 is installed with the screen facing the space SP on the side opposite to the surface operated by the customer of the settlement device 40.

[0025] [Configuration Explanation of Transaction Processing Device] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the transaction processing device 30. The transaction processing device 30 includes a processor 301, a main memory 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, a clock 304, a communication interface 305, a touch panel interface 306, a printer interface 307, a change dispenser interface 308, a settlement terminal interface 309, an input device interface 310, a system transmission path 311, and the like. The system transmission path 311 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system transmission path 311 connects the processor 301 to other units and transmits data signals exchanged therebetween.

[0026] The transaction processing device 30 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 301, a main memory 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, a clock 304, a communication interface 305, a touch panel interface 306, a printer interface 307, a change dispenser interface 308, a payment terminal interface 309, and an input device interface 310 via a system transmission path 311. Then, the transaction processing device 30 connects a keyboard 31 and a first touch panel 32 to this computer via the system transmission path 311. Further, the transaction processing device 30 connects a second touch panel 33 to the touch panel interface 306, connects a printer 34 to the printer interface 307, connects an automatic change dispenser 35 to the change dispenser interface 308, and connects a cashless payment terminal 36 to the payment terminal interface 309.

[0027] The processor 301 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 301 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the transaction processing device 30 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 301 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 301 includes a plurality of processor cores and is a multi-core processor capable of executing a plurality of processes in parallel.

[0028] The main memory 302 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main memory 302 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 302 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 302 may store data necessary for the processor 301 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 302 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 301. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0029] The auxiliary storage device 303 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) etc. can be the auxiliary storage device 303. The auxiliary storage device 303 stores data used when the processor 301 performs various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 301, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 303 may store the above application program.

[0030] The clock 304 measures the date and time. The processor 301 processes the date and time measured by the clock 304 as the current date and time.

[0031] The communication interface 305 is an interface for performing data communication with the pending server 10 connected to the communication network 60. The communication interface 305 is also an interface for performing data communication with other servers such as a POS server connected to the communication network 60. The POS server is a computer that has a product master storing product data such as the product name and unit price of each product sold in the store, collects and aggregates the product sales data of the purchased products processed by the transaction processing device 30, and manages the sales and inventory at the time of sale.

[0032] The touch panel interface 306, the printer interface 307, the change dispenser interface 308, and the payment terminal interface 309 are all interfaces for performing data communication with devices externally attached to the transaction processing device 30. That is, the touch panel interface 306 performs data communication with the second touch panel 33. The printer interface 307 performs data communication with the printer 34. The change dispenser interface 308 performs data communication with the automatic change dispenser 35. The payment terminal interface 309 performs data communication with the cashless payment terminal 36.

[0033] The input device interface 310 is an interface for performing data communication with the input device 20 connected by the transmission cable 70. That is, the input device interface 310 performs data communication with the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, the touch panel 23, the keyboard 24, and the display 25, respectively.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main storage areas formed in the main memory 302. The transaction processing device 30 designates a part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 302 as the first file area 3021, the second file area 3022, the status memory 3023, the first flag memory 3024, the second flag memory 3025, and the employee memory 3026.

[0035] The first file area 3021 is an area for storing the transaction files created for each customer. The transaction file stores information related to the transaction with the customer to be processed as one transaction, for example, information related to the purchased goods. Specifically, the transaction file stores the merchandise sales data including items such as the product code, product name, unit price, purchase quantity, and sales amount. The product code is a unique code set for each product to identify each product. The sales amount is the amount obtained by multiplying the unit price by the purchase quantity. The merchandise sales data only needs to include at least the product code and the purchase quantity of the purchased goods.

[0036] The second file area 3022 is an area for temporarily storing the transaction files of customers who make payments using the transaction processing device 30. The second file area 3022 stores the transaction files stored in the first file area 3021 or the transaction files held by the holding server 10.

[0037] The status memory 3023 is an area for storing the payment status ST. The payment status ST is identification information representing the state regarding payment. The states regarding payment include a first state in which the payment method is not specified by the input device 20 and a second state in which the payment method is specified by the input device 20. In this embodiment, the payment status ST representing the first state is set to "10", and the payment status ST representing the second state is set to "20".

[0038] The first flag memory 3024 is an area for storing the payment-in-progress flag Fa. The payment-in-progress flag Fa is 1-bit data for identifying whether payment is in progress in the transaction processing device 30. In this embodiment, the payment-in-progress flag Fa indicating that payment is in progress is set to "1", and the payment-in-progress flag Fa indicating that payment is not in progress is set to "0".

[0039] The second flag memory 3025 is an area for storing the on-hold flag Fb. The on-hold flag Fb is 1-bit data for identifying whether the transaction file storing the information related to the transaction processed by the transaction processing device 30 is being held by the holding server 10. In this embodiment, the on-hold flag Fb indicating that it is on hold is set to "1", and the on-hold flag Fb indicating that it is not on hold is set to "0".

[0040] The employee memory 3026 is an area for storing employee codes. The employee code is a unique code assigned to each store employee who is a staff member of the store. The employee code functions as operator identification information for identifying the store employee who is the operator of the input device 20. The employee memory 3026 stores the employee code of the store employee who has signed on to the transaction processing device 30. Signing on means authenticating the operator of the input device 20 and putting the input device 20 and the transaction processing device 30 in a usable state. The store employee standing at the space SP first signs on by entering his or her employee code and password. When the employee code and password are authenticated and the sign-on is successful, the employee code is stored in the employee memory 3026. Thus, the input device 20 and the transaction processing device 30 become usable.

[0041] Incidentally, the store employee who has finished using the device signs off. Signing off means returning the input device 20 and the transaction processing device 30 to an unusable state. By signing off, the employee code in the employee memory 3026 is cleared. Also, the input device 20 and the transaction processing device 30 become unusable. Sign-on can be rephrased as logging in, signing in, etc. Sign-off can be rephrased as logging out, signing out, etc. The employee code can be rephrased as the store employee code, employee ID, store employee ID, etc.

[0042] [Explanation of the Configuration of the Settlement Device] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the settlement device 40. As shown in the figure, the settlement device 40 includes a processor 401, a main memory 402, an auxiliary storage device 403, a clock 404, a communication interface 405, and a system transmission path 406, etc. The system transmission path 406 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission path 406 connects the processor 401 to other components and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0043] The settlement device 40 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 401, a main memory 402, an auxiliary storage device 403, a clock 404, and a communication interface 405 via a system bus 406. Then, the settlement device 40 connects a touch panel 41, a printer 42, a coin dispenser 43, and a cashless settlement terminal 44 to the computer via the system bus 406.

[0044] The processor 401 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 401 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the settlement device 40 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 401 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 401 includes a plurality of processor cores and is a multi-core processor capable of executing a plurality of processes in parallel.

[0045] The main memory 402 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 402 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 402 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 402 may store data necessary for the processor 401 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 402 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 401. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0046] The auxiliary storage device 403 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, an HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 403. The auxiliary storage device 403 stores data used by the processor 401 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 401, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 403 may store the above application program.

[0047] The clock 404 measures the date and time. The processor 401 processes the date and time measured by the clock 404 as the current date and time.

[0048] The communication interface 405 is an interface for performing data communication between the reservation server 10 and the instruction device 50 connected to the communication network 60.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main storage areas formed in the main memory 402. The settlement device 40 designates a part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 402 as the area of the third file area 4021 and the third flag memory 4022. The third file area 4021 is an area for temporarily storing the transaction file of the customer who makes a payment with the settlement device 40. The third file area 4021 stores the transaction file reserved by the reservation server 10.

[0050] The third flag memory 4022 is an area for storing the payment-in progress flag Fc. The payment-in progress flag Fc is 1-bit data for identifying whether payment is in progress in the settlement device 40. In this embodiment, the payment-in progress flag Fc indicating that payment is in progress is set to "1", and the payment-in progress flag Fc indicating that payment is not in progress is set to "0".

[0051] [Description of the Configuration of the Reservation Server] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the reservation server 10. As shown in the figure, the reservation server 10 includes a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a clock 104, a communication interface 105, a system transmission path 106, and the like. The system transmission path 106 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The system transmission path 106 connects the processor 101 to other components and transmits data signals exchanged therebetween.

[0052] The reservation server 10 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a clock 104, and a communication interface 105 via a system bus 106.

[0053] The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the reservation server 10 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 101 includes a plurality of processor cores and is a multi-core processor capable of executing a plurality of processes in parallel.

[0054] The main memory 102 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 102 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 102 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 102 may store data necessary for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 102 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 101. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0055] The auxiliary storage device 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. For example, an EEPROM, an HDD, or an SSD can be the auxiliary storage device 103. The auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the processor 101 to perform various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 101, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 103 may store the above application program.

[0056] The clock 104 measures the date and time. The processor 101 processes the date and time measured by the clock 104 as the current date and time.

[0057] The communication interface 105 is an interface for performing data communication between the transaction processing device 30 and the settlement device 40 connected to the communication network 60.

[0058] The hold server 10 with such a configuration designates a part of the storage area in the auxiliary storage device 103 as the area of the employee master 1031. The employee master 1031 is a database that stores the name, password, etc. of each clerk in association with the employee code of each clerk. The password is the sign-on password set by the clerk identified by the employee code. Note that the employee master 1031 may be possessed by a server other than the hold server 10, for example, a POS server.

[0059] The hold server 10 designates a part of the storage area in the auxiliary storage device 103 as the area of the lane table 1032. The data structure of the lane table 1032 is shown by the schematic diagram in FIG. 8. As shown in the figure, the lane table 1032 has a column Ca for lane numbers, a column Cb for transaction processing device IDs, a column Cc for settlement device IDs, a column Cd for instruction device IDs, and a column Ce for employee codes. And in the column Ca of the lane table 1032, the lane numbers of each settlement lane L are described in advance. Also, in the columns Cb, Cc, and Cd of the lane table 1032, the device IDs of the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40, and the instruction device 50 arranged in the settlement lane L with the lane number described in the same row of the column Ca are described. Different transaction processing device IDs are set as different identification information for all the transaction processing devices 30 constituting the settlement system 100. Similarly, different settlement device IDs are set as different identification information for all the settlement devices 40, and different instruction device IDs are set as different identification information for all the instruction devices 50.

[0060] For example, by combining the three - digit number "XXX" with the lane number nnn, different IDs "XXXnnn" can be created for each lane. Therefore, by making the three - digit number "XXX" different for the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40, and the instruction device 50, different identification information (device ID) can be created for each device.

[0061] Column Ce is cleared in the default state. Column Ce is installed in the transaction processing device 30 installed in the settlement lane L corresponding to the lane number. When sign - on is performed for the transaction processing device 30, the employee code authenticated by the sign - on is described. After that, when sign - off is performed for the transaction processing device 30, the employee code in column Ce is cleared.

[0062] Return to the explanation of Figure 7. The holding server 10 uses a part of the storage area in the auxiliary storage device 103 as the employee - specific folder 1033 area. The employee - specific folder 1033 is prepared in the number corresponding to the number of store clerks who can be operators of the input device 20, and is a data folder identified by the employee code of each store clerk. The employee - specific folder 1033 is an area for storing, that is, holding, the transaction file output from the transaction processing device 30 to the holding server 10. The holding server 10 stores the transaction file, that is, the information related to the transaction with the customer, in the employee - specific folder 1033 identified by the employee code of the store clerk who performed sign - on for the transaction processing device that output the transaction file. The holding server 10 can be paraphrased as a holding device.

[0063] [Explanation of the Configuration of the Instruction Device] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the main - part circuit configuration of the instruction device 50. As shown in the figure, the instruction device 50 includes a processor 501, a main memory 502, an auxiliary storage device 503, a communication interface 504, a touch panel 505, a camera 506, and a system transmission path 507, etc. The system transmission path 507 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The system transmission path 507 connects the processor 501 with other parts and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0064] The indicating device 50 constitutes a computer by connecting a processor 501, a main memory 502, an auxiliary storage device 503, and a communication interface 504 via a system bus 507. Then, the indicating device 50 connects the devices of a touch panel 505 and a camera 506 to the computer via the system bus 507. Note that the devices included in the indicating device 50 are not limited to the touch panel 505 and the camera 506. A keyboard, a pointing device, a barcode scanner, etc. may be provided.

[0065]

[0066]

[0067] The processor 501 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 501 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the indicating device 50 according to an operating system or an application program. The processor 501 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 501 may be a multi-core processor including a plurality of processor cores and capable of executing a plurality of processes in parallel. The main memory 502 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. The main memory 502 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 502 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 502 may store data necessary for the processor 501 to execute processes for controlling each part in the non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 502 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 501. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.The auxiliary storage device 503 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the above computer. For example, an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD, etc. can be the auxiliary storage device 503. The auxiliary storage device 503 stores data used by the processor 501 for performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 501, etc. The auxiliary storage device 503 may also store the above application program.

[0068] The communication interface 504 is an interface for performing data communication with the settlement device 40 connected to the communication network 60.

[0069] In the indicating device 50 with such a configuration, a part of the storage area in the auxiliary storage device 503 is set as the area of the employee memory 5031. The employee memory 5031 is an area for storing employee codes. The indicating device 50 uses the screen of the touch panel 505 as the instruction screen SEa (see FIG. 36). Although a detailed description of the instruction screen SEa will be given later, the instruction screen SEa is a screen on which an operator of the indicating device 50, that is, a store clerk who can be an instructing person, can be selected. The employee code of the store clerk selected as the instructing person is stored in the employee memory 5031.

[0070] [Explanation of the Functional Configuration of the Settlement System] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configurations of the hold server 10, the input device 20, the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40, and the indicating device 50 respectively. Hereinafter, the functions of each device will be described in the order of the input device 20, the transaction processing device 30, the indicating device 50, the hold server 10, and the settlement device 40.

[0071] The input device 20 has functions as input means 2011, end reception means 2012, and first payment reception means 2013. The input means 2011 has a function of inputting information related to transactions with customers, that is, information related to the purchased goods that the customer buys. The input means 2011 inputs information related to the purchased goods such as product codes and purchase quantities via input devices such as a stationary scanner 21, a handy scanner 22, a touch panel 23, a keyboard 24, etc. For example, the input means 2011 inputs the product code of the purchased goods from the barcode read by the stationary scanner 21 or the handy scanner 22. For example, the input means 2011 inputs the purchase quantity of the purchased goods from the numerical value input by the numeric keypad operation on the touch panel 23 or the keyboard 24.

[0072] The end reception means 2012 has a function of receiving an instruction to end the input of information related to transactions with customers, that is, information related to the purchased goods that the customer buys. The end reception means 2012 receives an instruction to end the input of information related to the purchased goods via input devices such as a touch panel 23, a keyboard 24, etc. For example, the end reception means 2012 receives the signal generated by a predetermined key operation on the touch panel 23 or the keyboard 24 as an instruction to end the input.

[0073] The first payment reception means 2013 has a function of receiving a selection input of a payment method via a device with the clerk as the operator. The device with the clerk as the operator is, for example, the touch panel 23. The first payment reception means 2013 displays a selection screen of the payment method on the touch panel 23. Then, the first payment reception means 2013 receives the payment method selected by the touch operation on the screen as the selected payment method. The type of the device is not particularly limited. For example, it may be the keyboard 24. Payment methods include cash, money certificates such as so-called gift certificates, credit cards, electronic money, code settlement, etc. Note that the first payment reception means 2013 does not necessarily have all of the above-mentioned payment methods. For example, it may only have a payment method using money certificates such as gift certificates.

[0074] The transaction processing device 30 has functions as an input information acquisition means 3011, a first amount output means 3012, a second payment reception means 3013, a first settlement means 3014, an operator acquisition means 3015, a transaction information output means 3016, a guidance means 3017, a hold cancellation means 3018, and an execution means 3019. The input information acquisition means 3011 has a function of acquiring information and the like from the input device 20 connected by the transmission cable 70. The input information acquisition means 3011 acquires information related to the purchased goods received by the input means 2011 from the input device 20. The input information acquisition means 3011 acquires a signal of an input end instruction received by the end reception means 2012 from the input device 20. The input information acquisition means 3011 acquires information on the payment method received by the first payment reception means 2013 from the input device 20.

[0075] The first amount output means 3012 has a function of outputting the amount necessary for settlement based on the information related to the transaction input via the input device 20. The information related to the transaction is, for example, information related to the purchased goods. The information related to the purchased goods includes the price of the goods and the sales quantity. The first amount output means 3012 calculates and outputs the amount necessary for settlement based on the price and sales quantity of each purchased good. The amount necessary for settlement can be paraphrased as the settlement amount, the total amount, the total amount including tax, the billed amount, etc. The first amount output means 3012 outputs by displaying the amount necessary for settlement on the display device. The display device corresponds to the touch panel 23 or the display 25 of the input device 20. The display device may be the first touch panel 32 or the second touch panel 33 of the transaction processing device 30.

[0076] The second payment acceptance means 3013 is a function for accepting a selection input of a payment method by a customer via a device serving as an operator. The device by which the customer serves as an operator is, for example, the second touch panel 33. The second payment acceptance means 3013 displays a selection screen for a payment method on the second touch panel 33. Then, the second payment acceptance means 3013 accepts the payment method selected by a touch operation on the screen as the selected input payment method. The type of the device is not particularly limited. The device by which the customer serves as an operator may be a pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on a display. The payment methods include cash, credit card, electronic money, code settlement, etc. The second payment acceptance means 3013 accepts a selection input of a payment method when the first payment acceptance means 2013 has not accepted a selection input of a payment method at the time when the end acceptance means 2012 accepts an input end instruction. Whether a selection input of a payment method is accepted at the time when the input end instruction is accepted can be identified by the payment status ST. Specifically, when the payment status ST is "10", that is, in the first state where the payment method is not specified by the input device 20, the second payment acceptance means 3013 accepts that any one payment method is selected and input via the second touch panel 33.

[0077] The first settlement means 3014 is a function for settling a transaction with a customer according to the payment method accepted by the first payment acceptance means 2013 or the second payment acceptance means 3013. The first settlement means 3014 settles the transaction with the customer when the transaction can be settled at the time when the end acceptance means 2012 accepts an input end instruction. That is, the first settlement means 3014 determines that the transaction can be settled when the payment-in progress flag Fa stored in the first flag memory 3024 is "0". The first settlement means 3014, for example, when accepting cash as a payment method, cooperates with the automatic change machine 35 to settle the transaction with the customer. The first settlement means 3014, for example, when accepting cashless settlement as a payment method, cooperates with the cashless settlement terminal 36 to settle the transaction with the customer.

[0078] The operator acquisition means 3015 is a function for acquiring operator identification information for identifying an operator. The operator is a store clerk who operates the input device 20 to input information related to transactions with customers. Therefore, the operator identification information is the employee code stored in the employee memory 3026. The operator acquisition means 3015 acquires the employee code from the employee memory 3026. The operator identification information for identifying the operator of the input device 20 is not necessarily the employee code. Any information that can identify an employee, such as a name or a telephone number, is acceptable.

[0079] The transaction information output means 3016 is a function for outputting information related to a transaction to the reservation server 10. When the transaction information output means 3016 receives an input end instruction for information related to a transaction from the input device 20 in a state where the settlement of the transaction is impossible, it outputs the information related to the transaction together with the operator identification information acquired by the operator acquisition means 3015 to the reservation server 10. The information related to the transaction is, for example, information related to purchased goods. The information related to purchased goods is stored in the transaction file as product sales data. When the input information acquisition means 3011 acquires a signal of an input end instruction when the payment in progress flag Fa in the first flag memory 3024 is "1", the transaction information output means 3016 controls the communication interface 305 to output the transaction file to the reservation server 10 together with the operator identification information.

[0080] The guidance means 3017 is a function of guiding information related to a transaction held in the hold server 10, that is, the output destination of the transaction file. The output destination of the transaction file held in the hold server 10 is the settlement device 40 or the transaction processing device 30. When the output destination of the transaction file is the settlement device 40, the guidance means 3017 guides the payment of the price at the settlement device 40. When the output destination of the transaction file is the transaction processing device 30, the guidance means 3017 guides the payment of the price at the transaction processing device 30. For example, it guides the store clerk or the customer by displaying a guidance image on the display device. The display device corresponds to the touch panel 23 or the display 25 of the input device 20, or the first touch panel 32 or the second touch panel 33 of the transaction processing device 30, etc.

[0081] The hold cancellation means 3018 is a function of instructing the hold server 10 to cancel the hold of information related to a transaction held in the hold server 10, that is, the transaction file. The hold cancellation means 3018 has a second operator for receiving an instruction to cancel the hold of the transaction file. The second operator is a software key displayed on the first touch panel 32. The second operator may be a hardware key provided on the keyboard 31. When the second operator is operated, the hold cancellation means 3018 instructs the hold server 10 to cancel the hold of the transaction file. Specifically, the hold cancellation means 3018 outputs a signal instructing the hold server 10 to cancel the hold of the transaction file.

[0082] The execution means 3019 is a function of executing the settlement of the transaction with the customer based on the information related to the transaction held in the hold server 10. When an instruction to cancel the hold of the transaction file is given to the hold server 10, the transaction file is stored in the second file area 3022. The execution means 3019 operates the first amount output means 3012 and the first settlement means 3014 based on the transaction file stored in the second file area 3022 to execute the settlement of the transaction.

[0083] The instruction device 50 has functions as a reception means 5011 and an instruction means 5012. The reception means 5011 has a function of receiving an instruction to output information related to a transaction held in the holding server 10, that is, a transaction file, to the settlement device 40. The instruction device 50 has a first operator for receiving an instruction to output the transaction file to the settlement device 40. When a tablet terminal is used as the instruction device 50, the first operator is a software key displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the tablet terminal. When the first operator is operated and input, the reception means 5011 receives it as an instruction to output the transaction file to the settlement device 40.

[0084] The instruction means 5012 has a function of instructing the holding server 10 to output information related to the transaction to the settlement device 40 in response to receiving an instruction to output the transaction file to the settlement device 40 by the reception means 5011. The instruction means 5012 outputs a signal instructing to output information related to the transaction to the settlement device 40 to the holding server 10 via the settlement device 40.

[0085] The holding server 10 has functions as a transaction information input means 1011, a holding means 1012, an output destination recognition means 1013, an operator recognition means 1014, and a holding information output means 1015. The transaction information input means 1011 has a function of inputting information related to a transaction, that is, a transaction file, from the transaction processing device 30. The transaction information input means 1011 inputs operator identification information together with the transaction file. The operator identification information is the employee code of the store clerk who signed on to the transaction processing device 30.

[0086] The holding means 1012 has a function of holding information related to the transaction, that is, a transaction file, input by the transaction information input means 1011. The holding means 1012 stores, that is, holds, the transaction file in an employee-specific folder 1033 specified by the operator identification information input together with the transaction file.

[0087] The output destination recognition means 1013 is a function of recognizing information related to a transaction held by the holding server 10, that is, the output destination of the transaction file. When the output destination recognition means 1013 receives a signal instructing to output information related to a transaction from the instruction means 5012 of the instruction device 50 to the settlement device 40, it recognizes the output destination of the transaction file as the settlement device 40. When the output destination recognition means 1013 receives a signal instructing release of the hold from the hold release means 3018 of the transaction processing device 30, it recognizes the output destination of the transaction file as the transaction processing device 30.

[0088] The operator recognition means 1014 is a function of recognizing the operator identification information of the operator who instructed the output destination of the transaction file. The one who instructs the output destination of the transaction file is the store clerk standing in the space SP. The operator recognition means 1014 recognizes the employee code of the store clerk who has performed an operation on the instruction device 50 or the transaction processing device 30. The employee code of the store clerk is stored in the column Ce of the lane table 1032. The employee code of the store clerk may be notified from the instruction device 50 or the transaction processing device 30.

[0089] The hold information output means 1015 is a function of outputting the information related to the transaction held by the hold means 1012, that is, the transaction file, to the output destination recognized by the output destination recognition means 1013. The hold information output means 1015 outputs the transaction file stored in the employee-specific folder 1033 specified by the employee code recognized by the operator recognition means 1014 to the output destination. When the output destination recognized by the output destination recognition means 1013 is the settlement device 40, the hold information output means 1015 outputs the transaction file to the settlement device 40. When the output destination recognized by the output destination recognition means 1013 is the transaction processing device 30, the hold information output means 1015 outputs the transaction file to the transaction processing device 30.

[0090] The settlement device 40 has functions as a capturing means 4011, a second amount output means 4012, a third payment receiving means 4013, and a second settlement means 4014. The capturing means 4011 is a function of capturing information related to a transaction reserved in the reservation server 10. The capturing means 4011 captures the transaction file output by the reservation information output means 1015 of the reservation server 10 and stores it in the third file area 4021.

[0091] The second amount output means 4012 is a function of outputting the amount necessary for settlement based on the information related to the transaction reserved in the reservation server 10. The second amount output means 4012 outputs the amount necessary for settlement based on the information of the transaction file stored in the third file area 4021. For example, the second amount output means 4012 displays the amount necessary for settlement on a display device. The display device corresponds to the touch panel 41 of the settlement device 40 or the like.

[0092] The third payment receiving means 4013 is a function of receiving a selection input of a payment method via a device with the customer as the operator. The device with the customer as the operator is, for example, the touch panel 41. The third payment receiving means 4013 displays a selection screen of the payment method on the touch panel 41. Then, the third payment receiving means 4013 receives the payment method selected by a touch operation on the screen as the selected payment method. The type of the device is not particularly limited. The device with the customer as the operator may be a pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on a display. The payment method may be cash, credit card, electronic money, code settlement, or the like.

[0093] The second settlement means 4014 is a function for settling a transaction based on information related to the transaction held in the holding server 10. The second settlement means 4014 settles the transaction with the customer according to the payment method received by the first payment acceptance means 2013 or the third payment acceptance means 4013. The second settlement means 4014 settles the transaction with the customer when the consideration equivalent to the amount output by the second amount output means 4012 is paid by the payment method received by the first payment acceptance means 2013 or the third payment acceptance means 4013. For example, when cash is received as the payment method, the second settlement means 4014 cooperates with the automatic change machine 43 to settle the transaction with the customer. For example, when cashless settlement is received as the payment method, the second settlement means 4014 cooperates with the cashless settlement terminal 44 to settle the transaction with the customer. Note that it is not always necessary to include the payment method received by the first payment acceptance means 2013 in the information related to the transaction held in the holding server 10. When the payment method received by the first payment acceptance means 2013 is not included, the second settlement means 4014 settles the transaction with the customer according to the payment method received by the third payment acceptance means 4013 based on the information related to the transaction held in the holding server 10.

[0094] The functions as the input information acquisition means 3011, the first amount output means 3012, the second payment acceptance means 3013, the first settlement means 3014, the operator acquisition means 3015, the transaction information output means 3016, the guidance means 3017, the hold cancellation means 3018, and the execution means 3019 of the transaction processing device 30 are all realized by information processing executed by the processor 301 according to the first business program.

[0095] The first business program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303. The method of installing the first business program in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303 is not particularly limited. The first business program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed through communication via a network and then installed in the main memory 302 or the auxiliary storage device 303. The recording medium can be in any form as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, etc.

[0096] The functions as the transaction information input means 1011, the reservation means 1012, the output destination recognition means 1013, the operator recognition means 1014, and the reservation information output means 1015 of the reservation server 10 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 101 according to the second business program.

[0097] The second business program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. The method of installing the second business program in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103 is not particularly limited. The second business program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed through communication via a network and then installed in the main memory 102 or the auxiliary storage device 103. The recording medium can be in any form as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, etc.

[0098] The functions as the capture means 4011, the second amount output means 4012, the third payment reception means 4013, and the second settlement means 4014 of the settlement device 40 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 401 according to the third business program.

[0099] The third business program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 402 or the auxiliary storage device 403. The method of installing the third business program in the main memory 402 or the auxiliary storage device 403 is not particularly limited. The third business program can be recorded on a removable recording medium or distributed by communication via a network and then installed in the main memory 402 or the auxiliary storage device 403. The recording medium can be in any form as long as it can store a program and can be read by the device, such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, etc.

[0100] [Operation Explanation of the Settlement System] Next, the main operations of the settlement system 100 will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 20 and the screen examples of FIGS. 21 to 43. Note that the content and procedure of the operations described using the flowcharts are examples. The content and procedure can be appropriately changed as long as the same operational effects can be achieved. Also, the screen examples are examples. The content of the output text, the arrangement of images, the types and layouts of software keys, etc. can be appropriately changed.

[0101] FIGS. 11 to 14 are flowcharts showing the main procedure of the first information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 according to the first business program. A customer who has collected purchased goods while walking around the store moves to the checkout area. Then, the customer places the purchased goods on the table 82 of the checkout counter 80 in the available aisle PA. A store clerk standing in the space SP gives a command to start registration when the customer comes to the checkout area. For example, the store clerk touches the start button displayed on the touch panel 23. This operation serves as a command to start registration. Upon receiving this command, the processor 301 starts the first information processing. The processor 301 sets the screens of the touch panel 23 and the display 25 in the input device 20 as the registration screen as ACT101.

[0102] FIG. 21 shows an example of a registration screen SAa displayed on the touch panel 23. The registration screen SAa is divided into a current area AAa, a details area AAb, and a total area AAc. The current area AAa is an area for displaying the name of the latest purchased product, the purchase quantity, and the selling amount. The details area AAb is an area for listing, in ascending order of a series of numbers, the name of the purchased product, the purchase quantity, the unit price, the discount amount, and the selling amount in a single transaction. The total area AAc is an area for displaying the total of the purchase quantities and the total of the selling amounts of the purchased products in a single transaction. The registration screen SAa includes a subtotal button BAa. The subtotal button BAa is a software key. The subtotal button BAa is an operator for instructing the output of the subtotal of the purchased products registered as a single transaction.

[0103] FIG. 22 shows an example of a registration screen SBa displayed on the display 25. The registration screen SBa divides the screen into a plurality of rows (seven rows in the example of FIG. 22), with the rows from the first row to the row immediately before the last row being the rows of the details area ABa, and the last row being the row of the total area ABb. In the rows of the details area ABa, the name of the purchased product, the unit price, the purchase quantity, and the selling amount are displayed one row at a time. In the total area ABb, the total of the purchase quantities and the total of the selling amounts are displayed in one row.

[0104] The store clerk who has confirmed the registration screen SAa performs the registration of the purchased products placed at the checkout counter 80. That is, the store clerk scans the barcode attached to the purchased product with the stationary scanner 21 or the handheld scanner 22 of the input device 20. By scanning the barcode, the product code of the purchased product is input into the transaction processing device 30 via the input device interface 310. If the purchased product does not have a barcode, the store clerk causes the list of products without barcodes to be displayed on the touch panel 23 of the input device 20. Then the store clerk selects the purchased product from that list. By such an operation, the product code of the purchased product without a barcode is input into the transaction processing device 30 via the input device interface 310.

[0105] The processor 301, which sets the screens of the touch panel 23 and the display 25 as the registration screen SAa and the registration screen SBa, proceeds to ACT102. The processor 301 waits for the registration of the purchased goods as ACT102. When a product code is input from the input device 20 via the input device interface 310, the processor 301 determines that there is a registration of the purchased goods. The processor 301 proceeds from ACT102 to ACT103. The processor 301 creates a transaction file in the first file area 3021 as ACT103. Hereinafter, the transaction file generated in ACT103 is referred to as the first transaction file.

[0106] The processor 301 that created the first transaction file proceeds to ACT104. The processor 301 processes the product sales data as ACT104. This process is a process of reading the product name, unit price, etc. of the product specified by the input product code from the product master and generating product sales data of the purchased product including the product code, product name, unit price, purchase quantity, sales amount, etc. The processor 301 that generated the product sales data of the purchased product proceeds to ACT105. The processor 301 stores the product sales data of the purchased product in the first transaction file as ACT105. Also, the processor 301 updates the registration screen SAa and the registration screen SBa as ACT106.

[0107] Regarding the registration screen SAa, the processor 301 displays the product name, purchase quantity, and sales amount of the product sales data stored in the first transaction file in the current area AAa. At this time, if the product sales data of the previously registered purchased product was displayed in the current area AAa, the processor 301 displays the product name, purchase quantity, unit price, discount amount, and sales amount of the product sales data in the details area AAb. Also, the processor 301 displays the total of the purchase quantity and sales amount of all the product sales data stored in the first transaction file in the total area AAc.

[0108] Regarding the registration screen SBa, the processor 301 displays the product name, unit price, purchase quantity, and sales amount of the product sales data stored in the first transaction file on the first line of the details area ABa. At this time, if the product sales data is displayed on the first line of the details area ABa, the processor 301 sequentially shifts the data after the first line to the lines after the second line, and then displays the product sales data stored in the first transaction file on the first line. Also, the processor 301 displays the total of the purchase quantity and sales amount of all the product sales data stored in the first transaction file in the total area ABb.

[0109] The processor 301 that has updated the registration screen SAa and the registration screen SBa proceeds to ACT107. The processor 301 checks whether the next purchased product has been registered as ACT107. If the next purchased product has not been registered, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT108. The processor 301 checks whether the subtotal button BAa has been input as ACT108. If the subtotal button BAa has not been input, the processor 301 returns to ACT107. In this way, the processor 301 waits in ACT107 and ACT108 for the next purchased product to be registered or the subtotal button BAa to be input.

[0110] In the waiting state of ACT107 and ACT108, when a purchased product is registered, the processor 301 returns to ACT104. Then the processor 301 executes the processing from ACT104 to ACT106 in the same manner as described above. Thus, each time the store clerk operates the stationary scanner 21, the handheld scanner 22, or the touch panel 23 of the input device 20 to input the data of the purchased products placed on the checkout counter 80 one by one, the processor 301 generates the product sales data of the purchased product based on the information related to the purchased product, that is, the product code, and stores it in the first transaction file. Also, the processor 301 updates the registration screen SAa and the registration screen SBa. After finishing the registration of the purchased products in this way, the store clerk touches the subtotal button BAa.

[0111] In the standby states of ACT107 and ACT108, when the subtotal button BAa is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT109. The processor 301 sets the screens of the touch panel 23 and the display 25 in the input device 20 as the subtotal screen in ACT109.

[0112] FIG. 23 is an example of the subtotal screen SAb displayed on the touch panel 23. The subtotal screen SAb includes a total area AAd where the total of the purchase quantities of the purchased items and the total sales amount in one transaction are displayed. The subtotal screen SAb also includes a subtotal discount button BAb, a subtotal percentage discount button BAc, a payment method selection button BAd, a payment button BAe, and a return button BAf. Each of the buttons BAb, BAc, BAe, BAf is a software key. The subtotal discount button BAb is an operator for instructing a discount on the total amount. The subtotal percentage discount button BAc is an operator for instructing a percentage discount on the total amount. Incidentally, when the subtotal discount button BAb is input and the discount amount is input using the numeric keys on the keyboard 24, the total amount is discounted. Similarly, when the subtotal percentage discount button BAc is input and the discount rate is input using the numeric keys on the keyboard 24, the total amount is discounted.

[0113] The payment method selection button BAd is an operator for instructing the selection of a payment method. The payment button BAe is an operator for instructing the transition to payment of the purchase price after registering the purchased items. The return button BAf is an operator for instructing a return to the registration of the purchased items.

[0114] FIG. 24 is an example of the subtotal screen SBb displayed on the display 25. The subtotal screen SBb includes an area ABc where information regarding the payment of the purchase price is displayed. In the area ABc, the total quantity and total amount of the purchased items, the deposited amount, and the balance are displayed. At this point, since no deposited amount has occurred, the deposited amount is 0 yen, and the balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the deposited amount from the total amount.

[0115] The store clerk who has confirmed the subtotal screen SAb checks whether there are unregistered purchased items remaining at the checkout counter 80. If there are unregistered purchased items, the store clerk touches the return button BAf. If there are no unregistered purchased items, the store clerk decides whether to confirm the payment method with the customer. For example, during peak hours when the store is crowded, the store clerk confirms the payment method with the customer, and during off-peak hours, the store clerk does not confirm the payment method with the customer. When confirming the payment method with the customer, the store clerk touches the payment method selection button BAd. When not confirming the payment method with the customer, the store clerk touches the payment button BAe.

[0116] The processor 301, which sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the subtotal screen SAb and the screen of the display 25 as the subtotal screen SBb, proceeds to ACT110. The processor 301 checks whether the return button BAf has been input as ACT110. If the return button BAf has not been input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT111. The processor 301 checks whether the payment method selection button BAd has been input as ACT111. If the payment method selection button BAd has not been input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT112. The processor 301 checks whether the payment button BAe has been input as ACT112. If the payment button BAe has not been input, the processor 301 returns to ACT110. In this way, the processor 301 that has displayed the subtotal screen SAb waits for the return button BAf, the payment method selection button BAd, or the payment button BAe to be input in ACT110 to ACT112.

[0117] In the standby states of ACT110 to ACT112, when the return button BAf is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT113. The processor 301, as ACT113, returns the screens of the touch panel 23 and the display 25 to the immediately previous registration screens SAa and SBa. Then the processor 301 enters the standby states of ACT107 and ACT108. Thus, the store clerk can operate the stationary scanner 21, the handy scanner 22, or the touch panel 23 of the input device 20 to input data of unregistered purchased items.

[0118] In the standby states of ACT110 to ACT112, when the payment method selection button BAd is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT121 in FIG. 12. The processor 301, as ACT121, sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment method selection screen SAc (see FIG. 25). The screen of the display 25 remains the subtotal screen SBb.

[0119] FIG. 25 is an example of the payment method selection screen SAc displayed on the touch panel 23. The payment method selection screen SAc includes a total area AAd similar to the subtotal screen SAb. The payment method selection screen SAc also includes a selection button group BAg for each payment method. The selection button group BAg includes a cash button, a credit button, an electronic money button, and a code settlement button.

[0120] The cash button is a button for instructing cash payment. The credit button is a button for instructing credit card payment. The electronic money button is a button for instructing electronic money payment. The code settlement button is a button for instructing code settlement payment. The cash button, the credit button, the electronic money button, and the code settlement button are all software keys.

[0121] The store clerk who has confirmed the payment method selection screen SAc checks the payment method with the customer. Then the store clerk touches the button of the payment method selected by the customer. For example, if the customer wishes to pay in cash, the store clerk touches the cash button in the selection button group BAg. For example, if the customer wishes to pay by credit card, the store clerk touches the credit button in the selection button group BAg. Similarly, when the customer wishes to pay by electronic money or code settlement, the store clerk also touches the corresponding button in the selection button group BAg.

[0122] The processor 301 that has set the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment method selection screen SAc proceeds to ACT122. The processor 301 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT122. When any payment method is selected by a touch operation on the selection button group BAg, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT123. The processor 301 obtains the payment code of the selected payment method as ACT123. In this embodiment, unique payment codes are set in advance for each payment method such as cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, code settlement payment, etc. For example, when the cash button is touched, the processor 301 obtains the payment code corresponding to cash payment, for example, "11". For example, when the credit button is touched, the processor 301 obtains the payment code corresponding to credit card payment, for example, "22". The same applies when other electronic money buttons and code settlement buttons are touched.

[0123] The processor 301 that has obtained the payment code proceeds to ACT124. The processor 301 sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment screen SAd (see FIG. 26) as ACT124. The screen of the display 25 remains the subtotal screen SBb.

[0124] Figure 26 shows an example of the payment screen SAd when cash payment is selected as the payment method. The payment screen SAd includes a total area AAd similar to the subtotal screen SAb and the payment method selection screen SAc. The payment screen SAd also includes a payment button BAh. The payment button BAh is an operator for instructing the transition to payment of the amount due. The payment button BAh is a software key. The store clerk who has confirmed the payment screen SAd touches the payment button BAh.

[0125] The processor 301 with the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment screen SAd proceeds to ACT125. The processor 301 waits for the payment button BAh to be input as ACT125. When the payment button BAh is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126.

[0126] On the other hand, in the waiting state of ACT110 to ACT112 in FIG. 11, when the payment button BAe is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126 in FIG. 12. Thus, when the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126.

[0127] The processor 301 checks the payment-in-progress flag Fa as ACT126. In the state where the amount due is not being paid in the transaction processing device 30, the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "0". When the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT131 in FIG. 13. The processing after ACT131 will be described later.

[0128] In ACT126, when the payment flag Fa is "1", that is, when the transaction processing device 30 is in a state where payment for the price is being made, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT127. The processor 301 checks the hold flag Fb as ACT127. If the information related to the transaction of the previous customer who settled in the same settlement lane L is not held in the hold server 10, the hold flag Fb is "0". When the hold flag Fb is "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 14. The processing after ACT141 will also be described later.

[0129] In ACT127, when the hold flag Fb is "1", that is, when the information related to the transaction of the previous customer who settled in the same settlement lane L is held in the hold server 10, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT128. The processor 301 displays a pop-up PUa (see FIG. 27) notifying that payment for the price is impossible on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23 as ACT128. Also, the processor 301 displays a text TXa (see FIG. 28) for instructing to wait because payment for the price is impossible on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25.

[0130] FIG. 27 is an example of the pop-up PUa displayed on the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23. The store clerk who has confirmed the pop-up PUa will wait until the previous customer finishes paying the price.

[0131] FIG. 28 is an example of the text TXa displayed on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25. The customer who has confirmed the text TXa will wait until payment for the price becomes possible.

[0132] The processor 301 that has informed that payment cannot be made using the touch panel 23 and the display 25 returns to ACT125. The processor 301 waits for the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh to be input again. When the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126. Then the processor 301 executes the processing after ACT126 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, when the payment in progress flag Fa has been rewritten to "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT131 in FIG. 13. When the payment in progress flag Fa remains "1" but the pending flag Fb has been rewritten to "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 14.

[0133] On the other hand, when the payment in progress flag Fa and the pending flag Fb still remain "1", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT128. Therefore, the pop-up PUa continues to be displayed on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23, and the text TXa continues to be displayed on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25.

[0134] When the payment in progress flag Fa is "0", that is, when payment has not been made in the transaction processing device 30, and the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb of the touch panel 23 or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT131 in FIG. 13. As ACT131, the processor 301 displays a pop-up PUb (see FIG. 29) on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23 to inform that payment can be made by the transaction processing device 30. The processor 301 also displays a text TXb (see FIG. 30) for instructing that payment can be made on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25.

[0135] FIG. 29 shows an example of a pop-up PUb displayed on the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23. Since a store clerk who has confirmed the pop-up PUb can know that payment can be made by the transaction processing device 30, the clerk will guide the customer to the side where the transaction processing device 30 is installed.

[0136] FIG. 30 shows an example of text TXb displayed on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25. A customer who has confirmed the text TXb will move to the side where the transaction processing device 30 is installed according to the guidance of the store clerk and make the payment.

[0137] The processor 301 that has notified that payment can be made using the touch panel 23 and the display 25 proceeds to ACT132. The processor 301 checks whether a payment code has been acquired as ACT132. If the payment code has not been acquired, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT133. The processor 301 sets the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "10" as ACT133. On the other hand, if the payment code has been acquired in the process of ACT123, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT134. The processor 301 stores the payment code in the first transaction file as ACT134. The processor 301 also sets the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "20" as ACT135.

[0138] When the processing of ACT133 or ACT135 is completed, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT136. The processor 301 selects, as ACT136, the first transaction file stored in the first file area 3021. Then, the processor 301 saves, as ACT137, the first transaction file in the second file area 3022. After that, the processor 301 rewrites, as ACT138, the payment-in-progress flag Fa in the first flag memory 3024 to "1". The processor 301 also clears, as ACT139, the first file area 3021. Thus, the processor 301 finishes the first information processing. Hereinafter, the transaction file saved in the second file area 3022 is referred to as the second transaction file.

[0139] On the other hand, when the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "1" but the hold flag Fb is "0", and the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 14. The processor 301 checks, as ACT141, whether a payment code has been acquired. If the payment code has not been acquired, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT142. The processor 301 sets, as ACT142, the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "10". On the contrary, if the payment code has been acquired in the processing of ACT123, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT143. The processor 301 stores, as ACT143, the payment code in the first transaction file. The processor 301 also sets, as ACT144, the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "20".

[0140] When the processing of ACT142 or ACT144 is completed, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT145. The processor 301 transmits, as ACT145, a hold event to the hold server 10 via the communication interface 305. The hold event is an event that requests the hold of a transaction file. The hold event includes the transaction processor ID of the transaction processor 30.

[0141] As will be described later, since a permission response is returned from the hold server 10 that has received the hold event, the processor 301 waits for the permission response as ACT146. Then, when the permission response is received via the communication interface 305, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT147. The processor 301 acquires the employee code from the employee memory 3026 as ACT147. Then, the processor 301 outputs the first transaction file to the hold server 10 together with the employee code as ACT148.

[0142] After that, the processor 301 sets the hold flag Fb to "1" as ACT149. Also, the processor 301 clears the first file area 3021 as ACT150. Thus, the processor 301 finishes the first information processing.

[0143] As described with reference to FIG. 13, when the payment button BAe or the payment screen SAd is input and the payment flag Fa is "0", that is, when there is no customer paying the price at the transaction processing device 30, it is notified that the price payment at the transaction processing device 30 is possible. Also, the first transaction file is stored in the second file area 3022, and the payment flag Fa becomes "1". Therefore, self-service price payment becomes possible at the transaction processing device 30. The customer moves to the installation location of the transaction processing device 30 and performs an operation for price payment.

[0144] On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 14, when the payment button BAe or the payment screen SAd is input and the payment flag Fa is "1", that is, when there is a customer paying the price at the transaction processing device 30, the first transaction file is output to the hold server 10. Also, the hold flag Fb becomes "1", and the first file area 3021 is cleared. At this point, it is not determined whether the customer pays the price at the transaction processing device 30 or at the settlement device 40.

[0145] Incidentally, as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, when the first information processing is completed, the first file area 3021 is cleared. Therefore, the processor 301 of the transaction processing apparatus 30 can continue to start the first information processing. That is, when the next customer comes to the cashier's desk and the clerk gives an instruction to start registration, the processor 301 executes the first information processing after ACT101 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, the screen of the touch panel 23 becomes the registration screen SAa.

[0146] Here, the processor 301 realizes a function as input information acquisition means 3011 (first input information acquisition means) for acquiring information related to purchased goods received by the input means 2011 from the input device 20 by executing the processes of ACT102 and ACT106 via the input device interface 310. Further, the processor 301 realizes a function as input information acquisition means 3011 (second input information acquisition means) for acquiring a signal of an input end instruction received by the end reception means 2012 from the input device 20 by executing the processes of ACT112 and ACT125 via the input device interface 310. Furthermore, the processor 301 realizes a function as input information acquisition means 3011 (third input information acquisition means) for acquiring information on the payment method received by the first payment reception means 2013 from the input device 20 by executing the processes of ACT121 to ACT123 via the input device interface 310.

[0147] The processor 301 realizes a function as first amount output means 3012 by executing the processes of ACT109 and ACT124 in cooperation with the touch panel 23 and the display 25. The processor 301 realizes a function as transaction information output means 3016 by executing the processes of ACT145 to ACT148 in cooperation with the communication interface 305. The processor 301 realizes a function as operator acquisition means 3015 by executing the process of ACT147 in cooperation with the employee memory 3026.

[0148] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the main procedure of the second information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing apparatus 30 according to the first business program. The processor 301 executes the second information processing in parallel with the above-described first information processing.

[0149] The processor 301 waits for the payment-in-progress flag Fa to become "1" as ACT161. In ACT138 of the first information processing, when the payment-in-progress flag Fa becomes "1", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT162. The processor 301 checks the payment status ST as ACT162. If the payment status ST is "10", that is, if the payment method for the price is not selected in the first information processing, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT163. The processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment method selection screen SCa (see FIG. 31) as ACT163.

[0150] FIG. 31 is an example of the payment method selection screen SCa displayed on the second touch panel 33. The payment method selection screen SCa includes a selection button group BCa for each payment method. The selection button group BCa includes a cash button, a credit button, an electronic money button, and a code settlement button. The payment method selection screen SCa also includes a total area ACa in which the total purchase quantity and the total sales amount of the purchased goods in one transaction are displayed. In the total area ACa, the total purchase quantity and the total sales amount calculated based on the product sales data of the purchased goods stored in the second transaction file are displayed.

[0151] The customer who has confirmed the payment method selection screen SCa touches the button of the desired payment method. For example, a customer who wishes to pay in cash touches the cash button in the selection button group BCa. For example, a customer who wishes to pay by credit card touches the credit button in the selection button group BCa. For example, a customer who wishes to pay with electronic money touches the electronic money button in the selection button group BCa. For example, a customer who wishes to pay by code settlement touches the code settlement button in the selection button group BCa.

[0152] The processor 301 that sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment method selection screen SCa proceeds to ACT164. The processor 301 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT164. When any payment method is selected by a touch operation on the selection button group BCa, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT165. The processor 301, as ACT165, acquires the payment code of the selected payment method in the same way as the processing of ACT123 of the first information processing.

[0153] On the other hand, when the payment status ST in ACT162 is “20”, that is, when the payment method for the price has been selected in the first information processing, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT166. The processor 301 extracts the payment code from the second transaction file as ACT166.

[0154] The processor 301 that has finished the processing of ACT165 or ACT166 proceeds to ACT167. The processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment notification screen SCb (see FIG. 32) as ACT167. The payment notification screen SCb is a screen based on the payment code obtained by the processing of ACT165 or ACT166.

[0155] FIG. 32 is an example of the payment notification screen SCb displayed on the second touch panel 33. FIG. 32 shows the payment notification screen SCb when the payment code for cash payment is obtained by the processing of ACT165 or ACT166. The payment notification screen SCb includes the change machine information area ACb. In the change machine information area ACb, the total amount, the total amount of cash inserted into the automatic change machine 35, so-called the inserted amount, and the balance obtained by subtracting the inserted amount from the total amount are displayed.

[0156] Customers who have confirmed the payment notice screen SCb pay the amount using the payment method they have selected. For example, a customer who has selected cash payment inserts cash into the automatic change machine 35. A customer who has selected credit card payment has the credit card data read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 36. A customer who has selected electronic money payment has the data of the electronic money medium read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 36. A customer who has selected code settlement payment has the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement read by the scanner of the cashless payment terminal 36.

[0157] The processor 301 that has set the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment notice screen SCb proceeds to ACT168. The processor 301 waits for the start of the payment of the amount as ACT168. For example, when cash payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for cash to be inserted into the automatic change machine 35. For example, when credit card payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for the credit card data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36. For example, when electronic money payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for the electronic money data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36. For example, when code settlement payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36.

[0158] When the payment of the amount starts, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT169. The processor 301 issues a transaction number as ACT169. The transaction number is, for example, a 7-digit number obtained by attaching a 4-digit serial number to a 3-digit transaction processing device ID. The serial number is incremented by "1" each time a transaction is settled in the transaction processing device 30. The processor 301 that has issued the transaction number proceeds to ACT170. The processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment in progress screen SCc (see FIG. 33) as ACT170.

[0159] FIG. 33 shows an example of a payment-in progress screen SCc displayed on the second touch panel 33. FIG. 33 shows the payment-in progress screen SCc when a payment code for cash payment is obtained by the process of ACT165 or ACT166. The payment-in progress screen SCc has the same layout as the payment notification screen SCb. In the payment-in progress screen SCc, the information displayed in the change machine information area ACb is updated according to the amount of cash inserted into the automatic change machine 35. The payment-in progress screen SCc further includes a settlement button BCb. The settlement button BCb is a software key. The settlement button BCb is an operator for instructing the end of the payment of the price. A customer who has finished paying the price by the selected payment method touches the settlement button BCb.

[0160] The processor 301 with the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment-in progress screen SCc proceeds to ACT171. The processor 301 waits for the settlement button BCb to be input as ACT171. When the settlement button BCb is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT172. The processor 301 executes a settlement process for the transaction based on the payment code as ACT172. That is, when the payment code is a cash payment code, the processor 301 executes a settlement process for the transaction with the cash inserted into the automatic change machine 35. When the payment code is a credit card payment code, the processor 301 executes a settlement process for the transaction with the credit card data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36. When the payment code is an electronic money payment code, the processor 301 executes a settlement process for the transaction with the electronic money data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36. When the payment code is a code settlement payment code, the processor 301 executes a settlement process for the transaction with the barcode or two-dimensional data code data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36. Since these settlement processes are all well-known, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0161] After finishing the settlement process, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT173. The processor 301 drives the printer 34 as ACT173 to issue a receipt. Also, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment completion screen SCd (see FIG. 34) as ACT174. The receipt is a sheet that records details such as the names, prices, quantities, and amounts of the purchased goods. The transaction date, time, transaction number, etc. are also recorded on the receipt.

[0162] FIG. 34 is an example of the payment completion screen SCd displayed on the second touch panel 33. FIG. 34 shows the payment completion screen SCd when the payment code for cash payment is obtained by the process of ACT165 or ACT166. The payment completion screen SCd includes a change machine information area ACb similar to the payment notification screen SCb and the payment in progress screen SCc. A customer who has confirmed the payment completion screen SCd will take the receipt and the change and leave the store.

[0163] The processor 301 that has displayed the payment completion screen SCd proceeds to ACT175. The processor 301 saves the data of the second transaction file, that is, the data of the goods purchased by the customer who has completed the settlement, as ACT175. The storage destination of the data is, for example, the auxiliary storage device 303. The storage destination of the data may be the main memory 302. Alternatively, the second transaction file may be transmitted to the POS server via the communication interface 305 and saved on the POS server. It may be saved on the hold server 10 instead of the POS server.

[0164] The processor 301 that has saved the data of the second transaction file proceeds to ACT176. The processor 301 clears the second file area 3022 as ACT176. Also, the processor 301 rewrites the payment in progress flag Fa to "0" as ACT177. Thus, the processor 301 ends the second information processing.

[0165] Here, the processor 301 realizes the function as the first amount output means 3012 by executing the processing of ACT167 in cooperation with the second touch panel 33. The processor 301 realizes the function as the second payment acceptance means 3013 by executing the processing of ACT163 to ACT165 in cooperation with the second touch panel 33. The processor 301 realizes the function as the first settlement means 3014 by executing the processing of ACT172.

[0166] In this way, when the payment in progress flag Fa is "0" and the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, and the payment in progress flag Fa becomes "1", the processor 301 executes the processing of ACT162 to ACT177. By the operation of the transaction processing device 30 based on this processing, the customer can settle the transaction by operating the transaction processing device 30 by himself / herself to pay the price.

[0167] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the main procedure of the third information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 according to the first business program. The processor 301 also executes the third information processing in parallel with the above-described first information processing.

[0168] The processor 301 waits for the pending flag Fb to become "1" as ACT181. In ACT149 of the first information processing, when the pending flag Fb becomes "1", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT182. The processor 301 sets the screen of the first touch panel 32 as the guidance screen SDa (see FIG. 35) as ACT182.

[0169] FIG. 35 is an example of a guidance screen SDa displayed on the first touch panel 32. The guidance screen SDa displays a pop-up PUc that shows guidance when guiding a customer to the payment device 40 and guidance when the transaction processing device 30 is the payee, and also displays a hold cancellation button BDa. The hold cancellation button BDa is a second operator that instructs the hold server 10 to cancel the hold of the transaction file and transmit the transaction file to the transaction processing device 30.

[0170] The store clerk who has confirmed the guidance screen SDa determines the payment destination of the customer whose transaction file is on hold in the hold server 10. For example, if another customer is making a payment with the transaction processing device 30 but there is no customer making a payment with the payment device 40, the store clerk determines the payment device 40 as the payment destination. For example, if another customer is still making a payment with the payment device 40 but the customer who made the payment with the transaction processing device 30 has finished paying, the store clerk determines the transaction processing device 30 as the payment destination.

[0171] Here, in order to clarify the operation of the store clerk who has determined the payment destination, the description of FIG. 16 is temporarily interrupted, and the information processing executed by the processor 101 of the hold server 10 will be described first with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0172] FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the main procedure of a fourth information process executed by the processor 101 of the hold server 10 according to a second business program. The processor 101 is waiting for a hold event as ACT201. When receiving a hold event via the communication interface 105, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT202. The processor 101 returns a permission response as ACT202. That is, the processor 101 returns a permission response to the transaction processing device 30 specified by the transaction processing device ID included in the hold event.

[0173] As described with reference to FIG. 14, when the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 that has transmitted a pending event receives a permission response, it outputs the transaction file (first transaction file) stored in the first file area to the pending server 10 together with the employee code, which is the operator identification information. Therefore, the processor 101 that has returned a permission response waits for the transaction file as ACT203. When receiving the transaction file via the communication interface 105, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT204. The processor 101 acquires the transaction processing device ID set for the transaction processing device 30 that is the data transmission source as ACT204. The transaction processing device ID is included in the pending event.

[0174] The processor 101 that has detected the transaction processing device ID proceeds to ACT205. The processor 101 acquires the employee code received together with the transaction file as ACT205. Then, the processor 101 stores the employee code in the lane table 1032 as ACT206. That is, the processor 101 describes the employee code acquired in the process of ACT205 in column Ce of the lane table 1032 in the same row as the transaction processing device ID acquired in the process of ACT204.

[0175] The processor 101 that has stored the employee code proceeds to ACT207. The processor 101 saves the transaction file received from the transaction processing device 30 in the employee-specific folder 1033 identified by the employee code acquired as ACT207. Also, the processor 101 acquires the indicator device ID described in column Cd of the same row as the transaction processing device ID by referring to the lane table 1032 as ACT208. Then, the processor 101 outputs a signal indicating activation of the instruction to the indicator device 50 identified by the indicator device ID as ACT209. The signal indicating activation of the instruction is transmitted to the indicator device 50 via the settlement device 40. The signal indicating activation of the instruction is a signal that enables the functions as the reception means 5011 and the instruction means 5012 of the indicator device 50. Hereinafter, the transaction file stored in the employee-specific folder 1033 is referred to as the third transaction file.

[0176] The indicating device 50 usually displays an indication screen SEa (see FIG. 36) on the touch panel 505. FIG. 36 is an example of a display of the indication screen SEa. The indication screen SEa includes a pull-down area AEa in which the names of each clerk are displayed as a pull-down menu. The indication screen SEa also arranges a call button BEa. The call button BEa is a software key. The call button BEa is a first operator that instructs to transmit a transaction file to the settlement device 40.

[0177] Normally, the input of the call button BEa is invalid. For example, the call button BEa is grayed out and in a state where it cannot be input. When the indicating device 50 receives a signal indicating the activation of an instruction from the hold server 10, the call button BEa is set to an input-enabled state, and the input of the call button BEa is enabled. The indicating device 50 that displays such an indication screen SEa realizes a function as a reception means 5011. Note that the information displayed in the pull-down area AEa may be an employee code instead of a name. Or it may be both a name and an employee code.

[0178] A clerk who has signed on to the transaction processing device 30 as an operator of the input device 20 operates the pull-down area AEa and selects his or her own name from the pull-down menu. By such an operation, the employee code of the clerk is overwritten and stored in the employee memory 5031. Such an operation may be performed immediately after the clerk signs on, or may be performed at any time thereafter.

[0179] Also, the store clerk who has determined the payment destination operates the instruction device 50 or the transaction processing device 30 based on that determination. Specifically, the store clerk who has determined the payment device 40 as the payment destination inputs the call button BEa of the instruction device 50. When the call button BEa is input, upon receiving an instruction from the instruction device 50, a first signal is output from the payment device 40. The first signal output from the payment device 40 is transmitted to the hold server 10. The first signal is a signal output in response to the input of the call button BEa. The first signal is a signal indicating that the payment device 40 has been determined as the payment destination. The first signal includes the employee code stored in the employee memory 5031. The instruction device 50 that outputs the first signal realizes the function as the instruction means 5012.

[0180] On the other hand, the store clerk who has determined the transaction processing device 30 as the payment destination inputs the hold cancellation button BDa. When the hold cancellation button BDa is input, a second signal is output from the transaction processing device 30 to the hold server 10. The second signal is a signal output in response to the input of the hold cancellation button BDa. The second signal is a signal indicating that the transaction processing device 30 has been determined as the payment destination. The second signal includes the employee code stored in the employee memory 3026.

[0181] The processor 101 that outputs a signal indicating instruction activation proceeds to ACT211 in FIG. 18. The processor 101 checks whether the call button BEa has been input as ACT211. If the call button BEa has not been input, that is, if the first signal has not been received, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT212. The processor 101 checks whether the hold cancellation button BDa has been input as ACT212. If the hold cancellation button BDa has not been input, that is, if the second signal has not been received, the processor 101 returns to ACT211. In this way, the processor 101 waits for the call button BEa on the instruction screen SEa to be input or the hold cancellation button BDa on the guidance screen SDa to be input in ACT211 and ACT212.

[0182] In the standby states of ACT211 and ACT212, when receiving the instruction from the instruction device 50 and the first signal output from the settlement device 40, the processor 101 recognizes that the call button BEa has been input. The processor 101 proceeds to ACT213. As ACT213, the processor 101 refers to the lane table 1032 and acquires the settlement device ID described in the column Cc of the same row as the transaction processing device ID. Then, as ACT214, the processor 101 transmits an execution event to the settlement device 40 identified by that settlement device ID. The execution event is an event that requests the execution of the settlement process.

[0183] Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 19, but from the settlement device 40 that has received the execution event, a permission response or a negative response is returned. The permission response is returned when the settlement of the transaction is possible in the settlement device 40. The negative response is returned when the settlement of the transaction is impossible in the settlement device 40.

[0184] The processor 101 that has transmitted the execution event proceeds to ACT215. As ACT215, the processor 101 checks whether a permission response has been received. If a permission response is received, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT216. As ACT216, the processor 101 acquires the employee code from the first signal. Note that the processor 101 may refer to the lane table 1032 and acquire the employee code described in the column Ce of the same row as the transaction processing device ID acquired in the process of ACT204.

[0185] The processor 101 that has acquired the employee code selects, as ACT217, the employee-specific folder 1033 of that employee code. Then, as ACT218, the processor 101 transmits the third transaction file held in the selected employee-specific folder 1033 to the settlement device 40. That is, the processor 101 transmits the third transaction file stored in the employee-specific folder 1033 of the employee code acquired in ACT216 to the settlement device 40 identified by the settlement device ID acquired in the process of ACT213.

[0186] The processor 101 that has sent the transaction file proceeds to ACT219. The processor 101 sends a cancellation notice event to the transaction processing device 30 which is the source of the third transaction file as ACT219. That is, the processor 101 sends a cancellation notice event to the transaction processing device 30 identified by the transaction processing device ID obtained in the process of ACT204. The cancellation notice event is an event that notifies that the held state has been cancelled.

[0187] The processor 101 that has sent the cancellation notice event proceeds to ACT220. The processor 101 deletes the third transaction file as ACT220. That is, the processor 101 deletes the third transaction file stored in the employee - specific folder 1033 selected in ACT217. Thus, the processor 101 ends the fourth information processing.

[0188] On the other hand, when the processor 101 receives the second signal from the transaction processing device 30 in the waiting states of ACT211 and ACT212, the processor 101 recognizes that the hold - release button BDa has been input. The processor 101 proceeds to ACT221. The processor 101 obtains the employee code from the second signal as ACT221. Note that the processor 101 may obtain the employee code described in the column Ce of the same row as the transaction processing device ID obtained in the process of ACT204 by referring to the lane table 1032.

[0189] The processor 101 that has obtained the employee code selects the employee - specific folder 1033 of that employee code as ACT222. Then the processor 101 sends the third transaction file held in the selected employee - specific folder 1033 to the transaction processing device 30 as ACT223. That is, the processor 101 sends the third transaction file stored in the employee - specific folder 1033 selected in ACT222 to the transaction processing device 30 identified by the transaction processing device ID obtained in the process of ACT204.

[0190] The processor 101 that has sent the third transaction file proceeds to ACT224. The processor 101 deletes the third transaction file as ACT224. That is, the processor 101 deletes the third transaction file stored in the employee-specific folder 1033 selected in ACT222. Thus, the processor 101 finishes the fourth information processing.

[0191] Note that when a negative response is received in ACT215, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT225. The processor 101 outputs an error signal to the indicating device 50 as ACT225. The indicating device 50 that has received the error signal sets the screen of the touch panel 505 as an error screen. An operator (software key) for instructing error cancellation is displayed on the error screen.

[0192] The store clerk who has confirmed the error screen inputs an operator for instructing error cancellation. When this operator is input, an error cancellation signal is output from the indicating device. The error cancellation signal is transmitted to the hold server 10 via the settlement device 40. Also, the screen of the touch panel 505 returns to the instruction screen SEa.

[0193] The processor 101 that has output the error signal proceeds to ACT226. The processor 101 waits for an error cancellation signal as ACT226. When the error cancellation signal is received via the communication interface 105, the processor 101 returns to the waiting states of ACT211 and ACT212.

[0194] For example, when the store clerk inputs the call button BEa and designates the settlement device 40 as the output destination of the information related to the transaction, there may be a case where the previous customer has not yet finished the settlement in the settlement device 40. In such a case, since the screen of the indicating device 50 becomes an error screen, the store clerk inputs an operator for instructing error cancellation. Then, since the screen of the indicating device 50 returns to the instruction screen SEa, the store clerk may wait for the previous customer to finish the settlement and then input the call button BEa. Alternatively, when the customer who was performing the settlement with the transaction processing device 30 finishes the settlement first, the store clerk may input the hold cancellation button BDa.

[0195] Here, the processor 101 realizes the function as the transaction information input means 1011 by executing the processing of ACT201 and ACT203 in cooperation with the communication interface 105. The processor 101 realizes the function as the suspension means 1012 by executing the processing of ACT204 to ACT207 in cooperation with the employee-specific folder 1033. The processor 101 realizes the function as the output destination recognition means 1013 by executing the processing of ACT211 and ACT212 in cooperation with the communication interface 105. The processor 101 realizes the function as the operator recognition means 1014 by executing the processing of ACT216 and ACT221 in cooperation with the lane table 1032. The processor 101 realizes the function as the suspended information output means 1015 by executing the processing of ACT217, ACT218 and the processing of ACT222, ACT223 in cooperation with the communication interface 105.

[0196] Thus, the transaction file (the first transaction file), that is, the information related to the transaction output from the transaction processing device 30 to the suspension server 10 is stored, that is, suspended, for each clerk standing in the settlement lane L in the employee-specific folder 1033 in the suspension server 10. Then, when the clerk inputs the call button BEa of the instruction device 50, a first signal is transmitted from the instruction device 50 to the settlement device 40. In response to this first signal, the transaction file (the third transaction file) suspended in the suspension server 10 is transmitted to the settlement device 40. At this time, a cancellation notice event is transmitted from the suspension server 10 to the transaction processing device 30 in the same settlement lane L. On the other hand, when the clerk inputs the suspension cancellation button BDa of the transaction processing device 30, a suspension cancellation event is transmitted from the transaction processing device 30 to the settlement device 40. In response to this suspension cancellation event, the transaction file (the third transaction file) suspended in the suspension server 10 is transmitted to the transaction processing device 30.

[0197] Return to the description of FIG. 16. The processor 301 that controlled the display of the guidance screen SDa in ACT182 proceeds to ACT183. The processor 301 checks whether it has received a cancellation notice event as ACT183. If it has not received the cancellation notice event, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT184. The processor 301 checks whether the hold cancellation button BDa has been input as ACT184. If the hold cancellation button BDa has not been input, the processor 301 returns to ACT183. In this way, the processor 301 waits for the cancellation notice event to be received or the hold cancellation button BDa to be input in ACT183 and ACT184.

[0198] As described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, when the call button BEa is input on the instruction screen SEa displayed on the instruction device 50 and the transaction file (third transaction file) held by the hold server 10 is output to the settlement device 40, a cancellation notice event is transmitted from the hold server 10 to the transaction processing device 30. When the processor 301 receives the cancellation notice event in the waiting states of ACT183 and ACT184, it proceeds to ACT185. The processor 301 displays a pop-up PUd (see FIG. 37) for guiding the settlement at the settlement device 40 on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23 as ACT185. Further, the processor 301 displays a text TXd (see FIG. 38) for instructing the customer to pay the price at the settlement device 40 on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25.

[0199] FIG. 37 is an example of the pop-up PUd displayed on the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23. The store clerk who has confirmed the pop-up PUd guides the customer to the settlement device 40.

[0200] FIG. 38 is an example of the text TXd displayed on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25. The customer who has confirmed the text TXd moves to the settlement device 40 according to the guidance of the store clerk and pays the price.

[0201] When the processing of ACT185 is completed, the processor 301 sets the pending flag Fb to "0" as ACT186. Thus, the processor 301 finishes the third information processing.

[0202] On the other hand, when the cancel button BDa is input while the processor 301 is in the waiting state of ACT183 and ACT184, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT187. The processor 301 checks the payment-in-progress flag Fa as ACT187. Here, if the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "1", that is, when the previous customer is executing settlement in the transaction processing device 30, the processor 301 returns to ACT183. The processor 301 invalidates the input of the cancel button BDa and returns to the waiting state of ACT183 and ACT184.

[0203] If the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "0" in ACT187, that is, when there is no customer performing settlement in the transaction processing device 30, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT188. The processor 301 acquires the employee code from the employee memory 3026 as ACT188. Then the processor 301 sends a cancellation event to the pending server 10 as ACT189. The cancellation event includes the employee code acquired from the employee memory 3026.

[0204] As described with reference to FIG. 18, the pending server 10 that has received the cancellation event from the transaction processing device 30 sends the pending transaction file (the third transaction file) to the transaction processing device 30. Therefore, the processor 301 that has sent the cancellation event waits to receive the transaction file as ACT190. When the transaction file is received via the communication interface 305, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT191. The processor 301 stores the transaction file in the second file area 3022 as ACT191. Incidentally, the received transaction file is the transaction file output to the pending server 10 in ACT148 of FIG. 14. Hereinafter, the transaction file received from the pending server 10 and stored in the second file area 3022 is referred to as the fourth transaction file.

[0205] The processor 301 that has saved the fourth transaction file in the second file area 3022 proceeds to ACT192. The processor 301, as ACT192, displays a pop-up PUb (see FIG. 29) notifying that payment of the price can be made by the transaction processing device 30 on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23. Further, the processor 301 displays a text TXb (see FIG. 30) for instructing that payment of the price is possible on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25.

[0206] In this way, the processor 301 that has notified that payment of the price can be made by the transaction processing device 30 using the touch panel 23 and the display 25 proceeds to ACT193. The processor 301 sets the payment-in-progress flag Fa to "1" and the pending flag Fb to "0" as ACT193. Thereafter, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT162 in FIG. 15. Then, the processor 301 executes the processes of ACT162 to ACT177 in the same manner as described above.

[0207] In this way, when the transaction file reserved in the hold server 10 is returned to the transaction processing device 30, the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 executes the processes of ACT162 to ACT177 in FIG. 15 in the same manner as described above. That is, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment notification screen SCb. If the payment method has not been selected in the input device 20, the processor 301 displays the payment method selection screen SCa before the payment notification screen SCb. Then, when the payment method is selected by the customer's operation, the processor 301 displays the payment notification screen SCb. After that, when the payment is started, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment in progress screen SCc. Also, the processor 301 issues a transaction number. Then, when the accounting button BCb on the payment in progress screen SCc is input by the customer's operation, the processor 301 executes the settlement process and issues a receipt. Also, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment completed screen SCd. Thus, the customer can settle the transaction by operating the transaction processing device 30 self-service to pay the price.

[0208] Here, the processor 301 realizes the function as the guiding means 3017 by executing the processes of ACT185 and ACT192 in cooperation with the touch panel 23 and the display 25. The processor 301 realizes the function as the hold cancellation means 3018 by executing the processes of ACT184 to ACT189. The processor 301 realizes the function as the execution means 3019 by executing the processes of ACT190 to ACT193 and the subsequent processes of ACT162 to ACT172.

[0209] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the main procedure of the fifth information process executed by the processor 401 of the settlement device 40 according to the third service program. The processor 401 is waiting for an execution event as ACT301.

[0210] As described with reference to FIG. 18, when the call button BEa on the instruction screen SEa displayed on the instruction device 50 is input and the settlement device 40 is instructed as the output destination of the information related to the transaction in the state where the transaction file is on hold in the employee folder 1033 of the hold server 10, an execution event is transmitted from the hold server 10 to the settlement device 40 as the process of ACT214. When the processor 401 receives the execution event, it proceeds to ACT302. The processor 401 checks the payment-in-progress flag Fc as ACT302. Here, if the payment-in-progress flag Fc is "1", that is, when the previous customer is still executing settlement in the settlement device 40, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT303. The processor 401 transmits a negative response signal to the hold server 10 as ACT303. Thus, the processor 401 ends the fifth information process.

[0211] On the other hand, if the payment-in-progress flag Fc is "0" in ACT302, that is, when the customer is not performing settlement in the settlement device 40, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT304. The processor 301 transmits a permission response signal to the hold server 10 as ACT304.

[0212] As described with reference to FIG. 18, the hold server 10 that has received the permission response from the settlement device 40 that transmitted the execution event transmits the transaction file (the third transaction file) held in that settlement device 40. Therefore, the processor 401 that transmitted the permission response signal waits to receive the transaction file as ACT305. When the transaction file is received via the communication interface 405, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT306. The processor 401 stores the transaction file in the third file area 4021 as ACT306. Incidentally, the transaction file is stored in the first file area 3021 of the transaction processing device 30 installed in the same settlement lane L and is the transaction file output to the hold server 10. Hereinafter, the transaction file stored in the third file area 4021 is referred to as the fifth transaction file.

[0213] The processor 401 that has saved the fifth transaction file in the third file area 4021 proceeds to ACT307. The processor 401 sets the payment-in-progress flag Fc to "1" as ACT307. Thus, the processor 401 ends the fifth information processing.

[0214] In this way, when the processor 401 of the settlement device 40 receives an execution event from the hold server 10 with the payment-in-progress flag Fc being "0", that is, in a state where the customer has not performed settlement, it then takes in the transaction file output from the hold server 10 and saves it in the third file area 4021. Also, the processor 401 sets the payment-in-progress flag Fc to "1".

[0215] Here, the processor 401 realizes the function as the taking-in means 4011 by executing the processes of ACT305 and ACT306 in cooperation with the communication interface 405.

[0216] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the main procedure of the sixth information processing executed by the processor 401 of the settlement device 40 according to the third service program. The processor 401 executes the sixth information processing in parallel with the aforementioned fifth information processing.

[0217] The processor 401 waits for the payment-in-progress flag Fc to become "1" as ACT311. When the payment-in-progress flag Fc becomes "1" in ACT307 of the fifth information processing, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT312. The processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the detail confirmation screen SFa (see FIG. 39) as ACT312.

[0218] FIG. 39 shows an example of a detail confirmation screen SFa displayed on the touch panel 41. The detail confirmation screen SFa is divided into a detail area AFa and a total area AFb. The detail area AFa is an area that displays, in a list format, the name of the purchased product, the quantity purchased, the unit price, the discount amount, and the sales amount of the purchased products in a single transaction in ascending order of a series of numbers. The total area AFb is an area that displays the total quantity of the purchased products and the total sales amount in a single transaction. The processor 401 causes the detail area AFa to display the name of the purchased product, the quantity purchased, the unit price, the discount amount, and the sales amount of the purchased products in a single transaction based on the product sales data of the fifth transaction file stored in the third file area 4021. Further, the processor 401 causes the total area AFb to display the total quantity of the purchased products and the total sales amount based on the product sales data.

[0219] The detail confirmation screen SFa includes a confirmation button BFa and a clerk call button BFb. The confirmation button BFa and the clerk call button BFb are software keys. The confirmation button BFa is an operator for instructing that the customer has confirmed that the details of the purchased products are displayed on the detail confirmation screen SFa. The clerk call button BFb is an operator for instructing the customer to call a clerk.

[0220] The processor 401 that has displayed the detail confirmation screen SFa proceeds to ACT313. The processor 401 waits for the confirmation button BFa to be input as ACT313. When the confirmation button BFa is input, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT314. The processor 401 checks whether the payment code is included in the transaction file stored in the third file area 4021 as ACT314. If the payment code is included, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT315. The processor 401 extracts the payment code from the transaction file as ACT315.

[0221] On the other hand, if the payment code is not included, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT316. The processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as a payment method selection screen SFb (see FIG. 40) as ACT316.

[0222] Figure 40 is an example of a payment method selection screen SFb displayed on the touch panel 41. The payment method selection screen SFb includes a group of selection buttons BFc for each payment method. The group of selection buttons BFc includes a cash button, a credit button, an electronic money button, and a code settlement button. The payment method selection screen SFb includes a total area AFc in which the total purchase quantity and total sales amount of the purchased goods in a single transaction are displayed. In the total area AFc, the total purchase quantity and total sales amount calculated based on the product sales data of the fifth transaction file are displayed. Note that the clerk call button BFb is also displayed on the payment method selection screen SFb, and the customer can call the clerk.

[0223] The customer who has confirmed the payment method selection screen SFb touches the button of the desired payment method. For example, a customer who wishes to pay in cash touches the cash button in the group of selection buttons BFc. For example, a customer who wishes to pay with a credit card touches the credit button in the group of selection buttons BFc. For example, a customer who wishes to pay with electronic money touches the electronic money button in the group of selection buttons BFc. For example, a customer who wishes to pay by code settlement touches the code settlement button in the group of selection buttons BFc. Note that, as described above, the information related to the transaction held in the hold server 10 does not necessarily have to include the payment method for the payment received by the first payment acceptance means 2013. Therefore, in the case of an operation where the information related to the transaction does not include the payment method for the payment received by the first payment acceptance means 2013, the processing steps of ACT314 and ACT315 may be omitted.

[0224] The processor 401, which sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment method selection screen SFb, proceeds to ACT317. The processor 401 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT317. When any payment method is selected by a touch operation on the selection button group BFc, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT318. The processor 401, as ACT318, acquires the payment code of the selected payment method in the same way as the processing of ACT123 of the first information processing.

[0225] After finishing the processing of ACT315 or ACT318, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT319. The processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment notification screen SFc (see FIG. 41) as ACT319. The payment notification screen SFc is a screen based on the payment code obtained by the processing of ACT315 or ACT318.

[0226] FIG. 41 is an example of the payment notification screen SFc displayed on the touch panel 41. FIG. 41 shows the payment notification screen SFc when the payment code for cash payment is obtained by the processing of ACT315 or ACT318. The payment notification screen SFc includes a total area AFc similar to the payment method selection screen SFb. The payment notification screen SFc also includes a change machine information area AFd. In the change machine information area AFd, the total amount, the total amount of cash inserted into the automatic change machine 43 (so-called inserted amount), and the balance obtained by subtracting the inserted amount from the total amount are displayed. Note that the clerk call button BFb is also displayed on the payment notification screen, and the customer can call the clerk.

[0227] Customers who have confirmed the payment notice screen SFc pay the amount using the payment method they have selected. For example, a customer who has selected cash payment inserts cash into the automatic change machine 43. A customer who has selected credit card payment has the credit card data read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 44. A customer who has selected electronic money payment has the data of the electronic money medium read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 44. A customer who has selected code settlement payment has the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement read by the scanner of the cashless payment terminal 44.

[0228] The processor 401 that has set the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment notice screen SFc proceeds to ACT320. The processor 401 waits for the start of the payment of the amount as ACT320. For example, when cash payment is selected, the processor 401 waits for cash to be inserted into the automatic change machine 43. For example, when credit card payment is selected, the processor 401 waits for the credit card data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 44. For example, when electronic money payment is selected, the processor 401 waits for the electronic money data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 44. For example, when code settlement payment is selected, the processor 401 waits for the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement to be read by the cashless payment terminal 44.

[0229] When the payment of the amount starts, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT321. The processor 401 assigns a transaction number as ACT321. The transaction number is, for example, a 7-digit number obtained by attaching a 4-digit serial number to a 3-digit settlement device ID. The serial number is incremented by "1" each time a transaction is settled in the settlement device 40. The processor 401 that has assigned the transaction number proceeds to ACT322. The processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment in progress screen SFd (see FIG. 42) as ACT322.

[0230] FIG. 42 is an example of a payment-in-progress screen SFd displayed on the touch panel 41. FIG. 42 shows the payment-in-progress screen SFd when a payment code for cash payment is obtained by the process of ACT315 or ACT318. The payment-in-progress screen SFd is a screen obtained by adding an accounting button BFd to the payment notification screen SCb. In the payment-in-progress screen SCc, the information displayed in the change machine information area AFd is updated according to the amount of cash inserted into the automatic change machine 43. The accounting button BFd is a software key. The accounting button BFd is an operator for instructing the end of payment of the price. A customer who has finished paying the price by the selected payment method touches the accounting button BFd. Note that the clerk call button BFb is continuously displayed also on the payment-in-progress screen SFd, and the customer can call the clerk.

[0231] The processor 401 that sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment-in-progress screen SFd proceeds to ACT323. The processor 401 waits for the accounting button BFd to be input as ACT323. When the accounting button BFd is input by a touch operation, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT324. The processor 401 executes a settlement process of the transaction based on the payment code as ACT324. That is, when the payment code is a cash payment code, the processor 401 executes a settlement process of the transaction with the cash inserted into the automatic change machine 43. When the payment code is a credit card payment code, the processor 401 executes a settlement process of the transaction with the credit card data read by the cashless settlement terminal 44. When the payment code is an electronic money payment code, the processor 401 executes a settlement process of the transaction with the electronic money data read by the cashless settlement terminal 44. When the payment code is a code settlement payment code, the processor 401 executes a settlement process of the transaction with the barcode or two-dimensional data code read by the cashless settlement terminal 44. Since these settlement processes are all well-known, detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0232] After finishing the settlement process, the processor 401 proceeds to ACT325. The processor 401 drives the printer 42 as ACT325 to issue a receipt. Also, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 as the payment completion screen SFe (see FIG. 43) as ACT326. The receipt is the same as the receipt issued in the process of ACT173 in the transaction processing device 30. However, a transaction number including the transaction processing device ID is printed on the receipt issued from the transaction processing device 30, while a transaction number including the settlement device ID is printed on the receipt issued from the settlement device 40.

[0233] FIG. 43 is an example of the payment completion screen SFe displayed on the touch panel 41. FIG. 43 shows the payment completion screen SFe when the payment code for cash payment is obtained by the process of ACT315 or ACT318. The payment completion screen SFe includes the same change machine information area AFd as the payment notification screen SFc and the payment in progress screen SFd. The store clerk can know that the payment of the customer who selected cash payment has been completed based on the information displayed in the change machine information area AFd. Note that since the customer who has completed the payment does not call the store clerk, the store clerk call button BFb is not displayed on the payment completion screen SFe. The customer who has confirmed the payment completion screen SFe will take the receipt and leave the store.

[0234] The processor 401 that has displayed the payment completion screen SFe proceeds to ACT327. The processor 401 saves, as ACT327, the data of the fifth transaction file stored in the third file area 4021, that is, the data of the goods purchased by the customer who has completed the settlement. The storage destination of the data is, for example, the auxiliary storage device 403. The storage destination of the data may be the main memory 402. Alternatively, the fifth transaction file may be transmitted to the POS server via the communication interface 405 and stored in the POS server. It may be stored in the hold server 10 instead of the POS server.

[0235] The processor 401 that has saved the data of the fifth transaction file proceeds to ACT328. The processor 401 clears the third file area 4021 as ACT328. Also, the processor 401 sets the payment in progress flag Fc to "0" as ACT329. Thus, the processor 401 finishes the sixth information process.

[0236] In this way, when the transaction file (the third transaction file) held in the hold server 10 is taken into the settlement device 40, the processor 401 of the settlement device 40 executes the processes of ACT312 to ACT329 in FIG. 20. That is, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the details confirmation screen SFa. Then, when the confirmation button BFa is input by the customer's operation, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the payment notification screen SFc. If the payment method has not been selected in the input device 20, the processor 401 displays the payment method selection screen SFb before the payment notification screen SFc. Then, when the payment method is selected by the customer's operation, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the payment notification screen SFc. After that, when the payment starts, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the payment in progress screen SFd. Also, the processor 401 issues a transaction number. Then, when the accounting button BFd on the payment in progress screen SFd is input by the customer's operation, the processor 401 executes the settlement process and issues a receipt. Also, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel 41 to the payment completed screen SFe. Thus, the customer can settle the transaction by operating the settlement device 40 self-service to pay the price.

[0237] Here, the processor 401 realizes the function as the third payment acceptance means 4013 by executing the process of ACT316 in cooperation with the touch panel 41. The processor 401 realizes the function as the second amount output means 4012 by executing the process of ACT319 in cooperation with the touch panel 41. The processor 401 realizes the function as the second settlement means 4014 by executing the process of ACT324.

[0238] [Explanation of the Operation of the Payment System] Next, the operation of the payment system 100 operating as described above will be explained using the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 44 to 46. In FIG. 44, the store clerk starts a transaction with the first customer A. That is, the store clerk operates the input device 20 to register the purchased goods of customer A (Goods Registration A). When the purchased goods are registered, the transaction processing device 30 creates a transaction file A. After finishing the registration of the purchased goods, the store clerk inputs the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh (Payment Input A). The transaction processing device 30 determines whether the transaction can be settled. At this point, since the transaction can be settled, the transaction processing device 30 saves the transaction file A in the second file area 3022. Customer A moves to the location where the transaction processing device 30 is installed and starts paying the amount (Payment Start A).

[0239] The store clerk starts a transaction with the second customer B. That is, the store clerk operates the input device 20 to register the purchased goods of customer B (Goods Registration B). When the purchased goods are registered, the transaction processing device 30 creates a transaction file B. After finishing the registration of the purchased goods, the store clerk inputs the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh (Payment Input B). The transaction processing device 30 determines whether the transaction can be settled. At this point, if customer A has not completed the payment, the transaction cannot be settled. The transaction processing device 30 sends the transaction file B to the hold server 10. The hold server 10 saves the transaction file B. Since the transaction file B has been sent to the hold server 10, a guidance screen SDa is displayed on the first touch panel 32 of the transaction processing device 30, so the store clerk inputs the call button BEa displayed on the touch panel 505 of the instruction device 50. When the call button BEa is input, a first signal is sent from the settlement device 40 to the hold server 10 in response to the instruction from the instruction device 50. In response to this first signal, the transaction file B is sent from the hold server 10 to the settlement device 40. The settlement device 40 saves the transaction file B in the third file area 4021. Customer B moves to the location where the settlement device 40 is installed and starts paying the amount (Payment Start B).

[0240] The clerk starts a transaction with the third customer C. That is, the clerk operates the input device 20 to register the purchased items of customer C (item registration C). When the purchased items are registered, the transaction processing device 30 creates a transaction file C. When the registration of the purchased items is completed, the clerk inputs the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh (payment input C). The transaction processing device 30 determines whether the transaction can be settled. At this point, if customer A has completed the payment of the amount due, the transaction processing device 30 saves the transaction file C in the second file area 3022. Customer C moves to the location where the transaction processing device 30 is installed and starts the payment of the amount due (payment start C).

[0241] The clerk starts a transaction with the fourth customer D. That is, the clerk operates the input device 20 to register the purchased items of customer D (item registration D). When the purchased items are registered, the transaction processing device 30 creates a transaction file D. When the registration of the purchased items is completed, the clerk inputs the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh (payment input D). The transaction processing device 30 determines whether the transaction can be settled. At this point, if neither customer B nor customer C has completed the payment of the amount due, information indicating that payment is not possible is displayed on the touch panel 23 and the display 25 of the input device 20. Customer D waits until payment becomes possible.

[0242] Here, if the payment of customer C is completed first, the transaction processing device 30 saves the transaction file D in the second file area 3022. Customer D moves to the location where the transaction processing device 30 is installed and starts the payment of the amount due (payment start Da).

[0243] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 45, when the payment of customer B is completed first, the transaction processing device 30 transmits the transaction file D to the holding server 10. The holding server 10 stores the transaction file D. Also, since the call button BEa on the instruction screen SEa displayed on the touch panel 505 of the instruction device 50 becomes valid, the store clerk inputs the call button BEa. When the call button BEa is input, a first signal is transmitted from the settlement device 40 to the holding server 10 in response to the instruction from the instruction device 50. In response to this first signal, the transaction file D is transmitted from the holding server 10 to the settlement device 40. The settlement device 40 stores the transaction file D in the third file area 4021. Customer D moves to the location where the settlement device 40 is installed and starts paying the price (payment start Db).

[0244] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 46, if the payment of customer B is completed first, but then immediately customer C also completes the payment and the transaction processing device 30 becomes available, the store clerk may input the hold cancellation button BDa on the guidance screen SDa displayed on the first touch panel 32. When the hold cancellation button BDa is input, a second signal is transmitted from the transaction processing device 30 to the holding server 10. In response to this second signal, the transaction file D is transmitted from the holding server 10 to the transaction processing device 30. The transaction processing device 30 stores the transaction file D in the second file area 3022. Customer D moves to the location where the transaction processing device 30 is installed and starts paying the price (payment start Dc).

[0245] Since the settlement system 100 operates as described above, the transaction processing device 30 and the settlement device 40 can be appropriately selected to efficiently handle many customers. Moreover, since the operation regarding the payment of the price is performed by the customers themselves, it is possible to reduce labor costs. Also, since the store clerk does not touch cash, cash cards, etc., excellent effects can be achieved in terms of infectious disease prevention measures.

[0246] [Regarding Another Form of Payment Method] In the above-described embodiment, examples of the payment method included cash, credit card, electronic money, code settlement, etc. As another payment method, for example, there is a method using gift tickets. A gift ticket is a ticket that circulates in a form similar to cash currency, and includes commodity tickets, gift tickets, shareholder privilege tickets, etc. Also, prepaid gift cards, etc. are also a type of gift ticket. Further, rice tickets, regional revitalization tickets issued by local governments, exchange tickets that can be exchanged for specific goods, etc. are also a type of gift ticket. When a gift ticket is used as a payment method, it is necessary for the store clerk to confirm the validity of the gift ticket. That is, the gift ticket is one of the payment methods that require confirmation by the store clerk.

[0247] In the above-described embodiment, the second payment acceptance means 3013 included in the transaction processing device 30 accepts a selection input of the payment method via a device with the customer as the operator. Also, the third payment acceptance means 4013 included in the settlement device 40 also accepts a selection input of the payment method via a device with the customer as the operator. Therefore, it is desirable not to include a gift ticket as a payment method. On the other hand, the first payment acceptance means 2013 included in the input device 20 accepts a selection input of the payment method via a device with the store clerk as the operator. Therefore, there is no problem even if a gift ticket is included as a payment method.

[0248] Therefore, next, an embodiment of the settlement system 100 including a gift ticket as a payment method will be described. Note that the basic configuration, operation, and function of the settlement system 100 have been described as shown using FIGS. 1 to 46. Therefore, below, the parts different from the basic configuration, operation, and function will be described using FIGS. 47 to 57.

[0249] FIG. 47 is a schematic diagram showing the main storage areas formed in the main memory 302 of the transaction processing device 30. In the present embodiment, in addition to the first file area 3021, the second file area 3022, the status memory 3023, the first flag memory 3024, the second flag memory 3025, and the employee memory 3026, which were described in the basic configuration, a part of the volatile storage area in the main memory 302 is used as the standby file area 3027, the fourth flag memory 3028, and the fifth flag memory 3029.

[0250] The standby file area 3027 is an area for temporarily storing the transaction files of customers who have specified a money order as the payment method. Specifically, the standby file area 3027 holds the transaction files of customers who have specified a money order until the transactions can be settled in the transaction processing device 30. In other words, the standby file area 3027 is an area that makes the transaction files of customers who have specified a money order wait until the transactions can be settled.

[0251] The fourth flag memory 3028 is an area for storing the money order flag Fd. The money order flag Fd is 1-bit data for identifying whether a money order has been selected as the payment method. In the present embodiment, the money order flag Fd indicating that a money order has been selected is set to "1", and the money order flag Fd indicating that a money order has not been selected is set to "0".

[0252] The fifth flag memory 3029 is an area for storing the standby flag Fe. The standby flag Fe is 1-bit data for identifying whether a transaction file is waiting in the standby file area 3027. In the present embodiment, the standby flag Fe indicating that a transaction file is waiting is set to "1", and the standby flag Fe indicating that a transaction file is not waiting is set to "0".

[0253] FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configurations of the reservation server 10, the input device 20, the transaction processing device 30, the settlement device 40, and the instruction device 50, respectively. In the present embodiment, the functions of the transaction processing device 30 are added. That is, in addition to the functions as the input information acquisition means 3011, the first amount output means 3012, the second payment acceptance means 3013, the first settlement means 3014, the operator acquisition means 3015, the transaction information output means 3016, the guidance means 3017, the reservation cancellation means 3018, and the execution means 3019 described in the basic configuration, the transaction processing device 30 has functions as the holding means 3030, the third settlement means 3031, and the settlement display means 3032.

[0254] The holding means 3030 is a function of holding information related to a transaction input via the input means 2011 when the settlement of the transaction is impossible at the time when the end reception means 2012 receives an input end instruction and the input of a payment method that requires confirmation by a store clerk is received. That is, when the end reception means 2012 receives an input end instruction in a state where the settlement of the transaction is impossible, the holding means 3030 checks whether a money order is designated as the payment method. If a money order is designated, the holding means 3030 stores and holds the transaction file in the standby file area 3027. Specifically, when the payment-in progress flag Fa stored in the first flag memory 3024 is "1", the holding means 3030 checks the money order flag Fd stored in the fourth flag memory 3028. If the money order flag Fd is "1", the holding means 3030 stores and holds the transaction file in the standby file area 3027. At this time, the holding means 3030 sets the standby flag Fe stored in the fifth flag memory 3029 to "1".

[0255] The third settlement means 3031 is a function that settles a transaction based on the information related to the transaction held by the holding means 3030 when the settlement of the transaction becomes possible. That is, when the transaction settlement becomes possible while the transaction file is held in the standby file area 3027, the third settlement means 3031 settles the transaction based on that transaction file. Specifically, when the standby flag Fe stored by the fifth flag memory 3029 is "1", the third settlement means 3031 waits for the payment-in progress flag Fa stored by the first flag memory 3024 to become "0". When the payment-in progress flag Fa becomes "0", the third settlement means 3031 operates the first amount output means 3012 and the first settlement means 3014 based on the transaction file held in the standby file area 3027 to execute the settlement of the transaction.

[0256] The settlement display means 3032 is a function that displays to the customer, who is the operator, the amount necessary for the settlement of the transaction calculated based on the information related to the transaction input via the input means 2011. That is, the settlement display means 3032 displays the amount calculated by the first amount output means 3012 on the display 25. In addition, when accepting the input of the payment method that requires the confirmation of the store clerk, the settlement display means 3032 displays the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the payment amount by the payment method that requires the confirmation of the store clerk from the amount necessary for the settlement. That is, when a money order is specified as the payment method, the settlement display means 3032 displays on the display 25 the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the payment amount by the money order, for example, the face value of the money order, from the amount necessary for the settlement of the transaction. At this time, the settlement display means 3032 may display the amount necessary for the settlement of the transaction, the payment amount by the money order, and the remaining amount in a list on the display 25.

[0257] The other configurations of the payment system 100 are the same as the basic configuration. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are adopted as they are, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Regarding the operation of the payment system 100, among the first information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 according to the first business program, a part of the processing described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 14 is different. Also, the processor 301 executes the seventh information processing according to the first business program. The other operations are the same as the basic operations. Therefore, the flowcharts of FIGS. 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are adopted as they are, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. Similarly, among the screen examples shown in FIGS. 21 to 43, the screen examples of FIGS. 21 to 23, 27 to 29, and 32 to 43 are also adopted as they are.

[0258] FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a part corresponding to the processing described with reference to FIG. 12 among the first information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing device 30 according to the first business program. Further, FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a part corresponding to the processing described with reference to FIG. 14 among the first information processing. Therefore, in FIGS. 49 and 50, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to the processing shown in FIGS. 12 and 14.

[0259] In the waiting states of ACT110 to ACT112 in FIG. 11, when the payment method selection button BAd is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT121 in FIG. 49. The processor 301 sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment method selection screen SAc as ACT121. The screen of the display 25 is set as the subtotal screen SBb.

[0260] Here, in the present embodiment, the payment method selection screen SAc is the screen shown in FIG. 52. That is, the payment method selection screen SAc includes, as a group of selection buttons BAg for each payment method, a cash button, a credit button, an electronic money button, a code settlement button, and in addition, a gift ticket button. The gift ticket button is an operator for instructing payment of the price with gift tickets such as product tickets, gift vouchers, shareholder preference vouchers, gift cards, etc.

[0261] Also, in the present embodiment, the subtotal screen SBb displayed on the display 25 is the screen shown in FIG. 53. That is, the subtotal screen SBb displays, in an area other than the area ABc where information regarding payment of the price is displayed, a guidance GBa prompting the customer to notify the store clerk when using a gift ticket as the payment method. Therefore, a customer who sees this guidance GBa will notify the store clerk when using a gift ticket as the payment method.

[0262] The store clerk who has confirmed the payment method selection screen SAc confirms the payment method with the customer. Here, when the customer requests to pay with a gift ticket, the store clerk touches the gift ticket button of the selection button group BAg. Also, when the gift ticket has a barcode from which the face value can be obtained, the store clerk reads that barcode with the handheld scanner 22. When there is no barcode, the store clerk operates the keyboard 24 or the touch panel 23 to input the face value of the gift ticket.

[0263] The processor 301 that sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment method selection screen SAc proceeds to ACT122. The processor 301 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT122. When any payment method is selected by a touch operation on the selection button group BAg, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT123. The processor 301 acquires the payment code of the selected payment method as ACT123. In the present embodiment, similar to cash payment, credit card payment, electronic money payment, code settlement payment, etc., a unique payment code is set in advance for the coupon payment. For example, when the coupon button is touched, the processor 301 acquires the payment code corresponding to the coupon payment, for example, "99".

[0264] The processor 301 that has acquired the payment code proceeds to ACT401. The processor 301 checks whether coupon payment has been selected as ACT401. When the payment code acquired in ACT123 is other than "99", the processor 301 recognizes that a payment method other than the coupon has been selected. The processor 301 proceeds to ACT124.

[0265] On the other hand, when the payment code is "99", that is, when coupon payment is selected, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT402. The processor 301 acquires the face value of the coupon as ACT402. Since the face value is input via the handy scanner 22, the touch panel 23, the keyboard 24, etc. as described above, the processor 301 acquires the face value.

[0266] The processor 301 that has acquired the face value proceeds to ACT403. The processor 301 sets the coupon flag Fd to "1" as ACT403. Thereafter, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT124.

[0267] In this way, when a money ticket is selected as the payment method, the processor 301 sets the money ticket flag Fd to "1" and proceeds to ACT124. When a payment method other than the money ticket is selected, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT124 without setting the money ticket flag Fd to "1". The processor 301 sets the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment screen SAd in ACT124. The screen of the display 25 remains the subtotal screen SBb.

[0268] FIG. 54 is an example of the payment screen SAd when money ticket payment is selected as the payment method. The payment screen SAd includes a total area AAd and a payment button BAh, similar to the payment screen SAd (see FIG. 26) when cash payment is selected. Further, the payment screen SAd when money ticket payment is selected includes a face value area AAe. The face value obtained in the process of ACT402 is displayed in the face value area AAe. The store clerk who has confirmed the payment screen SAd touches the payment button BAh.

[0269] The processor 301 that has set the screen of the touch panel 23 as the payment screen SAd proceeds to ACT125. The processor 301 waits for the payment button BAh to be input in ACT125. When the payment button BAh is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126.

[0270] On the other hand, in the waiting states of ACT110 to ACT112 in FIG. 11, when the payment button BAe is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126 in FIG. 49. In this way, when the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126.

[0271] The processor 301 checks the payment-in progress flag Fa as ACT126. In a state where payment for the price has not been made in the transaction processing device 30, the payment-in progress flag Fa is "0". When the payment-in progress flag Fa is "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT131 in FIG. 13. Then, the processor 301 executes the processes of ACT131 to ACT139 in the same manner as described above.

[0272] Incidentally, FIG. 55 is an example of the subtotal screen SBb displayed on the display 25 in the process of ACT131 when cash ticket payment is selected as the payment method for the price when the payment-in progress flag Fa is "0". In the subtotal screen SBb, an area ABc is arranged together with a text TXb for instructing that payment for the price is possible. In the area ABc, the total points, the total amount, the deposit amount, and the balance are displayed as information regarding payment for the price. In this case, the deposit amount is the face value of the cash ticket. The balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the face value from the total amount. That is, in the subtotal screen SBb, the amount necessary for settlement of the transaction, the face value of the cash ticket, and the balance are listed and displayed.

[0273] In ACT126, when the payment-in progress flag Fa is "1", that is, in a state where payment for the price is being made in the transaction processing device 30, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT127. The processor 301 checks the pending flag Fb as ACT127. When information regarding the transaction of the previous customer who settled in the same settlement lane L is not pending in the pending server 10, the pending flag Fb is "0". When the pending flag Fb is "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 50. The processes after ACT141 will be described later.

[0274] In ACT127, when the hold flag Fb is "1", that is, when information related to the transaction of the previous customer who made a payment in the same payment lane L is being held in the hold server 10, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT128. The processor 301, as ACT128, displays a pop-up PUa (see FIG. 27) on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment screen SAd of the touch panel 23 to notify that payment of the amount due is impossible. Further, the processor 301 displays a text TXa (see FIG. 28) on the subtotal screen SBb of the display 25 to instruct waiting because payment of the amount due is impossible.

[0275] The processor 301 that has notified that payment of the amount due is impossible using the touch panel 23 and the display 25 returns to ACT125. The processor 301 waits for the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh to be input again. When the payment button BAe or the payment button BAh is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126. Then the processor 301 executes the processing after ACT126 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, when the payment-in-progress flag Fa has been rewritten to "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT131 in FIG. 13. When the payment-in-progress flag Fa remains "1" but the hold flag Fb has been rewritten to "0", the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 50.

[0276] Thus, when the payment-in-progress flag Fa is "1" but the hold flag Fb is "0", when the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen SAb or the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd is input, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT141 in FIG. 50. The processor 301 checks whether a payment code has been acquired as ACT141. If the payment code has not been acquired, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT142. The processor 301, as ACT142, sets the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "10". Thereafter, the processor 301 executes the processing of ACT145 to ACT150 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0277] On the other hand, if the payment code is obtained in the process of ACT123, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT143. The processor 301 stores the payment code in the first transaction file as ACT143. Also, the processor 301 sets the payment status ST stored in the status memory 3023 to "20" as ACT144.

[0278] Next, the processor 301 checks the voucher flag Fd as ACT411. Here, if the voucher flag Fd is "0", that is, if a payment method other than a voucher is selected, the processor 301 executes the processes of ACT145 to ACT150 in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0279] On the other hand, if the voucher flag Fd is "1", that is, if voucher payment is selected as the payment method, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT412. The processor 301 saves the first transaction file stored in the first file area 3021 to the standby file area 3027 as ACT412. Hereinafter, the transaction file saved in the standby file area 3027 is referred to as the sixth transaction file.

[0280] The processor 301 that has saved the sixth transaction file in the standby file area 3027 proceeds to ACT413. The processor 301 sets the voucher flag Fd to "0" and the standby flag Fe to "1" as ACT413. Also, the processor 301 clears the first file area 3021 as ACT414. Thus, the processor 301 ends the first information processing. Here, the processor 301 realizes the function as the holding means 3030 by executing the processes of ACT411 to ACT414.

[0281] FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the main procedure of the seventh information processing executed by the processor 301 of the transaction processing apparatus 30 according to the first business program. The processor 301 executes the seventh information processing in parallel with the aforementioned first, second, and third information processes.

[0282] The processor 301 waits for the standby flag Fe to become "1" as ACT421. When the standby flag Fe becomes "1" in the ACT413 of the first information processing described with reference to FIG. 50, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT422. The processor 301 waits for the payment-in-progress flag Fa to become "1" as ACT422. When the payment-in-progress flag Fa becomes "1" in the ACT138 of the first information processing described with reference to FIG. 13, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT423.

[0283] The processor 301 checks as ACT423 whether the balance after payment with gold coupons is greater than 0 yen. The balance after payment with gold coupons is the amount obtained by subtracting the face value of the gold coupons from the total transaction amount. If the balance is greater than 0 yen, that is, if the payment of the price has not been completed, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT424. The processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment method selection screen SCa (see FIG. 56) as ACT424.

[0284] FIG. 56 is an example of the payment method selection screen SCa displayed on the second touch panel 33. The payment method selection screen SCa includes a selection button group BCa for each payment method. The selection button group BCa includes a cash button, a credit button, an electronic money button, and a code settlement button. The selection button group BCa does not include a gold coupon button. The payment method selection screen SCa also includes a total area ACa, a gold coupon payment area ACc, and a balance area ACd. In the total area ACa, the total of the purchase quantities and the total of the sales amounts calculated based on the product sales data of the purchased products stored in the sixth transaction file are displayed. In the gold coupon payment area ACc, the payment amount with gold coupons, that is, the face value of the gold coupons, is displayed. In the balance area ACd, the balance obtained by subtracting the face value from the total of the sales amounts is displayed.

[0285] A customer who has checked the payment method selection screen SCa touches the button of the payment method to be used for paying the remaining amount. For example, a customer who pays the remaining amount in cash touches the cash button in the selection button group BCa. A customer who pays the remaining amount by credit card, for example, touches the credit button in the selection button group BCa. A customer who pays the remaining amount with electronic money, for example, touches the electronic money button in the selection button group BCa. A customer who pays the remaining amount by code settlement, for example, touches the code settlement button in the selection button group BCa.

[0286] The processor 301 that has set the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment method selection screen SCa proceeds to ACT425. The processor 301 waits for a payment method to be selected as ACT425. When any payment method is selected by a touch operation on the selection button group BCa, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT426. As ACT426, the processor 301 acquires the payment code of the selected payment method in the same manner as the process of ACT165 of the second information processing. Also, as ACT427, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment notification screen SCb in the same manner as ACT167 of the second information processing. The payment notification screen SCb is a screen based on the payment code obtained by the process of ACT426.

[0287] A customer who has checked the payment notification screen SCb pays the remaining amount by the payment method they have selected. For example, a customer who has selected cash payment inserts cash into the automatic change machine 35. A customer who has selected credit card payment has the credit card data read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 36. A customer who has selected electronic money payment has the data of the electronic money medium read by the reader of the cashless payment terminal 36. A customer who has selected code settlement payment has the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement read by the scanner of the cashless payment terminal 36.

[0288] The processor 301, which sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment notification screen SCb, proceeds to ACT428. The processor 301 waits for the start of the payment of the remaining balance as ACT428. For example, when cash payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for cash to be inserted into the automatic change machine 35. For example, when credit card payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for credit card data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36. For example, when electronic money payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for electronic money data to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36. For example, when code settlement payment is selected, the processor 301 waits for the barcode or two-dimensional data code for code settlement to be read by the cashless payment terminal 36.

[0289] When the payment of the remaining balance starts, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT429. The processor 301 issues a transaction number as ACT429, similar to the processing of ACT169 of the second information processing. Then, the processor 301 that has issued the transaction number proceeds to ACT430. The processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment in progress screen SCc as ACT430, similar to the processing of ACT170 of the second information processing. The payment in progress screen SCc includes the accounting button BCb. The customer who has completed the payment of the remaining balance by the selected payment method touches the accounting button BCb.

[0290] The processor 301, which sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 as the payment in - progress screen SCc, proceeds to ACT431. The processor 301 waits for the accounting button BCb to be input as ACT431. When the accounting button BCb is input by a touch operation, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT432. The processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction based on the payment code as ACT432. That is, when the payment code is a cash payment code, the processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction with the cash inserted into the automatic change machine 35 and the face value of the money order. When the payment code is a credit card payment code, the processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction with the credit card data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36 and the face value of the money order. When the payment code is an electronic money payment code, the processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction with the electronic money data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36 and the face value of the money order. When the payment code is a code - based settlement payment code, the processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction with the barcode or two - dimensional data code data read by the cashless settlement terminal 36 and the face value of the money order. Here, the processor 301 realizes the function as the third settlement means 3031 by executing the process of ACT432. Also, the processor 301 realizes the function as the settlement display means 3032 by executing the process of ACT324 in cooperation with the second touch panel 33.

[0291] Incidentally, when the first settlement means 3014 is rephrased as the first settlement means, the third settlement means 3031 can be rephrased as the second settlement means. And in this case, the second settlement means 4014 can be rephrased as the third settlement means, and the execution means 3019 can be rephrased as the fourth settlement means.

[0292] After completing the settlement process, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT433. As ACT433, similar to the process of ACT173 of the second information processing, the processor 301 drives the printer 34 to issue a receipt. Also, as ACT434, similar to the process of ACT174 of the second information processing, the processor 301 sets the screen of the second touch panel 33 to the payment completion screen SCd (see FIG. 34).

[0293] The processor 301 that has displayed the payment completion screen SCd proceeds to ACT435. As ACT435, the processor 301 saves the data of the sixth transaction file. The storage destination of the data is, for example, the auxiliary storage device 303. The storage destination of the data may be the main memory 302. Alternatively, the second transaction file may be transmitted to the POS server via the communication interface 305 and saved by the POS server. It may be saved by the hold server 10 instead of the POS server.

[0294] The processor 301 that has saved the data of the sixth transaction file proceeds to ACT436. As ACT436, the processor 301 clears the standby file area 3027. Also, as ACT437, the processor 301 rewrites the standby flag Fe to "0". Thus, the processor 301 ends the seventh information processing.

[0295] On the other hand, if the remaining amount by ticket payment is 0 yen in ACT423, that is, if the payment of the price has been completed, the processor 301 skips the processes of ACT424 to ACT431 and proceeds to ACT432. As ACT432, the processor 301 executes the settlement process by ticket. That is, the processor 301 executes the settlement process of the transaction with the face value of the ticket. After completing the settlement process, the processor 301 executes the processes of ACT433 to ACT437 in the same manner as described above. Thus, the processor 301 ends the seventh information processing.

[0296] Next, the operation of the settlement system 100 that operates as described above will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 57. In FIG. 57, the operations from the first customer A to the third customer C are the same as those in the above-described embodiment explained with reference to FIG. 44. In this embodiment, the fourth customer E uses a cash voucher as a payment method.

[0297] The store clerk who has started a transaction with the fourth customer E operates the input device 20 to register the purchased items of customer E (item registration E). When the purchased items are registered, the transaction processing device 30 creates a transaction file E. After finishing the registration of the purchased items, the store clerk inputs the cash voucher button on the payment method selection screen SAc, and then inputs the payment button BAh on the payment screen SAd (payment input E).

[0298] The transaction processing device 30 determines whether the transaction can be settled. At this point, since the third customer C has not completed the payment, the settlement is impossible. On the other hand, in the settlement device 40, since the second customer B has completed the payment, the settlement is possible. However, since customer E used a cash voucher for the payment, the transaction processing device 30 does not transmit the transaction file E to the holding server 10. The transaction processing device 30 holds the transaction file E in the standby file area 3027.

[0299] After that, when customer C completes the payment, the transaction processing device 30 starts the settlement of the transaction based on the transaction file E held in the standby file area 3027. That is, customer E moves to the location where the transaction processing device 30 is installed and starts the payment (payment start E).

[0300] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, regardless of whether the settlement of the transaction is possible in the settlement device 40, the transaction with the customer who uses a cash voucher for the payment is settled in the transaction processing device 30. Therefore, since the store clerk can always confirm the cash voucher used by the customer, the store clerk can surely determine the validity of the cash voucher. Thus, it is possible to provide a settlement system 100 in which the store clerk can surely intervene in a payment method that requires the store clerk's confirmation, such as a cash voucher, while having the customer perform an operation related to the payment of the price.

[0301] Moreover, for customers who pay part of the price with a money voucher, that is, customers with a remaining balance for the price payment, the screen of the second touch panel 33 of the transaction processing device 30 is set as the payment method selection screen SCa shown in FIG. 56. Therefore, the customer will operate the coin dispenser 35 or the cashless payment terminal 36 of the transaction processing device 30 by himself / herself to pay the remaining balance of the price. That is, even when the customer pays part of the price with a money voucher, the store clerk does not touch cash, a cash card, etc. Therefore, excellent effects can be achieved in terms of infectious disease countermeasures.

[0302] In addition, on the payment method selection screen SCa, the payment amount with the money voucher and its remaining balance are displayed separately from the total amount of the transaction. Therefore, the customer can easily confirm the remaining balance when paying part of the price with a money voucher. Thus, the customer can smoothly proceed to pay the remaining balance.

[0303] On the other hand, for customers who pay the full price with a money voucher, the settlement process is automatically executed in the transaction processing device 30, and a receipt is issued from the printer 34. Therefore, the customer only needs to move to the installation location of the transaction processing device 30 to receive the receipt, so the customers can be efficiently handled.

[0304] [Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52, an example is given of the case where a money voucher button is provided on the payment method selection screen SAc displayed on the touch panel 23 and the store clerk inputs the money voucher button. Regarding this point, as shown in FIG. 58, a money voucher button BBa may be provided on the subtotal screen SBb displayed on the display 25 so that the customer who uses the money voucher inputs the money voucher button BBa by himself / herself. By adopting such a configuration, a settlement system can be configured that eliminates the function of the store clerk operating the payment method selection screen SAc (see FIG. 25) to input the price payment method, that is, the function as the first payment acceptance means 2013 of the input device 20.

[0305] Among gift vouchers, which are a type of voucher, there are vouchers that do not have a face value set and can be exchanged for specific products. When this type of voucher is used for payment, the processor 301 identifies the product that can be exchanged for the voucher. Then, on the condition that the product is included in the purchased products, the selling price of the purchased products may be set as the face value.

[0306] The payment methods that require clerk confirmation are not limited to vouchers. For example, in the case of code settlement payment, clerk confirmation may be required. For such payment methods as well, when the transaction processing device 30 cannot perform settlement as in this embodiment, the transaction file is not transmitted to the holding server 10 but is held in the waiting file area 3027, and settlement must be executed by the transaction processing device 30.

[0307] The basic configuration of the settlement system 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 59 illustrates another settlement system 200. In the settlement system 200, an input device 20 and a transaction processing device 30 are arranged in one settlement lane L, and a settlement device 40 and an instruction device 50 are shared by two adjacent settlement lanes L. In this settlement system 200, a clerk space SP is provided between two adjacent settlement lanes L. Then, the settlement device 40 and the instruction device 50 are arranged between the transaction processing device 30 of one settlement lane L and the transaction processing device 30 of the other settlement lane L. With such an arrangement, a customer in one settlement lane L can operate the transaction processing device 30 of that settlement lane L or the shared settlement device 40 by themselves to settle the transaction. Similarly, a customer in the other settlement lane L can operate the transaction processing device 30 of that settlement lane L or the shared settlement device 40 by themselves to settle the transaction.

[0308] Note that by sharing the instruction device 50, it is necessary to change the layout of the instruction screen displayed on the touch panel 505. FIG. 60 is an example of the instruction screen SEb of the instruction device 50 in the settlement system 200. The instruction screen SEb divides the screen of the touch panel 505 into two equal parts horizontally. On the left side, the lane number of the lane L located on the left side facing the instruction screen SEb, for example, "001", the pull-down area AEaa, and the call button BEaa are arranged. On the right side, the lane number of the lane L located on the right side facing the instruction screen SEb, for example, "002", the pull-down area AEab, and the call button BEab are arranged.

[0309] By setting the screen of the touch panel 505 of the instruction device 50 shared by two adjacent lanes as the instruction screen SEb, the clerk X who serves customers in the lane with the lane number "001" selects his own name in the pull-down area AEaa. The clerk Y who serves customers in the lane with the lane number "002" selects his own name in the pull-down area AEab. By such an operation, the employee code of the clerk X is stored in the employee memory 5031 of the instruction device 50 in association with the lane number "001". Also, the employee code of the clerk Y is stored in association with the lane number "002".

[0310] Also, the call button BEaa becomes valid at the timing when the transaction file processed in the lane with the lane number "001" is held by the hold server 10. Therefore, when the clerk X touches the call button BEaa, the transaction file held in the employee-specific folder 1033 with the employee code of the clerk X set is output from the hold server 10 to the settlement device 40 on the condition that the settlement device 40 is available. Thus, the customer of the transaction processed in the lane with the lane number "001" can settle the transaction with the settlement device 40.

[0311] Similarly, the call button BEab becomes valid at the timing when the transaction file processed in the lane with lane number "002" is stored in the hold server 10. Therefore, when the store clerk Y touches the call button BEab, on the condition that the settlement device 40 is available, the transaction file stored in the employee-specific folder 1033 with the employee code of the store clerk Y set is output from the hold server 10 to the settlement device 40. Thus, the customer of the transaction processed in the lane with lane number "002" can settle the transaction with the settlement device 40.

[0312] In the above embodiment, the input device 20 is provided with the function as the first payment reception means 2013, but this function may be omitted. When omitted, the processing steps of ACT111 shown in FIG. 11 and the processing steps of ACT121 to ACT124 shown in FIG. 12 are eliminated. That is, when the payment button BAe on the subtotal screen is input in ACT112 of FIG. 11, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT126 of FIG. 12. Then, if the payment in progress flag Fa is "0", it proceeds to ACT131 of FIG. 13, and if the payment in progress flag Fa is "1" and the hold flag Fb is "0", it proceeds to ACT141 of FIG. 14.

[0313] In the above embodiment, it has been described that when the call button BEa of the instruction device 50 is input, upon receiving the instruction from the instruction device 50, a first signal is output from the settlement device 40 to the hold server 10. In this regard, when the call button BEa of the instruction device 50 is input, a first signal may be directly output from the instruction device 50 to the hold server 10.

[0314] In the above embodiment, when the instruction device 50 receives a signal indicating instruction activation from the hold server 10, the call button BEa is made inputtable. In this regard, the instruction device 50 may always be in a state where the call button BEa is inputtable. That is, regardless of whether the hold server 10 is holding a transaction file, the call button BEa may be inputtable.

[0315] In the above embodiment, the case where a tablet terminal is used as the pointing device 50 was exemplified. The pointing device 50 is not limited to a tablet terminal. For example, as the settlement device 40, a touch panel for store clerk operation is provided separately from the touch panel 41 for customer operation. The touch panel for store clerk operation is provided at a place where a store clerk standing in the space SP can perform a touch operation. The processor 401 of the settlement device 40 controls the touch panel for store clerk operation in the same manner as the touch panel 41 for customer operation. Specifically, the processor 401 sets the screen of the touch panel for store clerk operation as the instruction screen SEa. Then, when the call button BEa of the instruction screen SEa is input, the processor 401 outputs a signal instructing to output the information related to the transaction to the settlement device 40 to the hold server 10 via the settlement device 40. That is, the touch panel for store clerk operation controlled by the processor 401 functions as the pointing device 50. By adopting such a configuration, a touch panel can be applied as the pointing device 50 instead of a tablet terminal, so that the system cost can be reduced.

[0316] In addition, although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0317] 10…Reservation Server, 20…Input Device, 30…Transaction Processing Device, 40…Settlement Device, 50…Instruction Device, 60…Communication Network, 100, 200…Settlement System, 1011…Transaction Information Input Means, 1012…Reservation Means, 1013…Output Destination Recognition Means, 1014…Operator Recognition Means, 1015…Reserved Information Output Means, 1031…Employee Master, 1032…Lane Table, 1033…Employee-Specific Folder, 2011…Input Means, 2012…End Reception Means, 2013…First Payment Reception Means, 3011…Input Information Acquisition Means, 3012…First Amount Output Means, 3013…Second Payment Reception Means, 3014…First Settlement Means, 3015…Operator Acquisition Means, 3016…Transaction Information Output Means, 3017…Guiding Means, 3018…Reservation Cancellation Means, 3019…Execution Means, 3021…First File Area, 3022…Second File Area, 3023…Status Memory, 3024…First Flag Memory, 3025…Second Flag Memory, 3026…Employee Memory, 3027…Standby File Area, 3028…Fourth Flag Memory, 3029…Fifth Flag Memory, 3030…Holding Means, 3031…Third Settlement Means, 3032…Settlement Display Means, 4011…Import Means, 4012…Second Amount Output Means, 4013…Third Payment Reception Means, 4014…Second Settlement Means, 5011…Reception Means, 5012…Instruction Means.

Claims

1. An input device with the operator being a store clerk, a transaction processing device and a settlement device with the operator being a customer, and a holding device, wherein the input device has an input means for inputting information related to a transaction with a customer, an end reception means for receiving an instruction to end the input of the information related to the transaction, and a payment method reception means for receiving an input of a payment method that requires confirmation by a store clerk, and is equipped with, wherein the transaction processing device when the settlement of the transaction is possible at the time when the end reception means receives the input end instruction, has a first settlement means for settling the transaction based on the information related to the transaction input via the input means, when the settlement of the transaction is impossible at the time when the end reception means receives the input end instruction and no input of a payment method that requires confirmation by the store clerk has been received, has a transaction information output means for outputting the information related to the transaction input via the input means to the holding device, when the settlement of the transaction is impossible at the time when the end reception means receives the input end instruction and an input of a payment method that requires confirmation by the store clerk has been received, has a holding means for holding the information related to the transaction input via the input means, when the settlement of the transaction becomes possible while the information related to the transaction is being held by the holding means, has a second settlement means for settling the transaction based on the held information related to the transaction, and is equipped with, wherein the settlement device has a third settlement means for settling the transaction based on the information related to the transaction held in the holding device, and is equipped with, wherein the holding device has a holding means for holding the information related to the transaction output from the transaction processing device, a settlement system comprising.

2. The transaction processing device further has a settlement display means for displaying to the customer, who is the operator, the amount required for the settlement of the transaction calculated based on the information related to the transaction input via the input means, and is further equipped with, wherein the settlement display means when an input of a payment method that requires confirmation by the store clerk has been received, displays the balance obtained by subtracting the payment amount by the payment method that requires confirmation by the store clerk from the amount required for the settlement. The settlement system according to Claim 1.

3. The settlement display means lists and displays the amount required for the settlement, the payment amount by the payment method that requires confirmation by the store clerk, and the balance. The settlement system according to Claim 2.

4. The transaction processing device further has a payment reception means for receiving payment for the balance, and is further equipped with, The second payment means is The payment settlement system according to claim 2, which settles a transaction in response to receiving a payment for the remaining amount by the payment receiving means.

5. The second payment means is The payment settlement system according to claim 4, which settles a transaction without receiving a payment for the remaining amount when the remaining amount is zero.

6. The transaction processing device is A fourth payment means for taking in the information related to the transaction output to the holding device and settling the transaction based on the information related to the transaction. The payment settlement system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the fourth payment means.

7. An instruction device for instructing to output the information related to the transaction held in the holding device to the payment settlement device. The payment settlement system according to claim 6, further comprising the instruction device.

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