Transaction processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To prevent setting of a state where discrimination between transaction commodities and commodities excluded from the transaction commodities is difficult.SOLUTION: This transaction processing device comprises: storage means; addition means; removal means; and cancellation means. The storage means stores a list of transaction commodities. The addition means adds, in response to an addition instruction from an operator, a commodity to be added by the addition instruction as a transaction commodity to the list stored by the storage means. The removal means removes, in response to a removal instruction from the operator, the transaction commodity to be removed by the removal instruction from the list stored by the storage means. The cancellation means cancels the removal means while an addition instruction has been received from an operator belonging to a limit section defined in advance as a part of a plurality of operator sections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a POS terminal device, for example, by reading a product code recorded as a barcode on a product, the product identified by the product code is registered as a transaction product. And it is possible to exclude a product that has once been registered as a transaction product from the transaction products according to an operation on, for example, a touch panel or the like. However, when some of a plurality of products that have been registered as transaction products are excluded from the transaction products, it may be difficult to distinguish which of the plurality of products is the excluded product. For this reason, there has been a risk of problems such as a product excluded from the transaction products being mixed with the transaction products and taken out. Under such circumstances, it has been desired to be able to prevent a situation in which it becomes difficult to distinguish between transaction products and products excluded from the transaction products.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transaction processing apparatus and an information processing program capable of preventing a situation in which it becomes difficult to distinguish between transaction products and products excluded from the transaction products.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The transaction processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a storage means, an addition means, an exclusion means, and an invalidation means. The storage means stores a list of transaction items. The addition means adds, as a transaction item, the item targeted by the addition instruction to the list stored by the storage means in response to an addition instruction by an operator. The exclusion means excludes the transaction item targeted by the exclusion instruction from the list stored by the storage means in response to an exclusion instruction by an operator. The invalidation means invalidates the exclusion means while receiving an addition instruction by an operator belonging to a restricted category predetermined as a part of a plurality of operator categories.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a checkout apparatus having functions as a transaction processing apparatus will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the checkout device 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the checkout device 1 is also referred to as a POS terminal or a cash register device.

[0008] The checkout device 1 includes a main body 100, a table 200, and a pedestal 300. The main body 100 includes a touch panel 101, a scanner window 102, a handheld scanner 103, a receipt issuing port 104, a card insertion slot 105, a coin insertion tray 106, a change tray 107, a bill insertion slot 108, a bill ejection port 109, an alarm lamp 110, and a surveillance camera 111.

[0009] The touch panel 101 displays various screens for notifying an operator of various information. Some of the various screens constitute a GUI (graphical user interface), and the touch panel 101 receives touch operations for operating the GUI. That is, the touch panel 101 is a display device and also an input device.

[0010] The scanner window 102 is formed by covering an opening formed in the main body 100 with a transparent resin, glass, or the like. The scanner window 102 enables a product shielded by an operator in front of the scanner window 102 to be scanned by a fixed scanner disposed inside the main body 100. The fixed scanner will be described later.

[0011] The handheld scanner 103 is held and used by an operator, and when brought close to a barcode displayed on a product, reads the barcode and outputs barcode information represented by the barcode. The barcode displayed on the product includes a product code for identifying the product. That is, the handheld scanner 103 is an example of a reading means for reading a product code as a product identifier.

[0012] The receipt issuing port 104 is a slit-shaped opening for discharging a receipt to the outside of the main body 100. The card insertion slot 105 is a slit-shaped opening for inserting the credit card inserted by the operator into the interior of the main body 100 for settlement.

[0013] The coin insertion tray 106 receives the coins inserted by the operator. An opening is formed in the bottom surface of the coin insertion tray 106, and the coins received by the coin insertion tray 106 are taken into the interior of the main body 100 through the opening. The change tray 107 receives the coins discharged from the main body 100 as change or the like.

[0014] The bill insertion slot 108 is a slit-shaped opening for taking in the bills inserted by the operator into the interior of the main body 100. The bill ejection slot 109 is a slit-shaped opening for ejecting bills such as change from the main body 100. The bill ejection slot 109 holds the bill with a part of it protruding outside the main body 100.

[0015] The warning lamp 110 performs lighting and flashing operations for various warnings. The surveillance camera 111 takes an overhead shot of the display surface of the touch panel 101, the handheld scanner 103, the receipt issuing port 104, the card insertion slot 105, the coin insertion tray 106, the change tray 107, the bill insertion slot 108, the bill ejection slot 109, etc. The surveillance camera 111 includes a photographing device such as a video camera or a still camera.

[0016] The table 200 includes a placement surface 201 for placing unregistered goods as trading goods. The stand 300 includes placement surfaces 301 and 302 for placing registered goods as trading goods, and an arm 303 for hanging a bag containing the registered goods.

[0017] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the checkout device 1. In Figure 2, the same elements as those shown in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. In addition to the aforementioned touch panel 101, handy scanner 103, alarm lamp 110, and monitoring camera 111, the main body 100 includes a processor 112, a main storage unit 113, an auxiliary storage unit 114, a fixed scanner 115, a printer 116, a change dispenser 117, a credit card reader 118, an electronic money reader / writer 119, a communication unit 120, and a transmission path 121.

[0018] The processor 112, the main storage unit 113, and the auxiliary storage unit 114 are connected by the transmission path 121 to constitute a computer for controlling the checkout device 1. The processor 112 corresponds to the central part of the above computer. The processor 112 executes information processing for controlling each part in order to realize various functions of the checkout device 1 based on various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs stored in the main storage unit 113 and the auxiliary storage unit 114.

[0019] The main storage unit 113 corresponds to the main storage part of the above computer. The main storage unit 113 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main storage unit 113 stores a part of the above information processing program in the read-only memory area. Also, the main storage unit 113 may store data necessary for the processor 112 to execute processing for controlling each part in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main storage unit 113 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area by the processor 112.

[0020] The auxiliary storage unit 114 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the above computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 114, for example, well-known storage devices such as EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), HDD (hard disc drive), or SSD (solid state drive) are provided. The auxiliary storage unit 114 stores data used by the processor 112 to perform various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 112. The auxiliary storage unit 114 may also store application programs. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary storage unit 114 stores the transaction processing program PRA. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes the processing procedures related to information processing for processing transactions. A part of the storage area of the auxiliary storage unit 114 is used as an area for storing the operator table TAA and the transaction data DAA. The operator table TAA is a data table representing a list of candidate operators of the checkout device 1. The transaction data DAA is data representing a list of transaction items. And the auxiliary storage unit 114 functions as a storage means for storing the list of transaction items by storing the transaction data DAA.

[0021] When the checkout device 1 is transferred, the transaction processing program PRA is typically stored in the auxiliary storage unit 114. However, after the transfer of the checkout device 1, the transaction processing program PRA may be written to the auxiliary storage unit 114 by the processor 112 in response to an operation by any operator. In this case, however, the auxiliary storage unit 114 of the transferred checkout device 1 may store a program of the same type with a different version from the transaction processing program PRA, or such a program may not be stored. In the former case, the program written to the auxiliary storage unit 114 later is used instead of the program of the same type with a different version. Note that the transfer of the transaction processing program PRA can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., or by communication via a network.

[0022] The fixed scanner 115 images the merchandise obscured in front of the scanner window 102 and then identifies the barcode displayed on the merchandise by image processing. Then, the fixed scanner 115 outputs the information represented by the identified barcode to the processor 112. Note that the fixed scanner 115 can also use other well-known types of devices that identify barcodes by utilizing the reflection of laser light. That is, the fixed scanner 115 is an example of a reading means for reading a product code as a product identifier.

[0023] The printer 116 includes a receipt printer and a journal printer. The receipt printer issues various types of vouchers by printing various types of information on receipt paper. The various types of vouchers include receipts representing the details of commercial transactions and credit slips related to credit settlements. The vouchers issued by the receipt printer are discharged from the receipt issuing port 104 to the outside of the main body 100. The journal printer prints journal data including the information printed on the receipt paper by the receipt printer on the journal paper. The journal paper is held inside the main body 100 unless taken out by a maintenance person.

[0024] The coin dispenser 117 includes a coin vault that stores coins by denomination and a bill vault that stores bills by denomination. Then, the coin dispenser 117 takes in the coins inserted into the coin insertion tray 106, identifies the denominations, and stores them in the coin vault by denomination. The coin dispenser 117 takes in the bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 108, identifies the denominations, and stores them in the bill vault by denomination. The coin dispenser 117 discharges the coins or bills stored in the coin vault or the bill vault from the coin return tray 107 or the bill outlet 109 in response to a withdrawal command from the processor 112. As such a coin dispenser 117, a well-known automatic coin dispenser can be applied.

[0025] The credit card reader 118 reads the data recorded on the credit card inserted by the operator into the card insertion slot 105. The electronic money reader / writer 119 includes, for example, an NFC (near field communication) communication unit, and reads data from a nearby electronic money card by wireless communication. The electronic money reader / writer 119 also writes data to a nearby electronic money card by wireless communication.

[0026] The communication unit 120 performs data communication via the communication network 2. The communication network 2 is, for example, a LAN (local area network). As the communication unit 120, if the communication network 2 is a LAN, a well-known communication device adapted to the LAN can be used. The transmission path 121 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The transmission path 121 transmits the data and signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing one configuration of the data record REA included in the operator table TAA. The operator table TAA is a set of data records REA associated with each candidate who can be an operator. The data record REA includes fields FAA, FAB, and FAC. In field FAA, an operator code for identifying the associated candidate is set. In field FAB, the name of the associated candidate is set. In field FAC, the status of granting cancellation authority to the associated candidate is set.

[0028] As an example, regarding the data record REA associated with a store clerk who can operate the checkout device 1, a clerk code for identifying the corresponding clerk from other clerks, the name of the corresponding clerk, and the allowance / prohibition of the cancellation operation of the traded goods by the corresponding clerk are set in fields FAA, FAB, and FAC, respectively. Whether to allow or prohibit the cancellation operation for each clerk is appropriately determined by, for example, the store manager, etc. For example, it is assumed that the cancellation operation is allowed for full-time clerks and prohibited for part-time clerks. The operator for whom the cancellation operation is prohibited by the setting in the operator table TAA in this way corresponds to the operator belonging to the restricted category.

[0029] Also, regarding an unspecified number of customers who can operate the checkout device 1, a code different from the clerk code for collectively identifying those unspecified number of customers, a name such as "for self-service" predetermined to be distinguishable from the clerk's name, and "prohibition" are set in fields FAA, FAB, and FAC, respectively. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, "clerks allowed cancellation operations", "clerks prohibited cancellation operations", and "customers" respectively correspond to the operator categories. And the operator corresponding to "clerks allowed cancellation operations" is the authority holder with cancellation authority, while the operators corresponding to "clerks prohibited cancellation operations" and "customers" are not authority holders.

[0030] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the transaction data DAA. The transaction data DAA includes fields FBA and FBB. The transaction data DAA may include any number of fields after field FBC. In field FBA, a transaction code is set as the identifier of the corresponding transaction. In field FBB, product data regarding the products registered as transaction products is set. If there are two or more registered transaction products, product data is also set in each field after field FBC. The product data includes fields FCA, FCB, FCC, FCD, and FCE. In field FCA, a product code regarding the corresponding product is set. In field FCB, the product name of the corresponding product is set. In field FCC, the unit price of the corresponding product is set. In field FCD, the quantity of the corresponding product registered as a transaction product is set. In field FCE, a cancellation flag indicating whether the corresponding product has been excluded from the transaction products is set. The transaction data DAA is appropriately generated and updated by the transaction process described later.

[0031] Next, the operation of the checkout device 1 configured as described above will be explained. Note that the content of the processes described below is an example, and it is possible to appropriately change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes. Also, in the following, the explanation will focus on the characteristic operations in this embodiment, and the explanation of other operations will be omitted. The checkout device 1 processes transactions by performing a registration process related to the registration of products to be transacted and an accounting process related to the accounting of the price for the registered products in response to an operation by the operator.

[0032] When the checkout device 1 is activated in an operation state for performing such transaction processing, the processor 112 starts information processing (hereinafter referred to as transaction processing) based on the transaction processing program PRA. Figures 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the transaction processing.

[0033] As ACT11, the processor 112 performs sign-on processing. That is, the processor 112 acquires the operator code of the operator who will operate the checkout device from now on, and executes a process for authenticating the operator. Note that the operations related to this sign-on processing are usually performed by a store clerk. And if that store clerk becomes the subsequent operator, the store clerk performs a predetermined operation for inputting his / her own store clerk code as the operator code into the checkout device 1. Also, if the store clerk allows the customer to operate the checkout device 1, that is, if the checkout device 1 is to be operated in the full self-service mode, the store clerk performs a predetermined operation for inputting the self-service operator code into the checkout device 1. Note that the processor 112 stores the operator code input as described above during this sign-on processing in, for example, the main storage unit 113 or the auxiliary storage unit 114. The sign-on processing may be the same as the processing performed by another existing checkout device.

[0034] As ACT12, the processor 112 causes the start screen to be displayed on the touch panel 101. The start screen is a screen that guides the operator to start registering the transaction items. As ACT13, the processor 112 checks whether an item has been specified. And if the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT14. As ACT14, the processor 112 checks whether sign-off has been specified. And if the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and returns to ACT12. Thus, as ACT13 and ACT14, the processor 112 waits for an item or sign-off to be specified.

[0035] A customer who shops at a store where the checkout device 1 is installed picks up the product to be purchased from the sales floor and takes the corresponding product to the checkout corner where the checkout device 1 is installed. Then the customer hands the product to the store clerk who is operating the checkout device 1. The store clerk performs a registration operation to register each product passed from the customer as a transaction product. Alternatively, the customer selects the checkout device 1 operating in the full self-service mode and performs the registration operation to register the product as a transaction product by himself / herself. The registration operation is, for example, an operation to have the bar code displayed on the product read by the hand-held scanner 103 or the fixed scanner 115, or a predetermined touch operation on the touch panel 101 for specifying the product. The operator first places the product before registration on the table 200, and after completing the registration operation, places it on the placing stand 300 or puts it into the bag hung on the arm 303. Then, if the registration operation is performed, the processor 112 determines YES at ACT13 assuming that the product is specified and proceeds to ACT15.

[0036] As ACT15, the processor 112 adds the specified product to the transaction products. For example, the processor 112 determines a new transaction code so as to be distinguishable from the transaction code assigned to another transaction that has already started according to a predetermined rule, generates new transaction data DAA with this transaction code set in the field FBA, and stores it in the auxiliary storage unit 114. The processor 112 sets the product data related to the specified product in the field FBB of this new transaction data DAA. Note that the processor 112 sets a cancellation flag in the state indicating that it has not been excluded in the field FCE of the product data. Thus, by the processor 112 executing the information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as an additional means.

[0037] As ACT16, the processor 112 checks whether the operator is an authorized person with cancellation authority. Specifically, the processor 112 searches the operator table TAA for the data record REA in which the operator code stored in ACT11 is set in the field FAA, and checks the cancellation authority set in the field FAC of the corresponding data record REA. If the processor 112 can confirm that the operator has cancellation authority, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT17.

[0038] As ACT17, the processor 112 causes the first registration screen to be displayed on the touch panel 101. The first registration screen is a screen representing the registration status of the transaction items. The first registration screen is also a GUI screen that receives operations by the operator and is a screen that receives cancellation specifications for the registered transaction items.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the first registration screen. Note that the screen shown in FIG. 7 and various screens described later represent some display elements, and illustration of other display elements is omitted. In the registration screen shown in FIG. 7, an image representing the registration status is arranged in the area ARA. Outside the area ARA, the buttons BUA and BUB are represented on the registration screen.

[0040] In the example of FIG. 7, the image arranged in the area ARA represents a state where one item with the product name "AAAAAAAAAA" and a unit price of 178 yen has been registered and its reference price is 178 yen. Note that the numerical value represented inside the button BUC represents the quantity of the corresponding transaction item. And the button BUC is a soft key for designating a change in the quantity. Note that the reference price is an amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount due to various services such as coupon services from the total sum of the unit prices of all transaction items. If the transaction is settled without changing the transaction items and the applicable services, this reference price becomes the settlement amount. Note that the image arranged in the area ARA changes sequentially according to the registration status of the transaction items.

[0041] In the area ARA of the first registration screen, the processor 112 represents a button BUD in association with each of the traded goods. The button BUD is a soft key for the operator to specify the cancellation of the associated goods. The button BUA is a soft key for receiving the operator's accounting specification. The button BUB is a soft key for receiving the operator's specification to cancel the transaction.

[0042] On the other hand, if the processor 112 confirms that the operator does not have the cancellation authority in the above confirmation at ACT16, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT18. As ACT18, the processor 112 causes the second registration screen to be displayed on the touch panel 101. The second registration screen is a screen representing the registration status of the traded goods. The second registration screen is also a GUI screen that receives operations from the operator and is a screen that does not receive cancellation specifications for registered traded goods.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the second registration screen. For the display elements identical to those of the first registration screen, the same reference numerals are given and the detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, the second registration screen is a screen obtained by omitting the button BUD from the first registration screen. Note that the second registration screen may show that the button BUD is disabled, such as by graying it out, so that the operator can recognize it.

[0044] If the processor 112 displays the first registration screen or the second registration screen in ACT17 or ACT18, in either case, it proceeds to ACT21 in FIG. 6. As ACT21, the processor 112 checks whether a product has been specified. If the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT22.

[0045] As ACT22, the processor 112 checks whether a cancellation of a registered traded good has been specified. If the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT23. As ACT23, the processor 112 checks whether a quantity change for a registered traded item is specified. If the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT24.

[0046] As ACT24, the processor 112 checks whether accounting is specified. If the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT25. As ACT25, the processor 112 checks whether a transaction cancellation is specified. If the processor 112 cannot confirm the corresponding event, it determines NO and returns to ACT21. Thus, as ACT21 - ACT25, the processor 112 waits for any of a commodity, cancellation, quantity change, accounting, and cancellation to be specified.

[0047] If the operator registers an unregistered commodity as a traded item, the operator performs an operation to specify the commodity in the same manner as described above. In response, the processor 112 determines YES at ACT21 and proceeds to ACT26. As ACT26, the processor 112 adds the specified commodity as a traded item. For example, the processor 112 adds a new field with commodity data related to the specified commodity next to the field at the end of the transaction data DAA. The processor 112 sets a cancellation flag in the state indicating that it is not excluded in the field FCE of the commodity data.

[0048] As ACT27, the processor 112 updates the currently displayed registration screen to represent the registration status based on the updated transaction data DAA. At this time, if the first registration screen is being displayed, the processor 112 represents the button BUD in association with the commodity to be additionally represented. If the second registration screen is being displayed, the processor 112 does not represent the button BUD in association with the commodity to be additionally represented. After this, the processor 112 returns to the waiting state of ACT21 - ACT25.

[0049] When the first registration screen is displayed, if the operator wants to cancel the purchase of a registered transaction item, the operator specifies cancellation by tapping the button BUD shown on the first registration screen in association with the corresponding item. When the second registration screen is displayed, the button BUD is not shown, so the operator cannot specify cancellation. If cancellation is specified in this way, the processor 112 determines YES at ACT22 and proceeds to ACT28.

[0050] As ACT28, the processor 112 excludes the item for which cancellation has been specified from the transaction items. For example, the processor 112 updates the transaction data to change the cancellation flag set in the field FCE of the item data regarding the item for which cancellation has been specified to a state indicating that it has been excluded. Thus, by the processor 112 executing information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as an exclusion means for excluding transaction items in response to a cancellation specification as an exclusion instruction by an operator having the cancellation right as an exclusion right. And since the processor 112 does not receive a cancellation specification by an operator who does not have the cancellation right as described above, it invalidates the function as this exclusion means, and the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as an invalidation means.

[0051] When the transaction item is excluded in this way, an item that is not registered as a transaction item is placed on the stand 300 or put into a bag hung on the arm 303. Therefore, the operator removes the corresponding item placed on the stand 300 or put into the bag hung on the arm 303. After finishing ACT28, the processor 112 updates the currently displayed screen in the same way as described above at ACT27 and then returns to the standby state of ACT21 - ACT25.

[0052] If the operator needs to change the quantity of a registered transaction item, the operator specifies the quantity change by tapping the button BUC associated with the item and shown on the first registration screen or the second registration screen. In response, the processor 112 determines YES in ACT23 and proceeds to ACT29.

[0053] As ACT29, the processor 112 checks whether the operator is a person with cancellation authority, for example, in the same manner as ACT16. If the processor 112 can confirm that the operator has cancellation authority, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT30. As ACT30, the processor 112 overlays and displays the first pull-down menu on the currently displayed first registration screen.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the first registration screen including the first pull-down menu MEA. The first registration screen shown in FIG. 9 is an example when a quantity change is specified by tapping the button BUC associated with the transaction item with the product name "AAAAAAAAAA", the product with the product name "BBBBBBBBBB", and the product with the product name "CCCCCCCCCC" are each registered as one transaction item. The first pull-down menu MEA represents the quantity after the change as an option. The first pull-down menu MEA includes "0 (cancellation)" as an option for the quantity after the change.

[0055] On the other hand, if the processor 112 confirms in ACT29 that the operator does not have cancellation authority, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT31. As ACT31, the processor 112 overlays and displays the second pull-down menu on the currently displayed second registration screen.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the second registration screen including the second pull-down menu MEB. The second registration screen shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a case where, when one item each of the item with the product name "AAAAAAAAAA", the item with the product name "BBBBBBBBBB", and the item with the product name "CCCCCCCCCC" has been registered as a transaction item, a quantity change is specified by tapping the button BUC associated with the transaction item with the product name "BBBBBBBBBB".

[0057] The second pull-down menu MEB represents the changed quantity as an option. The second pull-down menu MEB does not include "0 (Cancel)" as an option for the changed quantity. Note that the second pull-down menu MEB may represent "0 (Cancel)" as being disabled in a way that the operator can recognize, such as by graying it out.

[0058] If the processor 112 displays the first pull-down menu or the second pull-down menu in ACT30 or ACT31, it proceeds to ACT32 in either case. As ACT32, the processor 112 waits for a quantity to be specified. Then, if the quantity is specified by selecting an option from the first pull-down menu MEA or the second pull-down menu MEB, the processor 112 determines YES and proceeds to ACT33.

[0059] As ACT33, the processor 112 updates the quantity of the item targeted for quantity change to the specified quantity. For example, if a quantity of 1 or more is specified, the processor 112 updates the transaction data DAA to change the quantity set in the field FCD of the product data regarding the item targeted for quantity change to the specified quantity. Also, for example, if "0 (Cancel)" is specified, the processor 112 updates the transaction data to change the cancellation flag set in the field FCE of the product data regarding the item targeted for quantity change to a state indicating that it has been excluded.

[0060] The processor 112 receives the designation of "0 (Cancel)" in the first pull-down menu only when the operator is an authorized person with the cancellation authority as described above. That is, by executing the information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA by the processor 112, the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as an exclusion means for excluding the transaction items from the list in response to the cancellation designation as an exclusion instruction by the operator having the cancellation authority as an exclusion right. And when the operator does not have the cancellation authority, the processor 112 does not receive the designation of "0 (Cancel)" through the second pull-down menu, thereby invalidating the function as this exclusion means, and the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as an invalidation means. In other words, the processor 112 changes the quantity of the transaction items in response to the change instruction by the operator, but does not change the quantity to zero in response to the designation by an operator who does not have the cancellation authority. Thus, by executing the information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA by the processor 112, the computer with the processor 112 as the central part functions as a change means. After this, the processor 112 updates the screen being displayed in ACT27 in the same manner as described above, and then returns to the waiting state of ACT21 to ACT25.

[0061] When the operator has finished registering all the items as transaction items, the operator designates accounting by a predetermined operation such as tapping the button BUA shown on the displayed registration screen. In response to this, the processor 112 determines YES in ACT24 and proceeds to ACT34.

[0062] As ACT34, the processor 112 performs accounting processing. The accounting processing is a process for calculating the price for all the registered transaction items and settling the said price. The accounting processing may be the same as the processing performed by an existing checkout device. And when the processor 112 finishes the accounting processing, it returns to ACT12 in FIG. 5 to prepare for the start of the next transaction.

[0063] In addition, if, after starting the registration of transaction items, a situation occurs where the transaction is to be cancelled without proceeding to accounting, the operator designates the cancellation by performing a predetermined operation such as tapping button BUB shown on the displayed registration screen. In response, the processor 112 determines YES at ACT25 and proceeds to ACT35.

[0064] As ACT35, the processor 112 performs a cancellation process for cancelling the transaction being processed. The cancellation process is, for example, a process such as clearing the transaction data DAA and notifying the store clerk in charge of monitoring the cancellation. The cancellation process may be the same as the process performed by an existing checkout device. Then, after finishing the accounting process, the processor 112 returns to ACT12 in FIG. 5 and prepares for the start of the next transaction.

[0065] When changing the operator of the checkout device 1, for example, when the processor 112 is in the waiting states of ACT13 and ACT14 in FIG. 5, an administrator of the checkout device 1 or the like designates sign-off by performing a predetermined operation. Then, the processor 112 determines YES at ACT14 and proceeds to ACT19. As ACT19, the processor 112 performs a sign-off process. This sign-off process may be the same as the process performed by another existing checkout device. Then, after finishing the sign-off process, the processor 112 ends the transaction process.

[0066] As described above, the checkout device 1 does not exclude registered transaction items if the operator is a person without cancellation authority. By defining a customer, etc., who may have difficulty distinguishing between transaction items and items excluded from the transaction items, as an operator without cancellation authority, such a situation can be prevented from occurring.

[0067] In addition, if appropriate measures are taken, such as correctly removing the products excluded from the transaction products from the registered product group, there is no risk of difficulty in distinguishing between the transaction products and the products excluded from the transaction products. Therefore, for those who can take such appropriate measures, by giving them the right to cancel and allowing cancellation instructions, prompt transaction processing can be enabled.

[0068] In addition, even when the operator does not have the right to cancel, it may happen to cancel the purchase of the registered transaction products. In such a case, in the checkout device 1, once the operator designates cancellation and registers the transaction products except for the products to be cancelled from the beginning, the distinction between the products not to be purchased and the products to be purchased becomes clear.

[0069] This embodiment can be variously modified as follows. The operator may be classified into "full-time employee", "part-time", "part-time job", "customer", etc., and the presence or absence of the right to cancel may be determined for each classification.

[0070] For operators without the right to cancel, it may be possible not to make quantity changes that decrease the quantity.

[0071] It may be realized as a mobile transaction processing device that is installed in the store or brought into the store by the operator and is moved inside the store by the operator while performing transaction processing.

[0072] It may also be realized as a transaction processing device that does not perform accounting processing.

[0073] Each function realized by the processor 112 through information processing can also be realized by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, for a part or all of them. In addition, each of the above functions can also be realized by combining software control with the above hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0074] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0075] 1…Checkout device, 2…Communication network, 100…Main body, 101…Touch panel, 102…Scanner window, 103…Handheld scanner, 104…Receipt issuing port, 105…Card insertion slot, 106…Coin insertion tray, 107…Change tray, 108…Paper currency insertion slot, 109…Paper currency ejection port, 110…Alarm lamp, 111…Surveillance camera, 112…Processor, 113…Main storage unit, 114…Auxiliary storage unit, 115…Fixed scanner, 116…Printer, 117…Coin changer, 118…Credit card reader, 119…Electronic money reader / writer, 120…Communication unit, 121…Transmission line, 200…Table, 300…Stand.

Claims

1. Storage means for storing a list of trading items; Adding means for adding, as a trading item, an item targeted by the addition instruction to the list stored by the storage means in response to an addition instruction by an operator; Excluding means for excluding a trading item targeted by the exclusion instruction from the list stored by the storage means in response to an exclusion instruction by the operator; Invalidating means for invalidating the excluding means while receiving an addition instruction from an operator belonging to a restricted category predetermined as a part of a plurality of operator categories; A trading processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The plurality of operator categories include an operator category to which a store clerk belongs and an operator category to which a customer belongs. The operator category to which a store clerk belongs is not the restricted category, and the operator category to which a customer belongs is the restricted category. The trading processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The plurality of operator categories include an operator category to which a store clerk having exclusion authority belongs and an operator category to which a store clerk not having exclusion authority belongs. The operator category to which a store clerk having exclusion authority belongs is not the restricted category, and the operator category to which a store clerk not having exclusion authority belongs is the restricted category. The trading processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. Further comprising reading means for reading a product identifier recorded on a product, When the addition means reads a product identifier by the reading means, it is assumed that an addition instruction has been given for the product identified by the read product identifier. The trading processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. When zero is specified as the quantity of a trading item included in the list stored by the storage means, the excluding means excludes the corresponding trading item from the list stored by the storage means by setting the quantity to zero. The invalidating means prohibits the excluding means from setting the quantity to zero. The trading processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

6. Storage means for storing a list of trading items; Adding means for adding, as a trading item, an item targeted by the addition instruction to the list stored by the storage means in response to an addition instruction by an operator; Changing means for changing the quantity of a trading item included in the list stored by the storage means in response to a change instruction by the operator. When the operator belongs to a restricted category predetermined as a part of a plurality of operator categories, the changing means does not change the quantity to zero. A trading processing apparatus comprising the above.

7. A computer that controls a transaction processing device having storage means for storing a list of transaction items, an addition means for adding, as a transaction item, an item targeted by the addition instruction to the list stored by the storage means in response to an addition instruction by an operator; a deletion means for deleting a transaction item targeted by the deletion instruction from the list stored by the storage means in response to a deletion instruction by the operator; an inactivation means for inactivating the deletion means while receiving an addition instruction from an operator belonging to a restricted category predetermined as a part of a plurality of operator categories; and an information processing program for causing the computer to function.

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