system

Abstract

To settle an account according to customers.SOLUTION: A POS system includes: a registration device including a registration unit that registers transaction information based on a product to be purchased for each transaction, a product certificate reception unit that accepts a product certificate to be used for payment of a purchase price of the product determined by the transaction information, a transmission unit that transmits product certificate information accepted by the product certificate reception unit and the information about the transaction registered by the registration unit so that settlement can be made by a settlement device, and a printing unit that prints detailed information on the product when the product certificate reception unit accepts the product certificate and payment of change is unnecessary; and the settlement device including a change unit that pays out change on the basis of the information transmitted from the transmission unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system.

Background Art

[0002] An accounting apparatus (POS (Point Of Sales) system) that processes accounting operations for a claim amount in a plurality of types of payment including vouchers (coupons) is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is a POS system in which a store clerk scans a barcode attached to a product into a registration device, registers transaction information based on the barcode data in a storage device, and performs settlement based on the purchase amount of the product determined by the registered transaction information. In such a POS system, it is mainly assumed that the registration device only registers transaction information, and the customer moves to a settlement device separate from the registration device, and the customer operates the settlement device by himself / herself to perform settlement in cash or the like.

[0005] However, the POS system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot perform settlement according to the customer.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of performing settlement according to the customer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A POS system according to one aspect of the present invention is a POS system including a registration device and a settlement device. The registration device includes a registration unit that registers transaction information based on the purchased goods for each transaction, a coupon reception unit that receives a coupon with a face value greater than the purchase amount of the goods determined by the transaction information, a cash input declaration unit that receives a cash input declaration operation declaring the input of cash at the settlement device, a communication unit that outputs, in association with each other, information for determining whether the cash input declaration operation has been received at the settlement device, the cash input declaration operation presence / absence determination information, and the transaction information, to the settlement device. The settlement device includes a display unit that displays the purchase amount determined by the transaction information, a determination unit that determines whether the cash input declaration operation has been received at the registration device based on the cash input declaration operation presence / absence determination information, and a cash settlement unit that performs cash settlement. When the determination unit determines that the cash input declaration operation has not been received, the display unit displays information prompting an operation to perform settlement. When the determination unit determines that the cash input declaration operation has been received, the display unit displays information prompting the input of cash. When the determination unit determines that the cash input declaration operation has not been received, the cash settlement unit pays out, as change, an amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value. When the determination unit determines that the cash input declaration operation has been received, the cash settlement unit receives the input of cash and pays out, as change, an amount obtained by adding the amount of the received cash to the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, settlement can be performed according to the customer's request.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows, by a conceptual diagram, the flow of accounting processing using a POS system. The POS system is provided, for example, in a store. The POS system includes a registration device 20 and a settlement device 30. A plurality of registration devices 20 and a plurality of settlement devices 30 may be provided, respectively. The registration device 20 scans a barcode attached to a product purchased by a customer by an operation of a store clerk. The registration device 20 registers product transaction information in a storage unit based on the barcode data. The product transaction information may include, for example, an identification number of the transaction, an identification number of the product, and information indicating the number of products.

[0011] When the registration of the product transaction information is completed for all the barcodes of the products purchased by the customer, the registration device 20 prints a barcode or a two-dimensional code on an accounting ticket 40 (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 6) based on an operation input for declaring the completion of the registration of the product transaction information (for example, an operation of pressing a completion key by a store clerk), and issues the accounting ticket 40 to the customer.

[0012] A customer who has received the accounting ticket 40 moves to the payment device 30 and uses the scanner unit provided in the payment device 30 to read the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the accounting ticket 40. The customer himself / herself operates the operation keys of the payment device 30 to pay the purchase amount of the goods (the total amount of the purchased goods) determined by the transaction information.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a configuration example of a POS system in a block diagram. The POS system may further include a store controller 10 (upper management device). The POS system includes a store controller 10, N registration devices 20 (N is an integer of 1 or more), and M payment devices 30 (M is an integer of 1 or more). The store controller 10, the registration devices 20, and the payment devices 30 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 11.

[0014] The store controller 10 stores product information (e.g., the price of the product) in advance as product master data. The registration device 20 may register the transaction information of the product with the store controller 10 based on the read barcode data. That is, the store controller 10 may store the transaction information and the like transmitted from the registration device 20.

[0015] Note that among the registration devices 20, there may be a registration device 20 not connected to the store controller 10 and a registration device 20 connected to the store controller 10 via the LAN 11.

[0016] First, the details of the registration device will be described. Fig. 3 shows a configuration example of the registration device in a block diagram. The registration device 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner unit 204, a display unit (for store clerks) 205, a display unit (for customers) 205a, an operation unit 206, a communication unit 207, a buzzer 208, a receipt printing means 209, and a hard disk 210. These units are connected to each other via a bus.

[0017] The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that pre-stores a program for operating the registration device 20.

[0018] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit. The CPU 201 reads the program stored in the ROM 202 and expands it in the RAM 203. By executing each step of the expanded program, the CPU 201 controls each unit of the registration device 20.

[0019] Based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204, the CPU 201 registers the transaction information of the product in the RAM 203 or the hard disk 210. Further, the CPU 101 may register the transaction information of the product in the store controller 10 via the communication unit 207 based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204.

[0020] The CPU 201 identifies the settlement method (payment method) selected by the customer. For example, the CPU 201 identifies the settlement method selected by the customer based on the identification information indicating cash, credit card, electronic money, or coupon input by the store clerk operating the operation unit 206. Hereinafter, the information indicating the settlement method selected by the customer is referred to as "settlement method information".

[0021] The customer can request the clerk operating the registration device 20 to add cash to the change to the settlement device 30. In this case, the clerk who has received the request operates the operation unit 206 to input the settlement method information into the CPU 201. When the settlement method information operationally input via the operation unit 206 indicates "cash addition", the CPU 201 sets the value indicating the cash addition flag to "valid". Here, the cash addition flag is a flag for determining whether or not to allow the addition of cash to the change to be input into the settlement device 30.

[0022] In addition, the CPU 201 controls the receipt printing means 209 to print a receipt in a format corresponding to the specified settlement method and issue the receipt. More specifically, when the specified settlement method is a settlement method other than cash, for example, a settlement method using a commodity coupon with the same face value as the purchase amount (no change payment is required), the CPU 201 prints the detailed information of the commodity determined by the transaction information for which settlement has been completed at the self-registration device on the receipt and controls the receipt printing means 209 to issue the receipt. That is, when the settlement method information operationally input via the operation unit 206 indicates "credit declaration", "electronic money declaration", or "commodity coupon", the CPU 201 instructs the receipt printing means 209 to issue a receipt on which the detailed information after the settlement process has been executed at the self-registration device is printed.

[0023] On the other hand, when the specified settlement method includes at least a settlement method by cash, the CPU 201 controls the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting voucher 40 on which the transaction information is printed. For example, when the specified settlement method is a settlement method using a commodity coupon with a face value larger than the purchase amount (change payment is required), the CPU 201 controls the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting voucher 40 on which the transaction information and the like are printed. That is, when the settlement method information operationally input via the operation unit 206 indicates "cash" or "accounting voucher", the CPU 201 instructs the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting voucher 40 on which the information necessary for the customer to operate the settlement device 30 for settlement is printed.

[0024] Here, the CPU 201 may control the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting voucher 40 on which a barcode or a two-dimensional code including identification information indicating transaction information is printed. Further, the CPU 201 may control the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting voucher 40 on which a barcode or a two-dimensional code including (added) a cash addition flag is printed.

[0025] The RAM 203 is a read-write memory that stores various information. The various information is, for example, a value indicating a cash addition flag. Further, the various information may be, for example, a value indicating a purchase amount. The purchase amount is the total amount of the prices of all purchased goods. A program read from the ROM 202 is expanded in the RAM 203. Further, the RAM 203 stores various data generated when the program is executed.

[0026] The display unit (for store clerks) 205 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit (for store clerks) 205 displays various images such as operation keys.

[0027] The display unit (for store clerks) 205 has a touch panel provided with touch keys (soft keys) that are transparent contact switches. That is, the display unit (for store clerks) 205 has a touch panel as the operation unit 206. The display unit (for store clerks) 205 receives operation inputs such as mode switching, setting, or registration via the displayed operation keys. This setting may be, for example, a setting of a value indicating a cash addition flag.

[0028] Figure 4 shows a first example of an image displayed on the registration device. The display unit (for store clerks) 205 displays transaction information based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204 according to the control by the CPU 201. For example, the display unit (for store clerks) 205 displays, for each product in tabular form, the name of the purchased product, the price of the product, the character string "in" indicating that it is an internal tax, the purchase count, the subtotal (amount), and the total (purchase amount) as detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information.

[0029] The display unit (for store clerks) 205 displays various operation keys. The various operation keys are, for example, an extended key, an electronic money declaration key 500, a credit declaration key 510, an interruption key, an issuance key, an accounting ticket key 520, a QR reissue key, an operator screen key, a registration screen key, and a cash addition key 550.

[0030] The electronic money declaration key 500, the credit declaration key 510, and the accounting ticket key 520 are operation keys (completion keys) (declaration means) for completing the registration of transaction information. More specifically, the electronic money declaration key 500 is an operation key for declaring to the CPU 201 to execute a settlement process using electronic money. The credit declaration key 510 is an operation key for declaring to the CPU 201 to execute a settlement process using a credit card.

[0031] The accounting ticket key 520 is an operation key for causing the receipt printing means 209 to issue an accounting ticket. When the accounting ticket key 520 is pressed, the customer receives the issued accounting ticket 40, moves to the settlement device 30, and settles the purchase amount (total amount of the purchased products) determined by the transaction information by operating the operation keys of the settlement device 30.

[0032] The cash addition key 550 is an operation key (declaration means) for enabling the input of cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. A customer can request a store clerk operating the registration device 20 to input the cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. In this case, the clerk who has received the request presses the cash addition key 550. When the cash addition key 550 is pressed, the value indicating the cash addition flag is set by the CPU 201 to a value indicating valid (for example, value 1).

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a second example of an image displayed on the registration device. The display unit (for clerks) 205 may display the settlement device selection key 530 and the accounting key 540. The settlement device selection key 530 is an operation key for a clerk to select the settlement device 30. The accounting key 540 is an operation key for completing the registration of transaction information. When the accounting key 540 is pressed following any of the settlement device selection keys 530, the CPU 201 causes the communication unit 207 to transmit the transaction information to the selected settlement device 30. The customer moves to the selected settlement device 30 and operates the operation keys of the selected settlement device 30 to settle the purchase amount (total amount of purchased goods) determined by the transaction information.

[0034] Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the configuration example of the registration device continues. The display unit (for customers) 205a is a display device. The display unit (for customers) 205a may be a light-emitting display device using, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit (for customers) 205a displays an image such as a character string by, for example, 7-segment display or dot display (full dot display). For example, the display unit (for customers) 205a displays, to the customer who has completed the registration of the transaction information, the registered transaction information, the purchase amount (total amount) of the purchased goods, information indicating that change is to be paid at the settlement device 30, or information indicating that payment of a shortage amount is required at the settlement device 30.

[0035] The operation unit 206 is provided with operation means for operating the registration device 20. This operation means (input device) is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, or a touch panel. The operation means may be, for example, a completion key for declaring the completion of product registration (for example, it may be a settlement key or a settlement ticket key), a correction key, a preset key, a numeric key, a product ticket key, a credit declaration key, an electronic money declaration key, or a cash addition key.

[0036] Note that the operation means may be arranged as buttons such as mechanical keys (hard keys), or may be displayed as an image of an operation key on a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit (for store clerks) 205.

[0037] The communication unit 207 communicates with the store controller 10 and the settlement device 30 via a network. The network may be any configured communication line (for example, a wireless communication line or a wired communication line), and is not limited to the LAN 11. The buzzer 208 generates a buzzer sound under the control of the CPU 201.

[0038] The receipt printing means 209 prints and issues information on various sheets. The various sheets are, for example, a credit receipt, an electronic money receipt, a product ticket receipt, or a settlement ticket. Here, the credit receipt is a receipt issued after the credit declaration key is pressed and the settlement process in the registration device 20 is completed. Also, the electronic money receipt is a receipt issued after the electronic money declaration key is pressed and the settlement process in the registration device 20 is completed. Also, the product ticket receipt is a receipt issued after the product ticket key is pressed and the settlement process in the registration device 20 is completed. Also, the settlement ticket 40 is issued when the settlement ticket key is pressed. The settlement ticket 40 may have the purchase amount in one transaction printed on it.

[0039] The receipt printing means 209 includes a thermal head (not shown) and a platen roller (not shown). The platen roller is installed in a state of being pressed against the thermal head and is driven by a stepping motor. When the stepping motor is driven according to a control signal from the CPU 201, the sheet is conveyed by a predetermined amount through the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller. The sheet is issued from the receipt printing means 209 as, for example, a credit receipt, an electronic money receipt, a coupon receipt, or an accounting voucher.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows an example of an accounting voucher. Fig. 6(a) shows an example of an accounting voucher 40 (receipt) on which a bar code C2 is printed. The bar code C2 is a code representing identification information indicating transaction information. The transaction information registered in the store controller 10 is retrieved from the store controller 10 based on the identification information (transaction identification number) indicating the transaction information represented by the bar code C2. On the other hand, Fig. 6(b) shows an example of an accounting voucher 40 (receipt) on which a two-dimensional code C1 is printed. The two-dimensional code C1 is a code representing detailed product information determined by the transaction information of all the products purchased by the customer. In this case, since all the transaction information is recorded in the two-dimensional code C1, there is no need to retrieve it from the store controller 10.

[0041] At least a part of the transaction information, for example, the number of purchased products and the purchase amount, may be printed on the accounting voucher 40 as the purchase details. Also, at least a part of the transaction information, for example, the transaction date and time, may be printed on the accounting voucher 40. Further, a coupon voucher (not shown) may be printed in a partial area (for example, the lower half area) of the accounting voucher 40.

[0042] Returning to Fig. 3, the description of the configuration example of the registration device will be continued. The credit card reading unit 211 has a structure into which a credit card (medium) can be inserted. The credit card reading unit 211 reads the customer information stored in the inserted credit card using magnetism or the like and outputs the read information to the CPU 201.

[0043] The electronic money reading unit 212 has a structure into which an electronic money card (medium) can be inserted. The electronic money reading unit 212 wirelessly reads the amount information stored in the inserted electronic money card and outputs the read amount information to the CPU 101. The electronic money reading unit 212 stores the amount information obtained by subtracting the purchase amount input from the CPU 201 in the inserted electronic money card.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of a registration device (see FIG. 3) that performs settlement using vouchers. In order to prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing, a customer can request a store clerk operating the registration device 20 to input cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30. A customer who requests to input cash to be added to the change can input the cash to be added to the change generated by the vouchers paid at the registration device 20 into the settlement device 30, and adjust the amount of the change to a convenient amount (for example, the last digit is 0, or the last two digits are 00).

[0045] (Step S1) The scanner unit 204 optically reads the barcode (product code) attached to the product by an operation by the store clerk. The CPU 201 registers the transaction information of the product in the RAM 203 based on the barcode data read by the scanner unit 204.

[0046] (Step S2) The CPU 201 acquires voucher information (for example, the face value amount of the vouchers paid by the customer) based on an operation input via the operation unit 206. Here, it is assumed that change is generated in the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value amount of the vouchers paid by the customer.

[0047] For example, when the purchase amount is 801 yen and the face value of the gift certificate is 1000 yen, the change amount is 199 yen as the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value. If the change amount is not adjusted to a convenient amount, 199 yen as the change will be paid out from the settlement device 30 with a total of 11 coins, for example, one 100-yen coin, one 50-yen coin, four 10-yen coins, one 5-yen coin, and four 1-yen coins. On the other hand, if the amount of the change finally paid out is adjusted by adding 1 yen to the change before adjustment, 200 yen as the adjusted change will be paid out from the settlement device 30 with only two 100-yen coins.

[0048] (Step S3) When the customer requests the store clerk to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30, the store clerk operating the registration device 20 presses the cash addition key 550 (see FIG. 4 or FIG. 5). The CPU 201 determines whether the cash addition key 550 has been pressed based on the operation input via the operation unit 206. If the cash addition key 550 has been pressed (Step S3: Yes), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S4. On the other hand, if the cash addition key 550 has not been pressed (Step S3: No), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S5.

[0049] (Step S4) The CPU 201 sets the value indicating the cash addition flag, which was set to invalid (for example, value 0) as the initial value, to "valid" (for example, value 1), and proceeds to Step S5. (Step S5) The CPU 201 determines whether the accounting key 540 or the accounting ticket key 520 has been pressed based on the operation input via the operation unit 206. If the accounting key 540 or the accounting ticket key 520 has been pressed (Step S5: Yes), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S6. On the other hand, if neither the accounting key 540 nor the accounting ticket key 520 has been pressed (Step S5: No), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S9.

[0050] (Step S6) The CPU 201 determines whether the cash addition flag is valid. If the cash addition flag is valid (Step S6: Yes), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S7. On the other hand, if the cash addition flag is invalid (Step S6: No), the CPU 201 proceeds to Step S8.

[0051] (Step S7) The CPU 201 includes (adds) the cash addition flag to the transaction information and barcodes the identification information indicating the transaction information. The CPU 201 may also two-dimensionally code the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information by including (adding) the cash addition flag to the transaction information. Here, for example, when the data amount of the transaction information is less than the threshold, the CPU 201 barcodes the identification information indicating the transaction information including the cash addition flag, and when the data amount of the transaction information is equal to or more than the threshold, the CPU 201 may two-dimensionally code the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information including the value indicating the cash addition flag.

[0052] (Step S8) When the accounting ticket key 520 is pressed in Step S5, the CPU 201 causes the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 with the barcode (see Fig. 6(a)) on which the identification information indicating the transaction information is printed. The communication unit 207 transmits and registers the transaction information to the store controller 10. The CPU 201 may also cause the receipt printing means 209 to issue the accounting ticket 40 with the two-dimensional code (see Fig. 6(b)) on which the content of the transaction information is printed. On the other hand, when the accounting key 540 is pressed in Step S5, the communication unit 207 transmits the transaction information to the payment device 30 selected by the payment device selection key 530. In this case, the CPU 201 may directly cause the communication unit 207 to transmit the transaction information to the selected payment device 30. Further, the CPU 201 may cause the communication unit 207 to transmit the transaction information to the selected payment device 30 via the store controller 10 (higher-level device).

[0053] Next, the details of the payment device will be described. Fig. 8 shows a configuration example of the settlement device in a block diagram. The settlement device 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner unit 304, a reading notification means 304a, a display unit 305, an operation unit 306, a communication unit 307, a buzzer 308, a printing unit 309, a printing notification means 309a, a payment terminal 310, a payment notification means 310a, a payment terminal 311, a payment notification means 311a, a payment terminal 312, a payment notification means 312a, a signature pole 313, and a human sensor 314. Each part of the settlement device 30 is connected to each other via a bus. Note that the scanner unit 304 may be a separate (external) unit that is detachable from the settlement device 30.

[0054] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit. The CPU 301 reads out the programs stored in the ROM 302 and expands them in the RAM 303. The CPU 301 controls each part of the settlement device 30 by executing each step of the expanded program.

[0055] Also, the CPU 301 recognizes the content of the code printed on the sheet read by the scanner unit 304. For example, the CPU 301 recognizes the content indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the accounting voucher 40 issued for a transaction for which registration by the registration device 20 has been completed but settlement has not been completed among the transaction information registered in the store controller 10.

[0056] More specifically, the CPU 301 performs OCR (Optical Character Reader) processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 304 to recognize the content indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the accounting voucher 40. Here, the content indicated by the barcode is, for example, identification information indicating the transaction information registered in the store controller 10. Also, the content indicated by the two-dimensional code is, for example, detailed information on the goods determined by the transaction information registered by the registration device 20.

[0057] When the barcode is read by the scanner unit 304, the CPU 301 acquires the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information from the store controller 10 based on the content indicated by the barcode (identification information indicating the transaction information), and stores the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information in the RAM 303. When the two-dimensional code is read by the scanner unit 304, the CPU 301 stores the content indicated by the two-dimensional code (detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information) in the RAM 303. The transaction information may include a value indicating a cash addition flag. Also, the detailed information may include the purchase amount. The CPU 301 settles the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information. Here, the CPU 301 causes the display unit 305 to display a guidance image for guiding the customer through the settlement procedure.

[0058] The scanner unit 304 optically reads a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to a sheet (for example, an accounting voucher). The ROM 302 is a read-only memory that stores in advance a program for operating the settlement device 30.

[0059] The RAM 303 is a read / write memory that stores various information. The various information is, for example, the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information. Also, the program read from the ROM 302 is expanded in the RAM 303. Further, the RAM 303 stores various data generated when the program is executed.

[0060] The operation unit 306 includes operation means for operating the settlement device 30. This operation means (input device) is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, or a touch panel. The operation means is, for example, a settlement key. The settlement key is an operation key that is operated by the customer when inputting an instruction to execute the settlement process to the CPU 301.

[0061] Note that the operation means may be arranged as buttons such as mechanical keys (hard keys), or may be displayed as images of operation keys on a touch panel provided on the display surface of the display unit 305.

[0062] The display unit 305 is a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display. The display unit 305 has a touch panel provided with touch keys (soft keys) that are transparent contact switches. The display unit 305 may have a touch panel as the operation unit 306. The display unit 305 accepts operation inputs such as mode switching, setting, or registration. The display unit 305 displays detailed information (e.g., purchase amount) of a product determined by the content (transaction information) indicated by the barcode or two-dimensional code recognized by the CPU 301.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows an example of a guidance image displayed on the settlement device. When a customer settles without using the accounting ticket 40 (see FIG. 6), the guidance image is displayed on the display unit 305 of the selected settlement device 30 at the stage where the accounting key 540 (see FIG. 5) is pressed following any of the settlement device selection keys 530. Therefore, when the customer goes to the selected settlement device 30, the selected settlement device 30 already displays the guidance image and is in a state where settlement is possible. On the other hand, when the customer settles using the accounting ticket 40, the guidance image is displayed based on the transaction information specified by reading the barcode printed on the accounting ticket 40 by the scanner unit 304 of the settlement device 30.

[0064] When the value indicating the cash addition flag is a valid value (for example, value 1), the CPU 301 causes the display unit 305 to display a guidance image for proceeding with the settlement process using cash. In FIG. 9, the character string "Please insert the additional cash" (indicating that cash should be inserted), the character string "Purchase amount 801 yen" (total amount), the character string "Voucher amount (face value of the voucher) 1000 yen", the character string "Change amount 199 yen", and the character string "With an additional 1 yen, it will be 200 yen." are displayed. Further, a moving image representing the appearance and operation procedure of the settlement terminal 311 may be displayed on the guidance image.

[0065] A customer who requests a store clerk operating the registration device 20 to insert cash to be added to the change into the settlement device 30 can insert the cash to be added to the change into the settlement terminal 311 of the settlement device 30 according to the guidance image and adjust the amount of the change to a convenient amount.

[0066] Further, an operation key "Settlement" (settlement key) for starting the settlement process in the settlement device 30 is displayed on the guidance image. When the operation key "Settlement" is pressed, the CPU 301 starts the settlement process such as calculating the difference and controls the printing unit 309 to issue a purchase sheet. Also, the settlement terminal 311 pays out change or a voucher of an amount corresponding to the difference information input from the CPU 301 from the cash payout port. Note that the CPU 301 may control the printing unit 309 to issue a coupon.

[0067] Note that when the value indicating the cash addition flag is an invalid value (for example, value 0) and the customer selects cash settlement via the operation unit 306, the CPU 301 may hide the character string "Please insert the additional cash" (indicating that cash should be inserted) and display the character string "Please confirm the purchase amount and insert money" as a guidance image for proceeding with the cash settlement process on the display unit 305. Thereby, the customer can add cash in consideration of the change amount paid from the settlement device 30.

[0068] Further, when the value indicating the cash addition flag is a value indicating invalidity (for example, value 0), when a two-dimensional code (see FIG. 6(b)) or a one-dimensional code (see FIG. 6(a)) is read from the accounting ticket 40 by the scanner unit 204, the CPU 301 may display the character string "Please press the settlement key." instead of the character string "Please insert the cash to be added." Further, the CPU 301 may hide the character string "Adding 1 yen more will make it 200 yen." that was displayed near the character string "Change amount" in FIG. 9. As a result, the customer can understand that when the settlement key is pressed, the change will be paid from the settlement device 30 and the settlement will be completed, so that the settlement can be completed quickly.

[0069] Therefore, a customer who has declared to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can add cash at the settlement device 30. On the other hand, a customer who has not declared to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can complete the settlement simply by pressing the "Settlement" key at the settlement device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a settlement method according to the customer without requiring the customer to perform unnecessary operations.

[0070] Returning to FIG. 8, the description of the configuration example of the settlement device will be continued. The buzzer 308 generates a buzzer sound under the control of the CPU 301. The communication unit 307 communicates with the store controller 10 and the registration device 20 via a network. Note that the network may be any configured network (for example, a wireless communication network) and is not limited to the LAN 11.

[0071] The printing unit 309 prints predetermined information (for example, the detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information for which the settlement has been completed) on the purchase sheet and issues the purchase sheet. The printing unit 309 has a thermal head (not shown) and a platen roller (not shown). The platen roller is installed in a state of being pressed by the thermal head and is driven by a stepping motor. When the stepping motor is driven in response to a control signal from the CPU 301, the purchase sheet is conveyed by a predetermined amount through the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller.

[0072] The printing notification means 309a is provided near the printing unit 309. The printing notification means 309a has, for example, a red LED (Light Emitting Diode). The printing notification means 309a notifies that the printing unit 309 is operable and the location of the printing unit 309 by blinking or lighting up.

[0073] The settlement terminal 310 (change dispensing and ticket issuing unit) executes cash settlement in the settlement of the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information, and outputs the result of the executed settlement (for example, information indicating whether the settlement has been established) to the CPU 301 via the bus. The settlement terminal 310 has a cash reception unit (for example, a bill insertion slot, a coin insertion slot) and a change discharge port. The bill insertion slot is an insertion slot for inserting and discharging bills. The coin insertion slot is an insertion slot for inserting coins. The change discharge port is a discharge port for discharging (paying out) change or tickets.

[0074] The settlement notification means 310a is provided near the settlement terminal 310. The settlement notification means 310a includes a first settlement notification means, a second settlement notification means, and a third settlement notification means. The first settlement notification means is provided near the paper money insertion slot. The first settlement notification means has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the paper money insertion slot is operable and the location of the paper money insertion slot. The second settlement notification means is provided near the coin insertion slot. The second settlement notification means has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the coin insertion slot is operable and the location of the coin insertion slot. The third settlement notification means is provided near the change discharge port. The third settlement notification means has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the change discharge port is operable and the location of the change discharge port.

[0075] In the settlement of the purchase amount of the commodity determined by the transaction information, the settlement terminal 311 executes the settlement by credit and outputs the result of the executed settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus. The settlement notification means 311a has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the settlement terminal 311 is operable and the location of the settlement terminal 311.

[0076] In the settlement of the purchase amount of the commodity determined by the transaction information, the settlement terminal 312 executes the settlement by electronic money and outputs the result of the executed settlement to the CPU 301 via the bus. The settlement notification means 312a has, for example, a red LED, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the settlement terminal 312 is operable and the location of the settlement terminal 312. The settlement notification means 312a may be provided near an electronic money reading unit (not shown) for reading amount information and the like from an electronic money card (medium).

[0077] The sign pole 313 has, for example, a light emitting unit, and by blinking or lighting, notifies that the settlement device 30 is operable. The human presence sensor 314 is a sensor that detects the presence of a customer at a predetermined position relative to the settlement device 30. The human presence sensor 314 may detect the presence of a customer, for example, by detecting infrared rays.

[0078] As described above, the POS system includes a CPU 201 (registration unit) that registers transaction information based on the purchased goods for each transaction (for example, registers in the RAM 203, registers in the store controller 10), a coupon acceptance unit that accepts a coupon with a face value greater than the purchase amount of the goods determined by the transaction information (for example, the CPU 201 that accepts the coupon via the coupon key of the operation unit 206), and an operation unit 206 that accepts a predetermined operation input (for example, pressing operation of the cash addition key 550) (indicating non-coupon settlement in the settlement device 30). The POS system also includes a registration device 20, a settlement terminal 310 (cash acceptance unit) that enables cash acceptance when the operation unit 206 accepts a predetermined operation input (indicating non-coupon settlement in the settlement device 30) for each transaction, and a settlement terminal 310 (change dispensing unit) that dispenses change of the amount obtained by adding the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value and the amount of cash accepted by the settlement terminal 310 (cash acceptance unit).

[0079] With this configuration, the settlement terminal 310 of the settlement device 30 dispenses change of the amount obtained by adding the amount obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the face value and the amount of cash accepted by the settlement terminal 310. Thereby, the POS system can perform settlement according to the customer. The POS system can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing (adjustment of change for coupons). Also, for customers who have hitherto quickly settled by paying only with coupons, the POS system can quickly settle even when operating the settlement device to pay in cash, and can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing.

[0080] That is, the customer can avoid an increase in small change. Also, when the operation unit 206 receives a predetermined operation input, the settlement device 30 accepts cash, so the customer will not make a mistake in operating the settlement device 30 that executes the settlement process. Also, the POS system can perform settlement quickly. Also, only a customer who declares to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can add cash at the settlement device 30. On the other hand, a customer who does not declare to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can complete the settlement by simply pressing the "Settlement" key on the settlement device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a settlement method according to the customer without requiring the customer to perform unnecessary operations.

[0081] The registration device 20 may have a communication unit 207 (output unit) that outputs, in association with each other, operation input information indicating that a predetermined operation input (for example, pressing operation of the cash addition key 550) has been received, and transaction information. The settlement device 30 may have a communication unit 307 (specifying unit) that specifies operation input information and transaction information in a transaction to be settled. When the communication unit 307 (specifying unit) of the settlement device 30 specifies the operation input information, the settlement terminal 310 (cash reception unit) of the settlement device 30 may recognize that a predetermined operation input has been received by the operation unit 206 of the registration device 20 and enable cash reception.

[0082] The registration device 20 may have a receipt printing means 209 (printing unit) that prints transaction information on a medium (for example, the accounting voucher 40). The settlement device 30 may have a scanner unit 304 (reading unit) that reads transaction information from the medium. When operation input information is associated with the transaction information read from the medium (for example, the accounting voucher 40), the settlement terminal 310 (cash reception unit) may recognize that a predetermined operation input (for example, pressing operation of the cash addition key 550) has been received by the operation unit 206 and enable cash reception.

[0083] The registration device 20 includes a CPU 201 (registration unit) that registers transaction information based on the purchased product, an operation unit 206 that receives an operation input for enabling the acceptance of cash by the settlement device 30, and an output unit (for example, a receipt printing means 209, a communication unit 207) that outputs by associating the operation input information for enabling the acceptance of cash with the transaction information.

[0084] As a result, the registration device 20 can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing (adjustment of change for vouchers). That is, even for a customer who has hitherto settled accounts quickly by paying only with vouchers, the registration device 20 can settle accounts quickly even when paying in cash and can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing.

[0085] In addition, only a customer who declares to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can add cash at the settlement device 30. On the other hand, a customer who does not declare to the store clerk at the registration device 20 that they want to add cash can complete the settlement by simply pressing the "settlement" key at the settlement device 30 as before. Therefore, the POS system can realize a settlement method corresponding to the customer without requiring the customer to perform unnecessary operations. Moreover, since the store clerk can switch the settlement method by key operation at the registration device 20, the customer can settle accounts in the settlement method they desire without performing a special operation.

[0086] The settlement device 30 includes a settlement unit (for example, a CPU 301, a payment terminal 310) that settles each transaction based on the transaction information based on the purchased product, a determination unit (for example, a CPU 301) that determines whether the registration device 20 has received an operation input for enabling the acceptance of cash in the transaction, and a display unit 305 that displays a message indicating that cash should be inserted when the registration device 20 has received an operation input for enabling the acceptance of cash.

[0087] As a result, the payment device 30 can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing (adjusting the change of the coupon). Also, even for customers who have previously settled accounts quickly by paying only with coupons, the payment device 30 can quickly settle the account even when paying in cash, and can prevent the number of banknotes or coins paid as change from increasing.

[0088] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0089] For example, the CPU 301 of the payment device 30 may cause the display unit 305 to display detailed information of the product determined by the transaction information (for example, the name of the product, the price of the product, the number of purchases, the subtotal (amount), and the total (purchase amount)) in response to an operation input via the operation unit 306.

[0090] Also, for example, when the settlement process is completed, the CPU 301 of the payment device 30 may cause the display unit 305 to display the character string "Please take your change and receipt. Thank you." a guidance image indicating the receipt outlet, and a guidance image indicating the change payment outlet.

[0091] Note that a program for realizing the registration device, the payment device, and the POS system described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform an execution process. Here, the "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0092] In addition, if the "computer system" uses the WWW system, it shall also include a homepage providing environment (or a display environment). Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a flash memory, a portable medium such as a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer system.

[0093] Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and that holds the program for a certain period of time. In addition, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication wire) such as a telephone line. In addition, the above program may be for realizing a part of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 10… Store Controller 11… LAN 20… Registration Device 30… Settlement Device 40… Accounting Voucher C1… Two-dimensional Code C2… Barcode 201… CPU 202… ROM 203… RAM 204…Scanner unit 205…Display unit (for store clerks) 205a…Display unit (for customers) 206…Operation unit 207…Communication unit 208…Buzzer 209…Receipt printing means 210…Hard disk 211…Credit card reader 212…Electronic money reader 301…CPU 302…ROM 303…RAM 304…Scanner unit 304a…Reading notification means 305…Display unit 306…Operation unit 307…Communication unit 308…Buzzer 309…Printing unit 309a…Printing notification means 310…Payment terminal 310a…Payment notification means 311…Payment terminal 311a…Payment notification means 312…Payment terminal 312a…Payment notification means 313…Signature pole 314…Human presence sensor 500…Electronic money declaration key 510…Credit declaration key 520…Accounting ticket key 530…Settlement device selection key 540…Accounting key 550…Cash addition key

Claims

【Claim 1】 A system including a registration device and a settlement device, wherein the registration device includes: a registration unit that registers transaction information based on a purchased product for each transaction; a coupon reception unit that receives a coupon with a face value greater than the purchase amount of the product determined by the transaction information; a cash input declaration unit that receives a cash input declaration operation declaring that cash is to be inserted into the settlement device; a communication unit that outputs, to the settlement device, information for determining whether or not the cash input declaration operation has been received in the settlement device, in association with the transaction information; and the settlement device performs settlement based on whether or not the cash input declaration operation has been received in the registration device based on the information for determining whether or not the cash input declaration operation has been received. A system characterized by this.

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