Merchandise sales system

Abstract

To flexibly respond to the request of a store in which a merchandise sales system is introduced.SOLUTION: A merchandise sales system is provided with: a first server which provides a software program for realizing a kiosk function; and a kiosk which executes a software program received from the first server, displays information on products to be sold at the store, and receives an order from a customer. The kiosk is configured to transmit / receive data on the products sold at the store and data on products ordered by the customer to / from one server selected from a POS server and a second server providing a POS function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a product sales system that sells products using a POS (Point of Sales) function. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various stores have been selling products using POS functions. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a POS system including a client device such as a handheld terminal, a kiosk terminal, and a kitchen terminal, and a server device. A customer operates a kiosk terminal at the store entrance to reserve a seat, and after sitting down, orders products using a handheld terminal. Information about the ordered products is displayed on the kitchen terminal, and cooking begins. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2003-217030 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, the server and client devices used by a store are prepared to match the POS system. When a store introduces a new POS system, it is necessary to update all functions of the existing server and client devices or replace the devices themselves. In some cases, the peripheral devices used by the store were prepared exclusively for the existing POS system and could not be used with the new POS system. With conventional POS systems, it is sometimes impossible to accommodate a store's desire to continue using some of the existing devices when introducing a new POS system.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the conventional technology including the above-mentioned problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a product sales system that can flexibly respond to the needs of stores at the time of implementation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The product sales system of the present disclosure comprises a first server that provides a software program that realizes kiosk functions, and a kiosk that obtains and executes the software program from the first server, displays information about products sold by a store, and accepts orders from customers, and the kiosk transmits and receives data about products sold by the store and products ordered by customers between a POS server and a second server that provides POS functions, selected from the two servers.

[0007] In the above configuration, products may be sold by the kiosk in any one pattern selected from a first pattern including the first server, the second server, and the kiosk, a second pattern including the first server, the second server connected to a POS server, and the kiosk, and a third pattern including the first server, the POS server, and the kiosk.

[0008] In the above configuration, in the first pattern, the second server executes processes related to product management and processes related to sales management, in the second pattern, the second server executes processes related to product management, and the POS server that acquires sales information from the second server executes processes related to sales management, and in the third pattern, the POS server executes processes related to product management and processes related to sales management.

[0009] In the above configuration, the first server may provide software programs corresponding to each of multiple companies including a first company and a second company, and the same device may operate as a kiosk for the first company when it executes the software program corresponding to the first company, and operate as a kiosk for the second company when it executes the software program corresponding to the second company.

[0010] In the above configuration, the first server may further provide a software program for operating a device connected to the kiosk, and the kiosk may operate the device by obtaining from the first server and executing a software program corresponding to the device connected to the kiosk.

[0011] In the above configuration, the first server may further provide a first software program that realizes the function of a first display that informs a store clerk of the products ordered by the customer, and a second software program that realizes the function of a second display that informs the customer of the progress of processing related to the products ordered by the customer, and the product sales system may further include at least one of a first device that operates as the first display by obtaining and executing the first software program from the first server, and a second device that operates as the second display by obtaining and executing the second software program from the first server.

[0012] In the above configuration, the kiosk may acquire data on the product from an external server that sells the product that cannot be purchased at the store, and display information on the product to accept orders.

[0013] In the above configuration, the kiosk may divide its display area into multiple areas including a first area and a second area, and in the first area, display information about products available for purchase at the store and accept orders, and in the second area, display information about products available for purchase on the external server via the kiosk and accept orders.

[0014] In the above configuration, the software program may be updated by the first server, thereby collectively updating the functions of a plurality of kiosks that operate by acquiring the software program from the first server.

[0015] In the above configuration, by updating the product data in the second server, product displays may be updated collectively in a plurality of kiosks that acquire and display product data from the second server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The product sales system according to the present disclosure can flexibly accommodate the needs of a store when the system is introduced into the store. For example, even after introducing the new product sales system, the store can continue to use the POS server and peripheral devices that were used in the previous system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a product sales system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of devices constituting the product sales system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first pattern of a product sales system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second pattern of a product sales system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a product sales system according to the third pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the product sales system is used by a plurality of stores. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of using a kiosk. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a product sales system. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the configuration of a product sales system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The product sales system according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The type of store using the product sales system and the type of products sold by the store to customers are not particularly limited. The products sold using the product sales system may include the provision of services. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a store provides customers with food prepared in-store.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a product sales system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of devices that make up the product sales system 1.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the product sales system 1 includes a first server 10, a second server 20, and a kiosk 100. Although Fig. 1(a) shows one kiosk 100, the number of kiosks 100 used in the product sales system 1 is not limited. The product sales system 1 may include multiple kiosks 100 installed in one store, or may include one or multiple kiosks 100 installed in each of multiple stores.

[0021] The first server 10 and the second server 20 are cloud servers. By connecting an operation terminal to the first server 10 and the second server 20 and operating it, it is possible to check the information managed by each server 10, 20 and to check or change the settings. The operator who operates the first server 10 and the second server 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the operator may be a store clerk, a person in charge of the company to which the store belongs, or a person in charge of the management company that manages each server.

[0022] The first server 10 provides software programs for realizing the functions and operations of the devices included in the product sales system 1. For example, a software program having the configuration shown in FIG. 1(a) is provided from the first server 10 to each device.

[0023] The software programs include software programs that execute the respective processes of a user interface 110, transaction data processing 120, product data processing 130, data conversion processing 140, peripheral device control processing 150, and external device control processing 160. Specifically, the user interface 110 refers to a software program that realizes the user interface, and the transaction data processing 120 refers to a software program that executes transaction data processing. The same applies to the other processes 130, 140, 150, and 160. The functions realized by each software program will be described later. Note that in this embodiment, these are referred to as software programs, but each part may be referred to by other names such as software, program, application, protocol, driver, or bridge depending on its function.

[0024] In the example shown in Fig. 1(a), a device including a touch panel type liquid crystal display device obtains a software program for the kiosk from a first server 10 and executes it, thereby functioning as a kiosk 100. The kiosk 100 is a device that displays information about products sold by a store and accepts orders from customers.

[0025] 2, devices that operate by receiving software programs provided from the first server 10 include, in addition to the kiosk 100, a digital menu board 200, a kitchen display 300, and an order-ready board 400. There is no particular limit to the number of devices 200, 300, and 400 used in a store. A store may not use the digital menu board 200, kitchen display 300, or order-ready board 400, or may use multiple devices.

[0026] Similar to the kiosk 100, the digital menu board 200 is installed in the area where products are sold to customers and displays information about the products. The kitchen display 300 is installed in the kitchen area where products are prepared and displays information about the products ordered by customers at the kiosk 100. The order-ready board 400 is installed in the product delivery area where customers receive their products and displays information about the progress of product preparation. The order-ready board 400 also has the function of displaying a number associated with each customer, and can also expedite the provision of products to customers by displaying the number information when the product is ready to be provided to the customer.

[0027] The first server 10 provides software programs that realize the functions and operations of the kiosk 100, the digital menu board 200, the kitchen display 300, and the order ready board 400. The software programs provided to each device from the first server 10 can be specified by operating the first server 10.

[0028] A device that acquires a software program for a digital menu board from the first server 10 and executes it operates as a digital menu board 200. A device that acquires a software program for a kitchen display from the first server 10 and executes it operates as a kitchen display 300. A device that acquires a software program for an order-ready board from the first server 10 and executes it operates as an order-ready board 400.

[0029] For example, depending on the software program provided by the first server 10, the same device can operate as a digital menu board 200, a kitchen display 300, or an order ready board 400.

[0030] The first server 10 can update the software programs of each device. The operator of the first server 10 can update the software programs in all devices connected to the first server 10 simply by preparing the software program for update in the first server 10. For example, if the first server 10 updates the software program for a kiosk, the functions of all kiosks 100 connected to the first server 10 can be updated all at once.

[0031] The first server 10 can provide the software program of the peripheral device control processing 150 to each of the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400. Each of the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 controls and uses the peripheral device by the software program of the peripheral device control processing 150.

[0032] For example, the kiosk 100 shown in FIG. 1 can control peripheral devices to settle transactions with customers and issue receipts. The kiosk 100 controls an electronic payment device using a software program obtained from the first server 10 and settles product prices through electronic payment. Electronic payment processing is performed using conventionally known technologies such as electronic money, credit cards, and debit cards. Similarly, the kiosk 100 can control a printer using a software program obtained from the first server 10 and issue a receipt on which information about the products ordered by the customer is printed.

[0033] In addition, the kiosk 100 can control various peripheral devices by acquiring and executing a software program for peripheral device control processing 150 from the first server 10. For example, when using a reading device that reads information from graphic codes such as barcodes or cards such as IC cards, the kiosk 100 acquires a software program corresponding to the reading device from the first server 10 and executes a process for reading information from various media. When using a cash processing device called a change dispenser, the kiosk 100 acquires a software program corresponding to the change dispenser from the first server 10 and executes a deposit process for receiving the product price in cash and a dispensing process for dispensing change as needed.

[0034] The first server 10 can provide the software program of the external device control processing 160 to each of the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400. Each of the devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 controls and uses the external device by the software program of the external device control processing 160.

[0035] For example, if kiosk 100 is installed in a car wash and controls a car wash machine to start washing the car when a transaction with a customer is made, a software program for controlling the car wash machine is provided from first server 10. Kiosk 100 can control the car wash machine to start washing the car when a transaction is made.

[0036] For example, when the kiosk 100 is installed at a gas station and controls a fuel dispenser to start refueling, a software program for controlling the fuel dispenser is provided from the first server 10. The kiosk 100 can control the fuel dispenser to start refueling at the time of transaction.

[0037] The second server 20 cooperates with a plurality of devices, such as the kiosk 100, included in the product sales system 1 to execute processing related to the POS function in order to conduct transactions with customers.

[0038] The kiosk 100 acquires product data from the second server 20 using a software program for product data processing 130. The kiosk 100 converts data included in the product data, such as the name, image, and price of each product, using a software program for data conversion processing 140, and performs optimization processing to match the display device equipped in the kiosk 100. The optimization processing includes converting the data format and image resolution. The kiosk 100 displays a menu screen that displays product information and accepts orders using a software program for user interface 110. The kiosk 100 transmits transaction data, including the type, price, and quantity of the product ordered by the customer, to the second server 20 using a software program for transaction data processing 120.

[0039] Kitchen display 300 acquires product data from second server 20 and displays the type and quantity of products ordered by the customer at kiosk 100. In the kitchen area, cooking of the products can be started according to the customer's order displayed on kitchen display 300. For example, when an operation indicating that cooking is finished is performed on kitchen display 300, which is made up of a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, product data indicating that the products are ready is sent to second server 20.

[0040] The order-ready board 400 acquires product data from the second server 20 and displays information indicating that the product ordered by the customer is ready. In the product delivery area, the customer, who has confirmed that the product is ready by the display on the order-ready board 400, can collect the product. The kitchen display 300 and the order-ready board 400 can also function in conjunction with each other. For example, the order-ready board 400 can be configured to display the customer number associated with the product whose cooking has been completed, in conjunction with the operation to end cooking on the kitchen display 300.

[0041] Devices used in stores, such as kiosks 100, menu boards 200, kitchen displays 300, and order displays 400, can acquire software programs and data necessary for operation in the store, store them in the device's internal memory, and execute them.

[0042] For example, the kiosk 100 can operate independently even if communication with the first server 10 and the second server 20 becomes impossible during business hours by acquiring software programs and data from the first server 10 and the second server 20 at a predetermined timing, such as before the store opens for business. The kiosk 100 can display menus and accept orders, and store and manage transaction data related to sales in a memory unit within the device. When the kiosk 100 is able to communicate with the first server 10 and the second server 20, it can acquire and update software programs and data from the first server 10 and the second server 20 and send the transaction data managed in the memory unit to the second server 20.

[0043] Like the kiosk 100, the menu board 200, the kitchen display 300, and the order display 400 are standalone devices that can operate independently by acquiring the necessary software programs and data from the first server 10 and the second server 20 and storing them in a memory unit. This allows the store to continue operating using the kiosk 100, etc., even if a communication failure occurs with the first server 10 or the second server 20.

[0044] The second server 20 can update the product display on each device. The operator of the second server 20 can update the display of product data on all devices connected to the second server 20 simply by preparing updated product data on the second server 20. For example, if the type and price of a product are updated on the second server 20, the product display is updated on all kiosks 100 connected to the second server 20. Similarly, the product display is updated on all digital menu boards 200 connected to the second server 20.

[0045] The second server 20 can manage sales information based on data such as the type, price, and quantity of products sold to customers. The second server 20 can generate reports including the sales information. The reports may also include the results of an analysis of the sales status of the products. The store clerk can check the reports generated by the second server 20.

[0046] In this way, the product sales system 1 can realize a POS system that sells products to customers using the first server 10, the second server 20, and devices such as the kiosk 100. In addition, if a store has a POS server 30 that has traditionally been used in the store, the product sales system 1 can realize a POS system that includes this POS server 30, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1(a).

[0047] The kiosk 100 can acquire product data from the POS server 30, and use a software program in the data conversion process 140 to convert data such as the name, image, and price of each product included in the product data, thereby executing optimization processing to suit the kiosk 100. When acquiring product data from the POS server 30, the kiosk 100 can display a menu screen of products available for purchase by customers on the screen of the display device and accept orders, just as when acquiring product data from the second server 20.

[0048] The kiosk 100 can use the software program of the data conversion process 140 to convert the transaction data into data that can be processed by the POS server 30 and transmit the converted data to the POS server 30. The kiosk 100 can also transmit the transaction data to the second server 20, and the second server 20 can then transmit the transaction data to the POS server 30.

[0049] As a result, the product sales system 1 can sell products in a pattern selected by the store from three patterns, first to third patterns, shown in FIG. 1(b). In the first pattern, among the POS functions, both the process related to product management of the products to be sold and the process related to sales management of the products sold are performed by the second server 20. In the second pattern, the process related to product management is performed by the second server 20, but the process related to sales management is performed by the POS server 30. In the third pattern, the second server 20 is not used, and both the process related to product management and the process related to sales management are performed by the POS server 30. Each pattern will be explained below using the kiosk 100 as an example.

[0050] 3 is a diagram illustrating a first pattern of a product sales system 1. The first server 10 provides the kiosk 100 with a software program that realizes kiosk functions, and can update the software program of the kiosk 100 as needed (A1). The kiosk 100 obtains the software program from the first server 10 and executes it to realize the user interface 110 of the kiosk 100.

[0051] The kiosk 100 acquires product data from the second server 20 (B1). The kiosk 100 acquires the product data from the second server 20 using a software program for product data processing 130. The kiosk 100 converts data such as the name, image, and price of each product included in the product data, and performs optimization processing to fit the display device provided in the kiosk 100 to generate a menu screen.

[0052] For example, the product data is processed by a software program for data conversion processing 140 and a predetermined software program possessed by the first server 10 to generate a menu screen. The software program for data conversion processing 140 converts the data of each product included in the product data into data that can be processed by the kiosk 100. Such a software program is sometimes called a bridge program. Note that the menu screen generation process may be performed only by software programs within the kiosk 100, such as the product data processing 130 and data conversion processing 140 of the kiosk 100, without using the first server 10, or may be performed only by the first server 10.

[0053] The kiosk 100 displays the generated menu screen (C1) and accepts orders from customers (C2). The kiosk 100 then executes a payment process for the product price (C3). These processes are carried out using the kiosk user interface 110, and as necessary, controlling various devices using software programs for peripheral device control processing 150 and external device control processing 160.

[0054] The kiosk 100 generates transaction data including the type, price, and quantity of the product ordered by the customer and transmits it to the second server 20 (B2). The processing of the transaction data is performed by a software program of the transaction data processing 120.

[0055] 4 is a diagram for explaining the second pattern of the product sales system 1. Unlike the first pattern, the second pattern of the product sales system 1 includes a POS server 30.

[0056] When a store that has previously used a POS server 30 newly introduces a product sales system 1 and requests that sales information continue to be managed by the conventional POS server 30, the product sales system 1 is introduced in the second pattern. Below, the explanation of the processes common to the first pattern will be omitted, and the differences from the first pattern will be mainly explained.

[0057] The product sales system 1 of the second pattern differs from the first pattern only in that the second server 20 outputs sales data to the POS server 30 (B3). As described in the first pattern, transactions with customers are conducted using the kiosk 100, and transaction data regarding the products sold to the customers is managed by the second server 20.

[0058] The second server 20 generates sales data in a format that can be processed by the POS server 30 and transmits it to the POS server 30. For example, if data related to sales in a predetermined format was previously transmitted from a cash register terminal to the POS server 30, the second server 20 generates sales data in the same predetermined format and transmits it to the POS server 30. This allows the POS server 30 to process sales data in the same way as before the introduction of the product sales system 1.

[0059] 5 is a diagram illustrating a third pattern of the product sales system 1. The third pattern of the product sales system 1 does not use the second server 20. In the first and second patterns, the second server 20 provides all or part of the POS functions, but in the third pattern, all of the POS functions are provided by a conventional POS server 30.

[0060] When a store that has previously used a POS server 30 introduces a new product sales system 1 and wishes to continue using the POS function of the conventional POS server 30, the product sales system 1 is introduced in the third pattern. Below, the explanation of the processes common to the first and second patterns will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the differences from the first and second patterns.

[0061] In the third pattern, the kiosk 100 transmits and receives various data to and from the POS server 30, not the second server 20. The first server 10 provides the kiosk 100 with a bridge program for data conversion processing 140 for transmitting and receiving data between the kiosk 100 and the POS server 30 (A1).

[0062] The kiosks 100 of the first and second patterns acquire product data from the second server 20, but the kiosk 100 of the third pattern acquires product data from the POS server 30 (D1).

[0063] The kiosk 100 processes the product data and generates a menu screen including the names, images, prices, etc. of the products for sale. An optimization process is performed to adapt the data, such as the name, image, and price of each product included in the product data received from the POS server 30, to the display device provided in the kiosk 100, and the menu screen is generated.

[0064] The kiosk 100 displays a menu screen (C1), accepts an order from a customer (C2), and executes a payment process for the product price (C3). The kiosk 100 generates transaction data including the type, price, and quantity of the product ordered by the customer. These processes are executed in the same manner as in the first and second patterns.

[0065] The kiosk 100 transmits the transaction data to the POS server 30 by the bridge program of the data conversion process 140 (D2). The kiosk 100 converts the transaction data into data that the POS server 30 can process and transmits it. For example, if transaction-related data in a predetermined format was previously transmitted from a cash register terminal to the POS server 30, the kiosk 100 generates transaction data in the same predetermined format and transmits it to the POS server 30. This allows the POS server 30 to process the transaction data in the same way as before the introduction of the product sales system 1.

[0066] In this way, the kiosk 100 can operate while using product data managed by the conventional POS server 30. The process related to generating a menu screen for the kiosk 100 may be performed by the kiosk 100, may be performed in cooperation between the kiosk 100 and the first server 10, or may be performed by the first server 10. The process related to transaction data may also be performed by the kiosk 100, may be performed in cooperation between the kiosk 100 and the first server 10, or may be performed by the first server 10.

[0067] 3 to 5, various devices such as a digital menu board 200, a kitchen display 300, and an order-ready board 400 may be used, as described in Figures 1 and 2. Also in the examples of Figures 3 to 5, peripheral devices may be used by a software program of peripheral device control processing 150, and external devices may be used by a software program of external device control processing 160, as described in Figure 1.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the product sales system 1 is used by a plurality of stores. As shown in FIG. 6, the first server 10 manages each device used by each of the plurality of stores. The first server 10 assigns a store ID (store identification number) to each of the plurality of stores, and can manage the devices of each store separately. The first server 10 assigns a device ID (device identification number) to each of the plurality of devices, and can manage each device.

[0069] 6, the first server 10 can manage the type of software program provided to each device and the target company that indicates which of multiple companies each software program is for. The type of software program and the target company can be changed by operating a terminal connected to the first server 10.

[0070] Even if the first server 10 is a device with the same hardware configuration, it can operate as a kiosk 100 or as a device other than a kiosk by changing the type of software program. Even if the first server 10 is a device with the same hardware configuration, it can operate as a kiosk 100 for company A or as a kiosk 100 for company B by changing the target company.

[0071] Similarly, for other devices such as the digital menu board 200, kitchen display 300, and order ready board 400, the functions and operations of each device can be changed or the target company can be changed by changing the type of software program and target company provided by the first server 10.

[0072] 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of use of the kiosk 100. The kiosk 100 of the product sales system 1 can execute processes related to the sales of products sold by other stores and by other companies, in addition to processes related to the sales of products at each store. Customers can use the kiosk 100 to request services that are not provided at the store where the kiosk 100 is installed, or to purchase products that are out of stock at the store.

[0073] The first server 10 provides the kiosk 100 with a software program that enables product purchases from other companies' online sales sites and the company's own online sales site, thereby enabling online purchases of products using the kiosk 100.

[0074] 7, the kiosk 100 can send and receive data via the second server 20 to and from an external server 40 that provides products and services not provided by the store. When a customer performs a predetermined operation on the menu screen of the kiosk 100, the kiosk 100 obtains product data including information about the products and services from the external server 40. The kiosk 100 converts the product data and displays it as a menu screen optimized for the display device provided in the kiosk 100.

[0075] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the screen of kiosk 100 is divided into multiple areas, with the main area displaying the menu screen of the store in which kiosk 100 is installed, and the sub-area displaying a menu screen generated from product data from external server 40.

[0076] When a customer operates the kiosk 100 to order a product or service, enters the required information for the order, and executes the payment process, the transaction data is sent to the external server 40 via the second server 20, and the transaction is completed. The external server 40 executes the process to provide the customer with the product or service that the customer ordered.

[0077] For example, if a customer wants to have food ordered at kiosk 100 delivered by a food delivery service, the customer can operate kiosk 100 to order food on the menu screen in the main area and request delivery on the menu screen in the sub-area.

[0078] For example, if a product that cannot be purchased at the store where the kiosk 100 is installed is available for purchase on the online sales site of the company to which the store belongs, a customer can operate the kiosk 100 to purchase the product on the online sales site displayed in the sub-area and have the product delivered to their home or the store.

[0079] The method of dividing the screen of the kiosk 100 into multiple areas is not limited to the above example. A menu based on the product data of the second server 20 may be displayed in the main area shown in FIG. 7, and a different menu may be displayed in the sub-area. For example, the main area may display the grand menu of the company to which the store belongs, and the sub-area may display a menu unique to each store. The menu unique to each store may be prepared using a predetermined operation terminal installed in the store and communicably connected to the kiosk 100.

[0080] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the price of products purchased by a customer is settled by electronic payment, but the price of the products may also be settled by cash payment. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , a cash processing device 500 installed in a product sales area may cooperate with a kiosk 100 to perform a deposit process for receiving cash for the price of products purchased by a customer at the kiosk 100, and may also perform a withdrawal process for returning change to the customer as necessary. Cash payment may be performed using a conventionally known device, such as a cash register equipped with the cash processing device 500, a self-service checkout device, or a semi-self-service checkout device. The cash processing device 500 may also be built into the kiosk 100.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 8 , a large cash processing device 600 capable of processing larger amounts of cash than cash processing device 500 may be installed in an office area of ​​a store called a back office, and the cash processing device 600 may perform the dispensing process of cash to be replenished to cash processing device 500 and the depositing process of cash collected from cash processing device 500.

[0082] An embodiment may also be provided in which a third server 50 is provided to manage inventory information of the cash processing devices 500, 600. The inventory information is information including the denominations of cash stored in each of the cash processing devices 500, 600 and the number of coins by denomination. An embodiment may also be provided in which the third server 50 managing the inventory information of the cash processing device 500 detects a change in the amount of cash stored in the cash processing device 500 and automatically executes a notification process to prompt a store clerk to replenish or collect cash. An embodiment may also be provided in which the third server 50 managing the inventory information of the cash processing device 600 detects a change in the amount of cash stored in the cash processing device 600 and automatically executes a request process to request a predetermined organization such as a security company to replenish or collect cash.

[0083] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the product sales system 1 includes a first server 10 that executes device-related processing and a second server 20 that executes POS-related processing, but the functions and operations of each server may also be realized by multiple servers.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, two servers, the second server 22 and the third server 23, may execute POS-related processes. For example, the second server 22 executes processes related to product sales, such as managing information about products sold in the store and displaying menus, while the third server 23 executes processes related to product sales, such as managing and analyzing transaction data for products sold in the store. In the first pattern shown in FIG. 3 and the second pattern shown in FIG. 4, the second server 22 and the third server 23 may be used instead of the second server 20. The above-mentioned POS-related processes may be divided into multiple parts, and each part may be executed by a separate server. Similarly, with respect to the first server 10, for example, a software program related to product sales and a software program related to controlling peripheral devices and external devices may be provided by separate servers.

[0085] FIG. 2 of the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the product sales system 1 includes the first server 10, the second server 20, and devices such as the kiosk 100. However, this configuration is merely a functional schematic, and the product sales system 1 is not limited to this physical configuration. For example, the first server 10 may implement some or all of the functions and operations of the second server 20 described above. The second server 20 may implement some of the functions and operations of the first server 10 described above. Similarly, FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the product sales system 1 includes the third server 50. However, some or all of the functions and operations of the third server 50 described above may be implemented by the first server 10 or the second server 20. The form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the above example. All or some of the devices may be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0086] The product sales system according to the present invention is useful for flexibly responding to the needs of a store when the system is introduced into the store. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Product sales system 10, 20, 30, 50 server devices 100 Kiosks 200 Digital Menu Boards 300 Kitchen Display 400 Order Ready Board 500, 600 Cash processing equipment

Claims

1. a first server that provides a software program for realizing a kiosk function; a kiosk that acquires the software program from the first server, executes it, displays information about products sold by the store, and accepts orders from customers; Equipped with The kiosk transmits and receives data on products sold by the store and products ordered by customers between a selected one of the POS server and a second server that provides a POS function. A product sales system characterized by:

2. a first pattern including the first server, the second server, and the kiosk; a second pattern including the first server, the second server connected to a POS server, and the kiosk; a third pattern including the first server, a POS server, and the kiosk; Of these, The kiosk can sell products in any one of the selected patterns.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

3. In the first pattern, the second server executes a process related to product management and a process related to sales management, In the second pattern, the second server executes the process related to the product management, and the POS server that acquires sales information from the second server executes the process related to the sales management, In the third pattern, the POS server executes processes related to product management and sales management.

3. The product sales system according to claim 2.

4. the first server provides software programs corresponding to each of a plurality of companies including a first company and a second company; The same device, When a software program corresponding to the first company is executed, the device operates as a kiosk for the first company; When the software program corresponding to the second company is executed, the device operates as a kiosk for the second company.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

5. The first server is further capable of providing a software program for operating a device connected to the kiosk and used; The kiosk operates a device by acquiring from the first server a software program corresponding to the device connected to the kiosk and executing the software program.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

6. The first server can further provide a first software program that realizes the function of a first display that notifies a store clerk of the products ordered by the customer, and a second software program that realizes the function of a second display that notifies the customer of the progress of processing related to the products ordered by the customer, The product sales system further includes a first device that operates as the first display by acquiring the first software program from the first server and executing the first software program; and a second device that operates as the second display by acquiring and executing the second software program from the first server.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

7. The kiosk acquires product data from an external server that sells products that cannot be purchased at the store, displays information about the products, and accepts orders.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

8. The kiosk divides a display area into a plurality of areas including a first area and a second area, and displays information about products available for purchase at the store and accepts orders in the first area, and displays information about products available for purchase on the external server via the kiosk and accepts orders in the second area.

8. The product sales system according to claim 7.

9. By updating the software program in the first server, the functions of a plurality of kiosks that operate by acquiring the software program from the first server are updated collectively.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

10. By updating the product data in the second server, product displays are updated collectively in a plurality of kiosks that acquire and display the product data from the second server.

2. The product sales system according to claim 1.

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