Checkout device, semi-self-service POS system, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a checkout device, a semi-self-service POS system, a method, and a program for enabling work of a shop clerk to be efficient and enabling a risk of shoplifting by a customer to be reduced.SOLUTION: In the checkout device, a communication unit communicates with a registration device that registers purchased commodities of a customer based on an operation made by a shop clerk and receives a total amount of the purchased commodities from the registration device. After accepting a request for additionally purchased commodities from the customer, an information acquisition unit acquires identification information about the customer and identification information about the additionally purchased commodities based on an operation made by the customer. A commodity registration propriety determination unit determines whether to permit registration of the additionally purchased commodities based on credit information about the customer corresponding to the identification information about the customer. A commodity registration unit registers the identification information about the additionally purchased commodities when permitted. A payment calculation unit calculates a new total amount of the purchased commodities by adding a total amount of the additionally purchased commodities to the total amount of the purchased commodities. A settlement unit accepts settlement of the new total amount of the purchased commodities.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a settlement device, a semi-self-service POS system, a method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Semi-self-service POS systems are used for checkouts at supermarkets, etc. Semi-self-service POS systems include a registration device that allows a store clerk to register the items purchased by a customer, and a payment device that settles the payment for the registered purchased items.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a semi-self-service POS system. Specifically, in Patent Document 1, when a customer purchases additional items (i.e., items that are added to the purchased items at the checkout device after the purchased items are registered at the registration device), the checkout device photographs a barcode image of the additional purchased items in response to an operation by the customer. Then, the registration device registers the additional purchased items from the photographed image in response to an operation by a store clerk. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7359483 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, if a customer purchases additional items, a store clerk must register the additional purchase items in a registration device. Therefore, Patent Document 1 has a problem in improving the efficiency of the store clerk's work (for example, the amount of work and the working time).

[0006] To improve the efficiency of store clerk work, it would be possible to allow customers to register additional purchases at the payment device, but this would increase the risk of shoplifting by customers since they would have to handle the payment themselves.

[0007] In consideration of such issues, the present disclosure aims to provide a payment device, semi-self-service POS system, method, and program that can improve the efficiency of store clerk work and reduce the risk of shoplifting by customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The settlement device of the present disclosure is a communication unit that communicates with a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items of a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; and a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased items from the customer.

[0009] The semi-self POS system disclosed herein is a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items by a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items; a payment device connected to the registration device via a network, receiving the total amount of the purchased goods from the registration device, and calculating the total amount of the purchased goods based on an operation of the customer; a server connected to the settlement device via a network and storing the customer's identification information and the customer's credit information in association with each other; The settlement device an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from the server and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the customer's credit information; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; and a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased items from the customer.

[0010] The method of the present disclosure comprises: The computer communicate with a registration device that registers identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; A payment for the total amount of the newly purchased items is accepted from the customer.

[0011] The program of the present disclosure is communicate with a registration device that registers identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; The computer executes a process of accepting payment of the total amount of the newly purchased items from the customer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] By taking such issues into consideration, the present disclosure can provide a payment device, a semi-self-service POS system, a method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of store clerk work and reduce the risk of shoplifting by customers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a settlement device 100 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration and operation of a semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of a semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing an example of customer credit information stored by the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed operations of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of a semi-self-service POS system 300 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer 1000 according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and for clarity of explanation, duplicate explanations will be omitted as necessary.

[0015] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of the settlement device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a settlement device 100 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the settlement device 100 includes a communication unit 101, an information acquisition unit 102, a product registration possibility determination unit 103, a product registration unit 104, a billing calculation unit 105, and a settlement unit 106.

[0017] The communication unit 101 communicates with a registration device that registers the identification information of the customer's purchased items based on the store clerk's operation and calculates the total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device. After receiving a request for additional purchases from the customer, the information acquisition unit 102 acquires the customer's identification information and the identification information of the additional purchase items based on the customer's operation. The product registration permission determination unit 103 acquires the customer's credit information corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information and determines whether to permit registration of the additional purchase items based on the customer's credit information. If registration is permitted, the product registration unit 104 registers the identification information of the additional purchase items. The bill calculation unit 105 calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchase items to the total price of the purchased items. The settlement unit 106 accepts settlement of the new total price of the purchased items from the customer.

[0018] As described above, the settlement device 100 according to the first embodiment uses customer credit information, allowing customers whose creditworthiness meets the standard to purchase additional purchase items without a store clerk having to register the additional purchase items on a registration device. This allows the settlement device 100 to improve the efficiency of store clerk work. On the other hand, customers whose creditworthiness does not meet the standard cannot purchase additional purchase items without a store clerk having to register the additional purchase items. This allows the settlement device 100 to reduce the risk of shoplifting.

[0019] (Second embodiment) First, the schematic configuration and operation of a semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration and operation of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the present embodiment.

[0020] First, the general configuration of the semi-self-service POS system 200 will be described. 2, the semi-self-service POS system 200 includes a semi-self-service POS 10 and a store server 20. The semi-self-service POS 10 includes a registration device 11 and a payment device 12.

[0021] The registration device 11 is a device operated by a store clerk. The registration device 11 is installed, for example, at a cash register in a store. The registration device 11 registers the identification information of the products purchased by the customer based on the operation of the store clerk and calculates the total price of the purchased products.

[0022] The settlement device 12 is a device operated by a customer. The settlement device 12 is installed, for example, in a settlement area near the cash register of a store. The settlement device 12 is connected to the registration device 11 via a network. The settlement device 12 receives the total amount of the purchased items from the registration device 11 and settles the total amount of the purchased items based on the customer's operation.

[0023] The store server 20 is connected to the settlement device 12 via a network. The store server 20 stores customer identification information and customer credit information in association with each other.

[0024] Next, the general operation of the semi-self-service POS system 200 will be described. First, in step S11, a customer using a store lines up at a cash register and starts purchasing goods. Next, in step S12, the registration device 11 registers the goods purchased by the customer based on the operation of the store clerk.

[0025] Next, in step S13, the customer realizes that they forgot to buy an item after registering the purchased item. Next, in step S14, the customer searches for the additional purchased item (also called the forgotten item).

[0026] Next, in step S15, the customer starts purchasing the additional product. Next, in step S16, the settlement device 12 acquires the customer's identification information from the customer's membership card, etc. Next, in step S17, the settlement device 12 uses the customer's identification information to inquire about the customer's credit information from the store server 20.

[0027] Next, in step S18, the settlement device 12 determines whether to register the additional purchase items based on whether the customer's credit information meets the criteria (whether the credit information is OK or NG). If the customer's credit information is OK, the settlement device 12 registers the identification information of the additional purchase items (YES in step S18). On the other hand, if the customer's credit information is NG, the settlement device 12 notifies the customer and has the registration device 11 register the identification information of the additional purchase items again based on the operation of the store clerk (NO in step S18).

[0028] Next, in step S19, the settlement device 12 performs settlement processing for the registered purchased items, and then in step S20, the customer completes the purchase of the items.

[0029] Next, a detailed configuration of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to this embodiment.

[0030] <Registration Device 11> As shown in FIG. 3, registration device 11 includes screen display unit 111, reading unit 112, information acquisition unit 113, product registration unit 114, accounting calculation unit 115, and communication unit .

[0031] The screen display unit 111 is, for example, a touch panel display. The screen display unit 111 displays various information (for example, the results of reading the purchased item by the reading unit 112, which will be described later). The screen display unit 111 accepts operational inputs from a store clerk.

[0032] The reading unit 112 is, for example, a barcode reader. The reading unit 112 reads the identification information of the purchased item from the barcode attached to the purchased item. The reading unit 112 may also be a camera. The reading unit 112 takes an image of the purchased item and analyzes the image to read the identification information of the purchased item. The reading unit 112 may also be an RFID reader. The reading unit 112 reads the identification information of the purchased item from the RFID tag attached to the purchased item.

[0033] The information acquisition unit 113 acquires the identification information of the purchased item from the reading unit 112. The information acquisition unit 113 may also acquire the identification information of the purchased item from an operation input by a store clerk on the screen display unit 111. Furthermore, the product master (not shown) of the store server 20 stores information such as the product name and unit price in association with the identification information of each product. The information acquisition unit 113 refers to the product master of the store server 20 via the communication unit 116, and acquires information such as the product name and price of the purchased item that corresponds to the acquired identification information of the purchased item.

[0034] The product registration unit 114 registers the identification information of the purchased product acquired by the information acquisition unit 113 . The billing calculation unit 115 calculates the total price of the purchased items registered by the item registration unit 114. The billing calculation unit 115 transmits information about the registered purchased items (e.g., identification information of the purchased items, the total price, etc.) to the settlement device 12 via the communication unit 116, and stores the information in the settlement device 12. The billing calculation unit 115 may also transmit information about the registered purchased items (e.g., identification information of the purchased items, the total price, etc.) to the store server 20 via the communication unit 116, and store the information in the store server 20. The communication unit 116 communicates with both the settlement device 12 and the store server 20 via a network. The network may be, for example, a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. The communication may be wireless or wired.

[0035] <Payment device 12> The settlement device 12 comprises a screen display unit 121, a reading unit 122, an information acquisition unit 123, a product registration possibility determination unit 124, a product registration unit 125, a guidance unit 126, a billing calculation unit 127, a settlement unit 128, and a communication unit 129.

[0036] The screen display unit 121 is, for example, a touch panel display. The screen display unit 121 displays various information (for example, the results of reading an additional purchase item by a reading unit 122, which will be described later). The screen display unit 121 accepts operational inputs from the customer.

[0037] The reading unit 122 is, for example, a barcode reader. The reading unit 122 reads the identification information of the additional purchase item from a barcode attached to the additional purchase item. The reading unit 122 reads the customer's identification information from a barcode attached to the customer's membership card or the like. The reading unit 122 may also be a camera. The reading unit 122 takes an image of the additional purchase item and reads the identification information of the additional purchase item by analyzing the image of the additional purchase item. The reading unit 122 reads the customer's identification information by analyzing a barcode image on the customer's membership card or the like. The reading unit 122 may also be an RFID reader. The reading unit 122 reads the identification information of the additional purchase item from an RFID tag attached to the additional purchase item. The reading unit 122 reads the customer's identification information from an RFID tag attached to the customer's membership card or the like.

[0038] The information acquisition unit 123 acquires identification information of the additional purchase item from the reading unit 122. The information acquisition unit 123 refers to the item master (not shown) of the store server 20 via the communication unit 129, and acquires information such as the item name and unit price of the additional purchase item corresponding to the acquired identification information of the additional purchase item. The information acquisition unit 123 may acquire the identification information of the additional purchase item from an operation input by the customer on the screen display unit 121. The information acquisition unit 123 acquires the identification information of the customer from the reading unit 122. The information acquisition unit 123 may acquire the identification information of the customer from an operation input by the customer on the screen display unit 121.

[0039] The product registration possibility determination unit 124 acquires customer credit information corresponding to the customer's identification information from the customer DB21 of the store server 20. Here, the customer's credit information includes at least one of the customer's past store visit count, the customer's past total purchase amount, the customer's past purchase number, and the customer's past shoplifting history. The product registration possibility determination unit 124 then determines whether to permit registration of the additional purchase item based on the customer's credit information. Specifically, the product registration possibility determination unit 124 permits registration of the additional purchase item if the customer's credit information meets a predetermined standard. On the other hand, the product registration possibility determination unit 124 does not permit registration of the additional purchase item if the customer's credit information does not meet the standard.

[0040] If the product registration permission determination unit 124 permits the purchase of the additional purchase product, the product registration unit 125 registers the identification information of the additional purchase product acquired by the information acquisition unit 123 .

[0041] If the product registration permission determination unit 124 does not permit the purchase of the additional purchase product, the guidance unit 126 outputs a guidance message to the customer via the screen display unit 121 of the settlement device 12, informing the customer that the additional purchase product needs to be registered in the registration device 11. For example, the guidance unit 126 displays the guidance message on the screen display unit 121. Note that the guidance unit 126 is not limited to displaying the guidance message, and may also output the guidance message as sound or the like.

[0042] If there are additional purchased items, the billing calculation unit 127 obtains the total amount of the purchased items from the registration device 11 via the communication unit 129, and calculates a new total amount of the purchased items by adding the total amount of the additional purchased items to the total amount of the purchased items. The billing calculation unit 127 may also obtain the total amount of the purchased items from the store server 20. The billing calculation unit 127 may also send information about the additional purchased items (e.g., identification information of the additional purchased items, the total amount of the new purchased items, etc.) to the store server 20 via the communication unit 129, and update the information stored in the store server 20.

[0043] If there are additional purchased items, the settlement unit 128 requests the customer to settle the total amount of the newly purchased items calculated by the accounting unit 127. On the other hand, if there are no additional purchased items, the settlement unit 128 obtains the total amount of the purchased items from the registration device 11 via the communication unit 129, and requests the customer to settle the total amount of the purchased items.

[0044] The communication unit 129 communicates with both the registration device 11 and the store server 20 via the network.

[0045] <Store Server 20> The store server 20 includes a customer DB 21 and a communication unit 22. The customer DB21 stores customer credit information. The customer credit information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past, the number of items purchased in the past, and the customer's shoplifting history. Specifically, the customer credit information is shown in Figure 4 below.

[0046] 4 is a diagram showing an example of customer credit information stored by the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the customer credit information includes data items such as customer number, customer name, number of visits, purchase amount, number of items purchased, shoplifting history, most recent visit date, and registration date. Here, at least one of the customer number and customer name is treated as customer identification information.

[0047] The store server 20 also stores a product master (not shown) in which information such as product name and unit price is stored in association with identification information of each product.

[0048] The communication unit 22 communicates with the registration device 11 and the settlement device 12 via a network. The store server 20 may store information about the purchased products and additional purchased products of registered customers (for example, identification information, product name, total price, etc.). The store server 20 may also have a function to add, delete, or change customer credit information stored in the customer DB 21 from a predetermined terminal. The store server 20 may also have a function to refer to customer credit information from a predetermined terminal using a membership card, a dedicated app, or the like.

[0049] Next, detailed operations of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of detailed operations of the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to this embodiment.

[0050] First, a customer visits a store and brings the product they wish to purchase (hereinafter referred to as the "purchased product") to a cashier. The cashier operates the reading unit 112 of the registration device 11 to cause the reading unit 112 to read the identification information of the purchased product from the barcode attached to the purchased product.

[0051] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S101, the information acquisition unit 113 of the registration device 11 acquires the identification information of the purchased product from the reading unit 112. Next, in step S102, the product registration unit 114 registers the identification information of the purchased product acquired by the information acquisition unit 113. Next, in step S103, the billing calculation unit 115 calculates the total amount of the purchased items registered by the item registration unit 114. The billing calculation unit 115 then transmits the total amount of the purchased items to the settlement device 12 via the communication unit 116. The customer then goes to the checkout device 12 to pay for the purchased items.

[0052] Next, in step S104, the information acquisition unit 123 of the settlement device 12 determines whether the customer has any additional purchase items. For example, the information acquisition unit 123 presents the customer with a message via the screen display unit 121 asking whether they would like to purchase additional items. The information acquisition unit 123 determines whether the customer has any additional purchase items based on the customer's response to the message. For example, the information acquisition unit 123 can determine the customer's response to the message by detecting that the customer has pressed a button displayed on the screen display unit 121. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 123 may determine that the customer has any additional purchase items when the identification information of the additional purchase items is read by the reading unit 122.

[0053] If it is determined that there is an additional product to be purchased (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no additional product to be purchased (NO in step S104), the process proceeds to step S111.

[0054] Next, in step S105, the information acquisition unit 123 acquires the identification information of the additionally purchased item from the reading unit 122. At this time, the customer operates the reading unit 122 of the settlement device 12 to cause the reading unit 122 to read the identification information of the additionally purchased item from the barcode attached to the additionally purchased item. At this time, there may be multiple additionally purchased items.

[0055] Next, in step S106, the information acquisition unit 123 acquires the customer's identification information from the reading unit 122. At this time, the customer operates the reading unit 122 of the settlement device 12 to cause the reading unit 122 to read the customer's identification information from the barcode attached to the membership card.

[0056] Next, in step S107, the product registration possibility determination unit 124 acquires the customer's credit information corresponding to the customer's identification information from the customer DB 21 of the store server 20. The customer's credit information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of the customer's past purchases, the number of items purchased in the past, and the customer's past shoplifting history.

[0057] Next, in step S108, the product registration permission determination unit 124 determines whether the customer's credit information satisfies a predetermined standard. For example, a customer who has visited the store N times or more (N is a natural number) and has a shoplifting history of M or less (M is a natural number) satisfies the predetermined standard. If it is determined that the customer's credit information does not meet the predetermined standard (NO in step S108), registration of the additional purchase item is not permitted, and the process proceeds to step S111. On the other hand, if it is determined that the customer's credit information meets the predetermined standard (YES in step S108), registration of the additional purchase item is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S109.

[0058] If the process proceeds to step S111, the guidance unit 126 outputs a guidance message to the customer via the screen display unit 121 of the payment device 12, informing the customer that they need to re-register the additional purchase items on the registration device 11. This allows the customer to once complete the payment for the currently purchased items and then return to the cash register. The customer then lines up at the cash register and proceeds to re-register the additional purchase items on the registration device 11.

[0059] Next, in step S109, the product registration unit 125 registers the identification information of the additionally purchased product. Next, in step S110, the accounting calculation unit 127 obtains the total amount of the purchased items from the registration device 11 via the communication unit 129, and calculates a new total amount of the purchased items by adding the total amount of the additional purchased items to the total amount of the purchased items. Next, in step S111, the payment unit 128 accepts payment of the total amount of the purchased items from the customer.

[0060] As described above, the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the second embodiment uses customer credit information, allowing customers who meet the credit criteria to purchase additional purchase items without the need for a store clerk to register the additional purchase items in a registration device. Therefore, the semi-self-service POS system 200 can improve the efficiency of store clerk work. Furthermore, the semi-self-service POS system 200 eliminates the need for customers to line up again at a staffed cash register, saving customers time and preventing the cash registers from becoming overcrowded.

[0061] On the other hand, in the semi-self-service POS system 200, customers who do not meet the credit standard cannot purchase additional purchase items without a store clerk registering the additional purchase items. Therefore, the checkout device 100 can reduce the risk of shoplifting. Furthermore, the checkout device 100 can also reduce the risk of customers leaving the store after registering their purchases to search for additional purchases and pick up the items. Furthermore, the checkout device 100 can also reduce the risk of payment being put on hold when paying for additional purchases.

[0062] (Third embodiment) First, the configuration of a semi-self-service POS system 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the detailed configuration of the semi-self-service POS system 300 according to this embodiment.

[0063] 6, the semi-self-service POS system 300 basically has the same configuration as the semi-self-service POS system 200 according to the second embodiment. However, the semi-self-service POS system 300 further has the following configuration.

[0064] The store server 20 of the semi-self-service POS system 300 further includes a product DB 23. The product DB 23 stores identification information of products that customers are not permitted to purchase additionally (hereinafter, "products that cannot be purchased additionally"). Products that cannot be purchased additionally are, for example, expensive products, or other products that have a high risk of shoplifting. Furthermore, products that cannot be purchased additionally can be set in advance by someone related to the store.

[0065] After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from a customer, the product registration determination unit 124 of the checkout device 12 of the semi-self-service POS system 300 obtains identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item from the product DB 23. The product registration determination unit 124 determines whether the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item stored in the product DB 23. Based on the determination result, the product registration determination unit 124 determines whether to permit the purchase of the additional purchase item. Specifically, if the identification information of the additional purchase item and the identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item do not match, the product registration determination unit 124 permits the purchase of the additional purchase item that does not match. On the other hand, if the identification information of the additional purchase item and the identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item match, the product registration determination unit 124 does not permit the purchase of the matching additional purchase item.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the product DB 23 stores the identification information of products that cannot be additionally purchased, but it may instead store the identification information of products that the customer is permitted to purchase additionally (hereinafter, "products that can be additionally purchased"). In this case, if the identification information of the additional purchase product does not match the identification information of the product that can be additionally purchased, the product registration permission determination unit 124 does not permit the purchase of the mismatched additional purchase product. On the other hand, if the identification information of the additional purchase product matches the identification information of the product that can be additionally purchased, the product registration permission determination unit 124 permits the purchase of the matching additional purchase product.

[0067] As described above, the semi-self-service POS system 300 according to the third embodiment prevents additional purchases of products with a high shoplifting risk at the checkout device 12. Therefore, the semi-self-service POS system 300 can further reduce the risk of shoplifting.

[0068] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a computer 1000 according to this embodiment. Each device of the semi-self-service POS system 200 and the semi-self-service POS system 300 described above (the semi-self-service POS 10 (the registration device 11 and the payment device 12) and the store server 20) is realized by a computer 1000. As shown in FIG. 7 , the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a network interface 1003. The network interface 1003 may be used to communicate with a network node. The network interface 1003 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that complies with the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0069] The processor 1001 reads one or more programs, each containing a group of instructions for causing a computer to execute an algorithm (method) described using the drawings, from the memory 1002, and executes the read programs. The processor 1001 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 1001 may include multiple processors.

[0070] The memory 1002 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1002 stores programs. The memory 1002 may include storage located away from the processor 1001. In this case, the processor 1001 may access the memory 1002 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0071] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0073] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0074] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0075] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) a communication unit that communicates with a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items of a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased products from the customer. Payment device. (Appendix 2) The system further includes a guidance unit that outputs a guidance message to the customer indicating that the customer needs to register the additional purchase item in the registration device if the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted. 10. The payment device described in appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The product registration possibility determination unit A determination is made as to whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase product matches the identification information of a pre-stored additional purchase-prohibited product for which additional purchase is not permitted, and based on the determination result, a determination is made as to whether or not to permit the purchase of the additional purchase product. 10. The payment device described in appendix 1. (Appendix 4) The credit information is The information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past by the customer, the number of items purchased in the past by the customer, and the customer's shoplifting history in the past. 10. The payment device described in appendix 1. (Appendix 5) The product registration possibility determination unit The credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information is acquired from pre-stored information, and if the credit information of the customer satisfies a standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is permitted, and if the credit information of the customer does not satisfy the standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is not permitted. 10. The payment device described in appendix 1. (Appendix 6) The product registration possibility determination unit It is determined whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the pre-stored additional purchase unavailable item, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that does not match is permitted, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that matches is not permitted. 4. The payment device according to claim 3. (Appendix 7) a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items by a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items; a payment device connected to the registration device via a network, receiving the total amount of the purchased goods from the registration device, and calculating the total amount of the purchased goods based on an operation of the customer; a server connected to the settlement device via a network and storing the customer's identification information and the customer's credit information in association with each other; The settlement device an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from the server and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the customer's credit information; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased products from the customer. Semi-self POS system. (Appendix 8) The settlement device The system further includes a guidance unit that outputs a guidance message to the customer indicating that the customer needs to register the additional purchase item in the registration device if the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted. The semi-self-service POS system described in Appendix 7. (Appendix 9) The server storing identification information of a non-additional purchase product that is a product for which additional purchase is not permitted; The product registration possibility determination unit of the settlement device A determination is made as to whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item stored in the server, and based on the determination result, a determination is made as to whether or not to permit the purchase of the additional purchase item. The semi-self-service POS system described in Appendix 7. (Appendix 10) The credit information is The information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past by the customer, the number of items purchased in the past by the customer, and the customer's shoplifting history in the past. The semi-self-service POS system described in Appendix 7. (Appendix 11) The product registration possibility determination unit of the settlement device The credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information is acquired from the server, and if the credit information of the customer satisfies a standard, registration of the additional purchase product is permitted, and if the credit information of the customer does not satisfy the standard, registration of the additional purchase product is not permitted. The semi-self-service POS system described in Appendix 7. (Appendix 12) The product registration possibility determination unit of the settlement device Determine whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the additional purchase unavailable item stored in the server, and permit the purchase of the additional purchase item that does not match, and do not permit the purchase of the additional purchase item that matches. A semi-self-service POS system as described in Appendix 9. (Appendix 13) The computer communicate with a registration device that registers identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; Accept payment of the total amount of the newly purchased items from the customer. method. (Appendix 14) The computer If the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted, a message is output to the customer informing them that they need to register the additional purchase item in the registration device. The method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 15) The computer A determination is made as to whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase product matches the identification information of a pre-stored additional purchase-prohibited product for which additional purchase is not permitted, and based on the determination result, a determination is made as to whether or not to permit the purchase of the additional purchase product. The method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 16) The credit information is The information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past by the customer, the number of items purchased in the past by the customer, and the customer's shoplifting history in the past. The method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 17) The computer The credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information is acquired from pre-stored information, and if the credit information of the customer satisfies a standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is permitted, and if the credit information of the customer does not satisfy the standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is not permitted. The method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 18) The computer It is determined whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the pre-stored additional purchase unavailable item, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that does not match is permitted, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that matches is not permitted. The method described in Appendix 15. (Appendix 19) communicate with a registration device that registers identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; and causing the computer to execute a process of accepting payment of the total amount of the newly purchased goods from the customer. program. (Appendix 20) If the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted, the computer is further caused to execute a process of outputting a guidance message to the customer indicating that the customer needs to register the additional purchase item in the registration device. 19. The program described in Appendix 19. (Appendix 21) The computer is further caused to execute a process of determining whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase product matches identification information of a pre-stored product for which additional purchase is not permitted, and determining whether or not to permit the purchase of the additional purchase product based on the determination result. 19. The program described in Appendix 19. (Appendix 22) The credit information is The information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past by the customer, the number of items purchased in the past by the customer, and the customer's shoplifting history in the past. 19. The program described in Appendix 19. (Appendix 23) The computer further executes a process of acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, permitting registration of the additional purchase product if the customer's credit information satisfies a standard, and not permitting registration of the additional purchase product if the customer's credit information does not satisfy the standard. 19. The program described in Appendix 19. (Appendix 24) determining whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the pre-stored additional purchase unavailable item, and allowing the purchase of the non-matching additional purchase item and not allowing the purchase of the matched additional purchase item; 21. The program described in Appendix 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 11 Registration device 12, 100 Settlement device 20 Store Server (Server) 21 Customer DB 22 Communications Department 23 Product DB 111 Screen display section 112 Reading unit 113 Information Acquisition Department 114 Product Registration Department 115 Accounting Department 116 Communications Department 121 Screen display section 122 Reading unit 123, 102 Information acquisition section 124, 103 Product registration approval / disapproval determination section 125, 104 Product Registration Department 126 Information Department 127, 105 Accounting Department 128, 106 Settlement Department 129, 101 Communications Department 200, 300 Semi-self POS system 1000 computers 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 Network Interface

Claims

1. a communication unit that communicates with a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items of a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased products from the customer. Payment device.

2. The system further includes a guidance unit that outputs a guidance message to the customer indicating that the customer needs to register the additional purchase item in the registration device if the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted. The settlement device according to claim 1.

3. The product registration possibility determination unit A determination is made as to whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase product matches the identification information of a pre-stored additional purchase-prohibited product for which additional purchase is not permitted, and based on the determination result, a determination is made as to whether or not to permit the purchase of the additional purchase product. The settlement device according to claim 1.

4. The credit information is The information includes at least one of the number of times the customer has visited the store in the past, the total amount of purchases made in the past by the customer, the number of items purchased in the past by the customer, and the customer's shoplifting history in the past. The settlement device according to claim 1.

5. The product registration possibility determination unit The credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information is acquired from pre-stored information, and if the credit information of the customer satisfies a standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is permitted, and if the credit information of the customer does not satisfy the standard, the registration of the additional purchase item is not permitted. The settlement device according to claim 1.

6. The product registration possibility determination unit It is determined whether or not the identification information of the additional purchase item matches the identification information of the pre-stored additional purchase unavailable item, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that does not match is permitted, and the purchase of the additional purchase item that matches is not permitted. The settlement device according to claim 3.

7. a registration device that registers identification information of purchased items by a customer based on an operation by a store clerk and calculates a total price of the purchased items; a settlement device connected to the registration device via a network, receiving the total amount of the purchased goods from the registration device, and calculating the total amount of the purchased goods based on an operation of the customer; a server connected to the settlement device via a network and storing the customer's identification information and the customer's credit information in association with each other; The settlement device an information acquisition unit that acquires, after receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; a product registration permission determination unit that acquires credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from the server and determines whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the customer's credit information; a product registration unit that registers identification information of the additional purchase product if the registration is permitted; an accounting calculation unit that calculates a new total price of the purchased items by adding the total price of the additional purchased items to the total price of the purchased items; a settlement unit that accepts settlement of the total amount of the newly purchased products from the customer. Semi-self-service POS system.

8. The settlement device The system further includes a guidance unit that outputs a guidance message to the customer indicating that the customer needs to register the additional purchase item in the registration device if the purchase of the additional purchase item is not permitted. The semi-self-service POS system according to claim 7.

9. The computer a registration device that registers the identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on the operation of the store clerk and calculates the total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; Accept payment of the total amount of the newly purchased items from the customer. method.

10. a registration device that registers the identification information of the purchased items of the customer based on the operation of the store clerk and calculates the total price of the purchased items, and receives the total price of the purchased items from the registration device; After receiving a request for an additional purchase item from the customer, the system acquires identification information of the customer and identification information of the additional purchase item based on an operation by the customer; acquiring credit information of the customer corresponding to the customer's identification information from pre-stored information, and determining whether or not to permit registration of the additional purchase product based on the credit information of the customer; If the registration is permitted, register the identification information of the additional purchase product; Calculate a new total price of the purchased products by adding the total price of the additional purchased products to the total price of the purchased products; and causing the computer to execute a process of accepting payment of the total amount of the newly purchased goods from the customer. program.

Images