Article information processor and program

Abstract

To effectively operate a self-register.SOLUTION: An article information processor operated by a customer so as to register and settle articles includes: registration means for registering the articles; reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction that completes the registration of the articles by the registration means; and age verification means capable of executing age verification processing to confirm an age of the customer after receiving the registration completion instruction, when age verification articles requiring age verification are registered during a period until the registration completion instruction is received by the reception means. When the age verification article is registered during a period until the registration completion instruction is received, different controls for the age verification processing are executed depending on whether or not there is an intervention of a store clerk during the period until the registration completion instruction is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product information processing device, a product information processing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART So-called self-checkout registers are known, which are operated by customers themselves to register products and make payments (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-069574 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the operation of self-checkouts, for example in terms of convenience.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology for effectively operating self-checkout registers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a product information processing device for solving the above-mentioned problems is a product information processing device that can be operated by a customer to register and settle products, and is equipped with a registration means for registering products, a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the product registration by the registration means, and an age verification means that can execute age verification processing to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction if an age verification product that requires age verification has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received.When the age verification product has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the product information processing device executes different control of the age verification processing depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or not. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an example of the appearance of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration example of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 3] 10 is a display example of a registration settlement device. [Figure 4] 10 is a display example of a registration settlement device. [Figure 5] 10 is a display example of a registration settlement device. [Figure 6] 10 is a display example of a transaction status management device. [Figure 7] 10 is a display example of a transaction status management device. [Figure 8] 10 is a display example of a transaction status management device. [Figure 9] 10 is a display example of a transaction status management device. [Figure 10] 10 is a display example of a transaction status management device. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Sales System) The registration and settlement device 10 of this embodiment is one of the devices constituting a sales system 1 (not shown). The sales system 1 can be introduced into various business types (supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, home improvement stores, electronics retailers, etc.). In addition to the registration and settlement device 10, the sales system 1 also includes a transaction status management device 30 (not shown), a store controller 40 (not shown), and a headquarters server 50 (not shown). The registration and settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30, and the store controller 40 are installed in a store. These are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a LAN (which may be wired or wireless). The headquarters server 50 is installed outside the store (for example, at a headquarters or data center). The devices installed in the store (the registration and settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30, and the store controller 40) can communicate (directly or via the store controller 40) with a device installed outside the store (the headquarters server 50). The number of devices to be installed is not particularly limited. For example, four registration and settlement devices 10 may be installed in a store.

[0009] (Registration settlement device 10) The registration and settlement device 10 is a so-called fully self-service cash register that registers products based on customer operations and settles payments based on customer operations. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 executes a registration process for registering products and a settlement process for settling payments for registered products, and both processes are basically (originally) executed based on the customer's own operations. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 is basically operated by the customer, but may also be operated by a store clerk.

[0010] (Transaction status management device 30) The transaction status management device 30 is a device (e.g., a personal computer) that manages devices installed in a store (monitoring and controlling processing status, operating status, etc.). The transaction status management device 30 includes at least a CPU, a memory unit, a display unit (which may be configured as a touch panel), an operation unit (keyboard, mouse, etc.), and a communication unit. The transaction status management device 30 is capable of communicating with a printing device (not shown), and may output various information from the printing device. The transaction status management device 30 is used by store clerks.

[0011] (Store Controller 40) The store controller 40 is a server that mainly handles communication of information between devices installed inside the store and devices installed outside the store. The store controller 40 includes at least a CPU, a memory unit, and a communication unit.

[0012] It should be noted that devices other than those described above may be installed within the sales system 1 (inside the store). For example, the store may be equipped with a conventional cash register that registers products based on the operation of a store clerk and settles the bill based on the operation of the store clerk, or a group of semi-self-service devices (registration device, settlement device) that registers products based on the operation of a store clerk and settles the bill based on the operation of a customer.

[0013] Furthermore, within the sales system 1 (inside the store) may be installed a registration settlement device (sometimes referred to as registration settlement device 11) that has a customer display unit and a settlement unit (either a cash settlement unit or a non-cash settlement unit, or both) on one side (the customer side) and a clerk display unit on the other side (the clerk side; the side opposite the customer side), and that has multiple switchable operating modes. For example, similar to the registration settlement device 10, the registration settlement device 11 may have, as its operating modes, an operating mode (full self-service mode) in which products are registered based on customer operations and settlement is made based on the customer operations, and an operating mode (face-to-face mode, normal mode) in which products are registered based on clerk operations and settlement is made based on the customer operations.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 10. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the registration and settlement device 10. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Below, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of the configuration of the registration and settlement device 10 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

[0015] The registration and settlement device 10 includes a CPU 101, a memory unit 102, a display unit 103, a scanner unit 104, a card settlement unit 105, a change dispenser (cash settlement unit) 106, a printing unit 108, an audio output unit 109, an imaging unit 110, a communication unit 111, a sign pole 112, and a connection unit 113. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0016] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the registration and settlement device 10 by reading and executing programs stored in the memory unit 102. The memory unit 102 stores various information (for example, information referenced or generated by the CPU 101, information obtained from the outside, etc.). The memory unit 102 is a collective term for one or more various storage components (for example, memory or storage, such as RAM, ROM, hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.).

[0017] The display unit 103 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information (including image information). The display unit 103 is configured as a touch panel that can accept operations on the display screen. The scanner unit 104 optically reads various information. For example, the scanner unit 104 scans a code attached to a product and reads the product code (JAN code, etc.). The scanner unit 104 may also scan codes attached to various media (gift certificates, cards, store clerk name tags, etc.) and read the respective information.

[0018] The card settlement unit 105 is a settlement mechanism that accepts various cards (credit cards, prepaid cards such as transportation cards, cash cards for debit payments, point cards for point payments, etc.). The card settlement unit 105 may be composed of multiple components according to the cards to be read. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 may be equipped with multiple card settlement units 208, such as a first card settlement unit 105a for credit cards and a second card settlement unit 105b for prepaid cards.

[0019] The change dispenser 106 is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port for banknotes and coins, calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and outputs the change from the output port. When banknotes or coins are inserted into the input port, they are detected by a sensor (detecting that they have been inserted, detecting the number of coins by denomination, etc.).

[0020] The printing unit 108 prints and issues various media (receipts, bills, etc.). The audio output unit 109 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 109 outputs a confirmation sound, a warning sound, audio guidance, etc. The imaging unit 110, for example, images the operator (customer). The registration and settlement device 10 may be equipped with two or more imaging units 110, and may simultaneously capture images of the face and hands (near the insertion and ejection slots of the change dispenser 106). The communication unit 111 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (for example, the store controller 40, the transaction status management device 30, etc.).

[0021] The sign pole 112 has a light emitting unit 112a at its tip, and various information (such as calling a store clerk or operating status) is communicated depending on the light emitting state of the light emitting unit 112a. The sign pole 112 also has a small display unit 112b below the light emitting unit 112a, which displays various information. For example, the small display unit 112b displays the number of the device during standby (waiting for customers), and displays an image captured by the imaging unit 110 during operation. The connection unit 113 is connected to an age verification device (reader) 200. Details of the age verification device 200 will be described later.

[0022] The registration and settlement device 10 may be provided with a display unit separate from the display unit 103, on the back of the display unit 103, that displays various information to the store clerk. The registration and settlement device 10 may further include a human sensor that detects the presence of an operator (customer, etc.). The registration and settlement device 10 may be a cash-only machine (which may not include the card payment unit 105) or a credit card-only machine (which may not include the change dispenser 106).

[0023] (Age Verification Device 200) The age verification device 200 is a device that verifies age using an age verification medium (e.g., a driver's license or a My Number card). The age verification device 200 includes at least a medium insertion unit 201 into which the age verification medium is inserted, a reading unit that reads information that can identify age (age identification information, for example, information indicating the age itself or information indicating the date of birth) from the age verification medium (such as an IC chip provided on the medium) inserted into the medium insertion unit, and a connection unit for connecting (communicating) with the registration and settlement device 10 (connection unit 113). When the age verification device 200 acquires age identification information from the age verification medium, it transmits the age identification information acquired from the age verification medium to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0024] The age verification device 200 may be provided with a judgment unit (CPU, etc.) that judges whether the person is 20 years of age or older based on the age identification information obtained from the age verification medium, and transmits the judgment result to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0025] When reading information from the age verification medium, it may be necessary to input information (such as a personal identification number, release number, or access number). In this case, the age verification device 200 may be provided with an input unit (for example, a touch panel or operation keys) to input the necessary information to the age verification device 200. Alternatively, the necessary information may be input to the registration and settlement device 10 and transmitted to the age verification device 200.

[0026] The age verification medium (such as an IC chip) may not store age identification information, and the age identification information may be obtained from an external device (such as a server) based on information stored in the age verification medium (such as medium identification information that identifies the age verification medium) (the age identification information may be inquired of (queried) from the external device). In this case, a communication unit may be provided in the age verification device 200, and the age verification device 200 may transmit medium identification information, etc. to the external device and receive age identification information from the external device. Alternatively, the age verification device 200 may transmit medium identification information, etc. to the registration and settlement device 10, which may transmit medium identification information, etc. to the external device and receive age identification information from the external device.

[0027] (Operations related to age verification products in the registration and settlement device 10) The registration and settlement device 10 does not verify the age of products that require age verification for sale (such as alcoholic beverages and tobacco, hereinafter referred to as age verification products) during the registration process (specifically, until the checkout button BT20, described later, is operated). In other words, when registering each product, the registration and settlement device 10 registers the product one after another without verifying the age, even if the product is an age verification product.

[0028] The registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification for age verification products at the registration processing stage, but may perform age verification for age verification products when proceeding from the registration processing to the payment processing (specifically, after operating the checkout button BT20). Specifically, if an age verification product is included in the registered products and a store clerk was not present (intervened) at the registration processing stage, the registration and settlement device 10 performs age verification for age verification products when proceeding from the registration processing to the payment processing.

[0029] A case where a store clerk intervened during the registration process means a case where a store clerk performed an operation during the registration process, and information was received from the transaction status management device 30 during the registration process to the effect that the age of the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 was confirmed to be 20 years of age or older. Therefore, a case where a store clerk did not intervene during the registration process means a case where a store clerk did not perform an operation during the registration process, and information was not received from the transaction status management device 30 during the registration process to the effect that the age of the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 was confirmed to be 20 years of age or older.

[0030] Based on the operation of the store clerk, the transaction status management device 30 transmits information to the registered settlement device 10 indicating that the age of the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 has been confirmed to be 20 years of age or older. Specifically, the store clerk operating the transaction status management device 30 may operate the Age OK button BT130 (described later) when he / she has confirmed (determined) that the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older. When the Age OK button BT130 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 transmits information to the registered settlement device 10 indicating that the age of the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 has been confirmed to be 20 years of age or older. Details will be described later.

[0031] Note that the confirmation by the store clerk operating the transaction status management device 30 that the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older is performed at a location away from the registered settlement device 10 (the location of the transaction status management device 30), and therefore age confirmation by the transaction status management device 30 (age confirmation by operating the age OK button BT130) is sometimes referred to as remote age confirmation. Furthermore, information sent from the transaction status management device 30 to the registered settlement device 10 after remote age confirmation (i.e., information that confirms that the age of the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older) is sometimes referred to as remote age confirmation information.

[0032] Age verification, which is performed when proceeding from registration processing to payment processing, can be performed by the customer themselves or by a store clerk. In the customer-initiated method, the customer has their own age verification medium read by the age verification device 200. In the store clerk-initiated method, a store clerk is called to the registration and payment device 10 and the store clerk confirms the customer's age.

[0033] That is, when the checkout button BT20 is operated, the registered settlement device 10 operates as follows (A1) to (A3) according to the situation at the time the checkout button BT20 is operated. (A1) If no age verification items are registered at the registration process stage, regardless of whether a store clerk was present at the registration process stage, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the checkout button BT20 is pressed. (A2) If one or more age verification items are registered at the registration process stage and a store clerk is present at the registration process stage, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the checkout button BT20 is pressed. (A3) If one or more items requiring age verification are registered at the registration process stage and a store clerk is not present at the registration process stage, age verification will be performed after the checkout button BT20 is pressed and before proceeding to the checkout process.

[0034] Alternatively, when the checkout button BT20 is operated, the registered settlement device 10 operates as described below in (B1) to (B3) depending on the situation at the time the checkout button BT20 is operated. (B1) If a store clerk is present during the registration process, regardless of whether an age verification product is registered during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the checkout button BT20 is pressed. (B2) If a store clerk is not present during the registration process and no age verification items have been registered during the registration process, the payment process will proceed without age verification after the checkout button BT20 is pressed. (B3) If a store clerk is not present during the registration process and one or more age verification items have been registered during the registration process, age verification will be performed after the checkout button BT20 is pressed and before proceeding to the checkout process.

[0035] Although the age verification after operating the checkout button BT20 has been described as a process between the registration process and the settlement process (i.e., a process that does not belong to either the registration process or the settlement process), the age verification after operating the checkout button BT20 may be considered as part of the registration process (the last process of the registration process) or as part of the settlement process (the first process of the settlement process).

[0036] (Operations related to age verification products in the transaction status management device 30) The transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registered settlement device 10 based on the operation of the store clerk (specifically, operation of the Age OK button BT130, which will be described later). In other words, when the store clerk operating the transaction status management device 30 determines that the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older, the store clerk operates the Age OK button BT130 (which will be described later), and the transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registered settlement device 10 based on the operation of the Age OK button BT130 by the store clerk.

[0037] (Display example of the registration settlement device 10) 3 to 5 are examples of displays on the registration and settlement device 10. FIG. 3(A) is a registration screen (initial registration screen). The registration and settlement device 10 displays the registration screen shown in FIG. 3(A) while on standby (waiting for a customer). The registration and settlement device 10 may display a standby screen (not shown) while on standby, and when a predetermined operation is performed on the standby screen (for example, operation of a start button displayed on the standby screen), display the registration screen shown in FIG. 3(A) instead of the standby screen.

[0038] The registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (as well as the other registration screens shown in Figures 3(B), 4(A) to 4(C), 5(B), and 5(C)) has a total information display area HR10 that displays total information about registered products, and a registration information display area HR11 that displays registration information for individual products.

[0039] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A) (as well as other registration screens) displays a checkout button BT20 for completing product registration and proceeding to the checkout process (checkout). Since no products have been registered on the registration screen shown in Figure 3(A), the checkout button BT20 is displayed in an inoperable mode (the dashed line in the figure indicates that it is displayed in an inoperable mode).

[0040] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in FIG. 3(A) (as well as other registration screens) displays preset buttons (preset keys) corresponding to products. For products that do not have barcodes, customers operate (touch) the preset buttons to register the products. For example, when the preset button for vegetables is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 displays preset buttons corresponding to each of the vegetables sold in the store.

[0041] Furthermore, the registration screen shown in FIG. 3(A) (the same applies to other registration screens and payment method selection screens (described later)) displays a store clerk call button BT10 and language change buttons BT13 to BT15. When the store clerk call button BT10 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 executes a store clerk call process. As the store clerk call process, the registration and settlement device 10 causes the light-emitting unit 112a of the sign pole 112 to emit light in a predetermined manner. As the store clerk call process, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit a notification that a store clerk has been called (a store clerk call notification) to the transaction status management device 30, instead of or in addition to illuminating the sign pole 112. The registration and settlement device 10 may also transmit the store clerk call notification to a terminal carried by the store clerk (for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal).

[0042] The registration and settlement device 10 may execute different clerk call processes when the clerk call button BT10 is operated on one screen and when the clerk call button BT10 is operated on another screen. The clerk call process may also be executed by an operation other than the operation of the clerk call button BT10. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 executes the clerk call process when the clerk age confirmation button BT31 (described later) is operated.

[0043] Below, the screen transitions in the registration and settlement device 10 are explained separately for the transition from FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 3(B) to FIG. 3(C), the transition from FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 4(A) to FIG. 4(B) to FIG. 4(C) to FIG. 5(A), and the transition from FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 4(A) to FIG. 4(B) to FIG. 5(B) to FIG. 5(C) to FIG. 5(A). Note that in the transition from FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 4(A) to FIG. 4(B) to FIG. 4(C) to FIG. 5(A), and the transition from FIG. 3(A) to FIG. 4(A) to FIG. 4(B) to FIG. 5(B) to FIG. 5(C) to FIG. 5(A), it is assumed that no store clerk is involved in the registration process. In the following explanation, products that do not fall under the age verification product category are referred to as general products (or non-age verification products).

[0044] (Transition from Figure 3(A) to Figure 3(B) to Figure 3(C)) Fig. 3(B) is an example of a display when, following Fig. 3(A), a customer scans XX bento (general product), XX milk (general product), and XX natto (general product). When the registration and settlement device 10 registers XX bento (general product), XX milk (general product), and XX natto (general product) based on the customer's scanning operation from the state of Fig. 3(A), it displays a registration screen such as that shown in Fig. 3(B). On the registration screen shown in Fig. 3(B), since the products have been registered, the checkout button BT20 is displayed in an operable manner.

[0045] Figure 3(C) is an example of the display when a customer operates the checkout button BT20 following Figure 3(B). When a customer operates the checkout button BT20 from the state of Figure 3(B), the registration and settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen as shown in Figure 3(C). Note that while the registration screens shown in Figure 3(B) and Figure 3(A) are screens used in the registration process, the payment method selection screen is a screen used in the settlement process.

[0046] The payment method selection screen shown in Figure 3(C) (the same applies to the payment method selection screen shown in Figure 5(A)) displays payment method designation buttons corresponding to each payment method (settlement method, accounting method, and settlement method). The registered settlement device 10 displays a screen corresponding to the payment method designation button operated on the payment method selection screen and executes the settlement process corresponding to the payment method designation button. For example, when the cash designation button (the button labeled "Cash" in the figure) is operated on the payment method selection screen, the registered settlement device 10 displays a settlement screen for cash payment and executes the settlement process by cash, and when the credit card designation button (the button labeled "Credit" in the figure) is operated on the payment method selection screen, the registered settlement device 10 displays a settlement screen for credit card payment and executes the settlement process by credit card.

[0047] As described above, if no age verification items have been registered at the registration processing stage, the registration and settlement device 10 will execute the settlement process without performing age verification after the checkout button BT20 is operated.

[0048] (Transition from Figure 3(A) to Figure 4(A) to Figure 4(B) to Figure 4(C) to Figure 5(A)) Fig. 4(A) is a display example when, following Fig. 3(A), a customer scans XX bento (general product), XX beer (age verification product), XX milk (general product), and XX natto (general product). When the registration and settlement device 10 registers XX bento (general product), XX beer (age verification product), XX milk (general product), and XX natto (general product) based on the customer's scanning operation from the state of Fig. 3(A), it displays a registration screen such as that shown in Fig. 4(A). On the registration screen shown in Fig. 4(A), because the products have been registered, the checkout button BT20 is displayed in an operable state.

[0049] Figure 4(B) is an example of the display when the customer operates the checkout button BT20 following Figure 4(A). When the customer operates the checkout button BT20 from the state of Figure 4(A), the registration settlement device 10 displays a small screen SG01 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 4(B).

[0050] The small screen SG01 shown in FIG. 4(B) notifies the user that there is an age verification product and displays a message MS01 prompting the user to select (specify) the age verification method. The small screen SG01 also displays age verification designation buttons corresponding to the respective age verification methods. Specifically, the small screen SG01 displays a customer age verification button BT30 corresponding to the customer-initiated method (a method in which the customer has the age verification device 200 read their own age verification medium) and a store clerk age verification button BT31 corresponding to the store clerk-initiated method (a method in which the store clerk is called and the store clerk confirms the user's age). The small screen SG01 also displays a back button BT32. When the back button BT32 is operated, the registration settlement device 10 returns to the display before the checkout button BT20 was operated (the display in FIG. 4(A)).

[0051] Figure 4(C) is an example of the display when the customer operates the customer age confirmation button BT30 following Figure 4(B). When the customer operates the customer age confirmation button BT30 from the state of Figure 4(B), the registration and settlement device 10 displays small screen SG02 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 4(C). Note that the registration and settlement device 10 may display small screen SG02 instead of small screen SG01, or may display small screen SG02 in front of small screen SG01.

[0052] The small screen SG02 shown in Figure 4(C) displays a message MS02 instructing the age verification medium (in this figure, a driver's license or My Number card) to be read by the age verification device (reader) 200, and an image (animation, etc.) GA02 relating to the reading of the age verification medium by the age verification device 200. Also displayed on the small screen SG02 is a back button BT42. When the back button BT42 is operated, the registration and settlement device 10 returns to the display before the customer age verification button BT30 was operated (the display in Figure 4(B)).

[0053] Figure 5(A) is an example of a display following Figure 4(C) when the customer has had the age verification medium read by the age verification device 200. When the customer has had the age verification medium read by the age verification device 200 from the state of Figure 4(C) (when age verification has been completed), the registration and settlement device 10 displays a payment method selection screen such as that shown in Figure 5(A).

[0054] As described above, if an age verification product (XX beer) is registered at the registration processing stage and there is no store clerk intervention at the registration processing stage, the registration and settlement device 10 will perform age verification before proceeding to the settlement processing. Note that if there is store clerk intervention at the registration processing stage, the settlement processing will be executed without performing age verification after the checkout button BT20 is operated (i.e., the transition will be made from Figure 3(A) to Figure 4(A) to Figure 5(A)).

[0055] If the age verification is not completed from the state of Fig. 4(C) (for example, if the age cannot be read from the age verification medium, or if the age read from the age verification medium is under 20 years old), the registration and settlement device 10 may display the registration screen of Fig. 4(A) and execute a store clerk call process. Subsequently, the registration and settlement device 10 may cancel the registration of the age verification product (XX beer) based on a cancellation operation by the store clerk (the store clerk called by the registration and settlement device 10), and display a registration screen such as that of Fig. 3(B).

[0056] (Transition from Figure 3(A) to Figure 4(A) to Figure 4(B) to Figure 5(B) to Figure 5(C) to Figure 5(A)) Figure 5(B) is an example of the display when the customer operates the store clerk age confirmation button BT31 following Figure 4(B). When the customer operates the store clerk age confirmation button BT31 from the state of Figure 4(B), the registration and settlement device 10 displays a small screen SG03 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 5(B).

[0057] The small screen SG03 shown in Fig. 5(B) displays a message MS03 informing the user that a store clerk is being called. In other words, when the store clerk age confirmation button BT31 is operated, the registration settlement device 10 executes a store clerk call process and notifies the user that a store clerk is being called. In addition, a hidden button known to the store clerk (not known to the customer) is set on the small screen SG03.

[0058] Figure 5(C) is an example of a display when, following Figure 5(B), a store clerk (a store clerk called by the registration settlement device 10) operates a hidden button on small screen SG03. When the store clerk operates a hidden button from the state of Figure 5(B), the registration settlement device 10 displays small screen SG04 in front of the registration screen, as shown in Figure 5(C). Note that the registration settlement device 10 may display small screen SG04 instead of small screen SG03, or may display small screen SG04 in front of small screen SG03.

[0059] 5(C) displays a message MS04 instructing age verification. Also displayed on the small screen SG04 are a Yes button BT50 to be pressed if it is determined that the user is 20 years old or older, and a No button BT51 to be pressed if it is determined that the user is not 20 years old or older.

[0060] When the store clerk operates the Yes button BT50 from the state of FIG. 5(C), the registration settlement device 10 displays the payment method selection screen as shown in FIG. 5(A).

[0061] As described above, if an age verification product (XX beer) is registered at the registration processing stage and there is no store clerk intervention at the registration processing stage, the registration and settlement device 10 will perform age verification before proceeding to the settlement processing. Note that if there is store clerk intervention at the registration processing stage, the settlement processing will be executed without performing age verification after the checkout button BT20 is operated (i.e., the transition will be made from Figure 3(A) to Figure 4(A) to Figure 5(A)).

[0062] If the store clerk operates the No button BT51 from the state of Fig. 5(C), the registration and settlement device 10 may display the registration screen of Fig. 4(A). Subsequently, the registration and settlement device 10 may cancel the registration of the age verification product (XX beer) based on the cancellation operation of the store clerk, and display the registration screen as shown in Fig. 3(B).

[0063] (Example of display on the transaction status management device 30) 6 to 10 are examples of displays on the transaction status management device 30. It is assumed that four registered settlement devices 10 (numbers "1" to "4") are installed in the store.

[0064] Figure 6(A) is a detailed screen (individual screen) for managing (monitoring) the transaction status of registered settlement device 10 No. 1. For example, when a button specifying registered settlement device 10 No. 1 is operated on the initial screen (menu screen), the transaction status management device 30 displays the detailed screen shown in Figure 6(A). Note that the displays in Figures 3 to 5 are assumed to be displays of registered settlement device 10 No. 1.

[0065] The details screen shown in FIG. 6(A) (the same applies to the other details screens shown in FIG. 6(B) and FIG. 7 to FIG. 10) has a registered product display area HR101 that displays the registration information of the product in the registered settlement device 10 (registered settlement device 10 "1"), and a status display area HR102 that displays various statuses other than the registration information of the product in the registered settlement device 10. For example, if a customer registers a XX lunch box in the registered settlement device 10 "No. 1" from the state of FIG. 3(A), the transaction status management device 30 displays the XX lunch box in the registered product display area HR101 as shown in FIG. 6(A). In other words, when the registration settlement device 10 registers a product, it transmits the registration information of the product to the transaction status management device 30, and the transaction status management device 30 displays the registration information of the product in the registered product display area HR101.

[0066] The details screen also displays a register stop button BT110, a stop release button BT111, and an initial screen button BT112. The register stop button BT110 is a button for stopping (pausing) the registered settlement device 10. Since the registered settlement device 10 is currently being used by a customer, the stop button BT110 is displayed in an inoperable state. The stop release button BT111 is a button for releasing the stop of the registered settlement device 10. Since the registered settlement device 10 is not currently stopped (paused), the stop release button BT111 is displayed in an inoperable state. The initial screen button BT112 is a button for switching to the initial screen (menu screen).

[0067] Additionally, the details screen displays device designation buttons (device designation buttons BT121-124) for switching to the details screen of each registered settlement device 10 (registered settlement device 10 No. 1 to No. 4). Currently, the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 1 is displayed, so the device designation button BT121 for switching to the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 1 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0068] Furthermore, the details screen displays a list display button BT125 for switching to a list display screen that displays a list of the status of all registered settlement devices 10. When the list display button BT125 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 displays a list screen that is divided into four parts (a list screen that displays part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 1 in the upper left, part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 2 in the upper right, part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 3 in the lower left, and part or all of the details screen of registered settlement device 10 No. 4 in the lower right).

[0069] The details screen also displays an Age OK button BT130. The Age OK button BT130 is a button that is operated when it is determined that the customer operating the registered settlement device 10 is 20 years of age or older. When the Age OK button BT130 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 transmits remote age verification information to the registered settlement device 10.

[0070] Furthermore, the details screen displays a monitor screen BT131. The monitor screen BT131 is a button for displaying a captured image (image captured by the imaging unit 110) of the registered settlement device 10. For example, a store clerk operates the monitor screen BT131 before operating the age OK button BT130 (for example, when it is difficult to visually check due to the installation location, etc.). When the monitor screen BT131 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 displays, for example, a small screen displaying the captured image of the registered settlement device 10 in front of the details screen.

[0071] The details screen also displays a store clerk call button BT132. When the store clerk call button BT132 is operated, the transaction status management device 30 causes the registered settlement device 10 to execute a store clerk call process (that is, causes the registered settlement device 10 to operate as if the store clerk call button BT10 had been operated). For example, the transaction status management device 30 sends a store clerk call notification to the registered settlement device 10 based on the operation of the store clerk call button BT132, and the registered settlement device 10 that receives the store clerk call notification executes the store clerk call process in the same way as when the store clerk call button BT10 has been operated.

[0072] The details screen also notifies various information related to each registered settlement device 10. For example, it notifies that a store clerk is being called, that the change is nearly out, that the change is nearly full, that the receipt is nearly out, that age verification is required, etc. For example, a label R01 (label marked "Low Change") displayed near the device designation button BT123 for "No. 3" notifies that the registered settlement device 10 for "No. 3" is nearly out of change. Furthermore, a label R02 (label marked "Year") displayed near the device designation button BT124 for "No. 4" notifies that age verification is required at the registered settlement device 10 for "No. 4." Note that a label marked "Call" indicates that a store clerk is being called. Furthermore, a label marked "More Change" indicates that the change is nearly full. The receipt near end is indicated by a label that reads "low paper" or "low receipts," for example.

[0073] Figure 6(B) shows a display of a scene following Figure 6(A). Specifically, when a customer registers a XX bento and then a XX beer at the "No. 1" registration settlement device 10, the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen as shown in Figure 6(B).

[0074] 6(B), in addition to the XX beer, the registered product display area HR101 displays the XX beer. Also, because an age verification product (XX beer) has been registered, the detailed screen shown in FIG. 6(B) displays a label R02 near the "No. 1" device designation button BT121 to notify the user that age verification is required.

[0075] Figure 7 shows a display of a scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(A), in the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, if a customer registers XX bento, XX beer, XX milk, and XX natto, and if a store clerk operates the registration and settlement device 10 between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto, the transaction status management device 30 will display a details screen as shown in Figure 7.

[0076] 7, in addition to XX bento and XX beer, XX milk and XX natto are displayed in the registered product display area HR101. Also, because a store clerk intervened (specifically, an operation by the store clerk) during the registration stage at the registration settlement device 10, the status display area HR102 displays a message to that effect, "Age verification OK (operated by store clerk)." Also, because age verification has been performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 is erased, and the age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0077] Figure 8 shows a display of another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, as shown in Figure 4(A), in the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, if a customer registers XX bento, XX beer, XX milk, and XX natto, and if the remote age verification information is received in the registration and settlement device 10 between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto (that is, if the age OK button BT130 is operated in the transaction status management device 30 between the registration of XX beer and the registration of XX natto), the transaction status management device 30 will display a details screen such as that shown in Figure 8.

[0078] 8, in addition to XX bento and XX beer, XX milk and XX natto are displayed in the registered product display area HR101. Also, because a store clerk intervened at the registration stage at the registration settlement device 10 (specifically, because remote age verification information was received), the status display area HR102 displays a message to that effect, "Age verification OK (remote age verification)." Also, because age verification has been performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 is erased, and the age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0079] Figure 9 shows a display of another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, at the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, as shown in Figure 4(A), a customer registers "XX bento" and "XX beer", followed by "XX milk" and "XX natto", and without the intervention of a store clerk at the registration stage, the checkout button BT20 is pressed, and the small screen SG01 is displayed based on the operation of the checkout button BT20. The customer age confirmation button BT30 is pressed on the small screen SG01, and the small screen SG02 is displayed based on the operation of the customer age confirmation button BT30. If the customer has their own age verification medium read by the age verification device 200 and it is confirmed that they are 20 years of age or older, the transaction status management device 30 will display a details screen such as that shown in Figure 9.

[0080] 9, registered product display area HR101 displays XX bento, XX beer, as well as XX milk and XX natto. After operating checkout button BT20, age verification by age verification device 200 (age verification medium) confirmed that the customer was 20 years of age or older, and so a message to that effect, "Age verification OK (age verification device)," is displayed in status display area HR102. Furthermore, because age verification has been completed, label R02 near device designation button BT121 is erased, and age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0081] Figure 10 shows a display of another scene following Figure 6(B). Specifically, at the "No. 1" registration and settlement device 10, as shown in Figure 4(A), a customer registers "XX bento" and "XX beer", followed by "XX milk" and "XX natto", and without the intervention of a store clerk at the registration stage, the checkout button BT20 is pressed, and small screen SG01 is displayed based on the operation of the checkout button BT20, and the store clerk age confirmation button BT31 is pressed on small screen SG01, and small screen SG03 is displayed based on the operation of the store clerk age confirmation button BT31, and small screen SG04 is displayed based on the operation of the store clerk on small screen SG03 (operation of a hidden button), and when the Yes button BT50 is pressed on small screen SG04 (i.e., when the customer is confirmed to be 20 years of age by calling a store clerk to confirm their age), the transaction status management device 30 displays a detailed screen such as that shown in Figure 10.

[0082] 10, registered product display area HR101 displays XX bento, XX beer, as well as XX milk and XX natto. Furthermore, after operating the checkout button BT20, an operation was performed to call a store clerk to confirm the customer's age, and therefore the status display area HR102 displays a message to that effect, "Age verification OK (store clerk called)." Furthermore, because age verification has been performed, the label R02 near the device designation button BT121 has been erased, and the age OK button BT130 is displayed in an inoperable state.

[0083] Although not shown in the figures, the transaction status management device 30 may display in the status display area HR102 on the details screen of FIG. 6(B) (i.e., when an age verification product has been registered) that the age verification product has been registered (for example, displaying "Age verification required product registered"). If the age OK button BT130 is operated after displaying that the age verification product has been registered, the transaction status management device 30 may display (switch display) a message indicating that the age has been confirmed ("Age verification OK (remote age verification)") instead of the message indicating that the age verification product has been registered, as shown in FIG. 8, or may display (additionally display) a message indicating that the age verification product has been registered in addition to the message indicating that the age verification product has been registered. If a store clerk operates the registration settlement device 10 after displaying that the age verification product has been registered, the transaction status management device 30 may display (switch display) a message indicating that the age has been confirmed ("Age verification OK (store clerk operation)") instead of the message indicating that the age verification product has been registered, as shown in FIG. 7, or may display (additionally display) a message indicating that the age verification product has been registered in addition to the message indicating that the age verification product has been registered.

[0084] (Operation of the registration settlement device 10) 11 to 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the registration and settlement device 10. Specifically, FIGS. 11 to 14 show the basic flow of one transaction (from the start of registration to the completion of settlement) of the registration and settlement device 10. It is assumed that the registration and settlement device 10 is displaying a standby screen before the start of the flowchart in FIG. 11. It is also assumed that the remote age verification flag (described later) and the store clerk operation flag (described later) are not set (for example, they are set to "0" when the value can be either "0" or "1").

[0085] The flowchart in Fig. 11 is started when the start button displayed on the standby screen is operated. The flowchart in Fig. 12 is a continuation of the flowchart in Fig. 11. The flowchart in Fig. 13 is a continuation of the flowchart in Fig. 12 (or Fig. 14). The flowchart in Fig. 14 is a continuation of the flowchart in Fig. 12.

[0086] (Flowchart in Figure 11) Step S1: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information regarding the change and receipt to the transaction status management device 30 (the management device in the figure). For example, if there is no problem with the change, the registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that there are no problems with the change, and if there is no problem with the receipt, the registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 indicating that there are no problems with the receipt. Note that if the transaction status management device 30 receives information indicating that there are no problems with the change, it displays "Change OK" in the status display area HR102, and if it receives information indicating that there are no problems with the receipt, it displays "Receipt OK" in the status display area HR102. Next, proceed to step S2.

[0087] Step S2: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not the product has been scanned (the barcode attached to the product has been scanned by the scanner unit 104, or a preset button has been operated). If the product has been scanned (Step S2: YES), the process proceeds to Step S3. If the product has not been scanned (Step S2: NO), the process proceeds to Step S5.

[0088] Step S3: The registration and settlement device 10 registers the scanned product, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step S4. Step S4: The registration settlement device 10 transmits the product registration information to the transaction status management device 30. When the transaction status management device 30 receives the product registration information, it displays the product registration information in the registered product display area HR101. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0089] Step S5: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not remote age verification information has been received. If remote age verification information has been received (Step S5: YES), proceed to Step S6. If remote age verification information has not been received (Step S5: NO), proceed to Step S7. Note that the transaction status management device 30 sends remote age verification information when the age OK button BT130 is operated, and displays "Age verification OK (remote age verification)" in the status display area HR102, for example, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0090] Step S6: If the remote age verification flag is not set, the registration settlement device 10 sets it (changes the value from "0" to "1"). The remote age verification flag is a flag that indicates whether remote age verification has been performed in the transaction status management device 30 for the customer of the registration settlement device 10. When the remote age verification flag is set (value is "1"), it indicates that remote age verification has been performed. In addition to setting the remote age verification flag, the registration settlement device 10 may also notify the customer that their age has been verified (for example, displaying "Your age has been verified by a store clerk"). In other words, when the registration settlement device 10 receives remote age verification information, it may also notify the customer that their age has been verified.

[0091] Step S7: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether to start a store clerk operation (operation by a store clerk). As described above, the registration and settlement device 10 is basically operated by a customer, but may also be operated by a store clerk. Due to issues of operational authority and management, in order to allow the registration and settlement device 10 to recognize whether an operation is being performed by a customer or a store clerk, the store clerk may perform an operation (login operation) to declare the start of a store clerk operation before performing a substantial store clerk operation (product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc.). The operation to declare the start of a store clerk operation is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an operation to scan a code on the store clerk's name tag, or an operation of the store clerk call button BT10 and a hidden button on a small screen with a hidden button (for example, a small screen similar to the small screen SG03) that is displayed after the store clerk call button BT10 is operated.

[0092] That is, in step S7, the registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not an operation has been performed to announce the start of clerk operation (for example, scanning a code attached to the clerk's name tag, etc.). If clerk operation is to be started, that is, if an operation to announce the start of clerk operation has been performed (step S7: YES), the process proceeds to step S10. If clerk operation is not to be started, that is, if an operation to announce the start of clerk operation has not been performed (step S7: NO), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0093] Step S10: If the clerk operation flag is not set, the registered settlement device 10 sets it (changes the value from "0" to "1"). The clerk operation flag is a flag that indicates whether or not a clerk operation has been performed on the registered settlement device 10. When the clerk operation flag is set (value is "1"), this indicates that a clerk operation has been performed on the registered settlement device 10. Next, proceed to step S11. Step S11: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that a store clerk has operated. When the transaction status management device 30 receives the information that a store clerk has operated, it displays "Age verification OK (store clerk operation)" in the status display area HR102, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0094] Step S12: The registration and settlement device 10 executes processing according to the operation of the store clerk (effectively, the operation of the store clerk). For example, the registration and settlement device 10 executes product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc. based on the operation of the store clerk. Then, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0095] Step S13: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not to end the clerk operation (operation by the clerk). That is, the registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not an operation (logout operation) has been performed to declare the end of the specified clerk operation. If the clerk operation is to be ended, that is, if an operation to declare the end of the clerk operation has been performed (Step S13: YES), proceed to Step S15. If the clerk operation is not to be ended, that is, if an operation to declare the end of the clerk operation has not been performed (Step S13: NO), return to Step S12.

[0096] Step S15: The registered settlement device 10 determines whether the checkout button BT20 has been operated. If the checkout button BT20 has been operated (Step S15: YES), proceed to Step S16. If the checkout button BT20 has not been operated (Step S15: NO), return to Step S2.

[0097] Step S16: The registration settlement device 10 sends information to the transaction status management device 30 that the checkout button BT20 has been operated. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the checkout button BT20 has been operated, it displays "Checkout button operated" in the status display area HR102. Next, proceed to step S20 in Figure 12.

[0098] (Flowchart in Figure 12) Step S20: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether or not there are any age verification products among the products registered in step S3 of Figure 11. If there are any age verification products (step S20: YES), proceed to step S21. If there are no age verification products (step S20: NO), proceed to step S60 of Figure 13.

[0099] Step S21: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether the remote age verification flag is set. If the remote age verification flag is set (step S21: YES), proceed to step S60 in Figure 13. If the remote age verification flag is not set (step S21: NO), proceed to step S22.

[0100] Step S22: The registration and settlement device 10 determines whether the store clerk operation flag is set. If the store clerk operation flag is set (Step S22: YES), proceed to Step S60 in Figure 13. If the store clerk operation flag is not set (Step S22: NO), proceed to Step S30 in Figure 14.

[0101] (Flowchart in Figure 13) Step S60: The registration settlement device 10 displays a payment method selection screen, and then proceeds to step S61. Step S61: The registered settlement device 10 settles the payment based on the customer's operation using the payment method selected on the payment method selection screen. Specifically, the registered settlement device 10 displays a screen corresponding to the selected payment method, executes the settlement according to the selected payment method, and prints and issues a receipt. Next, proceed to step S62. Step S62: The registered settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that settlement has been completed. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that settlement has been completed, it may display "Settlement completed (XXX)" in the status display area HR102. The "XXX" in "Settlement completed (XXX)" indicates the payment method, such as "cash" or "credit card." Next, proceed to step S63. Step S63: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits transaction information, including product registration information and settlement information, to the store controller 40. The store controller 40, having received the transaction information from the registration and settlement device 10, transmits the transaction information received from the registration and settlement device 10 to the headquarters server 50. The transaction information may be used for sales management, product management (POS), customer management, etc. Next, proceed to step S64.

[0102] Step S64: If the flag is set, the registration and settlement apparatus 10 clears the remote age verification flag (changes the value from "1" to "0"), and then proceeds to step S65. Step S65: If the flag is set, the registered settlement device 10 clears the store clerk operation flag (changes the value from "1" to "0"), and then this flowchart ends.

[0103] (Flowchart in Figure 14) Step S30: The registration and settlement device 10 displays a screen for selecting an age verification method. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 displays a small screen SG01 (see FIG. 4(B)). Then, the process proceeds to step S31.

[0104] Step S31: The registration settlement device 10 determines whether or not a selection has been made for the customer to confirm their own age. For example, if the customer age confirmation button BT30 on the small screen SG01 is operated, the registration settlement device 10 determines that a selection has been made for the customer to confirm their own age. If a selection has been made for the customer to confirm their own age (Step S31: YES), proceed to Step S42. If a selection has not been made for the customer to confirm their own age (Step S31: NO), proceed to Step S32. Step S32: The registration settlement device 10 determines whether or not a selection has been made to have a store clerk confirm the age. For example, if the store clerk age confirmation button BT31 on the small screen SG01 is operated, the registration settlement device 10 determines that a selection has been made to have a store clerk confirm the age. If a selection has been made to have a store clerk confirm the age (Step S32: YES), proceed to Step S50. If a selection has not been made to have a store clerk confirm the age (Step S32: NO), return to Step S31.

[0105] Step S42: The registration and settlement apparatus 10 instructs the age verification apparatus 200 to read the age verification medium. For example, the registration and settlement apparatus 10 displays the small screen SG02 (see FIG. 4(C)). Then, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0106] Step S43: The registration and settlement device 10 reads the age verification medium using the age verification device 200. After step S43, the registration and settlement device 10 is assumed to have verified the user's age (20 years or older). In other words, after step S43, the registration and settlement device 10 is assumed to have acquired, from the age verification device 200, either age identification information that can identify the user as being 20 years or older, or a determination result that the user is 20 years or older. The process then proceeds to step S44.

[0107] Step S44: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that the age (20 years or older) has been confirmed by the age verification device 200. When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the age has been confirmed by the age verification device 200, it displays "Age verification OK (age verification device)" in the status display area HR102, as shown in FIG. 9, for example. Then, proceed to step S60 in FIG. 13.

[0108] Step S50: The registration and settlement device 10 notifies the customer that a store clerk is being called. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 displays the small screen SG03 (see FIG. 5(B)). Then, the process proceeds to step S51. Step S51: The registration and settlement device 10 accepts a predetermined operation by a store clerk. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 accepts an operation of a hidden button on the small screen SG03. Then, the process proceeds to step S52. Step S52: The registration and settlement device 10 displays a screen for confirming the user's age (20 years or older). For example, the registration and settlement device 10 displays the small screen SG04 (see FIG. 5(C)). Then, the process proceeds to step S53. Step S53: The registration and settlement device 10 accepts an operation by the store clerk to confirm the customer's age (20 years or older). For example, the registration and settlement device 10 accepts an operation of the Yes button BT50 on the small screen SG04. Then, the process proceeds to step S54.

[0109] Step S54: The registration and settlement device 10 transmits information to the transaction status management device 30 that the store clerk has confirmed the customer's age (20 years or older). When the transaction status management device 30 receives information that the store clerk has confirmed the customer's age, it displays "Age confirmation OK (call store clerk)" in the status display area HR102, as shown in FIG. 10. The process then proceeds to step S60 in FIG. 13.

[0110] (Supplementary information on the flowchart, etc.) (1) As shown in the flowchart of Figure 11, the registration and settlement device 10 can receive remote age verification information at any time before operating the checkout button BT20 (regardless of whether or not a product including an age verification product has been registered, or whether or not the age verification product has been registered). If the registration and settlement device 10 receives remote age verification information before operating the checkout button BT20, it will not perform age verification after operating the checkout button BT20, regardless of whether or not an age verification product has been registered (step S21 in Figure 12).

[0111] (2) As shown in the flowchart of Figure 11, the registration and settlement device 10 can accept an operation (login operation) declaring the start of store clerk operation at any timing before operating the checkout button BT20. If the registration and settlement device 10 accepts an operation declaring the start of store clerk operation before operating the checkout button BT20, it will not perform age verification after operating the checkout button BT20, regardless of whether an age verification product has been registered (step S22 in Figure 12).

[0112] (3) This is also related to (2) above, but the processing of step S12 in FIG. 11 is omitted if there is no clerk operation (actual clerk operation). Therefore, the registration and settlement device 10 sets the clerk operation flag (step S10) based on an operation (login) declaring the start of clerk operation (step S7 (YES)) and sends information to the transaction status management device 30 that a clerk operation has been performed (step S11). However, if there is an operation (logout) declaring the end of clerk operation without any clerk operation (actual clerk operation) (step S13 (YES)), the registration and settlement device 10 does not perform product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc. In other words, if a clerk has logged in before operating the checkout button BT20 (step S7 (YES)), the registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification after operating the checkout button BT20, regardless of whether the clerk has performed product registration, product cancellation, various settings, etc. (step S22 in FIG. 12).

[0113] (4) In relation to steps S42 to S44 in FIG. 14, if the registration and settlement apparatus 10 is able to confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time from the instruction to read the age verification medium by the age verification device 200, the registration and settlement apparatus 10 may transmit information to the transaction status management device 30 that the age has been confirmed. In other words, if the registration and settlement apparatus 10 is unable to confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time from the instruction to read the age verification medium, the registration and settlement apparatus 10 may execute processing appropriate to the situation without transmitting information to the transaction status management device 30 that the age has been confirmed. For example, if the registration and settlement apparatus 10 is unable to confirm the age (20 years or older) within a predetermined time because the age verification medium is not inserted into the age verification device 200, the registration and settlement apparatus 10 may instruct the age verification device 200 to read the age verification medium again, or may execute processing to call a store clerk instead of or in addition to the instruction to read the age verification medium again. Furthermore, if the registration settlement device 10 confirms that the customer's age is under 20 years old rather than 20 years old or older (if it acquires age identification information indicating that the customer is under 20 years old or a judgment result indicating that the customer is under 20 years old from the age verification device 200), it may display a message indicating that the age verification product cannot be sold and may execute a store clerk call process. The store clerk called by the registration settlement device 10 may execute a product cancellation (cancellation process) for the age verification product.

[0114] (5) In relation to steps S53 to S54 in Figure 14, if the registered settlement device 10 receives an operation from the store clerk indicating that the customer is under 20 years of age (if the No button BT51 is operated), it may accept the store clerk's cancellation of the age verification item without sending information to the transaction status management device 30 that the store clerk has confirmed the customer's age.

[0115] (6) In the flowcharts of Figures 11 to 14, two flags (remote age verification flag and store clerk operation flag) are used to control whether or not age verification is required before and after operating the checkout button BT20, but a single flag (store clerk intervention flag) may be used for control. In other words, when controlling whether or not age verification is required before and after operating the checkout button BT20, it is not necessary to distinguish between store clerk operation and remote age verification, both of which require store clerk intervention.

[0116] (7) Although not shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 14, information that can identify whether a store clerk intervened or remote age verification was performed (referred to as store clerk intervention type information) may be stored and retained. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit transaction information including information indicating whether a store clerk intervened (referred to as store clerk intervention information) and store clerk intervention type information to the store controller 40 (step S63). Alternatively, or in addition to the above, the registration and settlement device 10 may store history information (electronic journal information) including store clerk intervention information and store clerk intervention type information. The transaction information and history information may also include information that can identify the intervening store clerk (e.g., a store clerk code). Regarding remote age verification, the transaction status management device 30 may transmit remote age verification information including the store clerk code of the store clerk who operated the age OK button BT130 to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0117] The embodiment has been described above, and according to the embodiment, the registration settlement device 10, which is a self-checkout register, can be effectively operated.

[0118] For example, the registration and settlement device 10 does not perform age verification for age verification products before the checkout button BT20 is operated. The registration and settlement device 10 can receive remote age verification information at any time before the checkout button BT20 is operated, and can also accept an operation declaring the start of store clerk operation. If the registration and settlement device 10 receives remote age verification or accepts an operation declaring the start of store clerk operation, age verification will not be performed even if an age verification product is registered before the checkout button BT20 is operated. In other words, the process (age verification) when purchasing an age verification product is simplified, the convenience of the registration and settlement device 10 is improved, and the registration and settlement device 10 can be operated more effectively.

[0119] (Variations, etc.) Although the embodiments have been described above, the device configuration, data configuration, processing flow, display and output modes, etc. can be appropriately changed as shown in the following (1) to (15). In addition, the following (1) to (15) can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0120] (1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the age verification medium was a driver's license or a My Number card, but any medium from which age identification information can be directly or indirectly acquired is acceptable, and is not limited to a driver's license or a My Number card. For example, the age verification medium may be a passport, various adult identification cards (such as cards used in cigarette vending machines), etc.

[0121] (2) As mentioned in (1) above, the age verification medium does not have to include an IC chip. In other words, the age verification device 200 may read information from the age verification medium electromagnetically, magnetically, or optically.

[0122] (3) This is also related to (1) and (2) above, but multiple age verification devices 200 may be connected to the registration and settlement device 10. For example, an age verification device 200A for age verification medium A and an age verification device 200B for age verification medium B may be connected to the registration and settlement device 10.

[0123] (4) This is also related to (1) to (3) above, but in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the registration and settlement device 10 and the age verification device 200 were separate entities, but the registration and settlement device 10 and the age verification device 200 may be integrated. In other words, the registration and settlement device 10 may also have the functions of the age verification device 200 (such as the function of reading age identification information from an age verification medium).

[0124] (5) In the above embodiment, an example of reading a medium (age verification medium) has been described, but it is also possible to read something displayed on a terminal (e.g., a smartphone, a wearable terminal, etc.). For example, the customer's terminal may display (e.g., display by an app) information that can be used to verify age (e.g., age identification information, coded information for age identification information), and the registration and settlement device 10 (scanner unit 104) may read the information. Alternatively, a scanner unit may be provided in the age verification device 200, and the age verification device 200 may read the information. Furthermore, the customer's terminal may display information (or coded information) indicating the age authentication result (e.g., the age authentication result issued by an external server accessed by an app), and the registration and settlement device 10 or the age verification device 200 may read the information.

[0125] (6) In the above embodiment, the registered settlement device 10 displays small screens (small screens SG01 to SG04) in front of the screen in response to various operations, and displays buttons and information (messages, etc.) on the small screens. However, buttons and information that will be displayed on the small screens may be displayed within the screen (one area) before the small screens are displayed, or the screen may be switched (on the entire screen) to display buttons and information that will be displayed on the small screens.

[0126] (7) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which products registered by a customer (step S3 in FIG. 11) and products registered by a store clerk (step S12 in FIG. 11) were not distinguished from each other. However, the two may be distinguished. For example, in step S61 in FIG. 13, the registration and settlement device 10 may issue a receipt on which products registered by a customer and products registered by a store clerk are printed so that they can be distinguished from each other. Furthermore, in step S63 in FIG. 13, the registration and settlement device 10 may transmit transaction information to the store controller 40 that distinguishes between products registered by a customer and products registered by a store clerk.

[0127] (8) In the above embodiment, with regard to store clerk operation, which is one type of store clerk intervention, an example was described in which age verification is not performed after the operation of the checkout button BT20 if the store clerk is logged in before the operation of the checkout button BT20 (step S10 in FIG. 11, step S22 in FIG. 12). However, if a store clerk logs in before the operation of the checkout button BT20 and performs a predetermined operation, age verification may not be performed after the operation of the checkout button BT20. In other words, if a store clerk simply logs in, age verification may be performed after the operation of the checkout button BT20 (however, age verification is not performed if remote age verification, another type of store clerk intervention, is performed).

[0128] The predetermined operation by the store clerk described above may be product registration. In this case, as also related to (7) above, whether or not age verification is required after operating the checkout button BT20 may be controlled as in any of (a) to (c) below. (a) Whether the age verification product is registered based on the store clerk's operation or the age verification product is registered based on the customer's operation, if the store clerk has registered at least one product (whether it is an age verification product or not), age verification will not be performed after the checkout button BT20 is operated. (b) Whether the age verification item is registered based on the store clerk's operation or the age verification item is registered based on the customer's operation, if the store clerk has registered at least one age verification item, age verification will not be performed after the checkout button BT20 is operated. (c) If the age verification product is only one that has been registered based on the store clerk's operation, age verification will not be performed after the checkout button BT20 is operated.

[0129] (9) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the registration and settlement device 10 displays the small screen SG04 when a hidden button on the small screen SG03 is operated, but the registration and settlement device 10 may display the small screen SG04 based on other conditions. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may display the small screen SG04 when a code on a store clerk's name tag or the like is scanned while the small screen SG03 is displayed.

[0130] (10) In the above embodiment, when age verification by a store clerk is selected as age verification after operating the checkout button BT20 (when the store clerk age verification button BT31 on the small screen SG01 is operated), an example was described in which the payment method selection screen is displayed based on an explicit operation by the store clerk to indicate that the age is OK (when the Yes button BT50 on the small screen SG04 is operated). However, the payment method selection screen may also be displayed even if there is no explicit operation by the store clerk to indicate that the age is OK. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may display the payment method selection screen without displaying the small screen SG04 when a hidden button is operated on the small screen SG03, or, related to (9) above, when a code on the store clerk's name tag or the like is scanned while the small screen SG03 is displayed.

[0131] (11) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which small screen SG01 was displayed in front of the registration screen when age verification was performed after pressing the checkout button BT20 (FIG. 4(B)). However, in relation to the explanation that age verification after pressing the checkout button BT20 may be considered part of the registration process or part of the settlement process, small screen SG01 may also be displayed in front of the payment method selection screen when age verification is performed after pressing the checkout button BT20. The same applies to other small screens that are displayed after small screen SG01.

[0132] (12) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a payment method selection screen was displayed as the screen displayed when age verification is not performed after operating the checkout button BT20 (or when age verification is performed after operating the checkout button BT20 and the age verification is successful), but the above screen does not have to be the payment method selection screen. For example, if the registered settlement device 10 is a cash-only machine, a cash insertion instruction screen or the like may be displayed as the above screen, and if the registered settlement device 10 is a credit card-only machine, a card reading instruction screen or the like may be displayed as the above screen.

[0133] (13) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a payment method was selected after the checkout button BT20 was pressed. However, a payment method may also be selected before the checkout button BT20 was pressed. For example, the registration and settlement device 10 may display a payment method selection screen (without a payment amount field) during standby (or may display a standby screen (not shown) during standby, and then display the payment method selection screen instead of the standby screen when a predetermined operation (e.g., pressing the start button) is performed on the standby screen). After a payment method is selected on the payment method selection screen, the registration screen (initial registration screen) may be displayed. The customer then registers the product. When the checkout button BT20 is pressed, the registration and settlement device 10 may or may not perform age verification depending on the situation (whether or not a product requiring age verification is present, whether or not a store clerk is present), and settles the bill based on the customer's operation using the payment method selected on the payment method selection screen (i.e., executes step S61 and subsequent steps in FIG. 13). This avoids situations in which the desired payment method is selected at the last moment.

[0134] (14) In the above embodiment, the registration and settlement device 11 has multiple operating modes. However, like the registration and settlement device 10, the registration and settlement device 11 may not perform age verification at the registration stage, but may perform age verification when proceeding from the registration process to the settlement process depending on whether an age verification product was registered at the registration stage or whether a store clerk was present (store clerk operation, remote age verification) at the registration stage. When operating in full self-service mode, the registration and settlement device 11 accepts remote age verification, similar to the registration and settlement device 10. Furthermore, when operating in full self-service mode, the registration and settlement device 11 may accept store clerk operation on the store clerk display unit on the opposite side in addition to the customer display unit used by the customer. When operating in face-to-face mode, the registration and settlement device 11 may accept store clerk operation on the customer display unit on the opposite side in addition to the store clerk display unit used by the store clerk. Furthermore, when operating in face-to-face mode, the registration and settlement device 11 may not accept remote age verification because a store clerk is present.

[0135] (15) Some or all of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) of each device (registration and settlement device 10, registration and settlement device 11, transaction status management device 30, etc.) may be realized by a device other than the device described as the entity that executes the function. For example, each device may function as a so-called thin client specialized for input / output interfaces, etc. As an example, a cloud server may execute a program for controlling the operation of each device, and each device may display a screen using a browsing function, etc.

[0136] <Summary of the embodiment> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a product information processing device, a product information processing system, and a program. [Background technology] BACKGROUND ART So-called self-checkout registers are known, which are operated by customers themselves to register products and make payments (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-069574 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, there is room for improvement in the operation of self-checkout registers, for example, in terms of convenience, etc. The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to provide a technology for effectively operating self-checkout registers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0137] (1) One aspect for solving the above-mentioned problem is a product information processing device (e.g., registration and settlement device 10, registration and settlement device 11) that can be operated by a customer to register and settle products, and that includes a registration means for registering products, a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction (e.g., checkout button BT20) that completes the product registration by the registration means, and an age verification means that can execute age verification processing (e.g., the processing shown in the flowchart of Figure 14) to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction if an age verification product that requires age verification is registered before the registration completion instruction is received.When the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the product information processing device executes different control of the age verification processing depending on whether there is store clerk intervention (e.g., ``store clerk operation'' or ``remote age verification'') before the registration completion instruction is received or whether there is no store clerk intervention before the registration completion instruction is received.

[0138] According to (1), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, the process (age verification) when purchasing an age verification product is simplified, the convenience of the product information processing device is improved, and the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0139] (2) The product information processing device according to (1), wherein the age verification means is capable of executing the age verification process using a medium capable of verifying age (for example, a driver's license, etc.).

[0140] According to (2), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be confirmed more reliably.

[0141] (3) The intervention of the store clerk is the registration of the age verification product by the store clerk (one form of "store clerk operation"; see step S12 in Figure 11), and the age verification means is a product information processing device of (1) or (2) that does not execute the age verification process if the store clerk registers the age verification product even if the age verification product has been registered before receiving the registration completion instruction, and executes the age verification process if the store clerk has not registered the age verification product before receiving the registration completion instruction.

[0142] According to (3), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be confirmed more reliably.

[0143] (4) The intervention of the store clerk is an age verification operation by the store clerk on another device (remote age verification; see step S5 in Figure 11), and the age verification means is a product information processing device of (1) or (2) that does not perform the age verification process if the store clerk performs the age verification operation on another device even if the age verification product has been registered before receiving the registration completion instruction, and that performs the age verification process if the age verification product has been registered before receiving the registration completion instruction but the store clerk has not performed the age verification operation on another device.

[0144] According to (4), the product information processing device can be operated effectively. For example, age can be confirmed more reliably.

[0145] (5) A product information processing system that allows customers to register and pay for products, comprising: a registration means for registering products; a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the product registration by the registration means; and an age verification means that, if an age verification product requiring age verification is registered before the registration completion instruction is received by the reception means, can execute age verification processing to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction. When the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the product information processing system executes different controls for the age verification processing depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or whether a store clerk does not intervene before the registration completion instruction is received.

[0146] According to (5), the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0147] (6) A program that causes a computer to function as a product information processing device that can be operated by a customer to register and settle products, and that causes the computer to function as a registration means for registering products, a reception means for receiving a registration completion instruction to complete the product registration by the registration means, and an age verification means that can execute age verification processing to verify the customer's age after receiving the registration completion instruction if an age verification product that requires age verification is registered before the registration completion instruction is received by the reception means, and that executes different control of the age verification processing depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or not before the registration completion instruction is received when the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received.

[0148] According to (6), the product information processing device can be operated effectively.

[0149] Note that a program for implementing the functions of each of the above-described devices (such as the registration and settlement device 10, the registration and settlement device 11, the transaction status management device 30, the headquarters server 50, and the age verification device 200) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed to perform processing for each of the above devices. Here, "loading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program on a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" may also include multiple computer devices connected via a network, including communication lines such as the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, and a dedicated line. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The term "recording medium" also includes internal or external recording media accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. The program code stored on the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the program code in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored on the distribution server is not important as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each part may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be for implementing part of the functions described above.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 10...Registration and settlement device, 11...Registration and settlement device, 30...Transaction status management device, 40...Store controller, 50...Head office server, 200...Age verification device

Claims

1. A product information processing device that can be operated by a customer to register products and settle payments, a registration means for registering a product; a receiving means for receiving a registration completion instruction for completing the registration of the product by the registration means; an age verification means capable of executing age verification processing to verify the age of a customer after receiving the registration completion instruction, if an age verification product requiring age verification has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received by the reception means; Equipped with When the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, a product information processing device executes different control of the age verification process depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or whether a store clerk does not intervene before the registration completion instruction is received.

2. The age verification means is The age verification process can be performed using a medium that can verify age. The product information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The intervention of the store clerk is the registration of the age verification product by the store clerk, The age verification means is Even if the age verification product has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received, if the store clerk has registered the age verification product, the age verification process will not be performed, If the age verification product has been registered and the store clerk has not registered the age verification product before receiving the registration completion instruction, the age verification process is executed.

3. The product information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The intervention of the store clerk is an age verification operation by the store clerk at another device, The age verification means is Even if the age verification product has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received, if the store clerk performs the age verification operation on another device, the age verification process is not performed, A product information processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, which executes the age verification process if the age verification product has been registered and the store clerk has not performed the age verification operation on another device before receiving the registration completion instruction.

5. A product information processing system that can be operated by a customer to register products and settle payments, a registration means for registering a product; a receiving means for receiving a registration completion instruction for completing the registration of the product by the registration means; an age verification means capable of executing age verification processing to verify the age of a customer after receiving the registration completion instruction, if an age verification product requiring age verification has been registered before the registration completion instruction is received by the reception means; Equipped with When the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the product information processing system executes different controls for the age verification process depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or whether a store clerk does not intervene before the registration completion instruction is received.

6. A program that causes a computer to function as a product information processing device that can be operated by a customer to register and settle products, The computer a registration means for registering the product; a receiving means for receiving a registration completion instruction for completing the registration of the product by the registration means; an age verification means for executing an age verification process for verifying the age of a customer after receiving the registration completion instruction, if an age verification product requiring age verification has been registered before the reception means receives the registration completion instruction; It functions as When the age verification product is registered before the registration completion instruction is received, the program executes different control of the age verification process depending on whether a store clerk intervenes before the registration completion instruction is received or whether a store clerk does not intervene before the registration completion instruction is received.

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