Cash handling apparatus and cash handling method

Abstract

To easily enable the use of coupons in stores.SOLUTION: A cash handling apparatus used for settling transaction amounts includes: a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information with an external device; a cash handling unit capable of performing cash handling including deposit and withdrawal operations; a control unit for controlling the cash handling unit to execute the cash handling; and a coupon processing unit for acquiring coupon information. When the control unit receives, via the communication unit, an instruction to execute cash handling for receiving a transaction amount and cash equivalent to the transaction amount, the cash handling unit performs the cash handling on the basis of the coupon amount of an accepted coupon, the transaction amount, and the deposited cash amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cash processing device used for settlement processing in a store when conducting transactions with customers, and a cash processing method executed by the cash processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, many stores use POS (Point of Sales) systems to sell products. For example, a POS register connected to a POS server registers the type and price of the product purchased by the customer, and determines the transaction amount. Payment of the transaction amount is made electronically using an electronic payment terminal or in cash using a cash processing device.

[0003] Stores sometimes use gift certificates that can be used to pay the transaction amount, discount coupons that discount part of the transaction amount, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that supports payment of the transaction amount using gift certificates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-191084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In systems including those disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art, the use of gift certificates or discount coupons was carried out by the customer requesting the use of the certificate to a cashier, or the cashier asking the customer whether or not to use the certificate. Furthermore, in order to carry out a transaction using a gift certificate or discount coupon and manage the cash balance in the cash processing device after the transaction, it was necessary to update the functions of the POS system, including the POS register and POS server.

[0006] For example, there is a known coin deposit machine that accepts coins from customers and issues coupons that can be used to pay the transaction amount according to the amount deposited. To enable the use of these coupons in stores, the POS system's functions must be updated, just as with gift certificates. The time and expense of updating the system has made it difficult for stores to easily install new coupon-issuing devices.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and one of its objectives is to provide a cash processing device and a cash processing method that can easily realize the use of coupons in stores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cash processing device according to the present disclosure is a cash processing device used for settling transaction amounts, and includes a communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from an external device, a cash processing unit that can execute cash processing including deposit processing and withdrawal processing, a control unit that controls the cash processing unit to execute cash processing, and a coupon processing unit that acquires coupon information, and when the control unit receives, via the communication unit, an execution command for cash processing to receive the transaction amount and cash equivalent to the transaction amount, the control unit executes cash processing in the cash processing unit based on the coupon amount of the coupon received by the coupon processing unit, the transaction amount, and the amount of cash deposited.

[0009] In the above configuration, if the coupon amount matches the transaction amount, the control unit may notify the completion of the cash processing, receiving cash for the transaction amount for which it received the execution command, via the communication unit, without executing the cash processing in the cash processing unit.

[0010] In the above configuration, if the coupon amount is less than the transaction amount, the control unit may execute a cash process in the cash processing unit to receive cash for the shortfall obtained by subtracting the coupon amount from the transaction amount, and notify the communication unit of the completion of the cash process, in which cash for the transaction amount for which an execution command was received has been received.

[0011] In the above configuration, if the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and a setting is made to allow the withdrawal of change when a coupon whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount is used, the control unit may execute a cash process in the cash processing unit to withdraw change in an amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the coupon amount, and notify the communication unit of the completion of the cash process, in which cash for the transaction amount for which the execution command was received is received.

[0012] In the above configuration, when the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and a setting is made such that change withdrawal is not permitted when a coupon whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount is used, the control unit may accept a choice of whether to continue using the coupon or to cancel it, and if a choice is made to continue using the coupon, the control unit may notify the completion of the cash processing, in which cash equivalent to the transaction amount for which an execution command has been received, via the communication unit, without executing the cash processing in the cash processing unit, and if a choice is made to cancel the use of the coupon, the control unit may execute a cash processing, in which cash equivalent to the transaction amount is received, in the cash processing unit, and may notify the completion of the cash processing via the communication unit.

[0013] In the above configuration, the device may further include a display unit that displays information related to the transaction, and after receiving an instruction to execute cash processing to receive cash equivalent to the transaction amount, the control unit may display a screen on the display unit that requests input of coupon information into the coupon processing unit, and may identify the coupon amount based on the coupon information input into the coupon processing unit.

[0014] In the above configuration, the device may further include a display unit that displays a screen requesting the input of coupon information, and the control unit may identify the coupon amount based on the coupon information input to the coupon processing unit before receiving an instruction to execute a cash process to receive cash equivalent to the transaction amount.

[0015] In the above configuration, the coupon processing unit may have a reading unit, and the control unit may specify the coupon amount based on coupon information read from the coupon by the reading unit.

[0016] In the above configuration, the device may further include an operation unit that accepts operations by a customer, and the control unit may start reading the coupon information by the reading unit based on the operation performed on the operation unit.

[0017] In the above configuration, the control unit may read a coupon number from the coupon using the reading unit, and then, via the communication unit, inquire about the coupon amount based on the coupon number from an external device that stores coupon data in which coupon amounts for multiple coupons are registered in association with the coupon numbers of each coupon, thereby identifying the coupon amount.

[0018] In the above configuration, the coupon data may include change withdrawal availability information associated with the coupon number of each coupon, which indicates whether or not change withdrawal is permitted when the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount, and the control unit may control whether or not change is to be withdrawn when the cash processing is executed, based on the change withdrawal availability information obtained based on the coupon number.

[0019] In the above configuration, the coupon data may include usability information indicating whether or not a coupon has been used, associated with the coupon number of each coupon, and the control unit may update the usability information corresponding to the coupon number to "used" by notifying the coupon number of a used coupon via the communication unit.

[0020] In the above configuration, the coupon is a coupon issued by a coin deposit device that accepts coins from customers and stores them within the device, and the coupon may be given a coupon amount based on the total amount of coins deposited by the customer into the coin deposit device.

[0021] In the above configuration, the cash processing unit may accept coins from customers and store them in the device, and the coupon may be issued with a coupon amount based on the total amount of coins the customer has deposited in the cash processing unit.

[0022] The cash processing method according to the present disclosure is a cash processing method executed by a cash processing device used for settling a transaction amount, and includes the steps of receiving, via a communication unit, an execution command for cash processing to receive the transaction amount and cash equivalent to an approximate transaction amount; accepting coupons that can be used to pay the transaction amount into a coupon processing unit; and executing cash processing in the cash processing unit based on the coupon amount of the coupon accepted by the coupon processing unit, the transaction amount, and the amount of deposited cash. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the cash processing device of the present disclosure, it is possible to easily realize the use of coupons in a store. By enabling the use of coupons, convenience for customers of the store is also improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of a transaction system 1 including a cash processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a trading system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the banknote processing unit and the coin processing unit of the cash processing device, and an example of the internal configuration of the coin processing unit of the coin depositing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of coupon data managed by the coupon management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed in the trading system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the coupon processing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of cash processing executed by the cash processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a transaction including cash processing by a cash processing device. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit of the coupon processing device when cash is processed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] A cash processing device and a cash processing method according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an overview of a transaction system 1 including a cash processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The transaction system 1 is a system used by a store for transactions with customers. The subject of transactions is not particularly limited, but the description will continue using an example of a store that sells products to customers.

[0026] The transaction system 1 includes a POS server 40, a POS register 400, a cash processing device 100, a coupon processing device 200, and a coin deposit device 300. The POS register 400 is communicably connected to the POS server 40 and the cash processing device 100. The cash processing device 100 is communicably connected to the coupon processing device 200. There is no particular limit to the number of cash processing devices 100, coupon processing devices 200, coin deposit devices 300, and POS register 400 installed in a store, but for simplicity, the following description will be given assuming that there is one of each of these devices.

[0027] The coin deposit device 300 is a cash processing device that accepts coins brought to a store by a customer and issues coupons that can be used to pay the transaction amount when the customer purchases goods at the store.

[0028] When a customer deposits coins into the coin deposit slot 321 of the coin deposit device 300, the coin deposit device 300 executes a deposit process in which it identifies and counts the coins and stores them within the device (A1). The coin deposit device 300 displays the total amount of coins and the coupon amount, which is the total amount minus a handling fee, on the operation and display unit 310. After checking the display, the customer operates the operation and display unit 310 to approve the amount, and the coin deposit device 300 issues a coupon 301 from the coupon issuing unit 360 (A2). The customer can use the coupon amount attached to the coupon 301 in the store like cash to purchase products.

[0029] The coupon issuing unit 360 includes a printer and issues a coupon 301 on which information relating to the coupon 301 is printed. The deposit amount, the coupon value, and the expiration date of the coupon 301 are printed on the coupon 301. Code information obtained by encoding predetermined information is printed on the coupon 301. The encoded predetermined information includes, for example, the coupon value attached to the coupon 301 and the expiration date of the coupon 301. The type of code information is not particularly limited, and may be a character string code consisting of alphabetic characters and numbers, or a graphic code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code. The following explanation will be given taking the case where the code information is a barcode as an example.

[0030] A customer who receives coupon 301 selects a product to purchase at the store. The customer then proceeds to the checkout counter with the product to be purchased. The transaction amount between the store and the customer is confirmed by a POS register 400 installed at the checkout counter and a POS server 40 communicably connected to the POS register 400. Methods for confirming a transaction amount using a POS system consisting of a POS register 400 and a POS server 40 are conventionally known. For this reason, a detailed explanation will be omitted. For example, when a cashier at the store reads a barcode attached to a product with the barcode reader 440 of the POS register 400, the product name and sales price are registered, and the product price to be paid by the customer, i.e., the transaction amount, is confirmed (B1). The confirmed transaction amount is displayed on the display 411 of the POS register 400, and the settlement process begins, in which the transaction amount is received from the customer.

[0031] The POS register 400 is connected to an electronic payment terminal 430 and a cash processing device 100. The customer can choose to pay the transaction amount electronically using the electronic payment terminal 430, or to pay the transaction amount in cash using the cash processing device 100.

[0032] A customer who selects electronic payment pays the transaction amount by operating the electronic payment terminal 430. There are no particular restrictions on the type of electronic payment, and any conventionally known electronic payment method such as credit card, debit card, or electronic money may be used. When the electronic payment is completed, the transaction with the customer is completed, and a receipt with the transaction details printed on it is issued by the receipt printer 420 of the POS register 400. When the transaction amount is settled using only the POS register 400 and the electronic payment terminal 430 without using the cash processing device 100, the settlement process is carried out as usual without using the coupon 301.

[0033] On the other hand, a customer who selects cash payment can pay part or all of the transaction amount using the coupon 301 issued by the coin deposit device 300. When a customer selects cash payment and, for example, a store clerk performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 412 of the POS register 400, a cash processing execution command to receive cash equivalent to the transaction amount from the customer is transmitted from the POS register 400 to the cash processing device 100 (B2). In other words, a cash processing execution command to settle the transaction amount specified by the POS system is transmitted from the POS system to the cash processing device 100 connected to the POS system.

[0034] If the customer does not use the coupon 301, the cash processing device 100, which includes the banknote processing unit 10 and the coin processing unit 20, executes a cash settlement process. Specifically, when a customer deposits banknotes through the banknote deposit slot 11 and coins through the coin deposit slot 21, the cash processing device 100 recognizes and counts the banknotes and coins to calculate the deposit amount, and dispenses change if the deposit amount exceeds the transaction amount. Banknotes provided as change are dispensed through the banknote dispensing slot 12, and coins provided as change are dispensed through the coin dispensing slot 22. After completing the cash processing, the cash processing device 100 notifies the POS register 400 of the completion of the cash processing commanded. The POS register 400 issues a receipt from the receipt printer 420, and the transaction with the customer is completed. For example, the transaction amount, the amount of cash deposited by the customer into the cash processing device 100, and the amount of change dispensed by the cash processing device 100 are printed on the receipt.

[0035] One of the features of the cash processing device 100 is that when executing a settlement process that accepts payment of the transaction amount in cash, it is capable of executing a settlement process that uses the coupon 301. When a customer uses the coupon 301, the cash processing device 100 acquires information from the coupon 301 using the coupon processing device 200 (C1), and executes cash processing based on the coupon amount and the transaction amount (C2).

[0036] The coupon processing device 200 connected to the cash processing device 100 includes an operation and display unit 210 consisting of a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, and a reading unit 220 that reads information from a coupon 301. The coupon processing device 200 functions as a coupon processing unit that allows the cash processing device 100 to process coupons 301. The operation and display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200 functions as an operation unit and a display unit of the cash processing device 100.

[0037] The screen of the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200 displays information instructing the customer to have the reading unit 220 read the information on the coupon 301. When the customer holds the barcode printed on the coupon 301 over the reading unit 220, the coupon processing device 200 decodes the barcode and identifies the coupon amount attached to the coupon 301 and the expiration date of the coupon 301.

[0038] If the coupon 301 has passed its expiration date, the coupon processing device 200 displays information indicating that the coupon 301 cannot be used on the operation display unit 210. The cash processing device 100 executes cash processing to receive cash for the transaction amount from the customer. As described above, after the deposit processing to receive cash from the customer is executed and the dispensing processing of change is executed as needed, a receipt is issued from the POS register 400 and the transaction with the customer is completed.

[0039] If the coupon 301 has not yet expired, the cash processing device 100 compares the transaction amount with the coupon amount. The cash processing device 100 changes the processing details of the cash processing based on the comparison result.

[0040] If the transaction amount and the coupon amount are equal, the cash processing device 100 does not execute the cash processing. Since the full amount of the transaction amount is paid using the coupon 301, the cash processing device 100 does not execute the deposit processing. Since the coupon amount is equal to the transaction amount and no change needs to be dispensed, the cash processing device 100 does not execute the dispensing processing.

[0041] If the coupon amount is less than the transaction amount, the cash processing device 100 executes cash processing to receive from the customer cash for the shortfall obtained by subtracting the coupon amount from the transaction amount. The cash processing device 100 executes deposit processing to receive cash for the shortfall. If the deposited amount exceeds the shortfall, the cash processing device 100 executes withdrawal processing to dispense cash for the change amount obtained by subtracting the shortfall from the deposited amount.

[0042] When the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount, the details of the cash processing performed by the cash processing device 100 vary depending on whether the store allows the withdrawal of change when using such a coupon 301. The store can set whether or not to allow the withdrawal of change when using a coupon 301 whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount.

[0043] When the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and a setting is made to allow the withdrawal of change when a coupon 301 whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount is used, the cash processing device 100 does not execute a deposit process, but executes only a withdrawal process to dispense cash for the change amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the coupon amount.

[0044] If the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and the cash processing device 100 is set to not allow change to be dispensed when a coupon 301 whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount is used, the cash processing device 100 prompts the customer to choose whether to discard the change and continue the transaction, or to cancel the use of the coupon 301. A selection screen for accepting the customer's selection is displayed on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200. If the customer selects to discard the change, the full transaction amount is paid using the coupon 301 and no change is dispensed, so the cash processing device 100 does not execute cash processing. The change discarded by the customer may be treated as, for example, a tip from the customer to the store clerk. If the customer selects to cancel the use of the coupon 301, the cash processing device 100 executes cash processing to receive cash for the transaction amount from the customer. Cash processing is executed in the same way as when the coupon 301 is not used or when the coupon 301 has expired.

[0045] In a transaction using the coupon 301, the processing content executed by the cash processing device 100 changes depending on the size of the coupon amount and the transaction amount, but in either case, the cash processing device 100 transmits to the POS register 400 a processing result indicating that cash equivalent to the transaction amount has been received from the customer (C3). In other words, even when a cash processing operation is executed in which an amount different from the transaction amount is actually received from the customer, or when no cash processing operation is executed, the cash processing device 100 returns a completion notification to the POS system indicating that the cash processing operation has been executed as instructed by the POS system.

[0046] The POS register 400, which has received the completion notice from the cash processing device 100, issues a receipt with the transaction details printed on it from the receipt printer 420, in the same way as when cash equivalent to the transaction amount is deposited into the cash processing device 100 without using the coupon 301, and completes the transaction with the customer.

[0047] The transaction amount, the deposit amount, and the change amount are printed on the receipt. For example, the deposit amount is the total amount of the coupon amount and the amount of cash deposited by the customer into the cash processing device 100, and the change amount is the amount of cash dispensed by the cash processing device 100, which will be described in detail later.

[0048] In this way, the cash processing device 100 performs cash processing corresponding to the use of the coupon 301, while returning a completion notification to the POS register 400, i.e., the POS system, in the same format as when the customer pays the transaction amount only in cash without using the coupon 301. Therefore, even when a coin deposit device 300 that issues coupons 301 is newly introduced to a store that uses a POS system including the POS register 400 and the POS server 40, it is possible to execute a transaction using the coupon 301 in the cash processing device 100 without changing the functions and operations of the POS system.

[0049] Although the example in which coupon 301 is not used for electronic payments but is used only for cash payments has been described, if the POS system conventionally used in the store supports splitting the transaction amount into electronic and cash payments, a transaction using coupon 301 can be executed even when electronic payments are made. Specifically, even if a customer using coupon 301 selects electronic payment, the cashier simply operates the POS register 400 to indicate that the amount of the transaction equivalent to the coupon amount will be paid in cash. As a result, the POS register 400 splits the transaction amount with the customer into electronic and cash payments, and transmits a cash processing execution command to the cash processing device 100 to receive cash for the coupon amount. The cash processing device 100 operates in the same manner as in the case where the transaction amount and the coupon amount are equal, and returns a cash processing completion notification to the POS register 400. This allows the customer to pay part of the transaction amount using coupon 301 and pay only the remaining amount electronically.

[0050] 1 illustrates an example of a semi-self-service checkout method in which a store cashier operates the POS register 400 and a customer deposits cash into the cash processing device 100, but the checkout method is not particularly limited. As described above, a transaction using a coupon 301 can also be realized in a self-service checkout method in which a customer operates both the POS register 400 and the cash processing device 100 connected to the coupon processing device 200. As described above, a transaction using a coupon 301 can also be realized in a full-service store in which a cashier operates both the POS register 400 and the cash processing device 100 connected to the coupon processing device 200.

[0051] 1 shows an example in which the POS register 400, the coupon processing device 200, and the cash processing device 100 are independent devices, but these three devices may be integrated, or any two of the three devices may be integrated. For example, the coupon processing device 200 may be integrated with the cash processing device 100 to function as the coupon processing unit of the cash processing device 100, and the operation / display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200 may function as the operation unit and display unit of the cash processing device 100.

[0052] In Fig. 1, an example has been described in which the coin deposit device 300 is provided separately from the cash processing device 100, but the cash processing device 100 may also serve as the coin deposit device 300. For example, the cash processing device 100 may be provided with a printer that functions as a coupon issuing unit, and may issue coupons 301 according to the amount of coins deposited in the coin processing device 20. Both the coin deposit device 300 and the cash processing device 100 may issue coupons.

[0053] In FIG. 1, an example has been described in which the store selects and sets in advance whether or not to return change to the customer for a transaction in which the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount, but the options that the store can set may also include a setting to return change in the form of a coupon. Specifically, the cash processing device 100 may execute one of three transactions: a transaction in which cash equivalent to the change amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the coupon amount is returned to the customer; a transaction in which no change is returned to the customer; or a transaction in which a coupon equivalent to the change amount is returned to the customer. In this case, too, the cash processing device 100 may include a coupon issuing unit, operate based on a setting that the store has selected in advance from the three transaction modes, issue a coupon equivalent to the change amount as needed, and return the change to the customer in the form of a coupon.

[0054] In FIG. 1, an example has been described in which the coupon 301 is a piece of paper on which the coupon amount, expiration date, code information, etc. are printed, but the coupon 301 is not limited to a piece of paper. For example, the coupon 301 may be a card medium including a memory element such as an IC chip. In this case, the coin deposit device 300 and the coupon processing device 200 may be provided with a device for reading and writing information from and to the memory element, and the device may be used to write and read information such as the coupon amount and expiration date. The coupon 301 may also be an electronic coupon exchanged using a communication terminal such as a smartphone. In this case, the coin deposit device 300 and the coupon processing device 200 may be provided with a device for processing electronic coupons, and the device may be used to send and receive information such as the coupon amount and expiration date between the device and the communication terminal.

[0055] In Figure 1, an example is described in which the coupon amount and expiration date are encoded and included in the code information printed on the coupon 301. However, to prevent counterfeiting by changing the coupon amount, it is preferable to limit the information obtained from the code information to the coupon number, which is the identification information for each coupon, and to associate the coupon amount with the coupon number and manage it separately.

[0056] Hereinafter, the specific configuration and operation of the transaction system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described, taking as an example a case where the transaction system 1 includes a coupon management device that manages information on the coupons 301 issued by the coin deposit device 300.

[0057] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transaction system 1. The transaction system 1 shown in Fig. 2 includes a coupon management device 500 in addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 1. The POS server 40 and the POS register 400 that make up the POS system are conventionally known, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] The cash processing device 100 includes a banknote processing unit 10 including a banknote deposit slot 11 and a banknote withdrawal slot 12, a coin processing unit 20 including a coin deposit slot 21 and a coin withdrawal slot 22, a memory unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a control unit 150. The memory unit 130 is a non-volatile storage device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the cash processing device 100. The communication unit 140 is used to communicate with external devices. The external devices include a coupon processing device 200 and a POS register 400. The control unit 150 controls each unit of the cash processing device 100. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 150 is pre-stored in the memory unit 130 or a dedicated storage device, and the function and operation of the control unit 150 are realized by executing this program by hardware such as a CPU. The control unit 150 can control each unit based on information transmitted and received between the coupon processing device 200 and the POS register 400 via the communication unit 140 and information stored in the memory unit 130. This realizes the functions and operations of the cash processing device 100 described in this embodiment, including the cash processing executed by the banknote processing device 10 and the coin processing device 20. In this embodiment, the functions and operations of the cash processing device 100 realized by the control of the control unit 150 may be simply referred to as the functions and operations of the cash processing device 100.

[0059] The coin deposit device 300 includes an operation / display unit 310, a coin processing unit 320 including a coin deposit slot 321 and a coin return slot 322, a memory unit 330, a communication unit 340, a control unit 350, and a coupon issuing unit 360. The operation / display unit 310 includes a touch-panel liquid crystal display device and functions as an operation unit that accepts input of various information and as a display unit that outputs and displays various information. The coupon issuing unit 360 includes a printer that prints the coupon amount and expiration date and issues coupons 301 on which code information that encodes the coupon number is printed. The memory unit 330 is a non-volatile storage device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the coin deposit device 300. The communication unit 340 is used to communicate with external devices, including a coupon management device 500. The control unit 350 controls each unit of the coin deposit device 300. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 350 is stored in advance in the memory unit 330 or a dedicated storage device, and the program is executed by hardware such as a CPU to realize the functions and operations of the control unit 350. The control unit 350 can control each unit based on information input via the operation / display unit 310, information transmitted to and received from the coupon management device 500 via the communication unit 340, and information stored in the memory unit 330. This realizes the functions and operations of the coin deposit device 300 described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the functions and operations of the coin deposit device 300 realized by the control of the control unit 350 may be simply referred to as the functions and operations of the coin deposit device 300.

[0060] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the banknote processing unit 10 and the coin processing unit 20 of the cash processing device 100, and an example of the internal configuration of the coin processing unit 320 of the coin deposit device 300.

[0061] The banknote processing unit 10 of the cash processing device 100 shown in Fig. 3(a) can perform banknote deposit and withdrawal processes. The banknote processing unit 10 includes a banknote deposit port 11, a banknote withdrawal port 12, a banknote recognition unit 13, a banknote storage unit 14, and a banknote transport unit 15. The banknote transport unit 15 transports banknotes along a transport path connecting each unit as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0062] During a deposit process, banknotes received by the banknote deposit slot 11 are taken into the device and transported by the banknote transport unit 15. The banknote recognition unit 13 recognizes the banknotes transported by the banknote transport unit 15. The banknote recognition unit 13 recognizes the denomination of the banknote. The banknote recognition unit 13 may also recognize the authenticity of the banknote and its fitness, which indicates its degree of damage. The total amount of the deposited banknotes is calculated based on the recognition result by the banknote recognition unit 13. Of the recognized banknotes, banknotes that cannot be deposited are rejected from the banknote withdrawal slot 12. Banknotes that cannot be deposited include banknotes whose denomination cannot be recognized and banknotes whose authenticity cannot be recognized. Depositable banknotes are stored in the banknote storage unit 14. The banknote storage unit 14 can store and dispense banknotes. Although two banknote storage units 14 are shown in FIG. 3(a), the number of banknote storage units 14 is not particularly limited. For example, a denomination to be stored is assigned to each of the plurality of banknote storage units 14, and the banknotes are stored according to the denomination.

[0063] During a dispensing process, banknotes to be dispensed are fed one by one in order from one or more banknote storage units 14 and transported by the banknote transport unit 15. The banknotes transported by the banknote transport unit 15 are dispensed from the banknote dispensing port 12. Alternatively, the banknotes transported by the banknote transport unit 15 may be identified by the banknote recognition unit 13 and dispensed after recognition.

[0064] The coin processing unit 20 of the cash processing device 100 shown in Fig. 3(b) can perform coin deposit and withdrawal processes. The coin processing unit 20 includes a coin deposit port 21, a coin withdrawal port 22, a coin recognition unit 23, a coin storage unit 24, a coin transport unit 25 (25a to 25c), and a payout unit 26. The coin transport unit 25 includes an upper transport unit 250a, a chute 25b connecting the upper transport unit 25a and each coin storage unit 24, and a lower transport unit 250c.

[0065] During the deposit process, coins received by the coin deposit port 21 fall into the feeding unit 26. The feeding unit 26 can receive multiple coins from the coin deposit port 21 and feed them one by one to the upper transport unit 250a. The coin recognition unit 23 recognizes the coins transported by the upper transport unit 25a. The coin recognition unit 23 recognizes the denomination of the coin. The coin recognition unit 23 may also recognize the authenticity of the coin and its fitness, which indicates the degree of damage to the coin. The total amount of the deposited coins is calculated based on the recognition result by the coin recognition unit 23. Of the recognized coins, coins that cannot be deposited continue to be transported by the upper transport unit 25a and then are rejected from the coin withdrawal port 22. Coins that cannot be deposited include coins whose denomination cannot be recognized and coins whose authenticity cannot be recognized. Coins that can be deposited are stored in the coin storage unit 24. Specifically, a gate provided in the upper transport section 25a corresponding to the chute 25b opens, and the coins fall into the chute 25b, whereby the coins are stored in the coin storage section 24. The coin storage section 24 can store and dispense coins. Although two coin storage sections 24 are shown in FIG. 3(a), the number of coin storage sections 24 is not particularly limited. For example, each of the multiple coin storage sections 24 is assigned a denomination to store, and the coins are stored by denomination.

[0066] During a dispensing process, coins to be dispensed are fed out one by one in order from one or more coin storage units 24 and fall onto the lower conveying unit 25c. The lower conveying unit 25c conveys the coins received from the coin storage units 24 to the feeding unit 26. After all coins to be dispensed have been conveyed to the feeding unit 26, a gate provided on the bottom surface of the feeding unit 26 opens, and the coins in the feeding unit 26 fall into the coin dispensing port 22 and are dispensed. A configuration in which the coins are identified by the coin recognition unit 23 and then dispensed after recognition may also be adopted. In this case, the coins conveyed by the lower conveying unit 25c to the feeding unit 26 may be fed one by one by the feeding unit 26 to the upper conveying unit 25a, and after being identified by the coin recognition unit 23, they may be dispensed from the coin dispensing port 22.

[0067] The coin processing unit 320 of the coin deposit device 300 shown in Figure 3(c) can execute a coin deposit process. The coin processing unit 320 includes a coin deposit port 321, a coin return port 322, a coin recognition unit 323, a coin storage unit 324, a coin transport unit 325 (325a, 325b), and a payout unit 326. The coin transport unit 325 includes an upper transport unit 325a and a chute 325b connecting the upper transport unit 325a and each coin storage unit 324.

[0068] During the deposit process, coins received by the coin deposit port 321 fall into the feeding unit 326. The feeding unit 326 can receive multiple coins from the coin deposit port 321 and feed them one by one to the upper transport unit 325a. The coin recognition unit 323 recognizes the coin denomination. The coin recognition unit 323 may also recognize the authenticity of the coin and its fitness, which indicates the degree of damage to the coin. The total value of the deposited coins is calculated based on the recognition result by the coin recognition unit 323. Of the recognized coins, coins that cannot be deposited continue to be transported by the upper transport unit 325a and then rejected by the coin return port 322. Coins that cannot be deposited include coins whose denomination cannot be recognized and coins whose authenticity cannot be recognized. Coins that can be deposited are stored in the coin storage unit 324. Specifically, a gate provided in the upper transport section 325a corresponding to the chute 325b opens, and the coins fall into the chute 325b, whereby the coins are stored in the coin storage section 324. Although two coin storage sections 324 are shown in Figure 3(c), the number of coin storage sections 324 is not particularly limited. For example, a denomination to be stored is assigned to each of the multiple coin storage sections 324, and the coins are stored by denomination.

[0069] Note that the configurations shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are examples and do not limit the configuration of the cash processing device 100. As long as the cash processing described in this embodiment can be performed, the configuration of the cash processing device 100 is not particularly limited. Similarly, the configuration shown in Figure 3(c) is an example and does not limit the configuration of the coin deposit device 300. As long as the coin processing described in this embodiment can be performed, the configuration of the coin deposit device 300 is not particularly limited.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2 , the coupon processing device 200 includes an operation / display unit 210, a reading unit 220, a storage unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a control unit 250. The operation / display unit 210, which includes a touch-panel liquid crystal display device, functions as an operation unit that accepts input of various information and also functions as a display unit that outputs and displays various information. The reading unit 220 reads information from a coupon 301. The reading unit 220 may be a camera or a scanner. The storage unit 230 is a non-volatile storage device used to store various information necessary for the operation of the coupon processing device 200. The communication unit 240 is used to communicate with external devices. The external devices include the cash processing device 100 and the coupon management device 500. The control unit 250 controls each unit of the coupon processing device 200. For example, a program corresponding to the control unit 250 is pre-stored in the storage unit 230 or a dedicated storage device, and the function and operation of the control unit 250 are realized by executing this program by hardware such as a CPU. The control unit 250 can control each unit based on information input via the operation and display unit 210, information acquired from the coupon 301 via the reading unit 220, information transmitted and received between the cash processing device 100 and the coupon management device 500 via the communication unit 240, and information stored in the storage unit 230. This realizes the functions and operations of the coupon processing device 200 described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the functions and operations of the coupon processing device 200 realized by the control of the control unit 250 may be simply referred to as the functions and operations of the coupon processing device 200.

[0071] The coupon management device 500 is a computer device including a control unit and a storage unit. The coupon management device 500 is communicably connected to the coupon processing device 200 and the coin deposit device 300. The coupon management device 500 stores and manages information about each coupon 301 issued by the coin deposit device 300 in the storage unit.

[0072] 4 is a diagram showing an example of coupon data managed by the coupon management device 500. The coupon data includes the following items: "coupon number," "coupon amount," "expiration date," "change dispensing availability," "usage," and "unadjusted change amount."

[0073] The "Coupon Number" field registers the coupon number, which is an identification number assigned to distinguish each coupon 301. In association with the coupon number, information regarding the coupon amount, expiration date, whether change can be withdrawn, and the amount of used and unpaid change for each coupon 301 is registered.

[0074] The "Coupon Amount" field is registered with the amount that a customer can pay using coupon 301 at the store. The coupon amount given to coupon 301 is determined based on the amount of coins that the customer deposits into coin deposit device 300 and the store's settings. If the store sets no handling fee, the deposited amount becomes the coupon amount, and if the store sets a handling fee, the amount obtained by deducting the handling fee from the deposited amount becomes the coupon amount.

[0075] The "Expiration Date" field registers the date by which the coupon 301 can be used. Once the expiration date registered here has passed, the coupon 301 can no longer be used for payment. The expiration date is determined based on the date and time the customer deposits coins into the coin deposit device 300 and on settings made by the store. For example, the store can set the expiration date to the day of deposit or one week from the date of deposit.

[0076] The "Change Dispensing Possible / Invisible" field registers information indicating whether or not change is permitted to be returned to a customer when a coupon 301 is used for payment and the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount. When a coupon 301 for which the change dispensing possible / invisible field is registered as "Yes" is used, the cash processing device 100 dispenses change if the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount. When a coupon 301 for which the change dispensing possible / invisible field is registered as "No" is used, the cash processing device 100 does not dispense change. For example, a store can set the system to not permit change dispensing regardless of the coupon amount, or to permit change dispensing. A store can also prepare conditions for permitting or disallowing change dispensing and set the system to change whether or not change dispensing is permitted depending on the conditions. For example, a store can set a threshold value and permit or disallow change dispensing based on the result of comparing the threshold value with the coupon amount.

[0077] The "Used" field stores information indicating whether or not the coupon 301 has been used. In other words, usability information indicating whether or not the coupon 301 can be used is registered. A coupon 301 registered as "Not used" indicates that it can be used. When a customer makes a payment using the coupon 301 at the cash processing device 100, the status is updated from "Not used" to "Used," and the coupon 301 can no longer be used. This prevents the same coupon 301 from being used multiple times. The example in Figure 4 shows that the coupon 301 with coupon number "001" has not yet been used, and the coupons 301 with coupon numbers "002" and "003" have already been used.

[0078] The "unpaid change" field is registered when change that would have been returned to the customer in a normal cash payment is not returned to the customer because the payment was made using coupon 301. Specifically, when a coupon amount exceeding the transaction amount is paid using coupon 301, but the cash processing device 100 does not dispense the change because the store does not allow change to be dispensed, this change amount is registered as unpaid change. The example in Figure 4 shows that for the transaction with coupon number "003," if the customer had paid the coupon amount in cash, 200 yen would have been returned as change, but the customer did not receive change because the customer used coupon 301 and the change dispense option was set to "not allowed."

[0079] The coupon amount, expiration date, and whether or not change can be dispensed can be set by the store by operating the operation display unit 310 of the coin deposit device 300. The coin deposit device 300 issues coupons 301 based on the settings made by the store.

[0080] Note that Figure 4 is an example and does not limit the coupon data. The coupon data may not include some of the items shown in Figure 4, or may include items not shown in Figure 4. For example, the amount of unpaid change may be managed as separate data, and the coupon data may include the issuance date and time and the use date and time of coupon 301.

[0081] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing carried out in the trading system 1. As explained in Figure 1, the trading system 1 also allows payments by electronic payment, but Figure 5 shows the flow of processing when payment is made by cash payment.

[0082] When a customer inserts a coin into the coin deposit slot 321 of the coin deposit device 300 and performs a predetermined operation on the operation display unit 310, the coin deposit device 300 executes a deposit process (step S1). The coin deposit device 300 issues a coupon 301 from the coupon issuing unit 360 (step S2).

[0083] The coin deposit device 300 assigns a coupon number, which is identification information for identifying each coupon, to each coupon 301 it issues. The coin deposit device 300 determines the coupon amount, expiration date, and whether or not change can be dispensed based on the amount of coins deposited and settings prepared in advance by the store. The coin deposit device 300 issues a coupon 301 on which the coupon amount, expiration date, and a barcode indicating the coupon number are printed. The date and time the coins were deposited and the amount deposited may also be printed on the coupon 301. Setting information regarding whether or not change can be dispensed, i.e., information indicating whether or not change will be dispensed when the coupon is used, may also be printed on the coupon 301.

[0084] The coin deposit device 300 transmits coupon information including the coupon number, coupon amount, expiration date, and whether or not change can be dispensed to the coupon management device 500 (step S3). Upon receiving the coupon information, the coupon management device 500 registers the coupon information in the coupon data and manages it (step S4). The coupon data is managed as described in FIG. 4.

[0085] Alternatively, settings related to coupon issuance, such as the coupon amount, expiration date, and whether or not change can be dispensed, may be stored in the coupon management device 500, and the coupon 301 may be issued by the coin deposit device 300 and the coupon management device 500. For example, the coin deposit device 300 may transmit deposit information including the amount of coins deposited to the coupon management device 500, and the coupon management device 500 may determine the coupon amount, expiration date, and whether or not change can be dispensed based on the settings related to coupon issuance and the deposited amount, assign a coupon number, register it in coupon data, and transmit the registered details to the coin deposit device 300. The coin deposit device 300 may issue the coupon 301 based on the coupon information received from the coupon management device 500.

[0086] A customer who receives the coupon 301 can check the coupon amount and expiration date from the information printed on the coupon 301. After selecting the products to purchase in the store, the customer proceeds to the checkout counter. At the checkout counter, a cash processing device 100 connected to a POS register 400 and a coupon processing device 200 connected to the cash processing device 100 are installed.

[0087] After the customer moves to the checkout counter, the POS register 400 reads the information of the product that the customer will purchase (step S5) and performs a process to determine the transaction amount (step S6). Once the transaction amount is determined, the POS register 400 transmits a command to execute cash processing to receive cash from the customer in the amount of the transaction amount to the cash processing device 100 (step S7).

[0088] Meanwhile, the coupon processing device 200 performs a process to read the information of the coupon 301. Figure 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the coupon processing device 200. For example, as shown in Figure 6(a), a screen asking the customer whether or not to use the coupon 301 is displayed on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200.

[0089] Other information related to coupon 301 may also be displayed on the screen. For example, if coupon 301 can only be used for cash payments, information indicating this may be displayed on the screen, as shown in Fig. 6(a). If coupon 301 can be used for cash payments and for payments in which part of the transaction amount is paid electronically and the rest is paid in cash, information indicating this may be displayed on the screen.

[0090] When a customer performs an operation on the screen of Figure 6(a) indicating their intention to use coupon 301, a screen will be displayed instructing them to enter the barcode (code information) printed on coupon 301, as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0091] When the customer checks the screen of FIG. 6(b) and holds the barcode printed on the coupon 301 over the reading unit 220 of the coupon processing device 200, the coupon processing device 200 reads the barcode (Step S8 in FIG. 5).

[0092] When the coupon number is obtained from the barcode, the coupon processing device 200 queries the coupon management device 500 for coupon information based on the coupon number (step S9). The coupon management device 500 refers to the coupon data shown in Fig. 4 based on the coupon number and identifies the coupon information of the coupon 301 to be used by the customer (step S10). The coupon management device 500 transmits the coupon information to the coupon processing device 200 (step S11).

[0093] If a coupon number cannot be obtained from the barcode or if the obtained coupon number is not included in the coupon data, a screen instructing the customer to check with a cashier is displayed on the operation and display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200, as shown in FIG. 6(c). For example, if a customer requests a store clerk to use a conventional gift certificate and has the barcode on the reading unit 220 read it, the screen shown in FIG. 6(c) is displayed. In this case, the store clerk who receives the customer's request will receive the gift certificate and process it in a manner different from coupon processing in the coupon processing device 200. For example, such gift certificates are processed by operating the POS register 400.

[0094] If the coupon 301 has passed its expiration date or has already been used, information indicating this is displayed on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 6(d), information indicating that the coupon 301 cannot be used and the reason for this is displayed. In this case, a cash transaction is performed in which the coupon 301 is not used and the transaction amount is paid in cash. The coupon management device 500 may determine whether the coupon 301 can be used and transmit the determination result to the coupon processing device 200. The coupon management device 500 may only transmit the coupon information, and the coupon processing device 200 may make the determination.

[0095] If it is confirmed that the coupon 301 is usable, the coupon processing device 200 transmits coupon information required for processing the coupon 301 to the cash processing device 100 (Step S12 in FIG. 5). For example, the coupon amount and information on whether or not change can be dispensed are transmitted to the cash processing device 100.

[0096] The order of execution of the step of determining the transaction amount with the customer (steps S5 to S7) and the step of specifying the coupon amount of the coupon 301 used by the customer (steps S8 to S12) is not particularly limited, and they may be executed in parallel, or one may be executed first. Specifically, the coupon amount may be specified after the POS register 400 sends a command to execute cash processing to the cash processing device 100, or the coupon amount may be specified before the command to execute cash processing is sent. While the cashier is performing an operation to determine the transaction amount on the POS register 400, the customer may have the coupon processing device 200 read the coupon 301 in parallel.

[0097] The cash processing device 100 receives the transaction amount from the POS register 400, and receives the coupon amount and change dispensing availability information from the coupon processing device 200, and executes the cash processing (step S13). When the cash processing is completed, the cash processing device 100 transmits a completion notice to the POS register 400 (step S14). When the POS register 400 receives the completion notice, it issues a receipt (step S15), and the transaction with the customer is completed. As indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig. 5, the coupon data shown in Fig. 4 is updated as necessary based on the cash processing details performed in the cash processing device 100 (step S16). A specific description will be given with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

[0098] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of cash processing executed by the cash processing device 100. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a transaction including cash processing. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200 during cash processing.

[0099] The cash processing device 100 compares the transaction amount received from the POS register 400 with the coupon amount received from the coupon processing device 200 (Step S21 in FIG. 7).

[0100] If the coupon amount is equal to the transaction amount (step S21; coupon amount = transaction amount), the cash processing device 100 does not execute the cash processing. The cash processing device 100 transmits a notification indicating that the coupon 301 has been used to the coupon processing device 200 (step S25), and ends the processing.

[0101] 5 is executed to update the coupon data. Specifically, the coupon processing device 200 transmits the coupon number and information indicating that the coupon 301 with that coupon number has been used to the coupon management device 500. The coupon management device 500 updates the data registered in the "Used" field corresponding to the coupon number in the coupon data shown in FIG. 4 from "Not Used" to "Used."

[0102] For example, as shown in transaction example No. 1 in Fig. 8, if the transaction amount of 700 yen is the same as the coupon amount of 700 yen, the amount of cash deposited into the cash processing device 100 and the amount of change dispensed from the cash processing device 100 will both be 0 yen. Even though the cash processing device 100 does not execute the deposit process, it sends a cash processing result to the POS register 400 (step S14 in Fig. 5) indicating the deposited amount as 700 yen and the change as 0 yen, as shown in the item "cash processing result" in Fig. 8.

[0103] If the coupon amount is less than the transaction amount (step S21 in FIG. 7; coupon amount<transaction amount), the cash processing device 100 executes cash processing to receive the shortfall amount in cash from the customer. For example, the cash processing device 100 displays a screen shown in FIG. 9(a) on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200. The screen displays the transaction amount, coupon amount, and shortfall amount, as well as information instructing the customer to deposit the shortfall amount in cash into the cash processing device 100.

[0104] The cash processing device 100 executes a deposit process to receive cash from the customer for the shortfall, which is the transaction amount minus the coupon amount (step S22 in FIG. 7). The cash processing device 100 compares the amount of cash received from the customer with the shortfall, and determines whether or not change needs to be dispensed (step S23).

[0105] If the deposit amount exceeds the shortfall (step S23; Yes), the cash processing device 100 executes a dispensing process to dispense change equal to the difference between the deposit amount and the shortfall (step S24). Change equal to the amount obtained by subtracting the shortfall from the deposit amount is dispensed. For example, as shown in the transaction example No. 2 in FIG. 8, if the coupon amount of 500 yen is less than the transaction amount of 700 yen and the customer deposits 1,000 yen bills into the cash processing device 100, the cash processing device 100 dispenses 800 yen in change coins. In this case, a completion notice (step S14 in FIG. 5) is sent to the POS register 400 indicating the cash processing result with the deposit amount as 1,500 yen and the change amount as 800 yen. Even though the cash processing device 100 executed a deposit process for a deposit amount of 1,000 yen, it sends a completion notice indicating the deposit amount as the sum of the coupon amount of 500 yen and the deposit amount of 1,000 yen.

[0106] If the deposited amount is equal to the shortfall (Step S23 in FIG. 7; No), the cash processing device 100 does not dispense change. For example, as shown in the transaction example No. 3 in FIG. 8, if the coupon amount of 500 yen is less than the transaction amount of 700 yen and the customer deposits 200 yen coins to cover the shortfall into the cash processing device 100, the change dispensing process is not executed. In this case, a completion notice (Step S14 in FIG. 5) is sent to the POS register 400 as a cash processing result indicating the deposited amount as 700 yen and the change amount as 0 yen. Even though the cash processing device 100 has executed a deposit process for a deposited amount of 200 yen, it sends a completion notice indicating the deposited amount as the sum of the coupon amount of 500 yen and the deposited amount of 200 yen.

[0107] After completing the cash processing, the cash processing device 100 transmits a notification to the coupon processing device 200 indicating that the coupon 301 has been used (step S25 in FIG. 7), and ends the processing. When the coupon 301 is used, the processing of step S16 in FIG. 5 is executed as described above, and the coupon data is updated.

[0108] If the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount (step S21 in FIG. 7; coupon amount > transaction amount), the cash processing device 100 determines whether or not the withdrawal of change is permitted (step S26). This determination is made based on the change withdrawal permission information received from the coupon processing device 200 in step S12 in FIG. 5.

[0109] If change withdrawal is permitted, i.e., if the "Change Withdrawal Possible / Not Possible" field in the coupon data shown in FIG. 4 is set to "Yes" (Step S26 in FIG. 7; Yes), the cash processing device 100 executes a withdrawal process to dispense change equal to the difference between the coupon amount and the transaction amount (Step S27). The excess change obtained by subtracting the deposited amount from the coupon amount is dispensed. For example, the cash processing device 100 displays a screen shown in FIG. 9(b) on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200. The screen displays the transaction amount, coupon amount, and change amount, as well as information indicating that cash equivalent to the change amount will be dispensed from the cash processing device 100. For example, as shown in the transaction example No. 4 in FIG. 8, if the coupon amount of 900 yen exceeds the transaction amount of 700 yen, the cash processing device 100 dispenses 200 yen in change coins. In this case, a completion notice (step S14 in FIG. 5) is sent to the POS register 400 indicating the cash processing result with the deposit amount of 900 yen and the change amount of 200 yen. The cash processing device 100 sends a completion notice indicating the deposit amount as the coupon amount of 900 yen, even though the deposit processing is not executed.

[0110] After completing the cash processing, the cash processing device 100 transmits a notification to the coupon processing device 200 indicating that the coupon 301 has been used (step S25 in FIG. 7), and ends the processing. When the coupon 301 is used, the processing of step S16 in FIG. 5 is executed as described above, and the coupon data is updated.

[0111] On the other hand, if change withdrawal is not permitted, that is, if the "Change Withdrawal Possible / Not Possible" item in the coupon data shown in FIG. 4 is set to "Not Possible" (Step S26 in FIG. 7; No), the cash processing device 100 prompts the customer to select whether or not to cancel the use of the coupon 301 (Step S28). For example, the cash processing device 100 displays a selection screen shown in FIG. 9(c) on the operation display unit 210 of the coupon processing device 200. The screen displays the transaction amount, the coupon amount, the difference between the transaction amount and the coupon amount, and information indicating that cash equivalent to the difference that would be withdrawn as change if the coupon 301 is not used will not be withdrawn. Also displayed are buttons for selecting whether to discard the change and continue using the coupon 301, or to cancel the use of the coupon 301 and pay the transaction amount in cash.

[0112] If the customer selects to continue using the coupon 301 on the selection screen (Step S28; No), the cash processing device 100 does not execute either the deposit process or the withdrawal process. For example, as shown in the transaction example No. 5 in Fig. 8, even though the coupon amount of 900 yen exceeds the transaction amount of 700 yen, the amount deposited into the cash processing device 100 and the amount of change dispensed from the cash processing device 100 are both 0 yen. In this case, a completion notice (Step S14 in Fig. 5) is sent to the POS register 400 as a cash processing result indicating the deposited amount as 700 yen and the change amount as 0 yen. The cash processing device 100 does not execute the deposit process, and sends a completion notice indicating the deposited amount as the transaction amount of 700 yen, even though the coupon amount of 900 yen exceeds the transaction amount of 700 yen.

[0113] The cash processing device 100 sends a notification to the coupon processing device 200 indicating that the change that would have been dispensed in a normal settlement process was not dispensed (Step S29 in FIG. 7). The notification includes the amount of the undispensed change. The coupon number and the amount of undispensed change in the transaction using the coupon 301 with that coupon number are sent from the coupon processing device 200 to the coupon management device 500. In the coupon data shown in FIG. 4, the amount of change is registered in the "Unpaid Change Amount" field corresponding to the coupon number. Note that the unpaid change discarded by the customer may be treated as, for example, a tip from the customer to the store clerk. The cash processing device 100 may be equipped with a coupon issuing unit that accepts a setting to return the unpaid change amount to the customer in the form of a coupon, and issues and returns a coupon for the unpaid change amount to the customer. In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 9(c) may display information indicating that the change amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the coupon amount will be returned in the form of a coupon.

[0114] After completing the cash processing, the cash processing device 100 transmits a notification to the coupon processing device 200 indicating that the coupon 301 has been used (step S25 in FIG. 7), and ends the processing. When the coupon 301 is used, the processing of step S16 in FIG. 5 is executed as described above, and the coupon data is updated.

[0115] If the customer selects to cancel the use of the coupon 301 on the selection screen shown in Figure 9(c) (Step S28 in Figure 7; Yes), the cash processing device 100 executes a deposit process to receive cash for the transaction amount (Step S30). The cash processing device 100 compares the deposited amount obtained in the deposit process with the transaction amount and determines whether or not change needs to be dispensed (Step S31).

[0116] If the deposited amount is equal to the transaction amount (step S31; No), the cash processing device 100 does not dispense change. For example, as shown in the transaction example of No. 6 in Fig. 8, if cash processing is executed with a coupon amount of 0 yen and the customer deposits 700 yen coins, the transaction amount, into the cash processing device 100, the change dispensing process is not executed.

[0117] On the other hand, if the deposit amount exceeds the transaction amount (Step S31 in FIG. 7; Yes), the cash processing device 100 executes a dispensing process to dispense change equal to the difference between the deposit amount and the transaction amount (Step S32), and terminates the process. Change equal to the amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the deposit amount is dispensed. For example, as shown in the transaction example No. 7 in FIG. 8, if the coupon amount is 0 yen and the transaction amount is 700 yen, and a customer deposits a 1,000 yen bill into the cash processing device 100, the cash processing device 100 will dispense 300 yen in change coins.

[0118] If the use of the coupon 301 is canceled midway, the cash processing device 100 does not send a notification that the coupon 301 has been used. Therefore, the coupon data shown in Fig. 4 is not updated. The completion notification to the POS register 400 (Fig. 5, step S14) is sent in the same way as in normal cash processing. That is, a completion notification is sent in which the amount of cash deposited into the cash processing device 100 is the deposit amount and the amount of cash dispensed from the cash processing device 100 is the change amount.

[0119] In the present embodiment, the transaction system 1 is shown as including a POS system consisting of a POS register 400 and a POS server 400, a cash processing device 100, a coupon processing device 200, and a coin deposit device 300, and as an example of a configuration further including a coupon management device 500. However, these configurations are merely functional schematics, and the transaction system 1 is not limited to these physical configurations. For example, the cash processing device 100 may implement some or all of the functions and operations of the coupon processing device 200 described above. Alternatively, any of the cash processing device 100, the coupon processing device 200, and the coin deposit device 300 may implement some or all of the functions and operations of the coupon management device 500 described above. The form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the above examples, and all or some of them may be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0120] The above has described an embodiment of the cash processing device 100 according to the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration and operation of the cash processing device 100 are not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented with various improvements, changes, and modifications based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art, within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0121] The cash processing device and cash processing method according to the present disclosure are useful for easily enabling coupons to be used in stores. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Trading System 10. Banknote processing unit 20 Coin Processing Unit 40 POS servers 100 Cash handling equipment 200 Coupon processing device 300 Coin deposit device 400 POS registers 500 Coupon management device

Claims

1. A cash processing device used to settle a transaction amount, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving information to and from an external device; a cash processing unit capable of performing cash processing including deposit processing and withdrawal processing; A control unit that controls the cash processing unit to execute cash processing; a coupon processing unit that acquires coupon information; Equipped with When the control unit receives a cash processing execution command to receive a transaction amount and cash equivalent to the transaction amount via the communication unit, the control unit executes the cash processing in the cash processing unit based on the coupon amount of the coupon accepted by the coupon processing unit, the transaction amount, and the amount of deposited cash. A cash processing device characterized by:

2. If the coupon amount matches the transaction amount, The control unit Without performing cash processing in the cash processing unit, and notifying the completion of the cash transaction, in which cash equivalent to the transaction amount for which the execution command was received, via the communication unit. The cash processing device according to claim 1 .

3. If the coupon amount is less than the transaction amount, The control unit The cash processing unit executes a cash process to receive cash for the shortfall obtained by subtracting the coupon amount from the transaction amount, and notifying the completion of the cash transaction, in which cash equivalent to the transaction amount for which the execution command was received, via the communication unit. The cash processing device according to claim 1 .

4. If the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and the setting is such that change is permitted to be withdrawn when a coupon whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount is used, The control unit The cash processing unit executes a cash process to dispense change equivalent to the amount obtained by subtracting the transaction amount from the coupon amount, and notifying the completion of the cash transaction, in which cash equivalent to the transaction amount for which the execution command was received, via the communication unit. The cash processing device according to claim 1 .

5. If the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount and the setting is such that change is not permitted when using a coupon whose coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount, The control unit Accept the choice to continue using the coupon or cancel it. If the user selects to continue using the coupon, the cash processing unit does not execute the cash processing, but notifies the user via the communication unit that the cash processing has been completed and that the cash equivalent to the transaction amount has been received. If the user selects to cancel the use of the coupon, the cash processing unit executes a cash process to receive cash for the transaction amount, and notifies the user of the completion of the cash process via the communication unit. The cash processing device according to claim 1 .

6. Display section showing transaction information Furthermore, After receiving a cash processing execution command to receive cash for the transaction amount, the control unit displays a screen on the display unit that requests input of coupon information to the coupon processing unit, and specifies the coupon amount based on the coupon information input to the coupon processing unit. The cash processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Display area that displays a screen requesting the input of coupon information Furthermore, The control unit determines the coupon amount based on coupon information input to the coupon processing unit before receiving an execution command for cash processing to receive cash for the transaction amount. The cash processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The coupon processing unit has a reading unit, The control unit identifies the coupon amount based on coupon information read from the coupon by the reading unit. The cash processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Operation section that accepts customer operations Furthermore, The control unit starts reading the coupon information by the reading unit based on an operation performed on the operation unit. The cash processing device according to claim 8 .

10. The control unit The reading unit reads a coupon number from the coupon; The coupon amount is identified by inquiring, via the communication unit, about an external device that stores coupon data in which coupon amounts of a plurality of coupons are registered in association with coupon numbers of the respective coupons, based on the coupon numbers. The cash processing device according to claim 8 .

11. The coupon data includes, in association with the coupon number of each coupon, change dispensing availability information indicating whether or not change dispensing is permitted when the coupon amount exceeds the transaction amount, The control unit controls whether or not to dispense change when the cash processing is performed based on the change dispensing availability information acquired based on the coupon number. The cash processing device according to claim 10 .

12. The coupon data includes coupon number information for each coupon, and usability information indicating whether the coupon has been used or not, in association with the coupon number of each coupon. The control unit notifies the communication unit of the coupon number of the used coupon, thereby updating the usability information corresponding to the coupon number to "used." The cash processing device according to claim 10 .

13. The coupon is issued by a coin deposit device that accepts coins from customers and stores them in the device, The coupon is given with a coupon amount based on the total amount of coins deposited by the customer into the coin deposit device. The cash processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The cash processing unit receives coins from customers and stores them in the device; The coupon is issued with a coupon amount based on the total amount of coins deposited by the customer into the cash processing unit. The cash processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A cash processing method executed by a cash processing device for cash processing used for settling a transaction amount, comprising: receiving, via a communication unit, an execution command for cash processing to receive cash for the transaction amount and an approximate transaction amount; receiving a coupon that can be used to pay the transaction amount into a coupon processing unit; a step of executing cash processing in a cash processing unit based on the coupon amount of the coupon received by the coupon processing unit, the transaction amount, and the amount of deposited cash; A cash processing method comprising:

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