Registration machine, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a registration machine that enables customers to easily select their preferred settlement terminals.SOLUTION: A registration machine according to the present disclosure includes: registration means for registering articles purchased by customers in response to store clerk operations; display control means for displaying a screen indicating location characteristics of each of a plurality of settlement terminals on a customer-side touch panel; selection means for selecting a settlement terminal from the plurality of settlement terminals based on input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; and transmission means for transmitting registration information of the articles to the selected settlement terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a registration machine or the like of a checkout system equipped with multiple payment machines. [Background technology]

[0002] Supermarkets and other stores use checkout systems that have a registration machine for registering products to be purchased and multiple payment machines for processing the payment for the registered products. The store clerk operating the registration machine selects a payment machine and informs the customer of the selected machine's number. The customer then proceeds to the indicated payment machine and pays the price.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a registration machine that displays a checkout machine selection button on a touch panel that can be viewed by a shopper, allowing the shopper to select from a plurality of checkout machines which will carry out the checkout process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192286 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] After registering the product in the registration machine, if the customer can pay at the checkout machine of their choice from among multiple checkout machines, customer satisfaction will increase. However, each customer may take different factors into consideration when selecting the checkout machine of their choice.

[0006] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a registration machine or the like that allows customers to easily select their preferred payment machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the registration machine includes a registration means for registering products to be purchased by a customer in response to operation by a store clerk, a display control means for displaying a screen on the customer's touch panel showing the characteristics of the placement of each of multiple checkout machines, a selection means for selecting a checkout machine from the multiple checkout machines based on input to the customer's touch panel on the screen, and a transmission means for transmitting registration information of the products to the selected checkout machine.

[0008] An information processing method in one aspect of the present disclosure registers the products to be purchased by a customer in response to operations by a store clerk, displays a screen on the customer's touch panel showing the characteristics of the placement of each of multiple checkout machines, selects a checkout machine from the multiple checkout machines based on input to the customer's touch panel on the screen, and sends the product registration information to the selected checkout machine.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process of registering a product to be purchased by a customer in response to an operation by a store clerk, displaying a screen on a customer-side touch panel showing the layout characteristics of each of a plurality of checkout machines, selecting a checkout machine from the plurality of checkout machines based on an input on the screen to the customer-side touch panel, and transmitting the product registration information to the selected checkout machine. The program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] One example of the effect of the present disclosure is that it makes it easy for customers to select their preferred payment machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of connections between devices in a checkout system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of devices in the checkout system. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a registration machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a customer-side touch panel. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a customer-side touch panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a customer-side touch panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a customer-side touch panel. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the registration machine. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the checkout system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A checkout system 100 according to the present disclosure includes at least one registration machine 10 and multiple payment machines 20. An example of the connections between the devices in the checkout system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 1 . The registration machine 10 is communicatively connected to multiple payment machines 20. The checkout system 100 may include two or more registration machines 10. The number of payment machines 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more. The checkout system 100 may further include other devices (not shown), such as a management device that manages the registration machines 10 and the payment machines 20. For example, the management device controls the power states of the registration machines 10 and the payment machines 20. The management device may assign multiple payment machines 20 to a registration machine 10 and group the payment machines 20. The checkout system 100 may be communicatively connected to other systems, such as a Point of Sales (POS) system (not shown) that manages store sales.

[0013] An example of the arrangement of each device in the checkout system 100 of the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a checkout area, which is a part of a store, where customers pay for their products. There is no particular limit to the number of registration machines 10 and checkout machines 20 that may be arranged in the checkout area. Customers bring the products they wish to purchase and line up at the registration machine 10 from the left side of FIG. 2. A store clerk operates the registration machine 10 to register the products that the customer wishes to purchase. The customer then moves to one of the locations indicated by the dashed ovals and pays for the registered products at the checkout machine 20.

[0014] An example configuration of a registration device 10 in the present disclosure will be described using Figure 3. The registration device 10 includes a registration unit 101, a display control unit 102, a selection unit 103, and a transmission unit 104. The registration device 10 is communicably connected to a store clerk touch panel 12, a customer touch panel 13, and a barcode scanner 14. The store clerk touch panel 12 and the customer touch panel 13 each display a screen and accept touch inputs to the screen. The store clerk touch panel 12, the customer touch panel 13, and the barcode scanner 14 may each be formed integrally with a device that realizes the registration device 10.

[0015] The registration unit 101 registers products to be purchased by customers in response to operations by a store clerk. The registration unit 101 may generate registration information for the registered products. The registration information is information used in the payment process at the payment machine 20. The registration information includes information on the product name and price. When the registration unit 101 transmits information on the registered products to a management device of the checkout system 100, the management device may generate the registration information. The registration unit 101 may receive the registration information from the management device.

[0016] For example, in response to a store clerk's operation of reading a barcode attached to a product using barcode scanner 14, registration unit 101 registers the product corresponding to the read barcode. Also, for example, in response to a store clerk's operation of touching a button displayed on store clerk-side touch panel 12, registration unit 101 registers the product corresponding to the button for a product that does not have a barcode attached.

[0017] The display control unit 102 displays a screen on the customer-side touch panel 13 showing the layout characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20. The layout characteristics are characteristics of the location of the payment machine 20 in the payment area. The displayed layout characteristics serve as information for the customer to decide which payment machine 20 to use. The display control unit 102 may display a screen showing the layout characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20 using different criteria. The criterion used to show the layout characteristics of the payment machine 20 is a specific location in the store. As a criterion, for example, the location of the store's equipment is used. The layout characteristics of the payment machine 20 are shown by its position relative to the criterion. By showing the layout characteristics using multiple criteria, the customer can determine the criteria that are important to them and prioritize them when deciding which payment machine 20 to use. Furthermore, the customer can make a comprehensive decision, which improves customer satisfaction.

[0018] The location characteristics of the payment machine 20 can be expressed, for example, by the distance from the registration machine 10, based on the location of the registration machine 10. After registering a product, a customer may desire a payment machine 20 as close as possible to their current location. Furthermore, the location characteristics of the payment machine 20 can be expressed by whether there are other payment machines 20 on at least one side, based on the locations of other payment machines 20. A customer may desire a payment machine 20 that does not have other payment machines 20 next to it, so that their wallets and cards are less likely to be seen by other customers while they are operating the payment machine 20. Furthermore, the location characteristics of the payment machine 20 can be expressed by the distance to the exit, based on the location of the exit. A customer may desire a payment machine 20 close to the exit in order to smoothly leave the store after paying at the payment machine 20. If there are multiple directions in which a customer may move after paying, the locations of other store facilities, such as parking lots, escalators, elevators, and cart return areas, may also be used as criteria. The method of expressing the characteristics of the arrangement is not limited to these, and the characteristics of the arrangement may be expressed using other criteria.

[0019] On the screen displayed by the display control unit 102, the characteristics of the placement of the payment machines 20 may be indicated by keywords. A sentence including the keyword may be displayed on the screen. The association between each payment machine 20 and the keyword of the displayed placement characteristic is set in advance. The display control unit 102 generates screen data based on the data of the association between the payment machines 20 and the keyword that has been set in advance.

[0020] The display control unit 102 may display a screen that shows the location characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20 based on a single criterion. For example, to allow a customer to select a payment machine 20 while taking into consideration whether there are other payment machines 20 on the left or right, the display control unit 102 may display a sentence such as "Do you want the payment machine 20 on the corner near the wall?" along with selection buttons for "Yes" and "No." This screen allows a customer to understand that some payment machines 20 are located on corners near the wall, while other payment machines 20 are not. When selection buttons for payment machines 20 are displayed, a keyword such as "right next to" may be displayed on the button for the payment machine 20 closest to the registration machine 10. In this case, the selection buttons for the other payment machines 20 may not include a keyword indicating the location characteristics. The customer can understand that other payment machines 20 that do not display a keyword are not close to the registration machine 10.

[0021] On a screen that displays the layout characteristics of each of a plurality of settlement machines 20 using different criteria, the layout characteristics of one settlement machine 20 may be displayed using one criterion, and the layout characteristics of another settlement machine 20 may be displayed using another criterion. Furthermore, layout characteristics based on each of a plurality of criteria may be displayed for one settlement machine 20.

[0022] An example of a screen that the display control unit 102 displays on the customer-side touch panel 13 will be described using Figure 4. The payment machine preference area D2 in Figure 4 includes three selection buttons that display the placement characteristics of the payment machine 20. The words "closest," "empty on either side," and "near the exit" included in each selection button are examples of keywords that indicate the placement characteristics of the payment machine 20. For example, selection button D2-1 displays that, for one payment machine 20, it is closest to the registration machine 10. Selection button D2-2 displays that, for one payment machine 20, there are no other payment machines 20 on the left or right. Selection button D2-2 displays that, for one payment machine 20, it is closer to the exit than the other payment machines 20. The placement characteristics of each payment machine 20 are shown using different criteria.

[0023] On the screen displayed by the display control unit 102, the location of the payment machines 20 may be shown by a map. A map is a layout diagram that visually shows the location of the store's equipment using symbols and figures. Map data may be stored in advance in the registration machine 10. The display control unit 102 generates screen data based on the map data. In the screen data, the customer's location may be shown on the map. The location of the registration machine 10 or the customer's current location and the locations of multiple payment machines 20 are shown on the map, so that the approximate distance from each payment machine 20 to the registration machine 10 can be seen. The locations of multiple payment machines 20 are shown on the map, so that whether there are other payment machines 20 nearby can be seen. The location of the payment machine 20 and the location of the exit are shown on the map, so that the approximate distance to the exit can be seen.

[0024] Another example of a screen that the display control unit 102 displays on the customer-side touch panel 13 will be described using Figure 5. The screen in Figure 5 displays the customer's current location and the locations of multiple payment machines 20. Also, on the screen in Figure 5, areas of payment machines 20 that the customer cannot select are displayed grayed out. This is because the payment machine 20 assigned to the registration machine 10 is managed so that it can be selected. In Figure 5, the direction of the exit and the location of the baggage collection table are displayed on a map, which helps the customer decide which payment machine 20 to select.

[0025] The display control unit 102 may display information identifying the payment machine 20 in association with the placement features on a screen that displays the placement features of the payment machine 20. The information identifying the payment machine 20 may be an identification number or a mark, etc. On the screens of Figures 4 and 5, the identification numbers of the payment machines 20 are displayed, such as "payment machine 1," "payment machine 2," and "payment machine 3." Each payment machine 20 may be fitted with a panel that displays information identifying the 20. This allows customers to understand the correspondence between the payment machine 20 displayed on the screen and the actual payment machine 20.

[0026] The display control unit 102 may display the registration information of the products registered in the registration unit 101 on the customer-side touch panel 13. The display control unit 102 acquires the registration information and generates screen data. The display control unit 102 may update and display the registration information each time a product is added by a store clerk's operation. For example, the display control unit 102 displays the registration information and the characteristics of the placement of the payment machine 20 side by side. Area D1 in Figure 4 is an example of a display area for registration information. By displaying them side by side, the customer can check the registration status while registering the product and consider which payment machine 20 to use for payment.

[0027] The display control unit 102 may display the waiting status of each payment machine 20 in association with the location characteristics of the payment machine 20. The waiting status is information that allows a customer who is registering a product to determine an estimate of the time until the next customer can use the payment machine 20. The display control unit 102, for example, receives the waiting status of each payment machine 20 from each payment machine 20. The display control unit 102 then displays the received waiting status. The display control unit 102 may receive the waiting status via a management device (not shown) of the checkout system 100. The waiting status is displayed using text, color, or the like. The displayed waiting status, together with the location characteristics of the payment machine 20, provides information for the customer to use when deciding which payment machine 20 to use. A customer may use a payment machine 20 in a desired location even if there is a wait time, or may use a payment machine 20 that is less crowded.

[0028] The waiting status of the payment machine 20 may be, for example, information indicating whether the payment machine 20 is in use or not. In this case, the display control unit 102, for example, displays at least one of the fact that each payment machine 20 is in use and that it is not in use. In the example of FIG. 4, "payment machine 1" and "payment machine 3" are displayed as being in use, and "payment machine 2" is displayed as being not in use. On the screen of FIG. 5, a dashed ellipse is displayed in the area in front of the payment machine 20 that is in use, indicating that there is another customer present.

[0029] The waiting status of the payment machine 20 may be information indicating the number of people waiting before a customer can use the payment machine 20. In this case, the display control unit 102 displays, for example, that the number of people waiting is 0 when the payment machine 20 is not in use, and that the number of people waiting is 1 or 2 when the payment machine 20 is in use.

[0030] The waiting status of the settlement machine 20 may also be information indicating the stage of the settlement process of the settlement machine 20. The stages of the settlement process include, for example, selecting a payment method, processing payment, and printing a receipt. The customer touches the screen of the settlement machine 20 to select a payment method. The display control unit 102 may display different stages of the payment process depending on whether the payment method is electronic payment or cash. For example, the display control unit 102 may display whether the settlement machine 20 is processing a payment by electronic payment or a payment by cash. Furthermore, for example, during a cash payment process, the display control unit 102 may distinguish between the stages of depositing cash, dispensing change, and retrieving change. The display control unit 102 may display the stages of the settlement process using a progress bar.

[0031] The waiting status of the payment machine 20 is not limited to information that directly indicates whether the payment machine 20 is busy or empty, and may also include information that may indirectly affect the length of the waiting time. For example, the waiting status of the payment machine 20 may be information that indicates the attributes of the customer using the payment machine 20. The customer attributes may be, for example, the customer's age, such as whether the customer is a child or an elderly person. The customer attributes may also include whether the customer is a family with a child nearby. The customer attributes may also include whether the customer requires mobility considerations, such as whether the customer uses a wheelchair or a stroller. The customer attributes can be estimated by image recognition of an image of the customer using the payment machine 20. For example, if a child or an elderly person is operating the payment machine 20, it may take a long time to operate the payment machine 20. Families and customers who require mobility considerations may take a long time to pack up their belongings and leave the payment machine 20. By displaying the attributes of the customer using the checkout machine 20 to a customer who is registering a product, the customer can determine that it may take some time before the checkout machine 20 becomes available for use.

[0032] The waiting status of the checkout machine 20 may be information indicating the amount of merchandise purchased by a customer using the checkout machine 20. The amount of merchandise can be identified based on registration information. The amount of merchandise can also be estimated by performing image recognition on an image of the customer's belongings to determine the number of baskets and whether or not a shopping cart is present. If the amount of merchandise is large, it may take some time for the customer to leave the checkout machine 20 with their belongings.

[0033] The waiting status of the payment machine 20 may be information indicating the estimated waiting time until the payment machine 20 becomes available. The display control unit 102 may display a specific time, such as 0 minutes or 30 seconds, or may display information indicating a short waiting time, such as "it will soon be available." For example, the display control unit 102 may display the shortness of the waiting time as determined by the customer's attributes, the amount of merchandise, and the stage of the payment process, or a combination of multiple parameters.

[0034] The selection unit 103 selects one payment machine 20 from the plurality of payment machines 20 based on an input to the customer-side touch panel 13 on a screen showing the placement characteristics of the payment machines 20. The customer-side touch panel 13 may be configured to accept touch input to an area of ​​a keyword that represents the placement characteristics of the displayed payment machines 20. In this case, the selection unit 103 selects the payment machine 20 associated with the characteristics displayed in the area touched by the customer. The selection unit 103 may also select the payment machine 20 touched on the map by the customer. Furthermore, when the display area of ​​information identifying the payment machine 20 is touched, the selection unit 103 selects the touched payment machine 20.

[0035] Information identifying the settlement machine 20 selected by the selection unit 103 may be displayed on the customer-side touch panel 13 by the display control unit 102. For example, the selected settlement machine 20 may be displayed differently from the other settlement machines 20. Examples of screens displayed by the display control unit 102 will be described using Figures 4 and 6. If a customer selects selection button D2-1 in Figure 4 during product registration, the display control unit 102 changes the color of each selection button, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the color of selection button D2-1 has been changed to a color different from the other selection buttons. The screen displayed in Figure 6 may accept input to the selection button of another settlement machine 20. In this case, the selection unit 103 selects the settlement machine 20 again. The customer can check changes in the waiting situation during product registration and change the settlement machine 20 to use.

[0036] Information identifying the payment machine 20 selected by the selection unit 103 may be displayed by the display control unit 102 after input to the customer-side touch panel 13 on a screen showing the layout characteristics of the payment machine 20. For example, after the character area representing the layout characteristics is touched, the display control unit 102 displays the screen shown in FIG. 7 while product registration is being performed. The payment machine preference area D2 in FIG. 7 indicates that "payment machine No. 3" has been selected. The payment machine preference area D2 may also display a map showing the location of the selected payment machine 20. If multiple customers have selected the payment machine 20 in use and a waiting line forms at the payment machine 20, the payment machine preference area D2 may also display the number of people waiting at the payment machine 20. The customer can press the "Go back and select again" button, touch the character representing the layout characteristics again, and change the payment machine 20 to use.

[0037] The selection unit 103 may select a checkout machine 20 based on an input to the clerk-side touch panel 12. At this time, the display control unit 102 further causes the clerk-side touch panel 12 to display a selection button for the checkout machine 20 that includes information identifying the checkout machine 20. For example, if the customer has not made any input to the customer-side touch panel 13 before the clerk has completed the product registration operation, the clerk touches the selection button for the checkout machine 20 displayed on the clerk-side touch panel 12. The display control unit 102 may also cause the clerk-side touch panel 12 to display the selection status of the checkout machine 20 made by the customer. The selection status of the checkout machine 20 is not particularly limited as long as it indicates whether or not the customer has made an input to the customer-side touch panel 13 to select the checkout machine 20. For example, after an input to the customer-side touch panel 13, the display control unit 102 displays the selection button for the selected checkout machine 20 differently from the selection buttons for the other checkout machines 20. The display control unit 102 may cause the clerk's touch panel 12 to display a selection button for the payment machine 20 if there is no input to the customer's touch panel 13 before the clerk touches a button to instruct the clerk to end the registration process. Furthermore, if the customer inputs to the customer's touch panel 13 that they will leave the selection of the payment machine 20 to the clerk, the display control unit 102 may cause the clerk to display a screen requesting the clerk to touch a selection button. For example, the display control unit 102 displays an "Auto" button in the payment machine preference area D2 in FIG. 4 as a button for receiving input that they will leave the selection of the payment machine 20 to the clerk.

[0038] If the customer does not input anything into the customer-side touch panel 13 by the end of the product registration process, the selection unit 103 may automatically select a checkout machine 20. The selection unit 103 automatically selects, for example, the checkout machine 20 with the smallest identification number, the checkout machine 20 closest to the registration machine 10, or a checkout machine 20 that is not in use, according to a predetermined rule.

[0039] The screen that the customer touches displays the characteristics of the location of the payment machine 20, but may not display information that identifies the payment machine 20 or the waiting status of the payment machine 20. The selection unit 103 may further select a payment machine 20 based on the waiting status. The selection unit 103 may select a payment machine 20 that matches the characteristics touched by the customer and is not in use. The selection unit 103 may also select a payment machine 20 with one or fewer people waiting. If there is one person waiting, there is a possibility that the customer using the payment machine 20 will leave during the product registration process or while the customer is moving to the payment machine 20. The selection unit 103 may also select a payment machine 20 that is in an advanced stage of the payment process, such as in the process of payment processing or receipt printing.

[0040] The transmission unit 104 transmits the registration information of the product registered in the registration unit 101 to the payment machine 20 selected by the selection unit 103. The transmission unit 104, for example, acquires the registration information generated in the registration unit 101. The transmission unit 104 transmits the registration information, for example, when a store clerk touches a button to instruct the end of the registration process. The registration information is used in the payment process at the payment machine 20. The transmission unit 104 may transmit the registration information via a management device (not shown). The transmission unit 104 may transmit the registration information to the POS system after the payment process at the payment machine 20 is completed. After the product registration process is completed, the display control unit 102 may display a screen prompting the customer to move to the selected payment machine 20. By having the customer move after the product registration is completed, it is possible to prevent congestion in the installation space of the payment machine 20. Furthermore, because the customer moves after the registration information is transmitted, it is possible to prevent confusion, such as mistaking the registration information of another customer.

[0041] An example of the operation of the registration machine 10 in the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8. For example, the registration machine 10 starts the process of Fig. 8 in response to an operation by a store clerk to read a product code.

[0042] In step S1, the registration unit 101 registers the product to be purchased by the customer in response to an operation by the store clerk. The registration unit 101 additionally registers a product each time an operation to read a product code is performed. In step S2, the display control unit 102 displays a screen on the customer-side touch panel 13 showing the layout characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20. For example, the display control unit 102 displays a selection button for the payment machine 20 including the layout characteristics. In step S3, the selection unit 103 selects one payment machine 20 from the multiple payment machines 20 based on an input to the customer-side touch panel 13 on the screen showing the layout characteristics. Steps S2 and S3 may be processed in parallel with step S1. The order of processing steps S1, S2, and S3 is not particularly limited.

[0043] After the product registration process in step S1 is completed and after the selection of the payment machine 20 in step S3, in step S4, the transmission unit 104 transmits the registration information of the registered product to the payment machine 20 selected by the selection unit 103. With this, the registration machine 10 completes the operation of FIG.

[0044] A more detailed example of the operation of the registration machine 10 in the present disclosure will be described using FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the checkout system 100 including the registration machine 10 and the checkout machine 20. As with FIG. 8, the registration machine 10 starts the process of FIG. 9 in response to, for example, an operation by a store clerk. The registration machine 10 may start the process of FIG. 9 in response to the store clerk touching a button that instructs the start of the registration process. Furthermore, the registration machine 10 may start the process of FIG. 9 for the next customer in response to sending the registration information of a customer who has previously registered their product.

[0045] In step S11, the registration unit 101 registers the product to be purchased by the customer in response to an operation by the store clerk. Step S11 may be repeated any number of times while steps S12 to S14 are being executed, until step S15 is executed. In step S12, the display control unit 102 causes the customer-side touch panel 13 to display a screen showing the placement characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20.

[0046] In step S13, the selection unit 103 selects one of the multiple payment machines 20 based on an input to the customer-side touch panel 13 on a screen showing the placement characteristics. In step S14, the selection unit 103 stores the selected payment machine 20. After step S13, the display control unit 102 may display information indicating the selected payment machine 20 on the clerk-side touch panel 12 and the customer-side touch panel 13. Steps S12 to S14 may be performed before step S11.

[0047] In step S15, the registration unit 101 ends the product registration process in response to an operation by the store clerk. For example, when the store clerk touches a button that instructs the store clerk to end the registration process, the registration unit 101 ends the product registration process. After step S15, the display control unit 102 may display a screen that provides guidance on moving to the selected payment machine 20.

[0048] In step S16, the transmission unit 104 transmits the registration information of the registered product to the checkout machine 20 selected by the selection unit 103. In step S17, the checkout machine 20 receives the registration information. In step S18, the checkout machine 20 executes the checkout process using the received registration information. After step S18, the checkout machine 20 notifies the registration machine 10 of the completion of the checkout process. In step S19, the transmission unit 104 of the registration machine 10 records the completion of the checkout. With this, the checkout system 100 ends the operation of FIG. 9.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the display control unit 102 displays a screen on the customer-side touch panel 13 that shows the placement characteristics of each of the multiple payment machines 20. Then, the selection unit 103 selects a payment machine 20 from the multiple payment machines 20 based on input to the customer-side touch panel 13 on the screen showing the placement characteristics. The transmission unit 104 transmits product registration information to the selected payment machine 20. This selects a payment machine 20 that has the placement characteristics desired by the customer, and payment can be made at the selected payment machine 20. Therefore, the registration machine 10 of one embodiment makes it easy for customers to select their preferred payment machine 20.

[0050] [Variations] The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways, and modifications will be described below.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the registration unit 101 registers a product read by the barcode scanner 14. However, the method of registering a product can be modified as appropriate. In a store where RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are attached to products, the barcode scanner 14 may be replaced by a tag reader. The registration unit 101 registers a product in response to an operation by a store clerk to have the tag reader read the RFID tag. The barcode scanner 14 may also be replaced by a camera. In response to an operation by a store clerk to have the camera take a picture of the product, the registration unit 101 registers a product recognized by image recognition from the captured image.

[0052] The registration machine 10 may further include a determination unit that determines a settlement machine 20 to recommend to the customer. The display control unit 102 may display the settlement machine 20 recommended to the customer in a different manner from other settlement machines 20 on the selection screen for the desired settlement machine 20. The display control unit 102 may also display the settlement machine 20 recommended to the customer preferentially. The selection unit 103 then selects the settlement machine 20 that is tapped on the selection screen for the settlement machine 20. The selection unit 103 may select the settlement machine 20 determined by the determination unit if there is no input to the customer-side touch panel 13 by the end of the product registration process. The selection unit 103 may also select the settlement machine 20 determined by the determination unit if the customer inputs to the customer-side touch panel 13 that they will leave the selection of the settlement machine 20 to the system. For example, the display control unit 102 displays an "Automatic" button in the payment machine preference area D2 in FIG. 4 as a button for receiving an input to leave the selection of the payment machine 20 to the system.

[0053] The determination unit may determine the recommended payment machine 20 based on the attributes of the customer selecting the payment machine 20. The customer attributes are estimated, for example, by image recognition of an image captured of the customer in front of the registration machine 10. For a customer who requires careful mobility, the determination unit may determine, for example, a payment machine 20 with ample space around it or a payment machine 20 close to an elevator. The determination unit may also determine a payment machine 20 with the same characteristics as previously selected payment machines 20 based on the characteristics of payment machines 20 previously selected by the customer. The customer's membership information and the characteristics of previously selected payment machines 20 are stored in association with each other. The customer's membership information is obtained by any method, such as reading a code presented by the customer or by facial recognition. The determination unit may also determine the payment machine 20 based on whether the customer in front of the registration machine 10 has a cart. If a cart is recognized by image recognition of an image captured of the customer in front of the registration machine 10, the determination unit determines a payment machine 20 close to the cart return location.

[0054] If a store has multiple registration machines 10, it is possible that a payment machine 20 selected by a customer at one registration machine 10 may be selected first at another registration machine 10. In this case, the selection unit 103 may invalidate input to the customer-side touch panel 13 that subsequently receives a selection input. The display control unit 102 displays a message such as "The desired payment machine cannot be selected." The customer can confirm the message and reselect a different payment machine 20.

[0055] [Hardware configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the registration machine 10 represents a functional block. Some or all of the components of the registration machine 10 and the settlement machine 20 may be realized by any combination of the computer 500 and a program.

[0056] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 500. Referring to Fig. 10, the computer 500 includes, for example, a processor 501, a read only memory (ROM) 502, a random access memory (RAM) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an output device 510, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0057] The processor 501 controls the entire computer 500. The processor 501 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The number of processors 501 is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more processors 501.

[0058] The program 504 includes instructions for realizing each function of the registration machine 10 and the settlement machine 20. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, RAM 503, or storage device 505. The processor 501 executes the instructions included in the program 504 to realize each function of the registration machine 10 and the settlement machine 20. The RAM 503 may also store data to be processed in each function of the registration machine 10 and the settlement machine 20.

[0059] The drive device 507 reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with a communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a keypad or a touch panel, and receives information input from store clerks, customers, etc. The output device 510 is, for example, a display or a touch panel, and outputs (displays) information to store clerks, customers, etc. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. The program 504 may be supplied to the processor 501 via a communication network, or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the processor 501.

[0060] It should be noted that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 10 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0061] There are various variations in the method of realizing the registration device 10. For example, the registration device 10 may be realized by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of the registration device 10 may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations in the respective embodiments can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0064] [Appendix 1] a registration means for registering products to be purchased by customers in response to an operation by a store clerk; a display control means for displaying a screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the plurality of payment machines on a customer-side touch panel; a selection means for selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; a transmitting means for transmitting registration information of the product to the selected payment machine; A registration machine equipped with:

[0065] [Appendix 2] The features of the arrangement are indicated by keywords on the screen. A registered machine as described in Appendix 1.

[0066] [Appendix 3] The features of the arrangement are displayed on the screen by a map. A registered machine as described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0067] [Appendix 4] The screen displays the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines based on different criteria. 10. A registration device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3.

[0068] [Appendix 5] The display control means displays the waiting status of the payment machine in association with the feature of the arrangement. 5. A registration device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4.

[0069] [Appendix 6] The display control means displays the stage of the settlement process of the settlement machine as the waiting status. A registered machine as described in Appendix 5.

[0070] [Appendix 7] The selection means automatically selects the checkout machine if there is no input to the customer-side touch panel until the product registration process is completed. 10. A registration device according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.

[0071] [Appendix 8] The display control means displays the screen further including the registration information. 8. A registration device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

[0072] [Appendix 9] Register the products that customers purchase according to the store clerk's operations, A screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines is displayed on the customer's touch panel, selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; Transmitting the product registration information to the selected payment machine Information processing methods.

[0073] [Appendix 10] Register the products that customers purchase according to the store clerk's operations, A screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines is displayed on the customer's touch panel, selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; Transmitting the product registration information to the selected payment machine A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

[0074] Some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2-8, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 9-10 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2-8. Not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 9-10, but also to various hardware, software, various recording devices for recording software, or systems, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on each other within the scope of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100 Checkout System 10 Registration Machine 101 Registration Department 102 Display control unit 103 Selection section 104 Transmitter 12. Clerk touch panel 13 Customer-side touch panel 14. Barcode Scanner 20 Payment machine

Claims

1. a registration means for registering products to be purchased by customers in response to an operation by a store clerk; a display control means for displaying a screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the plurality of payment machines on a customer-side touch panel; a selection means for selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; a transmitting means for transmitting registration information of the product to the selected payment machine; A registration machine equipped with:

2. The features of the arrangement are indicated by keywords on the screen. The registration machine according to claim 1.

3. The features of the arrangement are displayed on the screen by a map.

3. The registration machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The screen displays the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines based on different criteria.

3. The registration machine according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The display control means displays the waiting status of the payment machine in association with the feature of the arrangement.

3. The registration machine according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The display control means displays the stage of the settlement process of the settlement machine as the waiting status. The registration machine according to claim 5.

7. The selection means automatically selects the checkout machine if there is no input to the customer-side touch panel until the product registration process is completed.

3. The registration machine according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The display control means displays the screen further including the registration information.

3. The registration machine according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Register the products that customers purchase according to the store clerk's operations, A screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines is displayed on the customer's touch panel, selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; Transmitting the product registration information to the selected payment machine Information processing methods.

10. Register the products that customers purchase according to the store clerk's operations, A screen showing the characteristics of the placement of each of the multiple payment machines is displayed on the customer's touch panel, selecting a payment machine from the plurality of payment machines based on an input to the customer-side touch panel on the screen; Transmitting the product registration information to the selected payment machine A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

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