Settlement apparatus and settlement method

Abstract

To settle not only a commodity self-registered by an information terminal but also a commodity additionally registered by a settlement device as one commercial transaction.SOLUTION: A settlement device includes first acquisition means, second acquisition means, and settlement means. The first acquisition means acquires information of a commodity based on data related to the commodity input via an input device. The second acquisition means acquires information on the stored commodity from an external system on the basis of data related to the commodity input via the information terminal. The settlement means performs settlement on the basis of the information of the commodity acquired by the first acquisition means and the second acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a payment device and a payment program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a self-registration system in which customers can register the products they wish to purchase themselves using an information terminal such as a smartphone or tablet in a sales floor where products are displayed, eliminating the need to register products at checkout. When a customer using this system finishes shopping in the sales floor, they operate the information terminal to declare their intention to checkout. This operation causes an accounting code consisting of a barcode or two-dimensional code to be displayed on the display device of the information terminal, and the customer then proceeds to the checkout area and has the scanner installed in the payment device read the accounting code. The product data self-registered by the information terminal is then downloaded to the payment device, the price is calculated, and the customer then pays the price.

[0003] In conventional self-registration systems of this type, it was not possible to register additional products on the payment device to which data on products self-registered by the information terminal was downloaded. For this reason, if a customer realized they had forgotten to purchase a product after declaring their purchase, they would cancel the payment declaration on the information terminal, returning the information terminal to its state before declaring their purchase. The customer would then register the additional products they wished to purchase on the information terminal and then declare their purchase again. Thus, when adding products after declaring their purchase, operating the information terminal was cumbersome and time-consuming, resulting in poor usability and wasting time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-113548 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that an embodiment of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a payment device that can settle not only products that have been self-registered using an information terminal, but also products that have been additionally registered using the payment device as a single commercial transaction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the payment device includes a first acquisition means, a second acquisition means, and a payment means. The first acquisition means acquires product information based on product-related data input via an input device. The second acquisition means acquires stored product information from an external system based on product-related data input via an information terminal. The payment means makes a payment based on the product information acquired by the first acquisition means and the second acquisition means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-registration system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the information terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structures stored in the shopping file. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structures stored in a transaction file. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor of the information terminal in accordance with the self-registration program. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of a shopping start notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of a registration start notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the accounting notification command reception process executed by the terminal controller. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main steps of the information processing that the processor of the POS terminal executes in accordance with the payment program. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the main procedure of the information processing executed by the processor of the POS terminal in accordance with the payment program. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the inquiry command reception process executed by the terminal controller. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a registration details screen displayed on a display device of a POS terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing main functions of the processor of the POS terminal in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main procedure of information processing executed by the processor of the POS terminal in accordance with the payment program in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing main functions of the processor of the POS terminal in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main procedure of information processing executed by the processor of the POS terminal in accordance with the payment program in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a self-registration system including a payment device that can settle not only products registered by an information terminal but also products additionally registered by the payment device as a single commercial transaction will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] 1 is a schematic diagram of a self-registration system 100 according to this embodiment. The self-registration system 100 includes an information terminal 10 for self-registration, a POS (Point of Sales) terminal 20 that functions as a payment device for self-registration, a store server 30, and a terminal controller 40. The POS terminal 20, store server 30, and terminal controller 40 are connected to each other via a communication network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) for free two-way communication.

[0010] A well-known POS system is configured by connecting multiple POS terminals 20 and a store server 30 via a communication network 50. The POS terminal 20 is an information processing terminal equipped with product registration functions and commercial transaction settlement functions. The store server 30 is a computer that provides services for centrally controlling the product registration functions and commercial transaction settlement functions of each POS terminal 20. To provide this service, the store server 30 has a product database 31. The product database 31 is a collection of product records created for each product. A product record is a record of product data such as a product code, product name, and price. A product code is a unique code assigned to each product to identify each product. The product name and price are the sales name and unit price of the product identified by the corresponding product code. When a product code is entered via an input device on the POS terminal 20, the store server 30 provides the POS terminal 20 with a product record including the product code. The POS terminal 20 then registers product sales data based on the product data in the product record. The store server 30 manages information such as sales and inventory at the time of product sales in real time based on the product sales data registered and processed by each POS terminal 20. Such functions as a POS system are well known, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0011] An access point 60 is also connected to the communication network 50. The access point 60 is installed in the sales floor where products are displayed. Multiple access points 60 may be installed distributed throughout the sales floor. The information terminal 10 is a small communication terminal that customers use to register products they wish to purchase. When a customer uses the information terminal 10 in the sales floor, the information terminal 10 becomes able to communicate data with a terminal controller 40 connected to the communication network 50 via the access point 60.

[0012] The information terminal 10 may be a smartphone owned by the customer, or a mobile terminal or tablet terminal lent to the customer by the store. In the case of a tablet terminal, it may be attached to a shopping cart and lent to the customer. In the case of a smartphone or mobile terminal, it may be held by the customer or placed on a terminal mounting portion of the shopping cart and used.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of information terminal 10. As shown in Fig. 2, information terminal 10 includes processor 11, internal memory 12, external memory 13, touch panel 14, camera 15, wireless unit 16, and system transmission path 17. System transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. In information terminal 10, processor 11, internal memory 12, external memory 13, touch panel 14, camera 15, and wireless unit 16 are connected to system transmission path 17. In information terminal 10, a computer is configured by processor 11, internal memory 12, external memory 13, and system transmission path 17 connecting these components.

[0014] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize various functions of the information terminal 10 in accordance with an operating system or an application program (application software). The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0015] The internal memory 12 corresponds to the main memory of the computer. The internal memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The internal memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The internal memory 12 stores data required for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in the volatile memory area. The internal memory 12 also uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data can be rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0016] The external memory 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an SD memory card, a USB memory, etc. can be the external memory 13. The external memory 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 11. The external memory 13 may also store the application programs.

[0017] The touch panel 14 is a display device capable of displaying display elements such as characters, symbols, images, etc. The touch panel 14 is also an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display with a sensor and processes the display element at that position as if it were input.

[0018] Camera 15 is an imaging device built into information terminal 10. Processor 11 functions as a reading unit that reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes from images captured by camera 15. Many products are affixed with barcodes that represent the product code in a predetermined barcode system. In other words, processor 11 can obtain the product code of a product held up to camera 15 by reading the barcode affixed to the product from the image captured by camera 15.

[0019] The wireless unit 16 is a communication device that performs data communication with the access point 60 in accordance with a wireless LAN communication protocol.

[0020] The information terminal 10 configured as above stores a terminal ID in the nonvolatile memory area of ​​the internal memory 12. The terminal ID is a unique identifier set for each information terminal 10 in order to identify each information terminal 10. The terminal ID may also be stored in the external memory 13.

[0021] The information terminal 10 also stores a self-registration program 131 in the external memory 13. The self-registration program 131 is application software that enables self-registration of products using the information terminal 10. In other words, by installing the self-registration program 131 in a communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, the communication terminal can be used as the information terminal 10 for self-registration. The self-registration program 131 may be stored in the internal memory 12.

[0022] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The terminal controller 40 is a computer device that supports the self-registration function of the information terminal 10. To support this function, the terminal controller 40 creates a shopping file 41 for each information terminal 10. The terminal controller 40 stores data on products self-registered by the information terminal 10 in the shopping file 41, and when a payment declaration is made at that information terminal 10, it has the function of transferring the data in the shopping file 41 to the POS terminal 20, which is the payment device.

[0023] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure stored in the shopping file 41. As shown in the figure, the shopping file 41 stores data such as a terminal ID, registered product data, total number of items, total amount, accounting code, and deletion flag.

[0024] As mentioned above, the terminal ID is an identifier for the information terminal 10. The registered product data is data created for each product self-registered on the information terminal 10 identified by the terminal ID. The registered product data includes items such as product code, product name, price, number of items, and amount. The number of items is the number of registered items of the same product. The amount is the amount for the number of registered items. The shopping file 41 can store multiple registered product data. The total number of items is the sum of the registered number of items for each registered product data. The total amount is the sum of the registered amounts for each registered product data.

[0025] The accounting code is a unique code that is generated in response to an accounting declaration being made on the information terminal 10 identified by the terminal ID. A machine-readable code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code representing the accounting code is displayed on the display device of the information terminal 10.

[0026] The deletion flag is one-bit data that identifies whether the shopping file 41 is in a deletion state. The shopping file 41 enters a deletion state when the price of the product identified in the registered product data is paid and the settlement is completed. In this embodiment, the deletion flag for a deletion state is set to "1," and the deletion flag for a non-deletion state is set to "0."

[0027] 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 20. As shown in the figure, the POS terminal 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a clock 24, a communication interface 25, a change machine interface 26, a plurality of device interfaces 271 to 275, and a system transmission path 28. The system transmission path 28 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, etc. The POS terminal 20 configures a computer by connecting the processor 21 with the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, the clock 24, the communication interface 25, the change machine interface 26, and the plurality of device interfaces 271 to 275 via the system transmission path 28. Various devices, such as a touch panel 71, a keyboard 72, a scanner 73, a printer 74, and a card reader 75, are connected to each of the device interfaces 271 to 275 of this computer, respectively.

[0028] The processor 21 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 21 controls each part to realize various functions of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with an operating system or application programs. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU.

[0029] The main memory 22 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 22 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 22 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 22 may store data required for the processor 21 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 22 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 21 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM.

[0030] The auxiliary storage device 23 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 23. The auxiliary storage device 23 stores data used by the processor 21 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 21. The auxiliary storage device 23 may also store the application programs described above.

[0031] The clock 24 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 21 processes the date and time kept by the clock 24 as the current date and time.

[0032] The communication interface 25 is a circuit for performing data communication with an external device connected via the communication network 50. The external device is the store server 30 or the terminal controller 40. The external device may be a computer device other than the store server 30 or the terminal controller 40.

[0033] The change machine interface 26 is a circuit for communicating data with an automatic change machine (not shown). For example, the change machine interface 26 receives from the automatic change machine inserted amount data, which is the total amount of banknotes or coins inserted into the automatic change machine. The change machine interface 26 also transmits change data, which is the amount of change calculated from the inserted amount and the payment amount, to the automatic change machine. Upon receiving the change data, the automatic change machine dispenses banknotes or coins equivalent to the amount of change.

[0034] The device interface 271 is a circuit for performing data communication with the touch panel 71. The touch panel 71 is a display device capable of displaying display elements such as characters, symbols, and images on a display screen. The touch panel 71 also functions as an input device that detects a touch operation position on the display screen with a sensor and processes the display element at that position as if it were input.

[0035] The device interface 272 is a circuit for performing data communication with the keyboard 72. The keyboard 72 is an input device that has various keys required for the POS terminal 20, such as a numeric keypad, a PLU (Price Look Up) key, a subtotal key, a closing key, a cancel key, a clear key, etc., and processes key signals from keys that are operated to input data.

[0036] The device interface 273 is a circuit for communicating data with the scanner 73. The scanner 73 is an optical input device that reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes by scanning them with light. The scanner 73 may also be an imaging input device that reads machine-readable codes from images captured by a camera. The scanner 73 can read not only machine-readable codes attached to products, but also machine-readable codes displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10.

[0037] The device interface 274 is a circuit for performing data communication with the printer 74. The printer 74 is a printing device that prints data related to commercial transactions on paper media and issues receipts, invoices, warranty cards, and the like.

[0038] The device interface 275 is a circuit for communicating data with the card reader 75. The card reader 75 is an input device that reads data from a card medium such as a credit card, electronic money card, or point card, and processes the read card data. The card reader 75 may be a magnetic card reader compatible with magnetic cards, or an IC card reader compatible with IC cards. A magnetic card reader and an IC card reader may also be used in combination. The IC card reader may be a contactless IC card reader or a contact IC card reader. The card reader may also be a card reader / writer with a data writing function.

[0039] The POS terminal 20 configured as described above uses a part of the volatile memory area of ​​the main memory 22 as an area for a transaction file 81. The transaction file 81 is a data file for storing data related to one commercial transaction processed by the POS terminal 20.

[0040] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure stored in transaction file 81. As shown in the figure, transaction file 81 stores data such as transaction number, purchased product data, total number of items, total price, discount amount, and payment amount.

[0041] The transaction number is a series of numbers that is issued each time a transaction is processed by the POS terminal 20. The purchased product data is record data that is created for each product that is bought and sold in a transaction identified by the transaction number.

[0042] Purchased product data consists of items such as product code, product name, price, number of items, amount, and type flag. The number of items is the number of items purchased identified by the product code. The amount is the amount for the number of items purchased. The type flag is one-bit data that identifies whether the purchased product data is for a product registered at the POS terminal 20 or for a product self-registered at the information terminal 10. In this embodiment, the type flag indicating that the purchased product data is for a product registered at the POS terminal 20 is set to "0", and the type flag indicating that the purchased product data is for a product self-registered at the information terminal 10 is set to "1".

[0043] Transaction file 81 can store multiple pieces of purchased product data. Specifically, transaction file 81 can store purchased product data for products registered at POS terminal 20 and purchased product data for products self-registered at information terminal 10 as purchased product data for one transaction. Storing such data corresponds to a commercial transaction in which a product registered at POS terminal 20 is added to a product self-registered at information terminal 10. Transaction file 81 can also store only purchased product data for products registered at POS terminal 20, or only purchased product data for products self-registered at information terminal 10. The former corresponds to a case in which a commercial transaction is processed for only products registered at POS terminal 20, and the latter corresponds to a case in which a commercial transaction is processed for only products self-registered at information terminal 10.

[0044] The total number of points is the sum of the points of each purchased item data. The total amount is the sum of the amounts of each purchased item data. The discount amount is the amount discounted from the total amount. The payment amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount from the total amount.

[0045] In addition, since the POS terminal 20 operates as a payment device for the self-registration system, the processor 21 has the functions of a first acquisition means 211, a second acquisition means 212, a payment means 213, a reception means 214 and a display means 215.

[0046] The first acquisition means 211 has a function of acquiring product information based on data relating to the product input via an input device such as the keyboard 72 or the scanner 73. That is, the product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 is purchased product data of the product registered in the POS terminal 20.

[0047] The second acquisition means 212 has a function of acquiring stored product information from an external system, i.e., the terminal controller 40, based on product-related data input via the information terminal 10. In other words, the product information acquired by the second acquisition means 212 is registered product data of a product self-registered on the information terminal 10.

[0048] The settlement means 213 is a function for making a settlement based on the product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 and the second acquisition means 212. Specifically, the settlement means is a function for calculating the settlement amount of a commercial transaction based on the product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 and the second acquisition means 212, receiving payment of the price equivalent to that settlement amount, and settling the commercial transaction.

[0049] The reception unit 214 has a function of receiving identification information for identifying product information obtained from an external system, i.e., an accounting code. Incidentally, the settlement unit 213 settles the commercial transaction in response to receiving the accounting code by the reception unit 214.

[0050] The display means 215 has a function of displaying product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 and product information acquired by the second acquisition means 212 in a distinguishable manner. For example, when displaying a list of product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 and product information acquired by the second acquisition means 212 on one screen, the display means 215 displays the product information in a distinguishable manner by adding a symbol to the product information of one product that is not displayed in the product information of the other product. Alternatively, when displaying a list of product information acquired by the first acquisition means 211 and product information acquired by the second acquisition means 212 on one screen, the display means 215 displays the product information of one product and the product information of the other product separately on the same screen, making the product information distinguishable.

[0051] The functions of the first acquisition means 211, the second acquisition means 212, the payment means 213, the acceptance means 214, and the display means 215 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 21 in accordance with the payment program 231. The payment program 231 is installed in the auxiliary storage device 23. The payment program 231 may also be installed in the main memory 22. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the payment program 231 in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23. The payment program 231 can be installed in the main memory 22 or the auxiliary storage device 23 by recording it on a removable recording medium or by distributing it via communication via a network. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by a device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[0052] In the self-registration system 100 of this embodiment, the POS terminal 20 is installed in a checkout area that is separate from the store's sales floor. The store server 30 and the terminal controller 40 are installed in the store's back yard. At least one of the store server 30 and the terminal controller 40 may be installed on a cloud in a system that uses cloud computing.

[0053] When a customer visits a store, they place the products they wish to purchase in a shopping cart or the like in a sales area where the products are displayed. At this time, the customer uses information terminal 10 to self-register the products they wish to purchase. Next, we will explain the operation of self-registration system 100 when a customer self-registers using Figures 6 to 9.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by processor 11 of information terminal 10 in accordance with self-registration program 131. Figs. 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the main steps of the information processing executed by terminal controller 40 in response to the information processing executed by information terminal 10. Note that the steps and contents of the information processing described below are merely examples. The steps and contents are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained.

[0055] When self-service registration program 131 is launched, processor 11 of information terminal 10 begins information processing according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 6. Processor 11 waits for an instruction to start shopping as ACT1. For example, a start shopping button is displayed as a display element on touch panel 14 of information terminal 10 on which self-service registration program 131 has been launched. A customer using information terminal 10 to self-register a product they wish to purchase first touches the start shopping button.

[0056] When processor 11 detects that the start shopping button has been touched, it determines that an instruction to start shopping has been given. Processor 11 proceeds from ACT1 to ACT2. In ACT2, processor 11 controls wireless unit 16 to output a start shopping notification command to terminal controller 40. This control causes wireless unit 16 to transmit the start shopping notification command. The start shopping notification command is received by access point 60 and transmitted to terminal controller 40 via communication network 50. The start shopping notification command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 10.

[0057] 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the shopping start notification command reception process in the terminal controller 40. When the terminal controller 40 receives the shopping start notification command, it detects the terminal ID from the shopping start notification command in ACT 21. Then, in ACT 22, the terminal controller 40 creates a shopping file 41 in the storage unit that includes the terminal ID. In ACT 23, the terminal controller 40 sets the deletion flag of the shopping file 41 to "0," indicating a non-deletion state. Thereafter, in ACT 24, the terminal controller 40 sends an acceptance response command to the information terminal 10 that sent the shopping start notification command. With this, the terminal controller 40 completes the shopping start notification command reception process.

[0058] The permission response command includes the terminal ID included in the shopping start notification command. The permission response command is wirelessly transmitted via the access point 60 of the communication network 50. The permission response command is received by the information terminal 10 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

[0059] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. The information terminal 10, which has transmitted the shopping start notification command, waits for an acceptance response command in ACT3. When the acceptance response command is received via the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT3 to ACT4. In ACT4, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 14 to a registration screen. The registration screen is a screen that has an area for displaying, in list form, the product name, price, number of items, etc., of products that have been self-registered by the information terminal 10.

[0060] Processor 11 of information terminal 10 displaying the registration screen waits for a product code to be entered in ACT5 or for a checkout instruction to be given in ACT6. For example, when a product barcode is photographed by camera 15 and a product code is detected from the photographed barcode, processor 11 recognizes that a product code has been entered. Processor 11 proceeds from ACT5 to ACT7. Processor 11 controls wireless unit 16 to output a product registration notification command to terminal controller 40 in ACT7. This control causes wireless unit 16 to transmit the product registration notification command. The product registration notification command is received by access point 60 and transmitted to terminal controller 40 via communication network 50. The product registration notification command includes the terminal ID of information terminal 10 and the input product code.

[0061] 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the product registration notification command reception process in the terminal controller 40. When the terminal controller 40 receives the product registration notification command, it detects the terminal ID from the product registration notification command in ACT 31. Then, in ACT 32, the terminal controller 40 opens the shopping file 41 that stores the terminal ID.

[0062] The terminal controller 40 detects the product code from the product registration notification command in ACT 33. Then, in ACT 34, the terminal controller 40 accesses the store server 30 via the communication network 50 and acquires product data such as the product name and price from the product record containing the product code. After acquiring the product data, the terminal controller 40 creates registered product data including the product code, product name, price, number of items, amount, etc. in ACT 35 and stores it in the shopping file 41 in an open state.

[0063] Thereafter, the terminal controller 40 transmits an acceptance response command to the information terminal 10 that transmitted the product registration notification command in ACT 36. The terminal controller 40 also closes the shopping file 41 that was open in ACT 37. With this, the terminal controller 40 ends the process of receiving the product registration notification command.

[0064] The authorization response command includes the terminal ID included in the product registration notification command. The authorization response command also includes the product name, price, quantity, etc. of the registered product data. The authorization response command is wirelessly transmitted via the access point 60 of the communication network 50. The authorization response command is received by the information terminal 10 to which the terminal ID included in the command is set.

[0065] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. The processor 11 of the information terminal 10 that transmitted the product registration notification command waits for an approval response command in ACT8. When the approval response command is received via the wireless unit 16, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT8 to ACT9. The processor 11 updates the registration screen in ACT9 so that the product name, price, number of items, etc. included in the approval response command are displayed. Thereafter, the processor 11 returns to the standby state in ACT5 and ACT6.

[0066] If the next product code is input during the standby state of ACT5 and ACT6, the processor 11 executes the processes of ACT7 to ACT9 in the same manner as described above. The terminal controller 40 executes the process of receiving the product registration notification command in the same manner as described above. As a result, the registered product data of the product to be purchased is stored in the shopping file 41, which includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 10.

[0067] In this way, the customer performs self-registration for each product they wish to purchase by holding the product's barcode over the camera 15 of the information terminal 10 to have it read. After completing self-registration, the customer touches the checkout button displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10.

[0068] When processor 11 detects that the checkout button has been touched while in the standby state of ACT5 and ACT6, it recognizes that a checkout has been instructed. Processor 11 proceeds from ACT6 to ACT10. Processor 11 controls wireless unit 16 to output an accounting notification command to terminal controller 40 as ACT10. This control causes the accounting notification command to be transmitted from wireless unit 16. The accounting notification command is received by access point 60 and transmitted to terminal controller 40 via communication network 50. The accounting notification command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 10.

[0069] 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the accounting notification command reception process in the terminal controller 40. When the terminal controller 40 receives an accounting notification command, it detects the terminal ID from the accounting notification command in ACT 41. The terminal controller 40 then opens the shopping file 41 that stores the terminal ID in ACT 42.

[0070] The terminal controller 40 creates an accounting code in ACT 43. For example, the terminal controller 40 combines the terminal ID and the current date to create a unique accounting code. Having created the accounting code, the terminal controller 40 stores the accounting code in the open shopping file 41 in ACT 44. The terminal controller 40 also sends an acceptance response command to the information terminal 10 that sent the accounting notification command in ACT 45. The terminal controller 40 then closes the open shopping file 41 in ACT 46. With this, the terminal controller 40 completes the accounting notification command reception process.

[0071] The authorization response command includes the terminal ID included in the accounting notification command. The authorization response command also includes the accounting code created in ACT44. The authorization response command is wirelessly transmitted via access point 60 of communication network 50. The authorization response command is received by information terminal 10, which is set with the terminal ID included in the command.

[0072] Returning to the explanation of Figure 6. Processor 11 of information terminal 10, which sent the accounting notification command, waits for an authorization response in ACT 11. When the authorization response command is received via wireless unit 16, processor 11 proceeds from ACT 11 to ACT 12. In ACT 12, processor 11 obtains an accounting code from the authorization response command and displays the accounting code on touch panel 14 in the form of a machine-readable code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0073] Thereafter, processor 11 waits for an end notification command in ACT13. The end notification command is sent from terminal controller 40 when payment for the product identified by the registered product data stored in shopping file 41, in which the terminal ID of information terminal 10 is set, is completed. When processor 11 receives the end notification command via wireless unit 16, it proceeds from ACT13 to ACT14. In ACT14, processor 11 erases the machine-readable code representing the accounting code that was displayed on touch panel 14. With this, processor 11 ends information processing in accordance with the self-service registration program.

[0074] After completing self-registration at the sales floor and touching the checkout button, the customer moves to the checkout area where the POS terminal 20 is installed. The customer then asks the store clerk, who is the operator of the POS terminal 20, to make the payment. If the customer wishes to purchase additional items that were not self-registered, the customer asks the store clerk for additional registration. The store clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to settle the payment for not only the items that the customer self-registered, but also the items that the customer wishes to register as a single transaction. Next, we will explain the operation of the self-registration system 100 when the store clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to settle a transaction with a customer.

[0075] 10 and 11 are flow charts showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with the payment program 231. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the main steps of the information processing executed by the terminal controller 40 in response to the information processing executed by the POS terminal 20. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a registration details screen displayed on the touch panel 71 of the POS terminal 20. Note that the steps and contents of the information processing described below are merely examples. The steps and contents are not particularly limited as long as similar results can be obtained. The registration details screen of FIG. 13 is also merely an example. The displayed information and its layout can be changed as appropriate.

[0076] Processor 21 of POS terminal 20 waits for a command to start a transaction in ACT51. For example, a start transaction button is displayed as a display element on touch panel 71, and when processor 21 detects that this start transaction button has been touched, it determines that a command to start a transaction has been issued. Processor 21 proceeds from ACT51 to ACT52. Processor 21 issues a new transaction number in ACT52. Then, processor 21 creates transaction file 81 in ACT53 and stores the new transaction number in transaction file 81.

[0077] After creating transaction file 81, processor 21 waits for the scanner 73 to scan the machine-readable code in ACT 54. When scanning is performed, processor 21 checks whether an accounting code has been scanned in ACT 55 or a product code has been scanned in ACT 56. If a machine-readable code other than an accounting code or product code has been scanned, processor 21 executes another process according to that code.

[0078] Other processes are not the gist of this embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. Note that touch operations on the touch panel 71 or key operations on the keyboard 72 may be performed while waiting for scanning. In this case, the processor 21 also executes information processing according to the operation input. This information processing is also the same as that of the existing POS terminal 20, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0079] If the barcode attached to the product is scanned in ACT54, the processor 21 recognizes that the product code has been scanned in ACT56. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT56 to ACT57. In ACT57, the processor 21 accesses the store server 30 via the communication network 50 and acquires product data such as the product name and price from the product record containing the product code. Then, in ACT58, the processor 21 creates purchased product data including the product code, product name, price, number of items, amount, etc. At this time, the processor 21 sets the type flag of the purchased product data to "0" in ACT59. Thereafter, the processor 21 stores the purchased product data with the type flag set to "0" in the transaction file 81 in ACT60. Here, the processor 21 performs the processing in ACT57 to ACT60, thereby realizing the function of the first acquisition means 211.

[0080] On the other hand, if the machine-readable code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10 is scanned in ACT54, the processor 21 recognizes that an accounting code has been scanned in ACT55. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT55 to ACT61. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 25 to send a query command for the shopping file 41 in ACT61. This control causes the query command for the shopping file 41 to be sent via the communication interface 25. The query command is sent to the terminal controller 40 via the communication network 50. The query command includes the accounting code.

[0081] Upon receiving the inquiry command, the terminal controller 40 starts the receiving process shown in Fig. 12. The terminal controller 40 detects the accounting code from the inquiry command as ACT 81. The terminal controller 40 then selects the shopping file 41 that includes that accounting code as ACT 82.

[0082] The terminal controller 40, having selected the shopping file 41, transmits the data of that shopping file 41 as ACT83 to the POS terminal 20 that sent the inquiry command. The terminal controller 40 also wirelessly transmits from the access point 60 an end notification command including the terminal ID stored in that shopping file 41. Furthermore, the terminal controller 40 rewrites the deletion flag of that shopping file 41 to the value "1" indicating the deleted state as ACT85. With this, the terminal controller 40 ends the process of receiving the inquiry command from the POS terminal 20.

[0083] Incidentally, the information terminal 10 in which the terminal ID included in the end notification command is set is the information terminal 10 in which the machine-readable code representing the accounting code was read by the scanner 73 of the POS terminal 20. In this information terminal 10, as described above, the processor 11 executes the processing of ACT14 in Fig. 6. That is, in response to receiving the selection end notification command, the processor 11 erases the machine-readable code representing the accounting code.

[0084] Returning to the explanation of Figure 10. The processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 that sent the shopping file inquiry command waits to receive data from the shopping file 41 in ACT62. When the data from the shopping file 41 is received via the communication interface 25, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT62 to ACT63. In ACT63, the processor 21 extracts all registered product data from the data in the shopping file 41. Then, in ACT64, the processor 21 adds a type flag to each of the extracted registered product data to create purchased product data. At this time, the processor 21 sets the type flag to "1" in ACT65. Thereafter, in ACT66, the processor 21 stores all purchased product data with the type flag set to "1" in the transaction file 81. Here, the processor 21 performs the processing in ACT54 and ACT55 to realize the function of the receiving means 214. The processor 21 also performs the processing in ACT61 to ACT66 to realize the function of the second obtaining means 212.

[0085] When the processor 21 stores the purchased product data whose type flag is "0" in the transaction file 81 in ACT60, or stores the purchased product data whose type flag is "1" in the transaction file 81 in ACT66, the processor 21 proceeds to ACT67. The processor 21 displays the registration details screen SC (see FIG. 13) on the touch panel 71 based on the data stored in the transaction file 81 in ACT67.

[0086] 13 is an example of a display of the registration details screen SC. The registration details screen SC shows a case in which purchased product data for five products, namely, product A, product B, product C, product D, and product E, is stored in the transaction file 81. Here, the purchased product data for product A is purchased product data stored in the transaction file 81 by scanning the product code before the accounting code is scanned, i.e., purchased product data with a type flag of "0." Meanwhile, the purchased product data for products B, C, and D is purchased product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 transferred from the terminal controller 40 in response to the scanning of the accounting code, i.e., purchased product data with a type flag of "1." Furthermore, the purchased product data for product E is purchased product data stored in the transaction file 81 by scanning the product code after the accounting code is scanned, i.e., purchased product data with a type flag of "0."

[0087] As shown in Figure 13, a star-shaped mark, for example, is displayed in the registered detailed information of the product name, price, number of items, and amount corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "1." On the other hand, no mark is displayed in the registered detailed information of the product name, price, number of items, and amount corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "0." In this way, on the registered detailed information screen SC, registered detailed information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "1" and registered detailed information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "0" can be distinguished by the presence or absence of a mark. Here, processor 21 realizes the function of display means 215 by executing the processing of ACT67.

[0088] The processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 that has displayed the registration details screen SC proceeds to ACT71 in Fig. 11. The processor 21 waits for further scanning by the scanner 73 in ACT71 or for the subtotal key on the keyboard 72 to be entered in ACT72. If scanning has been performed, the processor 21 returns from ACT71 to ACT55 in Fig. 10. That is, the processor 21 identifies whether an accounting code or a product code has been scanned. If a product code has been scanned, the processor 21 executes the processes of ACT57 to ACT60 and ACT67 in the same manner as described above. If an accounting code has been scanned, the processor 21 executes the processes of ACT61 to ACT66 and ACT67 in the same manner as described above.

[0089] Therefore, when the scanner 73 reads the barcode of a product, the purchased product data related to that product is stored in the transaction file 81. Similarly, when the scanner 73 reads an accounting code displayed on the touch panel 14 of another information terminal 10, purchased product data based on the registered product data stored in the shopping file 41 identified by that accounting code is stored in the transaction file 81. The registration details screen SC is then updated based on all the purchased product data stored in the transaction file 81. At this time, the type flag of the purchased product data related to the product whose barcode was read by the scanner 73 is "0." The type flag of the purchased product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 whose accounting code was read by the scanner 73 is "1." Therefore, on the registration details screen SC, the purchased product data related to the product whose barcode was read by the scanner 73 and the purchased product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 whose accounting code was read by the scanner 73 are displayed in a distinguishable manner.

[0090] When processor 21 confirms that the subtotal key has been entered while in the standby state of ACT71 and ACT72, it proceeds to ACT73. In ACT73, processor 21 calculates the payment amount. That is, processor 21 calculates the total amount by adding up the amounts of all purchased product data stored in transaction file 81. If a discount amount is entered after the subtotal key is entered, processor 21 subtracts the discount amount from the total amount to determine the payment amount. If a discount amount is not entered, processor 21 determines the total amount in transaction file 81 as the payment amount.

[0091] After calculating the payment amount, the processor 21 waits for the entry of a registered closing key in ACT74. There are closing keys for each payment method, such as a closing key for cash payments, a closing key for credit card payments, and a closing key for electronic money payments. When any of the closing keys is entered, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT74 to ACT75. The processor 21 executes the payment process for each payment method in ACT75. For example, if cash payment is selected, the processor 21 executes the cash payment process. That is, the processor 21 executes the payment process to subtract the payment amount from the deposit amount and dispense the remaining amount as change from the automatic change dispenser. This cash payment process is well known, and therefore a detailed description will be omitted here. Similarly, the payment process for credit card payments and the payment process for electronic money payments are also well known, and therefore a description will be omitted here. The processor 21 then executes the processes in ACT72 to ACT75 to realize the function of the payment means 213.

[0092] After completing the payment process, processor 21 proceeds to ACT 76. In ACT 76, processor 21 creates receipt print data based on the data stored in transaction file 81, outputs this to printer 74, and issues a receipt. The receipt may also be issued as an electronic receipt rather than a paper receipt. Incidentally, even on this receipt, registered detail information corresponding to purchased product data with a type flag of "1" may be distinguishable from registered detail information corresponding to purchased product data with a type flag of "0" by the presence or absence of a mark, etc.

[0093] After issuing the receipt, processor 21 proceeds to ACT 77. In ACT 77, processor 21 saves transaction file 81 in auxiliary storage device 23. With this, processor 21 ends the information processing performed after the start of transaction is instructed.

[0094] As described above in detail, when a customer who has self-registered a product to be purchased using the information terminal 10 on the sales floor requests payment, the store clerk operating the POS terminal 20 uses the scanner 73 to scan the payment code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10. By doing so, purchased product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 identified by the payment code is stored in the transaction file 81. If the customer requests to add a product that has not been self-registered, the store clerk scans the product code of that product using the scanner 73. By doing so, purchased product data of the product identified by the product code is stored in the transaction file 81.

[0095] The timing for scanning the product code of the additional product may be before or after scanning the accounting code. When registering two or more additional products, scanning may be performed before and after the purchase product data of the product identified by the product code. In either case, the purchase product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 identified by the accounting code and the purchase product data of the product identified by the product code are stored in the transaction file 81.

[0096] Thereafter, when the store clerk presses the subtotal key followed by the closing key, the settlement process is executed based on the data in the transaction file 81. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a POS terminal 20 that can settle not only the products self-registered by the information terminal 10 but also the products additionally registered by the POS terminal 20 as a single commercial transaction.

[0097] The type flag of the purchased product data stored in the transaction file 81 is "0" for products registered at the POS terminal 20, and "1" for products self-registered at the information terminal 10. When the product name, price, etc. of the purchased product data are displayed on the registration details screen SC, a star mark is added to the purchased product data with a type flag of "1." Therefore, a store clerk or customer can easily distinguish between products self-registered at the sales floor and products additionally registered at the checkout counter from the information on the registration details screen SC.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even after the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 scans the accounting code displayed on the touch panel 14 of the information terminal 10 and completes the processing of ACT61 to ACT67 in FIG. 10, it remains in a standby state for ACT71 and ACT72 in FIG. 11. Then, when the accounting code displayed on the touch panel 14 of another information terminal 10 is scanned, the processor 21 executes the processing of ACT61 to ACT67 in FIG. 10 again. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 can also be used to collectively settle products that have been self-registered on two or more information terminals 10 as a single commercial transaction. This function is useful, for example, when products that have been self-registered by family members at a sales floor using their respective information terminals 10 are settled together at the checkout counter.

[0099] The POS terminal 20 can settle commercial transactions not only with customers who have registered for self-service using the information terminal 10, but also with customers who have not registered for self-service. Therefore, there is no need to provide a settlement device dedicated to customers who have registered for self-service at the checkout counter of the store. As a result, equipment costs can be reduced.

[0100] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the number of information terminals 10 that can be used to make a single payment as a single commercial transaction is unlimited. In the second embodiment, a limit is placed on the number of information terminals 10. The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. Note that the following describes differences from the first embodiment, and omits a description of commonalities with the first embodiment.

[0101] 14 is a schematic diagram showing the main functions of the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processor 21 has the functions of the first acquisition means 211, the second acquisition means 212, the payment means 213, the reception means 214, and the display means 215 described in the first embodiment, as well as the function of the restriction means 216. The restriction means 216 has a function of restricting the number of identification information, that is, accounting codes, accepted by the reception means 214. The function of the restriction means 216 will be explained in the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with the payment program 231.

[0102] 15 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main procedure of the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with the payment program 231 in the second embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts that are common to the information processing described in the first embodiment using FIG. 10. The latter half is common to the first embodiment described using FIG. 11, and is therefore not shown.

[0103] That is, in the second embodiment, after creating a transaction file in ACT53, the processor 21 resets the counter n to "0" in ACT101. Thereafter, the processor 21 waits for scanning in ACT54. Here, if the product code is scanned, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT54 to ACT56, and then to ACT57. The processor 21 executes the processes of ACT57 to ACT60 and ACT67 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

[0104] On the other hand, if the accounting code is scanned, processor 21 proceeds from ACT54 to ACT55, and then to ACT102. In ACT102, processor 21 counts up counter n by "1". Then, in ACT103, processor 21 checks whether counter n has exceeded upper limit value N. Upper limit value N is the upper limit value for the number of information terminals 10 that can be used for settlement in one commercial transaction. Upper limit value N is any integer equal to or greater than "1". Upper limit value N can be set arbitrarily, for example, by a store that employs self-registration system 100.

[0105] If the counter n does not exceed the upper limit value N, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT103 to ACT61. Then, the processor 21 executes the processes of ACT61 to ACT66 and ACT67 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if the counter n exceeds the upper limit value N, the processor 21 does not execute the processes from ACT61 onwards. The processor 21 returns from ACT103 to ACT54.

[0106] Here, the processor 21 performs the processing of ACT101 to ACT103, thereby realizing the function of a limiting means 216 that limits the number of accounting codes that can be input in one transaction to an upper limit value N or less.

[0107] In this way, according to the second embodiment equipped with the limiting means 216, it is possible to set a limit on the number of information terminals 10 that can be used to make a single payment in one commercial transaction. For example, by setting the upper limit value N to "1", it is possible to limit the number of information terminals 10 that can be used to make a single payment in one commercial transaction to one. Similarly, by setting the upper limit value N to "2", it is possible to limit the number of information terminals 10 that can be used to make a single payment in one commercial transaction to two.

[0108] By limiting the number of information terminals 10 in this way, it is possible to prevent the mistake of accidentally combining product data self-registered by different customers into data for a single commercial transaction.

[0109] [Third embodiment] In the first embodiment, when a product is registered by inputting a barcode on the POS terminal 20 and an accounting code is scanned, purchased product data based on the registered product data in the shopping file 41 identified by the accounting code is unconditionally stored in the transaction file 81. However, if the scanning is unconditional, it is impossible to prevent the mistake of accidentally scanning another customer's accounting code and combining the two transactions into a single transaction. In this regard, although the second embodiment imposes a limit on the number of information terminals (10), it is impossible to prevent the mistake of including data on products purchased by a customer who has used self-registration in the purchases of products purchased by a customer who has not used self-registration. Therefore, in the third embodiment, an operator is allowed to confirm whether or not to obtain product information identified by the identification information received by the reception unit from an external system. This confirmation prevents the above-mentioned mistake from occurring. The third embodiment will be described below using Figures 16 and 17. The following describes the differences from the first embodiment, and omits the commonalities between the first and second embodiments.

[0110] 16 is a schematic diagram showing the main functions of the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processor 21 has the functions of the first acquisition means 211, the second acquisition means 212, the payment means 213, the acceptance means 214, and the display means 215 described in the first embodiment, as well as the function of the detection means 217. The detection means 217 has a function of detecting an instruction as to whether or not to acquire the identification information accepted by the acceptance means 214, that is, the information on the product identified by the accounting code, from an external system. The function of the detection means 217 will be explained in the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with the payment program 231.

[0111] 17 is a flowchart showing the first half of the main procedure of the information processing executed by the processor 21 of the POS terminal 20 in accordance with the payment program 231 in the third embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate parts that are common to the information processing described in the first embodiment using FIG. 10. The latter half is common to the first embodiment described using FIG. 11, and is therefore not shown.

[0112] That is, in the third embodiment, when the accounting code is scanned in ACT54, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT55 to ACT111. In ACT111, the processor 21 checks whether purchased product data with a type code of "0" is stored in the transaction file 81. If purchased product data with a type code of "0" is not stored, product registration by reading a barcode was not performed before the scanning of the accounting code. The processor 21 proceeds from ACT111 to ACT61. The processor 21 then executes the processes of ACT61 to ACT66 and ACT67 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

[0113] On the other hand, if purchased product data with a type code of "0" is stored, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT111 to ACT112. In ACT112, the processor 111 displays a confirmation screen on the touch panel 71. The confirmation screen is a screen for the store clerk, who is the operator of the POS terminal 20, to confirm whether or not to acquire the data of the self-registered product. The confirmation screen has an OK button that allows the acquisition of data and an NG button that does not allow the acquisition.

[0114] The processor 21 waits for the OK button to be pressed or the NG button to be pressed in ACT 113. If the OK button is pressed, the processor 21 proceeds from ACT 113 to ACT 61. Then, the processor 21 executes the processes of ACT 61 to ACT 66 and ACT 67 in the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

[0115] On the other hand, if the NG button is pressed, the processor 21 returns from ACT 113 to ACT 54. That is, the processor 21 ignores the scanning of the accounting code and waits for the next scanning. Here, by executing the processes of ACT111 to ACT113, the function of the detection means 217 is realized.

[0116] Thus, according to the third embodiment equipped with the detection means 217, the store clerk confirms whether or not to obtain the data of the shopping file 41 identified by the identification information received by the reception means 214 from the terminal controller 40, and only when an instruction to do so is given is the data of the shopping file 41 downloaded from the terminal controller 40 to the POS terminal 20. This makes it possible to prevent the mistake of including data of products purchased by a customer who has used self-registration in the list of products purchased by a customer who has not used self-registration.

[0117] Although several embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these.

[0118] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is assumed that the operator of the POS terminal 20 is a store clerk. However, the operator may be the customer himself / herself. In other words, the POS terminal 20 may be a self-service POS terminal.

[0119] For example, in the above embodiment, it is assumed that each product has a barcode indicating the product code. However, it is not necessary for each product to have a barcode attached. For products without barcodes, a well-known method of registering products can be applied, for example, by selecting the product from a list of products without barcodes displayed on a touch panel. Furthermore, this embodiment can also be applied to a system in which an RFID tag is attached to each product and the product registration process is performed by reading the RFID tag with a tag reader.

[0120] In the above embodiment, on the registration details screen SC, the registration details information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "1" and the registration details information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "0" can be distinguished by the presence or absence of a mark. In this regard, the distinction may be made by the difference in the type of mark. Alternatively, the registration details information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "1" and the registration details information corresponding to purchased product data whose type flag is "0" may be distinguished by displaying them separately.

[0121] These novel embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10...information terminal, 20...POS terminal, 30...store server, 31...product database, 40...terminal controller, 41...shopping file, 50...communication network, 60...access point, 81...transaction file, 211...first acquisition means, 212...second acquisition means, 213...payment means, 214...acceptance means, 215...display means, 216...restriction means, 217...detection means.

Claims

1. A payment device of a self-registration system including an information terminal for customers to register products at a sales floor and a payment device equipped with an input device, a first acquisition means for acquiring product information based on the data input via the input device when the data identifies the product; a second acquisition means for acquiring, from an external system, information on a product identified by an accounting code when the data input via the input device is an accounting code that identifies stored product information based on product data input via the information terminal, and the accounting code can be input either before or after the product information is acquired by the first acquisition means; a payment means for making a payment based on the information of the product acquired by the first acquisition means and the second acquisition means; A payment device comprising:

2. A creation means for creating a transaction file for storing data relating to one transaction in response to an instruction to start accounting; Further comprising: the first acquisition means stores in the transaction file information about the product acquired based on the data identifying the product; the second acquisition means stores the product information acquired from the external system in the transaction file; 2. The settlement device according to claim 1, wherein said settlement means settles based on product information stored in said transaction file in response to an instruction to close registration.

3. a limiting means for limiting the number of times the accounting code is input; The payment device of claim 1 , further comprising:

4. A detection means for detecting an instruction as to whether or not to obtain stored product information from the external system based on product-related data input via the information terminal; Further comprising: The payment device according to claim 1 , wherein the second acquisition means acquires information about the product identified by the accounting code from the external system on condition that the detection means detects an instruction to acquire from the external system.

5. a display means for distinguishably displaying the product information acquired by the first acquisition means and the product information acquired by the second acquisition means; 5. The settlement device according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. A self-registration system including an information terminal for customers to register products at a sales floor and a payment device equipped with an input device, the payment device comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring product information based on data input via the input device when the data identifies the product; a second acquisition means for acquiring, from an external system, information on a product identified by an accounting code when the data input via the input device is an accounting code that identifies stored product information based on product data input via the information terminal, and the accounting code can be input either before or after the product information is acquired by the first acquisition means; and a payment means for making a payment based on the information of the product acquired by the first acquisition means and the second acquisition means; A program to function as a

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