Transaction processing device and information processing program

Abstract

To reduce the operational effort required for providing benefits. [Solution] A transaction processing device according to an embodiment includes a registration means, a determination means, a confirmation means, and a provision means. The registration means registers transaction details in response to an operation by an operator. The determination means, in response to a request for provision of a benefit for a transaction whose details are registered by the registration means being made without specifying one of multiple types of benefits, determines the type of benefit that is predetermined to be provided at that time. The confirmation means confirms whether the type of benefit determined by the determination means is permitted to be provided for the transaction whose details are registered by the registration means. The provision means, in response to confirmation by the confirmation means that provision is permitted, performs provision processing to provide the type of benefit determined by the determination means.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a transaction processing device and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] In some stores, a plurality of types of benefits, such as childcare support discounts and senior discounts, are selectively offered depending on the benefit card presented by the customer. In this case, a store clerk at the transaction processing device must check the reward card presented by the customer and perform an operation to specify the provision of a reward according to the reward card. This places a heavy burden on the store clerk when providing a reward. In view of these circumstances, it has been desired to reduce the operational effort required for providing benefits. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 050383 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transaction processing device and an information processing program that can reduce the operational effort required when providing a special benefit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A transaction processing device according to an embodiment includes a registration means, a determination means, a confirmation means, and a provision means. The registration means registers transaction details in response to an operation by an operator. The determination means, in response to a request for provision of a benefit for a transaction whose details are registered by the registration means being made without specifying one of multiple types of benefits, determines the type of benefit that is predetermined to be provided at that time. The confirmation means confirms whether the type of benefit determined by the determination means is permitted to be provided for the transaction whose details are registered by the registration means. The provision means, in response to confirmation by the confirmation means that provision is permitted, performs provision processing to provide the type of benefit determined by the determination means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a transaction processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the transaction processing device in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of one of the data records included in the discount setting table in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of one of the data records included in the message table in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of a transaction process. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart of a transaction process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a registration screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a discount application process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calling screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a provision confirmation screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a success screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a first selection screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a second selection screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a third selection screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a discount selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a transaction processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Transaction processing system 1 is used, for example, at a checkout counter set up within a store to process sales transactions of merchandise at the store. Transaction processing system 1 includes at least one transaction processing device 100 and at least one monitoring device 200 installed at the checkout counter. FIG. 1 shows transaction processing system 1 including four transaction processing devices 100 and one monitoring device 200. The number of transaction processing devices 100 and the number of monitoring devices 200 included in transaction processing system 1 can be arbitrary, and the ratio between the number of transaction processing devices 100 and the number of monitoring devices 200 can also be arbitrary.

[0008] A customer CU who purchases an item sold in a store picks up an item displayed in the store's sales area and brings it to the cashier's counter. Transaction equipment 100 is an information processing device that registers merchandise brought by a customer CU to a checkout counter as transaction merchandise and performs transaction processing to settle the prices for all registered transaction merchandise in response to the operation of the customer CU. In other words, the operator of transaction equipment 100 is the customer CU. However, transaction equipment 100 may also be operated by an operator other than a customer CU, such as a store clerk. In many cases, the details of transactions processed by transaction equipment 100 are managed by a POS server (not shown). That is, transaction equipment 100 is also called a POS terminal.

[0009] Monitoring device 200 is an information processing device that performs support processing for attendant ATs to monitor the operating status of four transaction processing devices 100 and attend to customer CUs. Monitoring device 200 is also called an attendant device. The operator of monitoring device 200 is an attendant AT. The attendant AT is generally a store clerk. The attendant AT may be located in a location separate from the checkout counter. The monitoring device 200 may be portable. In this case, the monitoring device 200 is not installed in a specific location, but may be carried by an attendant AT who moves around the checkout counters.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of transaction processing apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. Since all four transaction processing devices 100 shown in Fig. 1 have a common configuration, Fig. 2 shows the configuration of only one transaction processing device 100. All four transaction processing devices 100 are capable of communicating with monitoring device 200 via communication network 300. Communication network 300 may be the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN, a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either alone or in appropriate combination. As an example, a LAN is used as communication network 300.

[0011] The transaction processing device 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, a sub-memory unit 103, a touch panel 104, a handheld scanner 105, a fixed scanner 106, a change machine 107, a credit card reader 108, an electronic money reader / writer 109, a printer 110, an alarm lamp 111, a sound unit 112, a communication unit 113, and a transmission path 114.

[0012] Processor 101 , main memory unit 102 and sub-memory unit 103 are connected by transmission line 114 to form a computer for controlling transaction processing device 100 . Processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. Processor 101 executes information processing for controlling each part to realize various functions of transaction processing device 100, based on various information processing programs such as an operating system, firmware, and application programs stored in main storage unit 102 and sub-storage unit 103.

[0013] The main memory unit 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 stores part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 102 may also store data required for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each component in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 101.

[0014] The sub-storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The sub-storage unit 103 includes a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), an HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive). The sub-storage unit 103 stores data used by the processor 101 when performing various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the processor 101. The sub-storage unit 103 may also store an application program. In this embodiment, the sub-storage unit 103 stores a transaction processing program PRA. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes processing procedures related to information processing for processing transactions. A portion of the storage area of ​​the sub-storage unit 103 is used to store a discount setting table TAA and a message table TAB. The discount setting table TAA and the message table TAB will be described later.

[0015] The touch panel 104 displays various screens for notifying the operator of various types of information. Some of the various screens constitute a GUI (graphical user interface), and the touch panel 104 receives touch operations for operating the GUI. The handheld scanner 105 is held by an operator, and when it is brought into close proximity to a barcode displayed on a product, it reads the barcode and outputs barcode information represented by the barcode. The barcode information includes a product code for identifying the product. The handheld scanner 105 may read a barcode displayed on the face of a point card or a barcode displayed on a point membership screen of an information terminal such as a smartphone, and output barcode information including point information represented by the barcode. The handheld scanner 105 may also read a barcode for code payment displayed on a payment screen of an information terminal such as a smartphone, and output barcode information including payment information represented by the barcode. Note that the term "barcode" here may include various types of optically readable codes, such as one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes.

[0016] The fixed scanner 106 captures an image of a product held in front of it and identifies the barcode displayed on the product through image processing. The fixed scanner 106 then outputs barcode information represented by the identified barcode. Note that the fixed scanner 106 may also use other types of well-known devices, such as those that identify barcodes using the reflection of laser light. Like the handheld scanner 105, the fixed scanner 106 may also read barcodes other than those displayed on products.

[0017] The change machine 107 includes a coin safe that stores coins by denomination and a bill safe that stores banknotes by denomination. The change machine 107 takes in inserted coins, identifies the denomination, and stores them in the coin safe by denomination. The change machine 107 takes in inserted banknotes, identifies the denomination, and stores them in the banknote safe by denomination. In response to a dispensing command from the processor 101, the change machine 107 discharges coins or banknotes stored in the coin safe or banknote safe to the outside of the transaction processing device 100. The change machine 107 has a function of managing the number of coins and banknotes stored in the coin safe and banknote safe by denomination. An existing automatic change machine can be used as this change machine 107.

[0018] The credit card reader 108 reads data recorded on a credit card inserted into the card slot by an operator. The electronic money reader / writer 109 includes, for example, an NFC (near field communication) communication unit, and reads data from a nearby electronic money card via wireless communication. The electronic money reader / writer 109 also writes data from a nearby electronic money card via wireless communication.

[0019] Printer 110 includes a receipt printer and a journal printer. The receipt printer issues various types of vouchers by printing various types of information on receipt paper. The various types of vouchers include receipts showing details of commercial transactions and credit slips for credit card payments. Vouchers issued by the receipt printer are ejected to the outside of transaction processing device 100. The journal printer prints journal data onto journal paper, including information that will be printed on receipt paper by the receipt printer. The journal paper is retained inside transaction processing device 100 unless removed by a maintenance person.

[0020] The alarm lamp 111 lights up or flashes to notify the status of the device. The sound unit 112 outputs sounds and voices for various guidance and warnings. As the sound unit 112, various well-known sound devices such as a voice synthesis device and a buzzer can be used alone or in combination.

[0021] The communication unit 113 performs data communication via the communication network 300. If the communication network 300 is a LAN, the communication unit 113 may be a known communication device adapted to the LAN. The transmission path 114 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc. The transmission path 114 transmits data and signals exchanged between the components connected thereto.

[0022] The hardware for transaction equipment 100 can be existing hardware used in self-service POS terminals. Transaction processing program PRA is typically stored in sub-storage unit 103 when transaction equipment 100 is transferred. However, transaction processing program PRA may be written to sub-storage unit 103 by processor 101 in response to an operator's operation after transaction equipment 100 is transferred. In this case, sub-storage unit 103 of the transferred transaction equipment 100 may store a program of the same type but a different version of transaction processing program PRA, or may not store such a program. In the former case, the program written to sub-storage unit 103 later is used in place of the program of the same type but a different version. Transaction processing program PRA can be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of one of the data records REA included in the discount setting table TAA. The discount setting table TAA is a collection of data records REA associated with each day of the week, from Sunday to Saturday. Each data record REA describes settings related to discount services offered as "Today's Discount" on the associated day of the week. A discount service offered as "Today's Discount" is an example of a benefit provided to customer CUs authorized to use that discount service. In this embodiment, "Today's Discount" refers to a discount service offered to customer CUs who possess a discount card that certifies that they are users of the respective discount service. Services offered as "Today's Discount" include a childcare support discount, a local support discount, a silver discount, and a preferential discount. For example, the childcare support discount is offered to holders of a childcare support card distributed to customer CUs who are raising children. For example, the local support service is offered to holders of a local support card distributed to customer CUs residing in a designated area. For example, the silver discount is offered to holders of a silver card distributed to customer CUs of a specified age or older. For example, the preferential discount is offered to holders of a preferential discount card distributed to customer CUs who meet predetermined preferential conditions. Thus, these multiple discount services that may be implemented as "Today's Discount" are examples of multiple types of benefits provided to customer CUs.

[0024] The data record REA includes fields FAA, FAB, FAC, FAD, and FAE. Field FAA contains a record number for distinguishing the data record REA from other data records REA. Field FAB contains the associated day of the week. Field FAC contains an operation number for identifying the operation for specifying whether to apply "Today's Discount" on the associated day of the week. The operation number may be set to, for example, "0," "1," or "2." Operation number "0" indicates, for example, that "Today's Discount" is not applied on the associated day of the week, and therefore, the operation for specifying application is not accepted. Operation number "1" indicates, for example, that the setting is to accept an operation on a confirmation screen prompting the user to specify whether to apply "Today's Discount" (hereinafter referred to as "confirmation display setting"). Operation number "2" indicates that the setting is to accept the specification of whether to apply "Today's Discount" on a screen for specifying a payment method. Field FAD contains a discount number for identifying the discount rate to apply "Today's Discount" on the associated day of the week. The discount number is, for example, one of "0" to "10," and for example, an arbitrary discount rate is separately set for each of the discount numbers "1" to "10." The discount number "0," for example, indicates no discount. In the field FAE, a record number for identifying a data record in the message table TAB to be referenced for the text message and image to be displayed on the confirmation screen is set as the message number. Note that "0" is set in the field FAE when the settings for the text message and image to be displayed on the confirmation screen are not to be referenced.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows the structure of one of the data records REB contained in the message table TAB. The message table TAB is a collection of data records REB associated with each of a plurality of discount services that can be implemented as "Today's Discount." The data records REB describe settings related to the text messages and images to be displayed on the confirmation screen for the associated discount services.

[0026] Data record REB includes fields FBA, FBB, FBC, and FBD. Field FBA contains a record number for distinguishing the data record REB from other data records REB. Field FBB contains a text message for making the customer CU aware of the associated discount service. Field FBC contains a text message for prompting the customer CU to specify whether or not to apply the associated discount service. Field FBD contains the image file name of an image showing the appearance of the card to be presented when using the associated discount service.

[0027] As an example, if "Today's Discount" is not offered on Sundays, one of the data records REA would have the following fields: field FAA: "0", field FAB: "day", field FAC: "0", field FAD: "0", field FAE: "0". As an example, if a child care support discount is offered on Mondays at a rate of 5% as "Today's Discount" and a confirmation display is set, one data record REB would have an arbitrary number (let's say "2" in this case) in field FBA, the string "Child care support card / 5% discount coupon" in field FBB, the string "Do you have one?" in field FBC, and the image file name of the child care support card's exterior image in field FBD. One data record REA would then have field FAA: "1," field FAB: "Month," field FAC: "1," field FAD: "3," and field FAE: "2." Note that this example assumes that the discount number identifying the 5% discount rate is "3."

[0028] As an example, if a silver discount of 3% is offered on Wednesdays as "Today's Discount" and a confirmation display is not set, one data record REB would have an arbitrary number (say "3" in this case) in field FBA, the string "Silver Card / 3% Discount Coupon" in field FBB, the string "Do you have one?" in field FBC, and the image file name of an image of the silver card's exterior in field FBD. One data record REA would then have field FAA: "3", field FAB: "Wednesday", field FAC: "2", field FAD: "2", and field FAE: "3". Note that this example assumes that the discount number identifying the 3% discount rate is "2". The settings in the discount setting table TAA and the message table TAB may be determined as appropriate by, for example, a store manager.

[0029] Next, the operation of the transaction processing system 1 configured as described above will be described. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following description, in order to clearly explain the characteristic operations of this embodiment, explanations of some of the processes will be omitted. For example, after transitioning from one processing state to another, the process may return to the processing state before the transition in response to an instruction from an operator, but such processing will not be described. Alternatively, for example, if some kind of error occurs, processing may be performed to deal with the error, but such processing will not be described.

[0030] The customer CU selects one of transaction processing devices 100 that is not being used by other customer CUs and initiates a predetermined operation to start registering the transaction product. Then, in transaction processing device 100 where this operation is performed, processor 101 executes transaction processing for processing the transaction with the customer CU in accordance with transaction processing program PRA.

[0031] 5 and 6 are flowcharts of the transaction process. In ACT1, processor 101 performs a registration process to register the product designated by the operation of the customer CU as the transaction product. The registration process may be similar to that performed in other existing full-self-service type POS terminal devices, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. This registration process results in the content of the transaction being processed being registered, for example, as a list of transaction products. Thus, by processor 101 executing information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 101 as its central part functions as registration means.

[0032] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen displayed on touch panel 104 during the registration process. Note that the screen examples shown in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures omit illustrations of some of the display elements that appear on the screen. For example, buttons usually display text or illustrations that allow the operator to identify the functions assigned to those buttons, but these are not shown.

[0033] The registration screen shown in Figure 7 includes display areas ARA, ARB, ARC, and ARD, a button group BGA, and buttons BUA, BUB, BUC, BUD, BUE, and BUF. Display area ARA displays text and illustrations to guide the customer CU through operations. Display area ARB displays the current date and time. Display area ARC displays the details of registered transactions. In other words, display area ARC displays a list of registered transaction items. Note that examples such as "AAAAAA" and "BBBBBB" in display area ARC are actually character strings representing product names, etc. Display area ARD displays the total number and total price of registered transaction items. Button group BGA includes multiple buttons for specifying the registration of items without barcodes as transaction items. Button BUA is a soft key for specifying the registration of bulk items or large items such as rice as transaction items. Button BUB is a soft key for specifying the call to a store clerk. Button BUC is a soft key for specifying the cancellation of a transaction currently being registered. The buttons BUD and BUE are soft keys for specifying a change of page to be displayed when the product list to be displayed in the display area ARC spans multiple pages. The button BUF is a soft key for specifying to finish registering the transaction product and proceed to checkout.

[0034] If the end of registration is designated by a predetermined operation such as touching the button BUF on the registration screen, the processor 101 ends the registration process and proceeds to ACT2. In ACT2, processor 101 checks whether there is a "Today's Discount." For example, processor 101 finds a data record REA in discount setting table TAA in which today's day of the week is set in field FAB. If the operation number set in field FAC of the corresponding data record REA is other than "0," processor 101 determines that there is a "Today's Discount." In this case, processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT3. At this time, the discount service associated with data record REB in field FBA in which the same record number as the message number set in field FAE of the found data record REA is set becomes the discount service that is set to be offered at this time. Thus, by processor 101 executing information processing based on transaction processing program PRA, the computer with processor 101 as its core functions as a determination means.

[0035] In ACT3, the processor 101 checks whether a confirmation display is set for "Today's Discount." For example, if "1" is set in the field FAC of the data record REA found in ACT2, the processor 101 determines that a confirmation display is set. In this case, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT5. In ACT5, the processor 101 displays a usage confirmation screen on the touch panel 104. The usage confirmation screen is a screen for confirming with the customer CU whether or not to use "Today's Discount."

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen. The usage confirmation screen shown in Fig. 8 is an example of the case where the processor 101 proceeds to ACT4 as a result of completing the registration process of ACT1 in Fig. 5 in response to touching the button BUF on the registration screen shown in Fig. 7. The usage confirmation screen shown in Fig. 8 is a screen in which a window WIA and a button BUG are popped up on the registration screen shown in Fig. 7. The usage confirmation screen shown in Fig. 8 is an example of the case where "Today's Discount" is a child care support discount.

[0037] The button BUG is a soft key for receiving a designation to call a store clerk. The window WIA includes text messages MEA and MEB, an image IMA, and buttons BUH and BUI. The text messages MEA and MEB represent the first and second messages set in fields FBB and FBC of the data record REB associated with the child care support discount. The image IMA is an image corresponding to the image file specified by the image file name set in field FBD of the data record REB associated with the child care support discount. The button BUH is a soft key for specifying whether to use the child care support discount. The button BUI is a soft key for specifying whether to not use the child care support discount.

[0038] The customer CU has a card for using the discount service displayed on the usage confirmation screen, and if the customer CU wishes to use the discount service, the customer specifies that the service will be used by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUH. If the customer CU does not have a card, or if the customer CU has a card but does not wish to use the discount service, the customer specifies that the service will not be used by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUI.

[0039] 5, the processor 101 checks whether use has been specified. If use has been specified as described above, the result is YES, and the process proceeds to ACT6. As ACT6, the processor 101 executes a discount application process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the discount application process. In ACT31, the processor 101 displays a calling screen on the touch panel 104. The calling screen is a screen for notifying the customer CU that a store clerk is being called.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the calling screen. The calling screen shown in Fig. 10 is an example of the case where the screen progresses from ACT5 to ACT6 in Fig. 5 in response to touching the button BUH on the usage confirmation screen shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, the calling screen shown in Fig. 10 is a screen in which a window WIB is popped up on the registration screen shown in Fig. 7. The window WIB displays a text message to notify that a store clerk is being called.

[0041] 9, processor 101 requests monitoring device 200 to call a store clerk. In response to this request, monitoring device 200 performs a call operation, such as displaying a screen to prompt attendant AT to proceed to transaction processing device 100 that made the request. The above request from processor 101 to monitoring device 200 at this time is an example of call processing for calling attendant AT, who is a store clerk. In other words, processor 101 executes information processing based on transaction processing program PRA, and the computer with processor 101 as its central part functions as a call means.

[0042] In response to this call, attendant AT goes to transaction processing device 100 that is the calling source and performs a predetermined release operation. The release operation is, for example, an operation in which handheld scanner 105 or fixed scanner 106 reads the barcode displayed on the employee ID card held by attendant AT. However, the release operation may be any operation that is not easily performed by a customer CU, and the type of operation that constitutes the release operation may be determined appropriately by the person who decides the specifications of transaction processing device 100, etc.

[0043] In ACT 33, the processor 101 waits for a release operation. If the release operation as described above is performed, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT 34. As ACT34, the processor 101 displays an application confirmation screen on the touch panel 104. The application confirmation screen is a screen for prompting the store clerk to confirm and specify whether or not to apply "Today's Discount."

[0044] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the application confirmation screen. The application confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11 is an example of the case where the screen proceeds from ACT33 to ACT34 in FIG. 9 in response to a cancellation operation being performed while the calling screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. Therefore, the offer confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11 is a screen in which a window WIC is popped up on the registration screen shown in FIG. 7. The window WIC displays a text message prompting the store clerk to confirm and specify whether or not to apply "Today's Discount," and also displays buttons BUJ and BUK. The button BUJ is a soft key for specifying whether to apply "Today's Discount." The button BUK is a soft key for specifying not to apply "Today's Discount."

[0045] The attendant AT requests the customer CU to present a card that certifies the customer's authorization to use the discount service provided as "Today's Discount," and if the attendant AT confirms that the customer CU has the appropriate card, the attendant AT specifies that the discount should be applied by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUJ. If the attendant AT cannot confirm that the customer CU has the appropriate card, the attendant AT specifies that the discount should not be applied by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUH.

[0046] The processor 101 checks whether application has been specified in ACT35 of Fig. 9. If application has been specified as described above, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT36. In ACT36, processor 101 performs an appropriateness confirmation process. The appropriateness confirmation process is a process for confirming whether a discount service implemented as "today's discount" can be applied to the transaction being processed. Processor 101, for example, inquires of the POS server as to appropriateness. The POS server, for example, determines appropriateness by referring to a discount management table that describes the application conditions for each discount service, and responds with the determination result to transaction equipment 100. Processor 101 of transaction equipment 100 then receives this response. However, this appropriateness confirmation process may also be a process in which the discount management table is stored in, for example, sub-storage unit 103, and processor 101 determines appropriateness by referring to the discount management table. In this way, processor 101 executes ACT33 to ACT38 to process information based on transaction processing program PRA, and the computer, of which processor 101 is the central part, functions as a confirmation means.

[0047] In ACT 37, the processor 101 checks whether the applicability has been confirmed through the above-mentioned suitability confirmation process. If the applicability has been confirmed, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT 38. As ACT38, the processor 101 performs discount processing. The discount processing is a process for applying a "today's discount" discount to the transaction being processed. The details of this process may be similar to the process performed to apply a discount through a discount service in existing POS terminals, etc. As a result, a discount service is provided to the customer CU as a special benefit. In other words, by the processor 101 executing information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, the computer with the processor 101 as its central part functions as a provision means.

[0048] In ACT 39, the processor 101 sets the status of "Today's Discount" to "Applied." For example, the processor 101 updates a flag that indicates "Not Applied" at the start of the transaction processing to a flag that indicates "Applied." As ACT40, the processor 101 displays a success screen on the touch panel 104. The success screen is a screen for notifying the customer CU that "Today's Discount" has been achieved.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the success screen. The successful transaction screen shown in FIG. 12 is an example of the screen that proceeds to ACT40 in FIG. 9 in response to touching button BUJ on the application confirmation screen shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, the successful transaction screen shown in FIG. 12 is a screen in which window WID is popped up on the registration screen shown in FIG. 7. Window WID displays, in text, the subtotal, the discount amount when "Today's Discount" is applied, and the total amount after deducting the discount amount, and also displays button BUL. Button BUL is a soft key for receiving a declaration that the successful transaction screen has been confirmed. After checking the content of the winning screen, the customer CU declares that he / she has checked the content by performing a predetermined operation such as touching the button BUL.

[0050] The processor 101 waits for confirmation as ACT41 in Fig. 9. If confirmation is declared as above, the processor 101 determines YES and ends the discount application process. If the processor 101 confirms in ACT37 that the "today's discount" is not applicable, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT42.

[0051] In ACT42, the processor 101 performs error processing. For example, the processor 101 causes the touch panel 104 to display a screen and the sound unit 112 to output an alarm sound in order to notify the customer CU that "Today's Discount" cannot be used. The processor 101 also requests the monitoring device 200 to call a store clerk. Thereafter, the processor 101 ends the discount application process without performing ACT38 to ACT41.

[0052] When the processor 101 completes the discount application process in ACT6 in FIG. 5 as described above, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT11 in FIG. In addition, if the processor 101 determines NO in ACT2 in Figure 5 because the operation number set in field FAC is "0" and there is no "Today's Discount," if it determines NO in ACT3 because it was unable to confirm that the confirmation display setting is enabled, or if it determines NO in ACT5 after confirming that a specification has been made not to use "Today's Discount," in any of these cases it proceeds to ACT11 in Figure 6 without executing ACT6.

[0053] In ACT11, the processor 101 checks whether there is a "today's discount" in the same manner as in ACT2 in Fig. 5. If there is a "today's discount", the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT12. In ACT 12, processor 101 checks whether "Today's discount" has already been applied to the transaction currently being processed. If processor 101 has executed the discount application process in ACT 6 in Fig. 5, and then proceeded to ACT 12 via ACT 11 in Fig. 6, and if the status for "Today's discount" has not been set to "Applied" during the discount application process, then processor 101 determines NO as "Today's discount" has not been applied, and proceeds to ACT 13. In ACT13, the processor 101 displays a first selection screen on the touch panel 104. The first selection screen is a screen for receiving a designation of a payment method.

[0054] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the first selection screen. Note that, among the display elements shown in Fig. 13, the same display elements as those shown in Fig. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 13 includes a display area ARB, button groups BGA and BGB, and buttons BUB, BUC, BUM, and BUN, although the button group BGA is disabled.

[0055] Button BUM is a soft key for receiving a designation to use a gift certificate or coupon. Button BUN is a soft key for receiving a designation to return to the registration process. Button group BGB includes multiple buttons, each associated with a payment method, and buttons BUO and BUP. A button associated with a payment method is a soft key for receiving a designation to use the associated payment method as the payment method to be applied to settle the price of the transaction. Button BUO is a soft key for receiving a designation to use "Today's Discount." Button BUP is a soft key for receiving a designation to proceed to the selection of any one of multiple discount services that can be implemented as "Today's Discount."

[0056] On the other hand, if the processor 101 executes the discount application process of ACT6 in Figure 5, for example, and then proceeds to ACT12 via ACT11 in Figure 6, and the status for "Today's discount" is set to "Applied" during the discount application process, then the processor 101 determines YES in ACT12, assuming that "Today's discount" has been applied, and proceeds to ACT14. In ACT 14, the processor 101 displays a second selection screen on the touch panel 104. The second selection screen is a screen for receiving a designation of a payment method.

[0057] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the second selection screen. Note that, among the display elements shown in Fig. 14, the same display elements as those shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 13 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the second selection screen shown in Fig. 14, the display state of the button BUO is changed to a state indicating that it is in an invalid state, as compared to the first selection screen shown in Fig. 13. The display state indicating the invalid state is, for example, grayed out. As a result, the second selection screen indicates that although "Today's Discount" exists, it cannot be specified to apply "Today's Discount" because it has already been applied.

[0058] On the other hand, if there is no "Today's Discount", the processor 101 determines "NO" in ACT11 in FIG. 6 and proceeds to ACT15. In ACT 15, the processor 101 displays a third selection screen on the touch panel 104. The third selection screen is a screen for receiving a designation of a payment method.

[0059] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the third selection screen. Note that, among the display elements shown in Fig. 15, the same display elements as those shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 13 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the third selection screen shown in FIG. 15, the button BUO is not displayed, unlike the first selection screen shown in FIG. As a result, the third selection screen indicates that it is not possible to specify "Today's Discount."

[0060] When the processor 101 completes any of ACT13, ACT14, and ACT15, it proceeds to ACT16 in all cases. In ACT16, the processor 101 checks whether a payment method has been specified. If the processor 101 cannot confirm this event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT17.

[0061] In ACT17, the processor 101 checks whether "Today's Discount" has been specified. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the event, it determines "NO" and proceeds to ACT18. In ACT 18, the processor 101 checks whether a transition to the selection of any one of a plurality of discount services that can be implemented as "Today's Discount" has been specified. If the processor 101 cannot confirm this event, it determines "NO" and returns to ACT 16. Thus, in ACT16 to ACT18, processor 101 waits for either a payment method to be specified, a "today's discount" to be specified, or a specification to move on to selecting any one of multiple discount services that can be implemented as "today's discount."

[0062] Even if the customer CU specifies that "Today's Discount" is not to be applied by touching button BUI on the usage confirmation screen shown in Fig. 8, the customer CU can specify that "Today's Discount" is to be applied by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUO on the first selection screen shown in Fig. 13. Also, if "Today's Discount" exists but the usage confirmation screen is not displayed because the discount service is not set to be displayed for confirmation, the customer CU can specify that "Today's Discount" is to be used by a predetermined operation such as touching button BUO on the first selection screen shown in Fig. 13. Then, in response to such a specification, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT17 in Fig. 6 and proceeds to ACT19. In ACT 19, the processor 101 executes the discount application process described above. After completing this discount application process, the processor 101 returns to ACT 11.

[0063] If the customer CU selects any one of a plurality of discount services that can be implemented as "Today's Discount" and wishes to use that discount service, the customer CU designates transition to that selection by a predetermined operation such as touching a button BUP on any of the first to third selection screens. Then, in response to such designation, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT18 and proceeds to ACT20. In ACT20, the processor 101 displays a discount selection screen on the touch panel 104. The discount selection screen is a screen for receiving designation of any one of a plurality of discount services that can be implemented as "today's discount."

[0064] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the discount selection screen. The discount selection screen shown in FIG. 16 is an example of what happens when button BUP is touched on the first selection screen. Therefore, the discount selection screen shown in FIG. 16 is a screen in which window WIE is popped up on the first selection screen. Window WIE includes a button group BGC. Button group BGC includes multiple buttons, each associated with a multiple discount service that can be implemented as "Today's Discount." These buttons are soft keys for receiving a designation to use the associated discount service. The customer CU designates the discount service that the customer desires to use by performing a predetermined operation such as touching a button associated with the desired discount service among the button group BGC.

[0065] In ACT21, the processor 101 waits for a discount service to be designated. If a discount service is designated as described above, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT22. In ACT 22, the processor 101 executes the discount application process described above. After completing this discount application process, the processor 101 returns to ACT 11.

[0066] If the customer CU wishes to proceed to pay for the transaction, the customer CU designates the payment method by a predetermined operation, such as touching a button included in the button group BGC that is associated with the payment method to be used for payment, on any of the first to third selection screens. In response to this, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT16 in FIG. 6 and proceeds to ACT23.

[0067] As ACT23, processor 101 executes a settlement process to settle the price of the transaction being processed using the specified payment method. This settlement process may be similar to the process performed by other existing full-self-service type POS terminal devices, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, when processor 101 completes the settlement process, it ends the transaction process.

[0068] As described above, transaction processing device 100 applies one discount service from among multiple discount services that has been designated as "today's discount" when application of "today's discount" is designated. This eliminates the need to designate which of multiple discount services to use when using "today's discount," thereby reducing the effort required for operation.

[0069] Transaction equipment 100 can also set which of a plurality of discount services will be offered as "today's discount" for each day of the week.

[0070] Furthermore, transaction equipment 100 requires the presentation of a card certifying authorization to use any of the discount services offered as "Today's Discount," but if application of "Today's Discount" is specified, it automatically waits for attendant AT to confirm the card and applies "Today's Discount" in response to appropriate operation by attendant AT. This allows discount services offered as "Today's Discount" to be provided appropriately and simply.

[0071] Furthermore, transaction processing device 100 automatically calls attendant AT for the above-mentioned confirmation, so that the above-mentioned confirmation can be performed quickly and the customer CU does not have to take the trouble of making the call.

[0072] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. For example, one of the discount services may be offered as a "discount on the 10th of every month," or one of the discount services may be offered as a "discount between 5pm and 6pm." The timing at which the discount service is offered can be determined as appropriate.

[0073] The display of the usage confirmation screen may be always performed regardless of which discount service is implemented as "Today's Discount." In this case, the display of the first and second selection screens may be omitted, and the third selection screen may be displayed instead.

[0074] The usage confirmation screen may not be displayed. In other words, the application of "Today's Discount" may be specified only on the first selection screen.

[0075] The benefit to be offered may be, for example, the issuance of a coupon, the provision of a free product, the awarding of points, or any other benefit other than a discount service.

[0076] Instead of having the attendant AT check the card, confirmation of whether the discount service is permitted may be performed by any other procedure, such as checking the membership card screen displayed on the information terminal held by the customer CU, or by authentication processing using the user name and password entered by the customer CU.

[0077] The call process for calling a store clerk may be a process of causing transaction processing device 100 to perform a call operation by operating one or more of touch panel 104, alarm lamp 111, and sound unit 112.

[0078] It may also be implemented as a transaction processing device that does not have a function for performing transaction processing, that is, it may be implemented as a separate type in which the registration device and the transaction device are separate entities.

[0079] It may also be realized as a transaction processing device that is primarily operated by a store clerk, that is, it may be realized as a face-to-face transaction processing device or as a registration device in a semi-self-service transaction processing system.

[0080] Some or all of the functions realized by the processor 101 through information processing can be realized by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining hardware such as the above logic circuit with software control.

[0081] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied 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 and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...transaction processing system, 100...transaction processing device, 101...processor, 102...main memory unit, 103...sub memory unit, 104...touch panel, 105...handheld scanner, 106...fixed scanner, 107...change machine, 108...credit card reader, 109...electronic money reader / writer, 110...printer, 111...alarm lamp, 112...sound unit, 113...communication unit, 114...transmission path, 200...monitoring device, 300...communication network.

Claims

1. a registration means for registering the details of a transaction in response to an operation by an operator; a determination means for determining a type of benefit that is predetermined to be provided at a time when a request for provision of a benefit regarding a transaction whose details are registered by the registration means is made without specifying any of a plurality of types of benefit; a confirmation means for confirming whether the type of benefit determined by the determination means is permitted to be provided for the transaction whose details are registered by the registration means; a providing means for performing a providing process for providing the type of benefit determined by the determining means in response to the confirmation means confirming that the benefit is permitted; A transaction processing device comprising:

2. the determination means determines a type of benefit that is predetermined for the day of the week on which the benefit is requested as the type of benefit to be provided at the time the benefit is requested; The transaction processing device of claim 1 .

3. The operator is a customer, The confirmation means confirms that the provision of the benefit is permitted in response to an operation by a store clerk declaring that predetermined information proving the customer's right to receive the benefit of the type determined by the determination means has been presented by the customer. The transaction processing device of claim 1 .

4. a calling means for performing a predetermined call process for calling the store clerk in response to the determination by the determination means of the type of the predetermined benefit to be provided; The transaction processing device of claim 3 further comprising:

5. A computer installed in the transaction processing device, a registration means for registering the details of a transaction in response to an operation by an operator; a determination means for determining a type of benefit that is predetermined to be provided at a time when a request for provision of a benefit regarding a transaction whose details are registered by the registration means is made without specifying any of a plurality of types of benefit; a confirmation means for confirming whether the type of benefit determined by the determination means is permitted to be provided for the transaction whose details are registered by the registration means; a providing means for performing a providing process for providing the type of benefit determined by the determining means in response to the confirmation means confirming that the benefit is permitted; An information processing program that makes it function as such.

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