POS register system, product registration device, settlement support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for preventing customers from staying in a register during product registration performed in a product registration device in a cash register system in which a product registration device and a settlement device are separately provided. [Solution] The product registration device includes a registration means for registering products as items to be settled, and an output control means for outputting settlement information used by the settlement device when settling the products registered as items to be settled. The registration means starts registering a second customer's item to be settled in the middle of registering a first customer's item to be settled, and the output control means outputs the second customer's settlement information before the first customer's settlement information.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for a cash register system in which a checkout process, which is part of a cash register process, is performed by a checkout device provided separately from a product registration device. [Background technology]

[0002] There exists a cash register system in which a first process of registering products to be settled by reading barcodes and inputting amounts, etc., and a second process of settling the registered products, including receiving payment and giving change, are performed by separate devices. The device that performs the first process is referred to as a product registration device, and the device that performs the second process is referred to as a settlement device. In this cash register system, the first process is basically carried out by operation of a store clerk, and the second process is carried out by operation of a customer.

[0003] Patent Document 1 below proposes a point-of-sale (POS) device that allows a user to temporarily suspend a customer's sales registration by pressing a registration hold key during registration, save the registered data, and allow another customer to register a product. Patent Document 2 below also proposes a POS terminal that similarly allows product registration to be temporarily suspended. This POS terminal adds sales data for products that take time to serve, such as "oden," registered on another terminal (a terminal dedicated to product registration) to the temporarily suspended product sales data, and settles the transaction all at once. Patent Document 3 below proposes a self-checkout product sales data processing device that allows temporary suspension of transaction processing. In response to a suspension instruction, this device stores the registered sales data and the weight of the registered product placed on the product tray. When a suspension instruction is received and the weight of the product placed on the product tray matches the stored weight, the stored sales data is read and transaction processing is resumed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-195658 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-243555 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-113309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As mentioned above, there are methods to temporarily suspend product registration in POS terminals (including self-checkout systems) that handle both the process of registering products to be paid for and the process of paying for the registered products on a single device. However, there has been little progress in the current situation regarding cash register systems that perform each of these processes on separate devices.

[0006] The present invention provides a technology for preventing customers from staying behind during product registration performed by a product registration device in a cash register system in which a product registration device and a payment device are provided separately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, each aspect of the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0008] The first aspect relates to a product registration device. The product registration device according to the first aspect comprises: A product registration device operated by a store clerk, a registration means for registering the product as a payment target; an output control means for receiving, when a customer uses a settlement device to settle the payment for the product registered as a settlement target, designation of a settlement device to be operated by the customer from among a plurality of settlement devices through a first predetermined operation, and outputting settlement information to the settlement device designated by the first predetermined operation; The output control means When the hold on the settlement object that has been put on hold is released, when the first specified operation is detected, an output is made indicating that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold.

[0009] A second aspect relates to a settlement support method, the settlement support method according to the second aspect comprising: One or more computers that realize a product registration device operated by a store clerk, Register the product as a checkout item, When a customer uses a settlement device to settle the payment for the product registered as a settlement target, the system accepts a first predetermined operation to specify which settlement device the customer will operate from among the plurality of settlement devices, and outputs settlement information to the settlement device specified by the first predetermined operation; When the hold on the settlement object that has been put on hold is released, when the first specified operation is detected, an output is made to indicate that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold. The third aspect relates to a POS register system. The POS register system according to the third aspect comprises: a product registration device operated by a store clerk; a plurality of payment devices operable by customers; The product registration device a registration means for registering the product as a payment target; an output control means for receiving, when a customer settles the payment for the product registered as the payment target at the payment device, designation of a payment device to be operated by the customer from among the plurality of payment devices through a first predetermined operation, and outputting payment information to the payment device designated by the first predetermined operation; The output control means of the product registration device When the hold on the settlement object that has been put on hold is released, when the first specified operation is detected, an output is made indicating that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is a program that causes at least one computer to execute the method of the second aspect. Another aspect is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. This recording medium includes a non-transitory tangible medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the above aspects, in a cash register system in which a product registration device and a payment device are provided separately, it is possible to prevent customers from staying behind during product registration performed by the product registration device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a POS register system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a merchandise registration device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product registration screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a checkout screen. [Figure 6A] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commodity registration device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commodity registration device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a merchandise registration device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commodity registration device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a merchandise registration device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commodity registration device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the commodity registration device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a processing configuration of a merchandise registration device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. Each of the following embodiments is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of each of the following embodiments.

[0014] [First embodiment] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a POS register system 1 in the first embodiment. The POS register system 1 in the first embodiment includes a product registration device 10, a settlement device 20, and a server device 30. The product registration device 10 performs a process of registering products to be settled in response to operations by a store clerk, and transmits settlement information for the registered products to the server device 30. The server device 30 transmits the product information sent from the product registration device 10 to the settlement device 20. The settlement device 20 performs a settlement process based on the settlement information received from the server device 30 in response to operations by a customer. The specific processing content of each device will be described later.

[0015] The product registration device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output interface (I / F) 5, etc. These hardware elements are connected by, for example, a bus or the like. The CPU 2 corresponds to at least one of a general CPU, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The memory 3 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an auxiliary storage device (such as a hard disk), etc. The communication unit 4 communicates with other devices (such as a server device 30) wirelessly or via a wired connection.

[0016] The input / output I / F 5 is connected to a display device 6, an input / output device 7, etc. The display device 6 is at least one of a display for store clerks and customers, a touch panel display, etc. The input / output device 7 includes a touch panel sensor, a keyboard, a scanner, a speaker, a change dispenser (for banknotes and coins), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a receipt printer, etc. Because the product registration device 10 has the functionality to complete a customer's payment with a single device, the input / output device 7 connected to the input / output I / F 5 also includes devices for payment processing, such as a change dispenser and a receipt printer. The input / output I / F 5 outputs screen display, audio, etc. to the display device 6 or the input / output device 7 in accordance with the processing executed by the CPU 2. The input / output I / F 5 also receives input signals from input devices.

[0017] Using these hardware elements, the product registration device 10 accepts product registration operations by the store clerk, input of instructions to the product registration device 10 by the store clerk, and the like, and performs product registration processing. Product registration operations by the store clerk include, for example, scanning barcodes attached to products and inputting product prices via a keyboard. Furthermore, the product registration device 10 can also execute a payment process in response to operations by the store clerk and complete payment for the customer. In this case, the product registration device 10 accepts operations by the store clerk, such as inserting coins and bills, withdrawing change, and making credit card payments.

[0018] Similar to the product registration device 10, the settlement device 20 has hardware elements such as a CPU 2, memory 3, communication unit 4, and input / output I / F 5. The display device 6 connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the settlement device 20 is at least one of a customer display, a touch panel display, etc. The input / output device 7 includes a touch panel sensor, a change dispenser (for banknotes and coins), a credit card reader, an electronic money reader, a receipt printer, a speaker, etc. The display device 6 and input / output device 7 required to complete the settlement process based on the settlement information received from the server device 30 are connected to the input / output I / F 5 of the settlement device 20.

[0019] Using the hardware elements described above, the settlement device 20 accepts user operations such as customer instructions input to the settlement device 20 and customer payment operations, and performs settlement processing. Customer payment operations include, for example, inserting coins and bills, taking out change, paying by credit card, paying by electronic money, etc.

[0020] The server device 30 is a so-called computer, and includes a CPU 2, a memory 3, a communication unit 4, an input / output I / F 5, and the like, which are interconnected by a bus, as shown in Fig. 1. Although not shown, a display device and an input / output device may be connected to the input / output I / F 5.

[0021] The hardware configuration of each device included in the POS register system 1 is not limited to the example in Figure 1. Furthermore, the number of each device and the number of hardware elements in each device are not limited to the example in Figure 1. In Figure 1, hardware elements with the same name (e.g., CPU 2 of the product registration device 10, CPU 2 of the server device 30, and CPU 2 of the settlement device 20) are assigned the same reference numerals for ease of explanation. However, even hardware elements assigned the same reference numerals do not necessarily have to be exactly the same hardware.

[0022] Furthermore, the POS register system 1 does not have to include the server device 30. In this case, the settlement device 20 may obtain the settlement information from the product registration device 10 via communication, or may obtain the settlement information via a portable medium such as an accounting ticket, a portable recording medium, or a mobile terminal. Furthermore, the POS register system 1 is not limited to a specific operation method as long as it supports an operation method in which the settlement process, which is part of the processing of the register terminal, is left to the customer's operation of a settlement device provided separately from the product registration device.

[0023] For example, the POS register system 1 can support an operation method (referred to as the "account ticket method") in which the settlement device 20 performs settlement processing using information obtained from a portable medium carried by the customer. In this case, the input / output device 7 connected to the product registration device 10 may include a writer device that writes settlement information or identification information of the settlement information to the portable medium. The input / output device 7 connected to the settlement device 20 may include a reader device that reads information from the portable medium. If identification information of the settlement information is written to the portable medium, the settlement device 20 can obtain the settlement information corresponding to the identification information from the server device 30 by reading the identification information from the portable medium. The POS register system 1 can also support an operation method (referred to as the "designated method") in which the settlement processing is performed by the product registration device 10 itself, the server device 30 itself, or a settlement device 20 designated by the operator of either device.

[0024] In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, a POS register system 1 that operates in a designated mode is mainly exemplified. The designated mode exemplified below is a mode in which the checkout device 20 is designated by an operation by an operator (store clerk) of the product registration device 10.

[0025] [Processing configuration] FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment. The product registration device 10 includes a registration unit 11, a transaction storage unit 12, a display control unit 13, an output control unit 14, and a settlement processing unit 15. The registration unit 11, the transaction storage unit 12, the display control unit 13, the output control unit 14, and the settlement processing unit 15 are realized as software elements, for example, by a CPU 2 executing a program stored in a memory 3. The program may also be installed in the memory 3 via a communication unit 4 from a portable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a memory card, or from another computer on a network. The product registration device 10 may also include other software elements not shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The registration unit 11 registers items brought to the register by a customer as items to be settled. Information about items registered as items to be settled is reflected on a product registration screen displayed by the display control unit 13, which will be described later. The registration unit 11 performs this product registration process and stores settlement information for each transaction in the transaction storage unit 12. The settlement information includes information about each item registered as items to be settled and is information used by the settlement device 20 when performing settlement processing. For example, the settlement information includes the product code, selling price information, sales quantity, discount information, etc., for each item registered as items to be settled. A product code is identification data formed from letters, numbers, symbols, etc., that is predetermined to identify each product. For example, a PLU (Price Look Up) code, a Non-PLU code, etc., is used as the product code. If the item to be settled does not have a product code, another code, such as a department code, may be used instead. The specific content of the settlement information is not limited.

[0027] For example, the registration unit 11 acquires the product code of each product based on an operation on the product registration screen via a touch panel unit or a scanning operation using a scanner or handheld scanner on the product identification label attached to the product. Based on the acquired product code, the registration unit 11 acquires product information (product name, selling price, etc.) for each product from a product information table (not shown). The registration unit 11 compiles the acquired information and stores it in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information. The product information may be stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information after information on all products to be settled is acquired, or each time information on each product is acquired. Furthermore, the registration unit 11 detects changes made to the product registration screen displayed by the display control unit 13 (described later), such as changing the quantity, canceling a product, applying a discount, etc., and updates the settlement information stored in the transaction storage unit 12 based on the operation.

[0028] The registration unit 11 can also start registering a settlement target for another customer while it is in the middle of registering a settlement target for a certain customer. Here, "in the middle of registering a settlement target" means a state in which a portion of the product group to be settled (at least one product) has been registered, and there are still products to be registered as settlement targets. For example, when the registration unit 11 receives an instruction to suspend product registration, it can temporarily suspend the settlement target that is in the middle of being registered and begin registering the product as a new settlement target. When information about an individual product is acquired and stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information, the registration unit 11, for example, sets a suspension flag for the corresponding transaction stored in the transaction storage unit 12 and stores the next acquired product information in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information for the new transaction. Furthermore, when information about all products to be settled is stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information all at once, the registration unit 11 temporarily saves the information about the products currently held as settlement targets and begins storing the next acquired product information as a new settlement target.

[0029] The instruction to hold product registration received by the registration unit 11 may be received by detecting the operation of a "hold" button provided on the product registration screen by a store clerk, or by detecting the operation of a specific key on a keyboard. The instruction to hold product registration may also be received by recognizing the voice of the store clerk. The method for issuing an instruction to hold product registration is arbitrary. The number of settlement targets that can be processed in parallel by the registration unit 11 is any number equal to or greater than two.

[0030] When the registration unit 11 receives an instruction to restore a settlement target that has been placed on hold, it releases the hold state of the instructed settlement target. For example, the registration unit 11 releases the hold state of the transaction (settlement target) by clearing the hold flag of the transaction in the transaction storage unit 12. The registration unit 11 also reads out the registration information of the corresponding settlement target that was temporarily saved as the current settlement target.

[0031] The transaction storage unit 12 stores settlement information for each transaction. One transaction corresponds to one settlement (one accounting).

[0032] The display control unit 13 displays information about the products registered as the settlement target by the registration unit 11 on the display device 6. Specifically, the display control unit 13 acquires information about the products registered as the settlement target for the target transaction (transaction under registration processing) from the registration unit 11 or the transaction storage unit 12, and displays a screen (referred to as the product registration screen) presenting this acquired information.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen. In the example of Fig. 3, the product registration screen presents a list of information about products registered as items to be settled by the registration unit 11. For example, the display control unit 13 updates the product registration screen every time a product is registered as an item to be settled. As a result, the products registered as items to be settled are successively added and displayed on the product registration screen.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 3, the product registration screen includes a "Transaction Output" button B1, a "Subtotal" button B2, a "Hold" button B3, and a "Cancel Hold" button B4. If a store clerk is in the middle of registering a product for a certain customer and wants to register a product for the next customer first, the store clerk presses the "Hold" button B3. This operation temporarily holds the payment items for the current customer being registered, and the next customer's products begin to be registered as new payment items. In the example of FIG. 3, the display control unit 13 clears the list of product information displayed in the purchased products section and displays a new list of the next acquired product information. The display method for the payment items that are on hold may be arbitrary. The product information list for the payment items that are on hold may be reduced and displayed in a specified location on the screen, or an image indicating the existence of a payment item that is on hold may be displayed. To resume the registration of the product items that are on hold, the store clerk presses the "Cancel Hold" button B4. This operation causes the registration unit 11 to release the pending status of the settlement object that was put on hold, and the display control unit 13 displays a list of product information for the settlement object that was put on hold. If two or more settlement objects are put on hold, the display control unit 13 may present each of the pending settlement objects on the product registration screen in an identifiable state. In this case, when one of the pending settlement objects is selected, the registration unit 11 releases the pending status of the selected settlement object. Details of the "Transaction Output" button B1 and the "Subtotal" button B2 will be described later.

[0035] The output control unit 14 outputs the settlement information for the target transaction. As described above, when the settlement target of the first customer is put on hold, the output control unit 14 can also output the settlement information of the second customer before the settlement information of the first customer. For example, when the "Hold" button B3 illustrated in FIG. 3 is pressed, the settlement target of the first customer is put on hold and information about the settlement target of the second customer is displayed on the product registration screen, and then the "Transaction Output" button B1 is pressed, the output control unit 14 outputs the settlement information of the second customer before the settlement information of the first customer. Furthermore, the output control unit 14 can output the settlement information of the first customer after outputting the settlement information of the second customer. Furthermore, when the product registration device 10 accepts partial payment of the amount using gift certificates, points, etc., partial payment information indicating the amount already paid may be output along with the settlement information.

[0036] The POS register system 1 in this embodiment supports a designation method in which a settlement device 20 is selected by an operator's operation, and therefore the output control unit 14 transmits settlement information to the server device 30 together with the identification information of a settlement device 20 selected by a store clerk's operation from among multiple settlement devices 20. As a result, the settlement information is delivered to the settlement device 20 specified by the identification information via the server device 30. In this case, the output control unit 14 can also obtain information (identification information, name, status, etc.) of the settlement devices 20 that are candidates for the destination of the settlement information from the server device 30 or each settlement device 20, in order to support the store clerk's operation.

[0037] However, the output format by the output control unit 14 is not limited to this example. The output control unit 14 can also send the settlement information directly to the specified settlement device 20 without going through the server device 30. The settlement device 20 to which the settlement information is delivered may also be automatically determined by the product registration device 10 or the server device 30. If the POS register system 1 supports an accounting ticket system, the output control unit 14 may send identification information of the settlement information to the server device 30 in addition to the settlement information, and cause the printing device (input / output device 7) to print the identification information of the settlement information. The output control unit 14 may also send member identification information read by a reader device from a membership card or mobile terminal to the server device 30 together with the settlement information. The output control unit 14 may also encode the settlement information into a two-dimensional code and cause the printing device to print the two-dimensional code.

[0038] In the example of Figure 3, after completing the product registration process, the store clerk presses the "Transaction Output" button B1 to transfer the transaction settlement process to the settlement device 20 based on the customer's operation. That is, when button B1 is pressed, the display control unit 13 displays a specified screen on the display device 6. At this time, the output control unit 14 obtains information (identification information, name, status, etc.) about the settlement devices 20 that are candidates for receiving settlement information from the server device 30 or each settlement device 20, and the obtained information is reflected on the specified screen. If the POS register system 1 supports the accounting ticket method, when button B1 is pressed, the output control unit 14 outputs the accounting ticket, transmits identification information for the member or the settlement information to the server device 30, etc.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen. In the example of FIG. 4, the designation screen includes information on three settlement devices 20 that are candidate destinations. The information on each settlement device 20 includes the device name and status. In addition, "Send" buttons B5, B6, and B7 are provided for each of the candidate destination settlement devices 20. In this case, the display control unit 13 can distinguish between settlement devices 20 that can send settlement information and settlement devices 20 that cannot send settlement information based on the status of each settlement device 20, and display both in a distinguishable manner. For example, the display control unit 13 displays the "Send" button B5 corresponding to the settlement device 20 that can send settlement information (named "Settlement Device 1") in an operable state, and displays the "Send" buttons B6 and B7 corresponding to the settlement devices 20 that cannot send settlement information (named "Settlement Device 2" and "Settlement Device 3") in an inoperable state. When the "send" button is operated by the user, the output control unit 14 transmits to the server device 30 the identification information of the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "send" button, together with the settlement information.

[0040] In the basic operation of the POS register system 1, the settlement process is executed by the settlement device 20 in accordance with the customer's operation. However, the product registration device 10 has a settlement processing unit 15, and can complete the settlement in accordance with the store clerk's operation. For example, if the store clerk determines that the customer's age makes it difficult for the customer to operate the settlement device 20 independently, the store clerk may complete the settlement using the product registration device 10.

[0041] When the settlement processing unit 15 detects a predetermined user operation while the product registration screen is displayed, it performs settlement processing for the settlement target registered by the registration unit 11 and completes the transaction. This settlement processing may be similar to the settlement processing of a general POS register terminal that handles everything from product registration to completion of settlement on a single device. The settlement processing may include, for example, a process for having the customer select a payment method, a process for accepting payment using the selected payment method, a process for dispensing change, a process for printing a receipt, etc. The specific content of this settlement processing is not limited.

[0042] In the example of Figure 3, when the settlement processing unit 15 detects that the "Subtotal" button B2 has been operated by a store clerk, it causes the display control unit 13 to display an accounting screen for selecting a payment method. Additionally, the settlement processing unit 15 may perform the above process by detecting that a specific key (e.g., the subtotal key) on the keyboard has been pressed while the product registration screen is displayed.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout screen. In the example of FIG. 5, the checkout screen supports multiple payment methods: change dispenser cash (automatic change dispenser), manually entered cash, gift certificates, credit, points, and electronic money. Change dispenser cash refers to cash inserted into an automatic change dispenser (input / output device 7). Manually entered cash refers to cash placed in a cash drawer (input / output device 7) without using the automatic change dispenser. A store clerk, who is the user of the product registration device 10, accepts payment using at least one of the multiple payment methods and enters the payment amount received using that payment method on the checkout screen. The display control unit 13 detects user operations on the checkout screen and reflects the payment amount (deposit amount) set for each payment method on the checkout screen. However, this embodiment does not limit the types of payment methods supported on the checkout screen.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, the accounting screen includes a "Transaction Output" button B8 and a "Deposit / Cash" button B9. The display control unit 13 sets button B9 to an inoperable or hidden state in the initial state of the accounting screen, and can switch button B9 to an operable or visible state by detecting that the "Deposit Amount" set on the accounting screen has become equal to or greater than the "Total Amount." When the settlement processing unit 15 detects a user operation on button B9, it completes the settlement process based on the payment information set on the accounting screen. Meanwhile, when the "Transaction Output" button B8 is operated by the user, the output control unit 14 displays, for example, a specification screen as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0045] In this embodiment, the server device 30 acquires settlement information and the identification information of the settlement device to which the information is to be sent from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 20 identified by the identification information. The server device 30 can also automatically determine the settlement device to which the information is to be sent. In this case, the server device 30 acquires settlement information from the product registration device 10 and transmits the settlement information to the automatically determined settlement device 20. In the accounting ticket method, the server device 30 acquires settlement information and the settlement information or customer identification information from the product registration device 10, associates the two, and stores them. In this case, the server device 30 acquires settlement information or customer identification information from the settlement device 20, and transmits the settlement information identified by the identification information to the settlement device 20 that transmitted the identification information. If partial payment information is acquired along with settlement information, the server device 30 transmits both information to the settlement device 20.

[0046] The settlement device 20 executes a settlement process using the settlement information output by the product registration device 10. The settlement process includes processes for presenting the total amount to the customer, forcing the customer to select a payment method, accepting payment using the selected payment method, dispensing change, outputting a receipt, and notifying the customer that settlement is complete. The settlement process may also include other processes that follow a typical settlement flow, such as forcing the customer to select whether or not they require a receipt, forcing the customer to select whether or not they require a receipt to be issued, outputting a receipt, and reading a membership card. Furthermore, if the payment method is fixed or if the customer performs payment operations suddenly, the settlement process does not need to include a process for prompting the customer to select a payment method.

[0047] The settlement device 20 may perform settlement processing for the remaining amount of a portion of the amount already paid on the product registration device 10 side. In this case, the settlement device 20 obtains partial payment information along with settlement information from the server device 30 or the product registration device 10, and calculates the remaining amount from both pieces of information. Alternatively, the settlement device 20 may obtain only information on the remaining amount from the server device 30 or the product registration device 10, perform settlement processing for the remaining amount, and obtain the settlement information and partial payment information when issuing a receipt.

[0048] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. Figures 6A and 6B are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment. Figures 6A and 6B show an example of the operation when the POS register system 1 supports the designated method, and use the screens exemplified in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Each of the illustrated steps is similar to the processing content of each processing module described above, and therefore details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] The store clerk operates the product registration device 10 to register the products that the customer has brought to the register. At this time, the product registration device 10 performs a product registration process (S61). Specifically, the product registration device 10 sequentially acquires information (selling price, quantity, discount amount, etc.) about the products brought to the register by the customer, and stores the information sequentially or collectively in the transaction storage unit 12 as settlement information. The product registration device 10 displays on the display device 6 a product registration screen including a list of products that have been registered as items to be settled through this product registration process. That is, for products registered as items to be settled, the information is reflected on the product registration screen. The product registration device 10 can also change the settlement information based on the user's (store clerk's) operation on the product registration screen.

[0050] Let's assume that a situation arises in which the current customer's product registration must be interrupted, and there is a customer waiting in line after that customer. This situation can arise, for example, when the current customer wants to purchase more items, or when that customer brings the wrong item to the register. Hereinafter, under this assumption, the current customer will be referred to as the first customer, and the customer next in line will be referred to as the second customer.

[0051] In the above case, the store clerk presses the "Hold" button B3 in Fig. 3. As a result, the product registration device 10 detects the user's operation on the "Hold" button B3 (S62; YES) (S63; YES), and places the current transaction subject to settlement on hold (S64). For example, the product registration device 10 sets a hold flag in the settlement information of the current transaction stored in the transaction storage unit 12. In addition, the product registration device 10 temporarily saves the information of the product held as the transaction subject to settlement at that time.

[0052] The clerk then begins registering the second customer's products as items to be settled. This causes the product registration device 10 to begin registering the next acquired product information as items to be settled by the second customer (S61). This also causes the product registration screen to start displaying a list of the second customer's product information from scratch. When the clerk has finished registering all of the second customer's products, he or she presses the "Transaction Output" button B1 in FIG. 3. This causes the product registration device 10 to detect a user operation on the "Transaction Output" button B1 (S62; YES) (S63; NO) (S65; NO) (S70; NO) (S74; YES), and display a designation screen on the display device 6 (S75). The product registration device 10 acquires information (identification information, status, etc.) of each settlement device 20 that is a candidate for settlement processing of the second customer's transaction from the server device 30, and reflects the information of each settlement device 20 on the designation screen.

[0053] The store clerk selects one settlement device 20 from the candidates displayed on the specified screen and presses the "Send" button B5, B6, or B7 corresponding to that settlement device 20. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Send" button B5, B6, or B7 on the specified screen (S76; YES), it transmits settlement information for the second customer's transaction to the server device 30 along with identification information for the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button (S77). If partial payment has been completed on the checkout screen, the product registration device 10 also transmits the partial payment information to the server device 30.

[0054] The server device 30 receives the identification information and settlement information of the settlement device 20 transmitted from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 20 identified by the identification information. However, the product registration device 10 may also transmit the settlement information directly to the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button. In this way, the settlement device 20 that has acquired the settlement information can execute the settlement process based on the settlement information. The second customer proceeds to the specified settlement device 20 and operates that settlement device 20 to complete the settlement.

[0055] In this embodiment, a store clerk can receive part or all of the payment at the product registration device 10. For example, special operations are performed when a customer requests a payment method that is not supported by the settlement device 20, such as the use of a gift certificate, points, or electronic money, or when it is determined that the customer cannot settle the bill at the settlement device 20 by themselves.

[0056] In this case, once the clerk has finished registering all of the customer's products, he or she presses the "Subtotal" button B2 in FIG. 3. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Subtotal" button B2 (S62; YES) (S63; NO) (S65; NO) (S70; YES), it displays the checkout screen on the display device 6 (S71). The checkout screen, as exemplified in FIG. 5, is a screen on which payment information corresponding to multiple payment methods can be set. The clerk accepts payment using at least one of the multiple payment methods and enters the payment amount received using that payment method on the checkout screen. The product registration device 10 detects the user's operation on the gift certificate screen, reflects the payment amount (deposit amount) set for each payment method on the checkout screen, and retains the partial payment information set on the checkout screen.

[0057] If the store clerk receives a payment that is equal to or exceeds the total amount of the transaction, the store clerk enters the payment information on the checkout screen and then presses the "Deposit / Cash" button B9 on the checkout screen. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Deposit / Cash" button B9 (S72; YES), it executes a settlement process based on the payment information entered on the checkout screen (S73). During the settlement process, the product registration device 10 dispenses change, issues a receipt, and issues a bill. In this way, the store clerk can complete the settlement process using the product registration device 10 after registering the product.

[0058] The store clerk can also receive partial payment of the total amount by using a gift certificate or points. In this case, the store clerk enters the received partial payment amount information on the checkout screen and presses the "Transaction Output" button B8 on the checkout screen. When the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on button B8 (S72; NO) (S74; YES), it displays the designation screen as described above (S75). Next, when the product registration device 10 detects a user operation on the "Send" button on the designation screen (S76; YES), it sends the settlement information together with the partial payment information to the server device 30 (S77).

[0059] The server device 30 receives the identification information, settlement information, and partial payment information of the settlement device 20 transmitted from the product registration device 10, and transmits the settlement information and partial payment information to the settlement device 20 identified by the identification information. However, the product registration device 10 may also transmit the settlement information and partial payment information directly to the settlement device 20 corresponding to the operated "Send" button. In this way, the settlement device 20 that has acquired the settlement information and partial payment information can execute the settlement process for the remaining amount excluding the amount partially paid on the product registration device 10 side. In this case, after making a partial payment on the product registration device 10 side, the customer can proceed to the designated settlement device 20 and operate that settlement device 20 to pay the remaining amount and complete the settlement.

[0060] After the settlement process (S73) or the transmission of settlement information (S77) for the second customer, the product registration device 10 checks for the existence of a settlement object that is in a pending state (S78). If a settlement object that is in a pending state exists (S78; YES), the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement object (S66). According to the above assumption, since the settlement object of the first customer is in a pending state, the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement object of the first customer. For example, the product registration device 10 releases the pending state of the settlement object by clearing the pending flag for the first customer's transaction in the transaction storage unit 12. Furthermore, the product registration device 10 reads out the registration information of the settlement object of the first customer that was temporarily saved as the current settlement object. As a result, when the pending state of the settlement object of the first customer is released, a list of product information registered as the settlement object is displayed on the product registration screen.

[0061] Even if there is a payment item that is on hold (S78; YES), the product registration device 10 may be in a state where it can start product registration processing for the next customer of the second customer. In this case, the payment item that is on hold remains on hold, and the product registration device 10 releases the on-hold status of the payment item that is on hold (S66) by detecting a user operation on the "Release Hold" button B4 (S62; YES) (S65; YES). Furthermore, if multiple payment items are on hold, the product registration device 10 may display a screen that allows the store clerk to select the payment item to be released from the on-hold status, and release the on-hold status of the payment item selected on that screen.

[0062] The product registration device 10 performs a product registration process for the payment target of the first customer whose pending status has been released (S61). In this product registration process, new product information may be added, information on already registered products may be deleted or changed, or no process may be performed. When the "Send" button is pressed for the payment target of the first customer, the payment information of the first customer is transmitted to the server device 30. Based on the above assumption, the payment information of the second customer who was in line behind the first customer will be transmitted to the server device 30 before the payment information of the first customer.

[0063] The execution order of each process executed by the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment is not limited to the example shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The execution order of each process can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems. Furthermore, if the payment device 20 is automatically selected by the product registration device 10 or the server device 30, the product registration device 10 does not need to display a selection screen. In this case, steps (S75) and (S76) are unnecessary. Furthermore, if the payment device 20 is automatically selected by the server device 30, the identification information of the payment device 20 does not need to be transmitted in step (S77). Furthermore, if the POS register system 1 supports an accounting ticket system, steps (S75) and (S76) are unnecessary. If the identification information of the payment information is output to a portable medium, the product registration device 10 may simply perform the output process in step (S74; YES). In this case, in step (S77), the identification information of the payment information is transmitted to the server device 30 instead of the identification information of the payment device 20.

[0064] [Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment] As described above, in the first embodiment, after at least one product is registered as a payment target for the current customer, the registration of the payment target for the current customer is temporarily put on hold, and the product for the next customer is registered. Then, when registration of all products for the next customer is completed, the payment information for the next customer is output from the product registration device 10, and the payment process for the next customer is carried out in the payment device 20 based on the output payment information. Meanwhile, the payment target for the previous customer that was temporarily put on hold is read by the product registration device 10 after the payment information for the next customer is output, and the product registration process for the payment target is resumed.

[0065] In this way, in the first embodiment, if the product registration of a previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the product registration of the subsequent customer is performed first, and the payment information of the subsequent customer is output before the payment information of the previous customer, allowing the payment of the subsequent customer to be completed first. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent customers from being stuck in product registration performed by the product registration device 10, and to send customers who can complete product registration first to the payment device 20 in order. As a result, mixing can be eliminated across the entire register.

[0066] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, for a payment item whose pending status was released, the payment could be completed either at the product registration device 10 or at the payment device 20, depending on the store clerk's operation. However, a payment item is placed on hold because some unusual circumstances have occurred to the customer, and such a customer is likely to have difficulty completing the payment by operating the payment device 20 on their own. Therefore, in the second embodiment, for a payment item that has been placed on hold, the product registration device 10 is controlled to complete the payment under the operation of the store clerk. The following describes the POS register system 1 in the second embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the following description, details similar to those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0067] [Processing configuration] Fig. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment further includes an operation control unit 18 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The operation control unit 18 is also realized as a software element, for example, by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3.

[0068] The operation control unit 18 controls the output control unit 14 not to output settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold, and the settlement processing unit 15 executes the settlement process for that settlement information. For example, the operation control unit 18 instructs the display control unit 13 to hide or disable operation buttons for outputting settlement information for the settlement object whose on-hold state has been released (e.g., the "Transaction Output" buttons B1 and B8 in FIGS. 3 and 5). Furthermore, when an instruction to output settlement information is given via keyboard operation, voice operation, or the like, the operation control unit 18 may control the operation so that such operation is not accepted, or may output a message indicating that output of settlement information is not possible upon detection of such operation. Such an example is control that disables output of settlement information. This control forces the store clerk to perform an operation to complete the settlement using the product registration device 10, which ultimately results in the settlement processing unit 15 executing the settlement process for that settlement information.

[0069] Furthermore, the operation control unit 18 may forcibly operate the settlement processing unit 15 when all products have been registered as settlement targets for which the pending state has been released. This control results in the settlement information not being output by the output control unit 14. For example, even if an operation to output settlement information is detected, the operation control unit 18 forcibly operates the settlement processing unit 15 to display the checkout screen of FIG. 5.

[0070] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 6B and 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the product registration device 10 in the second embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same steps as in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as in Fig. 6A. Since each step is similar to the processing content of each processing module, details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0071] In the example of Fig. 8, when the pending state of the settlement target is released (S66), the product registration device 10 disables the "Transaction Output" button B1 on the product registration screen shown in Fig. 3 and the "Transaction Output" button B8 on the checkout screen shown in Fig. 5 (S80). As a result, the determination result of (S74) shown in Fig. 6B will no longer indicate "YES", and (S75), (S76), and (S77) will not be executed. As a result, the product registration device 10 executes (S73) for the settlement target whose pending state has been released, thereby completing the settlement.

[0072] [Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment] In the second embodiment, for a payment item that has been put on hold, the payment is completed in the product registration device 10 without payment information being output. As described above, a payment item is put on hold because some unusual circumstances have occurred to the customer, and such a customer is likely to have difficulty completing the payment by operating the payment device 20 independently. According to the second embodiment, the payment for such a customer is completed on the product registration device 10 under the operation of a store clerk, thereby improving the convenience of the cash register for customers.

[0073] [Third embodiment] In the first embodiment, if the product registration of a previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the payment target of that customer is put on hold, allowing the subsequent customer to register the product. In the third embodiment, instead of putting the payment target on hold, the information registered as the payment target is sent to another product registration device 10. The following describes the POS register system 1 in the third embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the following description, the same details as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0074] [System Configuration] The POS register system 1 in the third embodiment includes at least a plurality of product registration devices 10 in addition to a settlement device 20 and a server device 30. At least one product registration device 10 among the plurality of product registration devices 10 is distinguished from the other product registration devices 10 and is referred to as a support product registration device 10. The support product registration device 10 may have the same hardware configuration as the other product registration devices 10.

[0075] [Processing configuration] 9 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment further includes a transmission processing unit 19 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment. The transmission processing unit 19 is also realized as a software element, for example, by the CPU 2 executing a program stored in the memory 3. Note that the support product registration device 10 only needs to have the same configuration as the product registration device 10 in the first embodiment, and does not necessarily need to include the transmission processing unit 19.

[0076] When a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the current customer's settlement target, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits the registration information of the current customer's settlement target to the support product registration device 10. The transmitted registration information includes information on the products registered as settlement targets by the registration unit 11. Specifically, each time information on an individual product is acquired, if the registration unit 11 stores the information as settlement information in the transaction storage unit 12, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits the settlement information stored in the transaction storage unit 12 as the registered information. Furthermore, when information on all products to be settled is stored collectively as settlement information in the transaction storage unit 12, the transmission processing unit 19 transmits information on the products held as settlement targets by the registration unit 11 as the registered information.

[0077] The predetermined operation that triggers the transmission of the registration information is not limited. For example, the predetermined operation may be an operation on a screen or an operation on an input device such as a keyboard. The predetermined operation may be an operation on the "Hold" button B3 on the product registration screen shown in FIG. 3.

[0078] The support product registration device 10 receives the registration information transmitted by the transmission processing unit 19 and displays a product registration screen based on the registration information. Otherwise, each processing module of the support product registration device 10 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment.

[0079] In this way, the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment may not have the function of suspending the settlement object and releasing the suspended state, or may have that function as in the first embodiment, and may further have the function of transmitting registration information to the supporting product registration device 10.

[0080] [Example of operation / payment support method] The payment support method in the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 10A and 10B. Figures 10A and 10B are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the product registration device 10 in the third embodiment. In Figures 10A and 10B, the same steps as in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as in Figures 6A and 6B. Since each step is similar to the processing content of each processing module, details of each step will be omitted as appropriate.

[0081] In the third embodiment, when an operation on the "Hold" button B3 on the product registration screen shown in FIG. 3 is detected (S62; YES) (S63; YES), the product registration device 10 transmits registration information for the current settlement target to the support product registration device 10 (S100). This registration information is as described above (transmission processing unit 19). As a result, the customer moves from the product registration device 10 in which the customer is currently registering the product to the support product registration device 10, and registers the product at the support product registration device 10. The support product registration device 10 may complete the settlement itself, or may output the settlement information for the settlement device 20.

[0082] 10A and 10B, the product registration device 10 does not have the function of suspending the payment target and releasing the suspended state, so (S78) shown in Fig. 6B is omitted in Fig. 10B. In other words, the product registration device 10 starts registering the next product to be subscribed after executing the payment process itself (S73) or outputting the payment information (S77).

[0083] [Actions and Effects of the Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, if a situation arises in which the product registration of a subsequent customer must proceed before that of the current customer, the information registered as the settlement target for the current customer is sent to another product registration device 10 (for support) while the current customer's settlement target is being registered. As a result, the product registration of the current customer is performed in the support product registration device 10 to which the registration information is sent, and the product registration of the subsequent customer is newly started in the product registration device 10. As a result, even in the third embodiment, if the product registration of the previous customer is interrupted for some reason, the product registration of the subsequent customer can be performed first, thereby preventing customers from accumulating at the product registration device 10.

[0084] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the product registration device and the payment support method will be described below. The fourth embodiment may be a program that causes at least one computer to execute the payment support method, or a recording medium that stores such a program and is readable by the at least one computer.

[0085] The merchandise registration device 100 in the fourth embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the merchandise registration device 10 shown in FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the processing configuration of the product registration device 100 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the product registration device 100 has a registration unit 101 and an output control unit 102. The registration unit 101 and the output control unit 102 are realized, for example, by a CPU 2 executing a program stored in a memory 3. The program may also be installed in the memory 3 via a communication unit 4 from a portable recording medium such as a CD or memory card or from another computer on a network, and stored in the memory 3.

[0086] The registration unit 101 registers products as items to be settled. Specifically, the registration unit 101 acquires information about products brought by customers to the cash register by reading barcodes or tags, etc., and holds or stores the information in a storage unit such as the transaction storage unit 12. The information about the products registered by the registration unit 101 as items to be settled is displayed on the display device 6 connected to the product registration device 100 via a product registration screen or the like.

[0087] The registration unit 101 starts registering the payment items of the second customer while registering the payment items of the first customer. In this case, the first customer is the customer whose product registration started first, and the second customer is the customer next in line after the first customer. A specific example of the registration unit 101 is the registration unit 11 described above.

[0088] The output control unit 102 outputs settlement information used by the settlement device when settling the payment for the products registered as items to be settled. The output control unit 102 outputs the settlement information for the second customer (subsequent customer) before the settlement information for the first customer (earlier customer). As described in the first and second embodiments, the settlement information for the first customer (earlier customer) may be output from the product registration device 100, or the settlement may be completed in the product registration device 100 without being output from the product registration device 100. A specific example of the output control unit 102 is the output control unit 14 described above.

[0089] 11, the product registration device 100 does not have to have the display control unit 13, the settlement processing unit 15, and the transaction storage unit 12 in the above-described embodiments. If the product registration device 100 does not have the settlement processing unit 15, the product registration device 100 cannot complete the settlement by itself.

[0090] The payment assistance method in the fourth embodiment is executed by the product registration device 100. The payment assistance method in the fourth embodiment includes starting registration of a payment target for a second customer in the middle of registration of a payment target for a first customer, and outputting the payment information for the second customer before outputting the payment information for the first customer.

[0091] In the fourth embodiment, registration of a payment item for a second customer is started while registration of a payment item for a first customer is in progress, and the payment information for the second customer is output before the payment information for the first customer so that the payment device can use it for payment processing. As a result, if there is a delay in registering the first customer's products, the second customer can be sent to the payment device first to pay, which prevents customers from being stuck in product registration.

[0092] In the flowcharts used in the above description, multiple steps (processes) are described in order, but the order of execution of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed to the extent that the content is not affected. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined to the extent that the content is not contradictory.

[0093] Some or all of the above content may also be specified as follows. However, the above content is not limited to the following description.

[0094] 1. A registration means for registering an item for checkout; an output control means for outputting settlement information used by the settlement device when settling the commodity registered as the settlement target; Equipped with The registration means starts registering a payment target for a second customer in the middle of registering a payment target for a first customer, the output control means outputs the settlement information of the second customer before the settlement information of the first customer. Product registration device. 2. The output control means outputs the settlement information of the first customer after outputting the settlement information of the second customer. 1. The product registration device described in 3. A settlement processing means for performing settlement processing for the settlement object registered by the registration means; an operation control means for controlling the settlement processing means to execute the settlement processing of the first customer's settlement target without outputting the settlement information of the first customer when the settlement information of the second customer is output before the settlement information of the first customer; 1. The product registration device according to 1., further comprising: 4. A transmission processing means for transmitting registration information of the first customer's payment object to another product registration device when a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the first customer's payment object; 4. The product registration device according to any one of 1. to 3., further comprising:

[0095] 5. A payment support method executed by a product registration device that registers a product as a payment target and outputs payment information used by the payment device to process the payment for the product, In the middle of registering the settlement target of the first customer, start registering the settlement target of the second customer, outputting the settlement information of the second customer before the settlement information of the first customer; A settlement support method including the above. 6. After outputting the settlement information of the second customer, output the settlement information of the first customer. The settlement assistance method described in 5. further includes: 7. If the settlement information of the second customer is output before the settlement information of the first customer, the settlement information of the first customer is not output, and the settlement process for the first customer's settlement target is performed. The settlement assistance method described in 5. further includes: 8. If a predetermined operation is detected during the registration of the payment target of the first customer, the registration information of the payment target of the first customer is transmitted to another product registration device. The settlement assistance method described in any one of 5. to 7. further includes:

[0096] 9. A program that causes at least one computer to execute the settlement support method described in any one of 5. to 8.

[0097] 10. A product registration device according to any one of 1. to 4.; The settlement device; A cash register system including [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1 POS register system 2 CPU 3. Memory 6 Display device 7 Input / Output Devices 10, 100 Product registration device 11, 101 Registration Department 12 Transaction Storage Unit 13 Display control unit 14, 102 Output control section 15. Settlement Processing Section 18 Operation control section 19 Transmission processing unit 20 Payment device 30 Server device

Claims

1. A product registration device operated by a store clerk, a registration means for registering the product as a payment target; an output control means for receiving, when a customer uses a settlement device to settle the payment for the product registered as a settlement target, designation of a settlement device to be operated by the customer from among a plurality of settlement devices through a first predetermined operation, and outputting settlement information to the settlement device designated by the first predetermined operation; The output control means A product registration device that, when the hold on the settlement item that has been put on hold is released, outputs a message indicating that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the settlement item that has been put on hold when the first specified operation is detected.

2. The product registration device according to claim 1, The product registration device further includes a settlement processing means for performing settlement processing for the settlement target whose reservation has been released.

3. 3. The product registration device according to claim 2, When a second predetermined operation by the store clerk is received, the settlement processing means performs settlement processing for the settlement object registered by the registration means.

4. The product registration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The output control means displaying an operation button for accepting designation of a settlement device to be operated by the customer from among the plurality of settlement devices, and outputting settlement information to the settlement device designated by pressing the operation button; A product registration device that, when the pending settlement item is released, controls the display of the operation button that accepts the designation of the settlement device to be hidden or inoperable.

5. The product registration device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The output control means A product registration device that does not cause the settlement device to output settlement information for a settlement object when the pending settlement object that has been put on hold is released.

6. One or more computers that realize a product registration device operated by a store clerk, Register the product as a checkout item, When a customer settles the payment for the product registered as the payment target at a payment device, the payment device to be operated by the customer is specified from among the plurality of payment devices by a first predetermined operation, and payment information is output to the payment device specified by the first predetermined operation; A settlement support method in which, when the hold on the settlement object that has been put on hold is released, when the first specified operation is detected, an output is made indicating that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the settlement object that has been put on hold.

7. A computer that realizes a product registration device operated by a store clerk, A registration process for registering products for checkout; when a customer settles the payment for the commodity registered as the payment target at a payment device, the customer specifies which payment device to operate from among the plurality of payment devices through a first predetermined operation, and an output control process is executed to output payment information to the payment device specified by the first predetermined operation; In the output control process, A program that outputs a message indicating that it is not possible to output the settlement information for the pending settlement object when the pending settlement object is released and the first specified operation is detected.

8. a product registration device operated by a store clerk; a plurality of payment devices operable by customers; The product registration device a registration means for registering the product as a payment target; an output control means for receiving, when a customer uses the settlement device to settle the payment for the product registered as the settlement target, designation of a settlement device to be operated by the customer from among the plurality of settlement devices through a first predetermined operation, and outputting settlement information to the settlement device designated by the first predetermined operation; The output control means of the product registration device When the hold of the settlement target that has been put into a hold state is released, when the first predetermined operation is detected, an output is made to the effect that output of the settlement information of the settlement target that has been put into the hold state is impossible. POS register system.

Images