Product sales data processing device and its program

Abstract

By standardizing the timing for entering coupons, regardless of the type of coupon, we aim to improve convenience. [Solution] The product sales data processing device comprises a registration means, a price calculation means, a receiving means, a first application means, and a second application means. The registration means registers the products that the buyer will purchase. The price calculation means calculates the price that the buyer will pay for the registered products. The receiving means accepts one or more coupons to be used by the buyer in a batch. The first application means applies the discount from the first coupon to the registered applicable product if the accepted coupon is a first coupon applicable to the product. The second application means waits for the price to be calculated and then applies the discount from the second coupon if the accepted coupon is a second coupon applicable to the price.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a product sales data processing device and its program.

Background Art

[0002] One of the sales promotion means in the retail industry is coupons. Consumers can obtain a discount or rebate service by presenting a coupon to the store when shopping. There are two types of such coupons: coupons applicable to specific products and coupons applicable as gift certificates. Hereinafter, the former coupon is referred to as a first coupon, and the latter coupon is referred to as a second coupon.

[0003] For a first coupon, a product sales data processing device such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal enters the information of the first coupon when registering a product to which the first coupon is applicable, and then executes a discount or rebate on the price of the product. On the other hand, for a second coupon, after calculating the amount of a commercial transaction, the information of the second coupon is entered to execute a discount or rebate on the amount. Thus, conventionally, since the timing of input differs depending on the type of coupon, the burden on the operator has been large. Also, there has been a possibility of trouble with consumers because the discount by the coupon is not applied due to a mistake in the input timing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem that the embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a product sales data processing device that can improve convenience by standardizing the timing of coupon input, regardless of the type of coupon. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the product sales data processing device comprises a registration means, a price calculation means, a receiving means, a first application means, and a second application means. The registration means registers the products to be purchased by the buyer. The price calculation means calculates the price that the buyer will pay for the products registered by the registration means. The receiving means accepts one or more coupons to be used by the buyer in a batch. The first application means applies the discount from the first coupon to the applicable product registered by the registration means if the coupon received by the receiving means is a first coupon applicable to a product. The second application means applies the discount from the second coupon if the coupon received by the receiving means is a second coupon applicable to the price, after waiting for the price calculation means to calculate the price. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a self-service POS terminal according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of member records stored in the member database. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of coupon records stored in the coupon database. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the transaction file in a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the coupon file in a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor in a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of information processing performed by the processor of a self-service POS terminal according to the transaction processing program. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of information processing performed by the processor of a self-service POS terminal according to the transaction processing program. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of information processing performed by the processor of a self-service POS terminal according to the transaction processing program. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the first coupon application process shown in Figure 8. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the second coupon application process shown in Figure 9. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the initial screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a member verification screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a product registration screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a coupon confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a coupon reading screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an unavailable screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a payment confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a point management screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a points redemption screen displayed on the touch panel of a self-service POS terminal. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an unused confirmation screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-POS terminal. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a usage status screen displayed on the touch panel of the self-POS terminal.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of a product sales data processing device that unifies the timing for inputting coupons regardless of the type of coupon will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as a product sales data processing device, a full self-type POS terminal, so-called a self-POS terminal, in which a purchaser performs all operations from registration of purchased products to payment of the price by himself / herself at a retail store, is exemplified. A purchaser refers to a consumer who purchases products at a retail store, that is, a so-called customer.

[0009] [Explanation of the Configuration of the Self-POS Terminal] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the self-POS terminal 1. The self-POS terminal 1 includes circuit components such as a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a clock 14, a communication interface 15, an I / O (Input / Output) interface 16, and a system transmission path 17. The system transmission path 17 includes an address bus, a data bus, control signal lines, and the like. The self-POS terminal 1 constitutes a computer by connecting each circuit component to the system transmission path 17.

[0010] Processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. Processor 11 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the self-POS terminal 1 according to an operating system or an application program (application software). Processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 11 may be, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an SoC (System on a Chip), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, Processor 11 may be a combination of a plurality of these.

[0011] Main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage part of the computer. Main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. Main memory 12 stores an operating system or an application program in the non-volatile memory area. Main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor 11 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the non-volatile or volatile memory area. Main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by processor 11. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0012] The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes, or data created by the processing performed by the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store the application program described above.

[0013] Clock 14 measures the date and time. Self-service POS terminal 1 obtains the date and time measured by clock 14 as the current date and time.

[0014] The communication interface 15 connects to the communication network 2. The communication network 2 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. Alternatively, the communication network 2 may include a wide-area network such as the Internet or an intranet. A mobile communication network, a public communication network, etc., may also be used as part of the communication network 2. A point server 3, a coupon server 4, etc. are connected to the communication network 2. The self-service POS terminal 1 can communicate data with the point server 3, coupon server 4, etc. on the communication network 2 via the communication interface 15.

[0015] Point Server 3 is a server computer for managing the point service. The point service is a service that awards points to point members each time they make a purchase at a retail store, based on the purchase amount, etc. A point member is a consumer who has registered as a member in order to receive the point service. Points awarded to point members are accumulated for each point member. Point members can receive benefits according to their accumulated points. Benefits include a point discount service, where the price of goods purchased at the store is reduced when the accumulated points reach a certain number of points, or a point payment service, where accumulated points are converted into a monetary value and used to pay for goods purchased at the store. Point Server 3 has a member database 5 for managing the point service. Member database 5 is a collection of member records 51 (see Figure 2) created for each point member.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of member record 51. Member record 51 consists of item data such as member ID, accumulated points, and last updated date. Member record 51 may also contain data for other items.

[0017] A Member ID is a unique identifier assigned to each member to individually identify them as a points member. Each points member possesses a points card on which their Member ID is recorded. Points members may also install a dedicated application software, known as a Points Member App, on their mobile device, such as a smartphone. When the Points Member App is launched on a mobile device with the app installed, a barcode or QR code indicating the Member ID will be displayed on the display device.

[0018] Points are calculated each time a transaction is completed at Self POS Terminal 1 in which a points member identified by their member ID is the purchaser. Accumulated points are the accumulated value of the calculated points for each points member. Accumulated points are used for the aforementioned point discount service or point payment service, etc. If accumulated points are used for the point discount service in a transaction with a points member at Self POS Terminal 1, the points server 3 deducts the points used for the discount from the accumulated points of the member record 51, which includes the points member ID of the points member. If accumulated points are used for the point payment service in a transaction with a points member at Self POS Terminal 1, the points server 3 deducts the points used for payment from the accumulated points of the member record 51, which includes the points member ID of the points member.

[0019] The last update date is the most recent date on which the accumulated points of a points member, identified by their member ID, were updated. For example, when a transaction with a points member is settled at self-service POS terminal 1, points are calculated, and added to the accumulated points, the last update date is updated to that day's date.

[0020] Coupon Server 4 is a server computer for managing coupons distributed to consumers. There are two types of coupons: first coupons that apply to specific products, and second coupons that are applied as monetary vouchers. Coupon Server 4 manages data related to both first and second coupons. For this management, Coupon Server 4 has a coupon database 6. Coupon Database 6 is a collection of coupon records 61 (see Figure 3) created for each type of coupon.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of a coupon record 61. A coupon record 61 consists of item data such as coupon code, coupon name, category, value discount data, and used flag (used F). A coupon record 61 may also contain data for other items.

[0022] A coupon code is a unique code assigned to each coupon to individually identify different types of coupons. Here, the type of coupon is not a classification into first-class coupons and second-class coupons. For example, for first-class coupons, each coupon code identifies a different type of coupon depending on the product to which it applies, such as a first-class coupon applicable to product A, a first-class coupon applicable to product B, etc. Also, even if the applicable product is the same, coupons with different value discount data are identified as different types of coupons by their coupon codes. For second-class coupons, each coupon code identifies a different type of coupon depending on the difference in the value discount data to which it applies, such as a second-class coupon offering a 100 yen discount on the price, a second-class coupon offering a 10% discount on the price, etc.

[0023] The coupon name is the unique name of the coupon identified by the coupon code. The category is a value used to identify whether the coupon identified by the coupon code belongs to the first coupon or the second coupon. In this embodiment, the category of a coupon belonging to the first coupon is set to "1", and the category of a coupon belonging to the second coupon is also set to "1". The value discount data is the discount amount or discount rate data for the coupon identified by the coupon code. The used flag is a 1-bit data used to identify whether the coupon identified by the coupon code has been used or not. In this embodiment, the used flag indicating unused is set to "0", and the used flag indicating used is set to "1".

[0024] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. The I / O interface 16 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving data signals with devices such as the touch panel 21, card reader 22, scanner 23, printer 24, cash handling machine 25, lamp 26, and speaker 27.

[0025] The touch panel 21 is the display and input device for the self-service POS terminal 1. The self-service POS terminal 1 displays the necessary images, text, etc., on the touch panel 21. The self-service POS terminal 1 processes touch operations on the touch panel 21 as operator input to the self-service POS terminal 1. The operator is, in principle, the customer. However, a store employee may also act as the operator.

[0026] The card reader 22 is a device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a point card or credit card. If the card medium is a magnetic card, the card reader 22 is a magnetic card reader. If the card medium is an IC card, the card reader 22 is an IC card reader. The self-service POS terminal 1 may be equipped with either a magnetic card reader or an IC card reader as the card reader 22, or it may be equipped with both. The card reader 22 may also be a card reader / writer that has a data writing function to the card medium.

[0027] Scanner 23 is a device that reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. Each product has a barcode indicating the product code. In addition, the display device of a mobile device with the points membership app installed displays a barcode or two-dimensional code indicating the member ID. Furthermore, both the first and second coupons have barcodes printed on them indicating the coupon code. Scanner 23 is used to read these barcodes or two-dimensional codes. Scanner 23 may be a handheld device operated by an operator, or it may be a stationary device built into the main body of the self-service POS terminal 1.

[0028] The printer 24 is a device that prints, for example, transaction receipt data onto receipt paper. The receipt paper on which the transaction receipt data has been printed by the printer 24 is cut by a cutter and issued as a transaction receipt from the issuing slot. The printer 24 can be implemented by, for example, a thermal printer or a dot matrix printer.

[0029] The cash handling machine 25 is a device equipped with a safe for storing banknotes and coins by denomination, and a mechanism for taking banknotes or coins equivalent to the change amount from the safe and dispensing them to the dispensing slot. When the cash handling machine 25 is notified of the change amount by the processor 11, it calculates the number of banknotes or coins to be dispensed for each denomination that corresponds to the change amount. The cash handling machine 25 then takes the calculated number of banknotes or coins for each denomination from the safe and dispenses them to the dispensing slot. The cash handling machine 25 is sometimes referred to as an automatic change dispenser.

[0030] Lamp 26 is a device that selectively emits light in, for example, blue and red. The color of light emitted by Lamp 26 allows store employees to know the current status of the self-service POS terminal 1, such as whether it is idle, operational, or if an error has occurred.

[0031] Speaker 27 is a device that outputs various sounds. The self-service POS terminal 1 outputs synthesized speech from speaker 27 to the operator, for example, to guide them on how to operate the terminal. If an error occurs, the self-service POS terminal 1 emits a warning sound or the like from speaker 27 to notify the operator of the error.

[0032] In this configuration, the self-service POS terminal 1 uses a portion of the volatile memory area in the main memory 12 as the area for the transaction file 31 and the coupon file 32.

[0033] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the transaction file 31. As shown in the figure, the transaction file 31 is an area for storing multiple first data records, each consisting of items such as product code, product name, unit price, quantity, amount, and discount amount, associated with a series of record numbers.

[0034] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the coupon file 32. As shown in the figure, the coupon file 32 is an area for storing multiple second data records, each associated with a series of record numbers, which have a hold flag (hold F), etc., added to the coupon code, coupon name, category, value discount data, and used flag of the coupon record 61. The hold flag is a 1-bit data that indicates whether the second data record containing the hold flag is in a hold state or not. In this embodiment, the hold flag that puts the second data record in a hold state is set to "1", and the hold flag that puts it in a not-hold state is set to "0".

[0035] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1. The processor 11 has the functions of a registration means 111, a payment calculation means 112, a reception means 113, a first application means 114, a second application means 115, an application status notification means 116, and an invalid coupon notification means 117.

[0036] The registration means 111 is a function for registering products purchased by a buyer. When the self-POS terminal 1 scans the barcode attached to a product with the scanner 23, it obtains the product code of the product from the barcode data. The registration means 111 obtains the product name and unit price of the product identified by the product code from the product database, generates a first data record including the product code, product name, unit price, quantity, amount, and discount amount, and stores it in the transaction file 31. The quantity is, in principle, "1". The quantity may also be the numerical value entered by, for example, the operation of the numeric keypad displayed on the touch panel 21. The amount is the amount calculated by multiplying the unit price by the quantity. The discount amount is "0" when the first data record is generated. The product database is a collection of product records created for each product. A product record consists of item data such as product code, product name, and unit price. The product database is stored, for example, in the auxiliary storage device 13. The product database may also be stored on a server connected to the communication network 2. The registration means 111 also includes a function to display the product name, quantity, amount, etc. of the first data record stored in the transaction file 31 on the touch panel 21.

[0037] The price calculation means 112 is a function that calculates the price that a buyer will pay for the goods registered by the registration means 111. The price calculation means 112 sums the amounts of the first data records stored in the transaction file 31 and calculates the price by subtracting the discount amount of the first data record from the sum. The price calculation means 112 may also calculate the price using other calculation formulas. The price calculation means 112 also includes a function to display the price on the touch panel 21.

[0038] The reception means 113 is a function that accepts one or more coupons to be used by a purchaser in a batch. For example, the reception means 113 accepts one or more coupons to be used by a purchaser after they have completed registration by the registration means 111. When the self-POS terminal 1 scans the barcode attached to the first or second coupon with the scanner 23, it obtains the coupon code of the coupon from the barcode data. Each time the reception means 113 obtains a coupon code, it obtains the coupon name, category, value discount data, and used flag of the coupon identified by that coupon code from the coupon database 6, generates a second data record together with a hold flag, and stores it in the coupon file 32. When the reception means 113 accepts the first coupon, it sets the hold flag of the second data record for the first coupon to "0" to indicate that it is not on hold. When the reception means 113 accepts the second coupon, it sets the hold flag of the second data record for the second coupon to "1" to indicate that it is on hold.

[0039] The first application means 114 is a function that applies a discount based on the first coupon to a product registered by the registration means 111 when the coupon received by the reception means 113 is a first coupon applicable to a product. The first application means 114 applies the discount based on the value discount data of the first coupon by setting the discount amount calculated based on the value discount data of the first coupon to the first data record when a first data record containing the product code of the product to which the first coupon applies is stored in the transaction file 31.

[0040] The second application means 115 is a function that, when a coupon received by the reception means 113 is a second coupon applicable to the price, waits for the price calculation means 112 to calculate the price and then applies the discount from the second coupon. After the price calculation means 112 calculates the price, the second application means 115 checks whether the pending second data record is stored in the coupon file 32, and if it is stored, applies the discount from the coupon identified by the coupon code of the second data record to the price.

[0041] The application status notification means 116 is a function that notifies the application status of the second coupon received by the reception means 113 by the second application means 115. For each second coupon received by the reception means 113, the application status notification means 116 displays text or an image on the touch panel 21 indicating whether or not the discount using the second coupon has been applied, thereby notifying the operator of the self-service POS terminal 1, i.e., the purchaser.

[0042] The invalid coupon notification means 117 is a function that notifies the customer if the second coupon received by the acceptance means 113 cannot be applied based on the price calculated by the price calculation means 112. For example, if the price becomes "0" yen due to the application of the point payment service, the second coupon cannot be applied. Alternatively, if the application condition for the second coupon is set to "apply when the price is 1000 yen or more", the second coupon cannot be applied if the price is less than 1000 yen. In this case, the invalid coupon notification means 117 notifies the operator of the self-POS terminal 1, i.e., the purchaser, by displaying text or an image on the touch panel 21 indicating that the second coupon cannot be applied.

[0043] The functions of the registration means 111, payment calculation means 112, acceptance means 113, first application means 114, second application means 115, application status notification means 116, and invalid coupon notification means 117 described above are all realized by information processing performed by the processor 11 in accordance with the transaction processing program.

[0044] A transaction processing program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. The method of installing the transaction processing program in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13 is not particularly limited. The transaction processing program can be recorded on a removable recording medium, or distributed via network communication and installed in the main memory 12 or auxiliary storage device 13. The recording medium can be of any form, as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0045] [Explanation of Self-POS Terminal Operation] Figures 7 to 11 are flowcharts showing the main steps of information processing performed by the processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1 according to the transaction processing program. Figures 12 to 22 are schematic diagrams showing examples of various screens displayed on the touch panel 21 of the self-service POS terminal 1. The main operations of the self-service POS terminal 1 will be explained below using these figures. Note that the operations described below are examples. The procedures and processing content can be changed as appropriate if similar effects can be achieved. The screen layout and other elements can also be changed as appropriate.

[0046] The processor 11 of the idle self-service POS terminal 1 begins processing information according to the transaction processing program. First, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 as the initial screen SCa (see Figure 12), which is ACT1 in Figure 7. The initial screen SCa is a screen that prompts the buyer, who will be the operator of the self-service POS terminal 1, to start registering the purchased items.

[0047] Figure 12 shows an example of the initial screen SCa. As shown in the figure, the initial screen SCa is a screen that displays a start button BTa along with text guiding the user on how to operate the device, for example, "Welcome, please press the [Start] button." The start button BTa is an operator used by the customer to declare the start of registering purchased items to the self-service POS terminal 1. The start button BTa is a software key. After the customer has confirmed the initial screen SCa, they touch the start button BTa.

[0048] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the initial screen SCa, proceeds to ACT2. As ACT2, the processor 11 waits for the start button BTa to be pressed. When the start button BTa is detected to have been touched by a signal from the touch panel 21, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT3. As ACT3, the processor 11 initializes the transaction file 31 and the coupon file 32. This initialization clears the first data record and the second data record stored in the transaction file 31 and the coupon file 32.

[0049] After initializing the transaction file 31 and the coupon file 32, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT4. For ACT4, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the member confirmation screen SCb (see Figure 13). The member confirmation screen SCb is a screen used to confirm whether the purchaser, who is the operator of the self-service POS terminal 1, is a points member or not.

[0050] Figure 13 shows an example of the member confirmation screen SCb. The member confirmation screen SCb is a screen that displays text asking whether the purchaser is a points member, for example, "Do you have a points card?", along with an affirmative button BTb for "Yes" and a negative button BTc for "No". The affirmative button BTb is an operator for the purchaser to declare that they are a points member. The negative button BTc is an operator for the purchaser to declare that they are not a points member. The affirmative button BTb and the negative button BTc are software keys. After the purchaser has confirmed the member confirmation screen SCb, if they are a points member, they touch the affirmative button BTb. The purchaser then has the card reader 22 read the data from their points card. Alternatively, the purchaser launches the member app on their mobile device and has the scanner 23 read the barcode or QR code showing the member ID displayed on the display device. On the other hand, if they are not a points member, the purchaser touches the negative button BTc.

[0051] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the member confirmation screen SCb, proceeds to ACT5. The processor 11 waits for the input of either the affirmative button BTb or the negative button BTc as ACT5. When the processor 11 detects that the affirmative button BTb has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it proceeds to ACT6. The processor 11 performs member authentication processing. This process queries the point server 3 to determine whether the member identified by the member ID entered via the card reader 22 or scanner 23 is an active member. The point server 3, upon receiving the query, searches the member database 5. The point server 3 then checks whether the last update date of the member record, including the member ID, is, for example, within the last year. If the last update date is, for example, within the last year, the point server 3 authenticates that the member is an active member. If the last update date is, for example, more than one year ago, the point server 3 authenticates that the member is not an active member. The authentication result from the point server 3 is returned to the self-service POS terminal 1.

[0052] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which has performed the member authentication process, proceeds to ACT7. The processor 11 determines the authentication result. If the authentication result is that the user is a valid member, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT8. As ACT8, the processor 11 obtains the accumulated points of the point member. If the point server 3 authenticates that the user is a valid member, it outputs the accumulated points described in the member record 51 of that point member to the self-service POS terminal 1. In ACT8, the processor 11 obtains the accumulated points output from the point server 3. Having obtained and stored the accumulated points, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT9. As ACT9, the processor 11 sets the member transaction flag Fa to "1". The member transaction flag Fa is a 1-bit data that identifies whether the purchaser operating the self-service POS terminal 1 is a point member or not. In this embodiment, the member transaction flag Fa is set to "1" to indicate that the purchaser is a point member, and the member transaction flag Fa is set to "0" to indicate that the purchaser is not a point member. Therefore, if it is determined in ACT5 that the user is not a points member, or if it is authenticated in ACT7 that the user is not an active member, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, the processor 11 sets the member transaction flag Fa to "0".

[0053] After completing the processing of ACT9 or ACT10, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT11. For ACT11, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 as the product registration screen SCc (see Figure 14). The product registration screen SCc is a screen for displaying information about purchased products registered by the buyer.

[0054] Figure 14 shows an example of the product registration screen SCc. The product registration screen SCc is a screen that displays text guiding the user through the process of registering purchased items, such as "Please bring the product's barcode close to the reading window," along with a list of the registered purchased items, including their names, quantities, and prices, as well as total fields for the total quantity and total price, and a checkout button BTd. The checkout button BTd is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they have finished registering their purchased items and are moving on to the checkout process. The checkout button BTd is a software key. After reviewing the product registration screen SCc, the buyer brings the barcodes of the items they are purchasing one by one close to the reading window of the scanner 23 for scanning. Once the registration of all purchased items is complete, the buyer touches the checkout button BTd.

[0055] When the self-service POS terminal 1 displays the product registration screen SCc, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, the processor 11 checks whether product registration has been performed, that is, whether the product's barcode has been read by the scanner 23. If the barcode has not been read by the scanner 23, that is, if product registration has not been performed, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT13. As ACT13, the processor 11 checks whether the checkout button BTd has been pressed. If the checkout button BTd has not been pressed, the processor 11 returns to ACT12. In this way, the processor 11 waits in ACT12 and ACT13 for product registration to be performed or for the checkout button BTd to be pressed.

[0056] In the waiting state of ACT12 and ACT13, when the product barcode is read by scanner 23, processor 11 proceeds to ACT14. Processor 11 executes product sales data processing as ACT14. Specifically, processor 11 obtains the product code from the barcode data read by scanner 23. Then processor 11 searches the product database using that product code and obtains the product name, unit price, etc. from the product record containing that product code. Processor 11 generates a first data record consisting of the following items: product code, product name, unit price, quantity and amount, and discount amount, and stores this first data record in the transaction file 31 in ascending order of record number. Processor 11 also displays the product name, number, amount, etc. of the first data record in the list column of the product registration screen SCc, and updates the total quantity and total amount in the total column. Incidentally, the total quantity is the sum of the quantities of the first data records stored in the transaction file 31, and the total amount is the sum of the amounts. After completing product sales data processing, processor 11 returns to ACT12. In other words, processor 11 returns to the waiting state for ACT12 and ACT13.

[0057] In the standby state of ACT12 and ACT13, when the processor 11 detects that the payment button BTd has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, the processor proceeds to ACT15. As ACT15, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 to the coupon confirmation screen SCd (see Figure 15). The coupon confirmation screen SCd is a screen that asks the purchaser whether or not to use a coupon.

[0058] Figure 15 shows an example of the coupon confirmation screen SCd. The coupon confirmation screen SCd is a screen that displays text asking the buyer whether or not to use a coupon, for example, "Do you want to use a coupon? If so, please press [Yes]," along with an affirmative button BTe for "Yes" and a negative button BTf for "No." The affirmative button BTe is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they will use the coupon. The negative button BTf is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they will not use the coupon. The affirmative button BTe and the negative button BTf are software keys. After reviewing the coupon confirmation screen SCd, the buyer touches the affirmative button BTe if they want to use the coupon. If they do not want to use the coupon, the buyer touches the negative button BTf.

[0059] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the coupon confirmation screen SCd, proceeds to ACT21 in Figure 8. The processor 11 checks whether or not coupon use has been declared as ACT21. If the processor 11 detects that the negative button BTf has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, it proceeds to ACT41 in Figure 9. The processing steps from ACT41 onwards will be described later.

[0060] On the other hand, if the processor 11 detects that the affirmative button BTe has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT22. As ACT22, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 to the coupon reading screen SCe (see Figure 16). The coupon reading screen SCe is a screen that guides the purchaser through the coupon reading operation.

[0061] Figure 16 shows an example of the coupon reading screen SCe. The coupon reading screen SCe is a screen that displays text guiding the buyer through the coupon reading operation, such as "Please bring the coupon barcode close to the reading window," an image showing the coupon barcode, and a cancel button BTg. The cancel button BTg is an operator used to declare the cancellation of the coupon reading operation. The cancel button BTg is a software key. After confirming the coupon reading screen SCe, the buyer brings the barcode of the coupon they wish to use close to the reading window of scanner 23 for reading. If the buyer has multiple coupons, they first have the scanner 23 read the barcode of the first coupon. To cancel the coupon reading operation, the buyer touches the cancel button BTg.

[0062] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the coupon reading screen SCe, proceeds to ACT23. In ACT23, the processor 11 checks whether the coupon barcode has been read by the scanner 23. If the coupon barcode has not been read by the scanner 23, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT24. In ACT24, the processor 11 checks whether the cancel button BTg has been pressed. If the cancel button BTg has not been pressed, the processor 11 returns to ACT23. In this way, the processor 11 waits in ACT23 and ACT24 for the coupon barcode to be read or for the cancel button BTg to be pressed.

[0063] When the processor 11 detects that the cancel button BTg has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21 while in the standby state of ACT23 and ACT24, it proceeds to ACT41 in Figure 9. The processing procedure from ACT41 onwards will be described later.

[0064] In ACT23 and ACT24, if the coupon barcode is read by scanner 23, processor 11 proceeds to ACT25. Processor 11 obtains the coupon code from the coupon barcode as ACT25. Processor 11 then searches the coupon database 6 with the coupon code as ACT26 and obtains the coupon record 61 containing that coupon code.

[0065] After obtaining coupon record 61, processor 11 proceeds to ACT27. As ACT27, processor 11 checks the used flag of coupon record 61. If the used flag is "1", indicating that the coupon identified by the coupon code has been used, processor 11 proceeds to ACT28. As ACT28, processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the unavailable screen SCf (see Figure 17). The unavailable screen SCf is a screen that notifies the buyer that the coupon is unavailable.

[0066] Figure 17 shows an example of the "Unavailable" screen SCf. The "Unavailable" screen SCf is a screen that displays text informing the buyer that the coupon is unavailable, such as "This coupon is unavailable," an image indicating that the coupon is unavailable, and a confirmation button BTh. The confirmation button BTh is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they have acknowledged the notification that the coupon is unavailable. The confirmation button BTh is a software key. After viewing the "Unavailable" screen SCf, the buyer will know that the coupon they bring close to the scanner 23's reading window is unavailable. The buyer then touches the confirmation button BTh.

[0067] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the unavailable screen SCf, proceeds to ACT29. The processor 11 waits for the confirmation button BTh to be input as ACT29. When the processor 11 detects that the confirmation button BTh has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it returns to ACT15 in Figure 7. The processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 to the coupon confirmation screen SCd. The processor 11 then executes the processing from ACT21 onwards in Figure 8 as described above. Therefore, if the buyer who touched the confirmation button BTh wishes to use another coupon, they touch the affirmative button BTe on the coupon confirmation screen SCd. The buyer then has the barcode of the coupon to be used read by the scanner 23. Conversely, if the buyer does not wish to use another coupon, they touch the negative button BTf on the coupon confirmation screen SCd.

[0068] In ACT27, if the used flag of coupon record 61 is "0", meaning the coupon identified by the coupon code is unused, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT30. In ACT30, the processor 11 generates a second data record by adding a hold flag to the coupon code, coupon name, category, value discount data, and used flag of the coupon record, and stores the second data records in the coupon file 32 in ascending order of record number. At this point, the hold flag is set to its default value, for example, "0".

[0069] After storing the second data record in the coupon file 32, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 31. As ACT 31, the processor 11 checks the classification of the second data record. If the classification is "1", that is, if the coupon identified by the coupon code is the first coupon, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 32. As ACT 32, the processor 11 executes the first coupon application process. The first coupon application process will be described later.

[0070] In contrast, if the category is "2," that is, if the coupon identified by the coupon code is the second coupon, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT33. As ACT33, the processor 11 changes the hold flag of the second data record with category "2" stored in the coupon file 32 in ACT30 to "1," which indicates a hold state. Incidentally, the hold flag of the second data record with category "1" is "0," which indicates a hold state.

[0071] If the processor 11 executes the first coupon application process in ACT32, or changes the hold flag of the second data record to "1" in ACT33, it proceeds to ACT34. For ACT34, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the payment confirmation screen SCg (see Figure 18). The payment confirmation screen SCg is a screen that asks the buyer whether to continue reading the coupon or proceed to payment.

[0072] Figure 18 shows an example of the payment confirmation screen SCg. The payment confirmation screen SCg is a screen that displays text asking the buyer whether to continue loading coupons or proceed to payment, for example, "Do you want to continue loading coupons? Press [No] if you want to make a payment," along with an affirmative button BTi for "Yes" and a negative button BTj for "No." The affirmative button BTi is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they want to continue loading coupons. The negative button BTj is an operator used by the buyer to declare that they want to proceed to payment. The affirmative button BTi and the negative button BTj are software keys. After reviewing the payment confirmation screen SCg, the buyer touches the affirmative button BTi if they want to continue loading coupons. The buyer touches the negative button BTj if they want to proceed to payment.

[0073] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the payment confirmation screen SCg, proceeds to ACT35. In ACT35, the processor 11 determines whether to continue reading the coupon or proceed to payment. In ACT35, if the processor 11 detects that the affirmative button BTi has been touched by a signal from the touch panel 21, it returns to ACT22. That is, if it is declared that the coupon will be read next, the processor 11 returns the screen of the touch panel 21 to the coupon reading screen SCe. Thereafter, the processor 11 executes the processing from ACT23 onwards in the same manner as described above.

[0074] Therefore, a buyer using two or more coupons touches the affirmative button BTi on the payment confirmation screen SCg. After confirming the coupon reading screen SCe, the buyer has the scanner 23 read the barcodes of the second and subsequent coupons. The buyer repeats the above operation until the barcodes of all coupons to be used have been read by the scanner 23.

[0075] In ACT35, if the processor 11 detects that the negative button BTj has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT36. That is, when it is declared that the process will proceed to payment, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT36. The processor 11 calculates the price in ACT36. For example, the processor 11 adds up the amounts of all first data records stored in the transaction file 31, and subtracts the sum of the discounts from all first data records from that total amount to determine the price. If the purchased goods are subject to tax and the price is an ex-tax item, the processor 11 takes that tax amount into account when calculating the price. After calculating the price, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT41 in Figure 9.

[0076] Thus, when the processor 11 calculates the price in ACT36, or when the negative button BTf is pressed on the coupon confirmation screen SCd in ACT21, or when the cancel button BTg is pressed on the coupon reading screen SCe in ACT24, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT41 in Figure 9. In ACT41, the processor 11 checks the member transaction flag Fa. If the member transaction flag Fa is "0", that is, if the transaction is with a buyer who is not a points member, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT48. The processing from ACT48 onwards will be described later.

[0077] In ACT41, if the member transaction flag Fa is "1", meaning the transaction is with a purchaser who is a points member, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT42. For ACT42, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the points management screen SCh (see Figure 19). The points management screen SCh is a screen used to ask the purchaser whether or not to use the points payment service.

[0078] Figure 19 shows an example of the display of the points management screen SCh. The points management screen SCh is a screen that displays text asking the buyer whether or not to use the points payment service, for example, "Do you want to use points? If so, please press [Yes]," along with an affirmative button BTk for "Yes" and a negative button BTm for "No." The affirmative button BTk is an operator used to declare that the buyer will use the points payment service. The negative button BTm is an operator used to declare that the buyer will not use the points payment service. The affirmative button BTk and the negative button BTm are software keys. After viewing the points management screen SCh, the buyer touches the affirmative button BTk if they want to use the points payment service. If they do not want to use the points payment service, the buyer touches the negative button BTm.

[0079] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the points management screen SCh, proceeds to ACT43. In ACT43, the processor 11 waits for input indicating whether or not to use the points payment service. In ACT43, if the processor 11 detects that the negative button BTm has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, i.e., if it is declared that the points payment service will not be used, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT48. The processing from ACT48 onwards will be described later.

[0080] In ACT43, if the processor 11 detects that the affirmative button BTk has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, that is, if it has been declared that the point payment service will be used, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT44. In ACT44, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 to the point usage screen SCi (see Figure 20). The point usage screen SCi is a screen for the purchaser to input the points to be used in the point payment service.

[0081] Figure 20 shows an example of the SCi point usage screen display. The SCi point usage screen includes text to guide the buyer on how to input points, such as "Enter the points you wish to use and press [OK]," along with a numeric keypad button BTn and an OK button BTp. The SCi point usage screen also displays the total sales amount, available points, points used this time, remaining points, and remaining balance. The numeric keypad button BTn is the operator for inputting points to be used. The OK button BTp is the operator for declaring the end of point input. The total sales amount is the price calculated in the ACT35 process. Available points are the accumulated points owned by the buyer. Points used this time are the points entered using the numeric keypad button BTn. Incidentally, in this embodiment, in the point usage service, 1 point is converted to 1 yen and can be used to pay for the purchase. Therefore, the buyer can input points as points used this time that are less than or equal to the total sales amount and less than or equal to the accumulated points. Remaining points are the accumulated points minus the points used this time. The remaining balance is the total sales amount minus the amount equivalent to the points used in this transaction. After the buyer checks the points usage screen SCi, they use the numeric keypad button BTn to enter the points to be used for payment, within the range of the total sales amount and the accumulated points. Once the buyer has finished entering the points, they touch the OK button BTp.

[0082] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which is displaying the points usage screen SCi, proceeds to ACT45. The processor 11 waits for the OK button BTp to be pressed as ACT45. When the processor 11 detects that the OK button BTp has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it proceeds to ACT46. The processor 11 executes the points discount process as ACT46. That is, the processor 11 subtracts the amount equivalent to the points used this time from the total sales amount, i.e., the price, to calculate the remaining amount. The processor 11 updates the remaining points and the remaining amount on the points usage screen SCi.

[0083] After completing the point discount process, processor 11 proceeds to ACT47. In ACT47, processor 11 checks whether the remaining balance is greater than 0 yen, that is, whether the accumulated points have paid for part of the price or the full price. If the remaining balance in ACT47 is greater than 0 yen, that is, if the accumulated points have paid for part of the price, processor 11 proceeds to ACT48.

[0084] Thus, if in ACT41 it is determined that the transaction is with a buyer who is not a points member, or if in ACT43 it is declared that the points payment service will not be used, or if in ACT48 a portion of the price is paid using accumulated points, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT48. In ACT48, the processor 11 searches the coupon file 32 and checks whether a second data record with a hold flag of "1", that is, a second data record with a classification of "2", is stored there. If a second data record with a hold flag of "1" is stored in the coupon file 32, that is, if a second coupon exists among the coupons used by the buyer, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT49. In ACT49, the processor 11 executes the second coupon application process. The second coupon application process will be described later. On the other hand, if a second data record with a hold flag of "1" is not stored in the coupon file 32, that is, if a second coupon does not exist among the coupons used by the buyer, the processor 11 skips the second coupon application process in ACT49.

[0085] If the processor 11 executes or skips the second coupon application process, it proceeds to ACT 50. The processor 11 then executes the settlement process as ACT 50. That is, the processor 11 accepts input for the selection of a payment method for the price and executes the settlement process for the price using the selected payment method. For example, if cash is selected as the payment method, the processor 11 waits for the cash equivalent to the price to be inserted into the cash handling machine 25, and once the cash is inserted, it calculates the change and settles the transaction. Alternatively, if a credit card is selected as the payment method, the processor 11 reads the credit card data with the card reader 22, authenticates the credit card, and settles the transaction. Since such settlement processes are well known, a detailed explanation is omitted here. It should be noted that the payment method is not limited to cash or credit card, and the self-service POS terminal 1 may also support other payment methods such as electronic money and code payments.

[0086] After completing the settlement process, processor 11 proceeds to ACT 51. Processor 11 controls the issuance of the transaction receipt as ACT 51. Specifically, processor 11 creates print data for the transaction receipt based on the data in the transaction file 31, and outputs this print data to printer 24. Printer 24 prints the print data onto the receipt paper, cuts the receipt paper with a cutter, and issues the transaction receipt from the output slot.

[0087] The processor 11, which controls the issuance of the transaction receipt, proceeds to ACT 52. The processor 11 executes the coupon update process as ACT 52. That is, the processor 11 outputs the data of the coupon file 32 to the coupon server 4 as ACT 52. The coupon server 4 updates the coupon record 61 with the data of the coupon file 32. Specifically, it updates the used flag of the coupon record 61, which includes the coupon code of the second data record whose used flag has been changed from "0" to "1", from "0" to "1".

[0088] After completing the coupon update process, the processor 11 terminates the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9. The processor 11 returns to ACT1 and waits for the start button BTa to be pressed, with the touch panel 21 screen set as the initial screen SCa.

[0089] On the other hand, in ACT47, if the remaining balance is 0 yen, meaning the entire amount has been paid by accumulated points, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT53. In ACT53, the processor 11 searches the coupon file 32 and checks whether a second data record with category "2" is stored. If no second data records with category "2" are stored, meaning there is no second coupon among the coupons used by the purchaser, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT51. In other words, the processor 11 controls the issuance of the receipt. The processor 11 also executes the coupon update process and completes the information processing of the procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9.

[0090] In response to this, if the coupon file 32 contains at least one second data record with classification "2", the processor 11 proceeds to ACT 54. As ACT 54, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the unused confirmation screen SCj (see Figure 21). The unused confirmation screen SCj is a screen that notifies the buyer that there is an unused second coupon.

[0091] Figure 21 shows an example of the unused coupon confirmation screen SCj. The unused coupon confirmation screen SCj is a screen that displays text informing the buyer that there is an unused second coupon, for example, "The loaded second coupon is unused. Is this OK?", along with an affirmative button BTq for "Yes" and a negative button BTr for "No". The affirmative button BTq is an operator used to declare that the second coupon is OK to use. The affirmative button BTq and the negative button BTr are software keys. After reviewing the unused coupon confirmation screen SCj, the buyer decides whether or not to proceed with payment without using the loaded second coupon. If they choose to proceed, the buyer touches the affirmative button BTq. If they choose not to proceed, the buyer touches the negative button BTr.

[0092] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the unused confirmation screen SCj, proceeds to ACT55. The processor 11 waits for either the affirmative button BTq or the negative button BTr to be input as ACT55. When the processor 11 detects that the affirmative button BTq has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it proceeds to ACT51. That is, the processor 11 controls the issuance of the receipt. The processor 11 also executes the coupon update process and completes the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9.

[0093] In response to this, if the processor 11 detects that the negative button BTr has been touched based on a signal from the touch panel 21, the processor proceeds to ACT 56. The processor 11 then performs the payment restoration process as ACT 56. That is, the processor 11 restores the amount to its original value after deducting the points used in the point discount process of ACT 46.

[0094] After completing the payment restoration process, processor 11 returns to ACT42. Processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to the point management screen SCh. From here on, processor 11 executes the processes from ACT43 onwards in the same manner as described above. Therefore, a buyer who touched the negation button BTr on the unused confirmation screen SCj touches the negation button BTm on the point management screen SCh. In this case, in ACT48, since the coupon file 32 contains a second data record with category "2", processor 11 executes the second coupon application process.

[0095] Next, we will explain the first coupon application process. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the essential steps of the first coupon application process. In ACT32 of Figure 8, when the first coupon application process begins, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT61 of Figure 10. In ACT61, the processor 11 recognizes the product to which the discount or reduction of the first coupon applies. Then, in ACT62, the processor 11 checks whether the product in question is already registered. If the transaction file 31 contains a first data record that includes the product code of the product in question, the processor 11 determines that it is already registered. Conversely, if the transaction file 31 does not contain the first data record, the processor 11 determines that it is not already registered.

[0096] If the target product is not registered, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT63. As ACT63, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to an unavailable screen SCf (see Figure 17). Upon seeing the unavailable screen SCf, the buyer will know that the first coupon brought close to the scanner 23's reading window cannot be used. The buyer touches the confirmation button BTh.

[0097] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which displays the unavailable screen SCf, proceeds to ACT64. The processor 11 waits for the confirmation button BTh to be input as ACT64. When the processor 11 detects that the confirmation button BTh has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it terminates the first coupon application process. The processor 11 then proceeds to ACT33 in Figure 8.

[0098] In ACT62, if the target product is already registered, processor 11 proceeds to ACT65. In ACT65, processor 11 calculates the discount amount for the target product based on the value discount data of the first coupon. For example, if the value discount data is a discount of 10 yen, processor 11 calculates 10 yen as the discount amount. For example, if the value discount data is a 10% discount, processor 11 calculates 10% of the unit price of the target product as the discount amount.

[0099] Processor 11, having calculated the discount amount, proceeds to ACT66. In ACT66, Processor 11 sets the discount amount in the first data record for the target product to the discount amount calculated in ACT65. Also, in ACT67, Processor 11 changes the used flag in the second data record, which includes the coupon code of the first coupon, from "0" to "1". With this, Processor 11 finishes the application process for the first coupon. Processor 11 then proceeds to ACT33 in Figure 8.

[0100] Thus, when a buyer who has checked the coupon reading screen SCe has the scanner 23 read the barcode of the first coupon, the processor 11 applies the discount or reduction from the first coupon to the price of the product to which the coupon applies, provided that the product to which the first coupon applies is registered. The processor 11 then changes the used flag of the first coupon to which the discount or reduction has been applied from "0" to "1".

[0101] Next, we will explain the process for applying the second coupon. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the second coupon application process. When the second coupon application process begins in ACT49 in Figure 9, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT71 in Figure 11. In ACT71, the processor 11 checks whether multiple second data records with a hold flag of "1" are stored in the coupon file 32.

[0102] If only one second data record with a hold flag of "1" is found, that is, if only one type of second coupon had its barcode read in ACT23, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT72. In ACT72, the processor 11 calculates the discount amount based on the value discount data of the second data record with a hold flag of "1", that is, the second data record with a category of "2". For example, if the value discount data is a 100 yen discount, the processor 11 calculates the discount amount as 100 yen. For example, if the value discount data is a 10% discount, the processor 11 calculates the discount amount as 10% of the price.

[0103] Processor 11, having calculated the discount amount, proceeds to ACT73. Processor 11 deducts the discount amount from the price as ACT73. Processor 11 also changes the used flag of the second coupon data for which the discount amount was calculated from "0" to "1" as ACT74.

[0104] In contrast, if in ACT71 there are multiple second data records with a hold flag of "1", that is, if two or more barcodes for second coupons are read in ACT23, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT75. In ACT75, the processor 11 selects the second data record with the best discount condition from among the multiple second data records of category "2". For example, suppose there are two second data records with a hold flag of "1", one with a 100 yen discount and the other with a 10% discount. In this case, if the price is less than 1000 yen, the second data record with a 100 yen discount is selected because it has a better discount condition. If the price is 1000 yen or more, the second data record with a 10% discount is selected because it has a better discount condition.

[0105] Processor 11, having selected the second data record, proceeds to ACT76. Processor 11 calculates the discount amount based on the value discount data of the selected second data record as ACT76. Then, as ACT77, Processor 11 subtracts the discount amount from the price. Also, as ACT78, Processor 11 changes the used flag of the second coupon data for which the discount amount was calculated from "0" to "1".

[0106] Thus, if the used flag is changed from "0" to "1" in ACT74, or if the used flag is changed from "0" to "1" in ACT78, the processor 11 proceeds to ACT79. As ACT79, the processor 11 sets the screen of the touch panel 21 to the usage status screen SCk (see Figure 22). The usage status screen SCk is a screen for notifying the purchaser of the usage status of the second coupon.

[0107] Figure 22 shows an example of the usage status screen SCk. The usage status screen SCk displays the name of the second coupon that was loaded, the discount data for that second coupon, and text indicating whether or not that second coupon has been used. The usage status screen SCk also has confirmation buttons BTs. The confirmation buttons BTs are operators that the buyer uses to declare that they have viewed the usage status screen SCk. For example, the usage status screen SCk in Figure 22 shows that the coupon "○○ Coupon" with a discount of 100 yen is unused, and the coupon "△△ Coupon" with a discount of 10% has been used. The buyer who has viewed the usage status screen SCk understands that "○○ Coupon" was not used and will be carried over to the next time. The buyer then touches the confirmation buttons BTs.

[0108] The processor 11 of the self-service POS terminal 1, which is displaying the usage status screen SCk, proceeds to ACT80. The processor 11 waits for the confirmation button BTs to be input as ACT81. When the processor 11 detects that the confirmation button BTs has been touched based on the signal from the touch panel 21, it terminates the second coupon application process. The processor 11 then proceeds to ACT50 in Figure 9.

[0109] Thus, when a buyer who has confirmed the coupon reading screen SCe has the scanner 23 read the barcode of the second coupon, the processor 11 sets the hold flag of the second data record for that second coupon to "1" and holds the second data record stored in the coupon file 32 until the transaction price is calculated. Once the transaction price is calculated, the processor 11 applies the discount or reduction from the second coupon to the price based on the held second data record. The processor 11 then changes the used flag of the second coupon to "1" after the discount or reduction has been applied.

[0110] Here, processor 11 realizes the function of registration means 111 through the processing of ACT12 and ACT14 in Figure 7. Processor 11 realizes the function of payment calculation means 112 through the processing of ACT35 in Figure 8. Processor 11 realizes the function of receiving means 113 through the processing of ACT22 to ACT35 in Figure 8. Processor 11 realizes the function of first application means 114 through the processing of ACT32 in Figure 8. Processor 11 realizes the function of second application means 115 through the processing of ACT49 in Figure 9. Processor 11 realizes the function of application status notification means 116 through the processing of ACT79 in Figure 11. Processor 11 realizes the function of invalid coupon notification means 117 through the processing of ACT54 in Figure 9.

[0111] [Explanation of the effects and benefits of self-service POS terminals] As detailed above, in this embodiment, the self-service POS terminal 1 has a processor 11 that functions as a registration means 111, a price calculation means 112, a reception means 113, a first application means 114, and a second application means 115. Therefore, a buyer who wishes to use the first and second coupons touches the checkout button BTd on the product registration screen SCc, that is, after declaring that they have finished registering all purchased items and will proceed to checkout, and then sequentially scans the barcodes of the first and second coupons. At this time, there are no particular restrictions on the order in which the barcodes are scanned. The barcode of the first coupon may be scanned first, or the barcode of the second coupon may be scanned first. Also, for example, if the buyer has multiple copies of both the first and second coupons, they may have the barcodes of the first and second coupons scanned together. When the barcode of the first coupon is scanned, the first coupon application process is executed immediately. When the barcode of the second coupon is scanned, it is temporarily held, and the second coupon application process is executed after the price is calculated. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a self-service POS terminal 1 that unifies the timing of coupon input regardless of the type of coupon.

[0112] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 1 has a processor 11 that also functions as an application status notification means 116. This function allows the buyer to confirm whether or not the second coupon, which was held in reserve until the price was calculated, was applied. Therefore, for example, a buyer who has scanned the barcodes of two or more second coupons with the scanner 23 can easily distinguish between the second coupons to which a discount or reduction was applied and those to which it was not.

[0113] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 1 also has a processor 11 that functions as a means 117 for notifying invalid coupons. This function allows the buyer to know, for example, that the second coupon has become unusable because the price has become "0" yen due to a point discount.

[0114] [Other embodiments] The above describes an embodiment of a product sales data processing device that standardizes the timing of coupon input regardless of the type of coupon, but such embodiments are not limited to this.

[0115] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which coupons are accepted in bulk after the buyer declares that they will proceed to the accounting process. The timing of coupon input is not limited to after the buyer declares that they will proceed to the accounting process. For example, coupons may be accepted in bulk before the buyer starts registering products. In this case, the data for the first coupon is also temporarily held. Then, each time a product eligible for the first coupon is registered, the processor 11 executes the first coupon application process. With this configuration, the buyer only needs to have the coupon barcodes scanned in bulk before starting to register products, so it is not burdensome and convenience is improved.

[0116] In the above embodiment, when the coupon has been used in ACT27 in Figure 8, the processor 11 sets the touch panel 21 screen to an unavailable screen SCf. In another embodiment, the processor 11 further performs a staff call process. That is, the processor 11 outputs a staff call signal via the communication interface 15. The staff call signal is sent to a staff terminal connected to the communication network 2. The staff terminal is a terminal used by a staff member, a so-called attendant, who monitors the status of the self-POS terminal 1. The staff terminal may be a stationary terminal or a handheld terminal carried by the staff member. Upon receiving the staff call signal, the staff terminal notifies the staff member that there has been a call from the self-POS terminal 1. The notified staff member goes to the location where the self-POS terminal 1 is installed. Then, the staff member collects the coupon that the purchaser scanned, as it is considered used. By taking such measures, store staff will intervene if a customer attempts to reuse a used coupon by scanning the barcode, thus deterring the fraudulent use of coupons.

[0117] The above embodiment exemplifies a self-service POS terminal 1 as one form of a product sales data processing device. However, the product sales data processing device is not limited to the self-service POS terminal 1. For example, it can also be applied to a product sales data processing device in a shared-service model where a store employee operates a registration machine to register products, and the customer operates a payment machine to complete the transaction. Furthermore, it can also be applied to a face-to-face POS terminal where a store employee handles everything from product registration to payment.

[0118] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out 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 variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0119] 1...Self-service POS terminal, 2...Communication network, 3...Point server, 4...Coupon server, 5...Member database, 6...Coupon database, 11...Processor, 12...Main memory, 13...Auxiliary storage device, 14...Clock, 15...Communication interface, 16...I / O interface, 17...System transmission path, 21...Touch panel, 22...Card reader, 23...Scanner, 24...Printer, 25...Cash handling machine, 26...Lamp, 27...Speaker, 31...Transaction file, 32...Coupon file, 51...Member record, 61...Coupon record, 111...Registration means, 112...Price calculation means, 113...Reception means, 114...First application means, 115...Second application means, 116...Application status notification means, 117...Invalid coupon notification means.

Claims

1. A registration method for buyers to register the products they purchase, A price calculation means for calculating the price that the purchaser will pay for the goods registered by the registration means, A means for receiving one or more coupons used by the aforementioned purchaser in a single transaction, When the coupon received by the aforementioned receiving means is a first coupon applicable to a product, the first application means applies the discount provided by the first coupon to the applicable product registered by the aforementioned registration means, If the coupon received by the aforementioned receiving means is a second coupon that is applied to the price, the second application means waits for the price to be calculated by the aforementioned price calculation means and then applies the discount from the second coupon, A product sales data processing device equipped with the following:

2. The reception means accepts one or more coupons to be used by the purchaser after the registration by the registration means has been completed. The product sales data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first application means applies the discount provided by the first coupon each time the first coupon is received by the reception means, provided that the applicable product is registered.

3. If the coupon received by the aforementioned receiving means is the second coupon, the information of the second coupon will be put into a pending state. The product sales data processing device according to claim 2, wherein the second application means checks whether the information of the second coupon is being held after the price has been calculated by the price calculation means, and if it is being held, applies the discount using the second coupon.

4. Application status notification means for notifying the application status of the second coupon received by the reception means by the second application means, The product sales data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. An invalid coupon notification means that notifies when the second coupon received by the acceptance means is ineligible based on the price calculated by the price calculation means, The product sales data processing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. The computer for the product sales data processing device A registration method for buyers to register the products they intend to purchase. A price calculation means for calculating the price that the purchaser will pay for the goods registered by the registration means, A means for receiving one or more coupons used by the aforementioned purchaser in a single transaction. When the coupon received by the aforementioned receiving means is a first coupon applicable to a product, the first application means applies the discount provided by the first coupon to the applicable product registered by the aforementioned registration means, and If the coupon received by the aforementioned receiving means is a second coupon to be applied to the price, the second application means waits for the price to be calculated by the aforementioned price calculation means and then applies the discount from the said second coupon. A program designed to function as such.

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